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Domin H, Burnat G. mGlu4R, mGlu7R, and mGlu8R allosteric modulation for treating acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmacol Rep 2024:10.1007/s43440-024-00657-7. [PMID: 39348087 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-024-00657-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Neuroprotection, defined as safeguarding neurons from damage and death by inhibiting diverse pathological mechanisms, continues to be a promising approach for managing a range of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including acute conditions such as ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). These pathophysiological conditions involve excessive glutamatergic (Glu) transmission activity, which can lead to excitotoxicity. Inhibiting this excessive Glu transmission has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating the CNS disorders mentioned. In particular, ligands of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including metabotropic glutamatergic receptors (mGluRs), have been recognized as promising options for inhibiting excessive Glu transmission. This review discusses the complex interactions of mGlu receptors with their subtypes, including the formation of homo- and heterodimers, which may vary in function and pharmacology depending on their protomer composition. Understanding these intricate details of mGlu receptor structure and function enhances researchers' ability to develop targeted pharmacological interventions, potentially offering new therapeutic avenues for neurological and psychiatric disorders. This review also summarizes the current knowledge of the neuroprotective potential of ligands targeting group III mGluRs in preclinical cellular (in vitro) and animal (in vivo) models of ischemic stroke, TBI, PD, AD, and MS. In recent years, experiments have shown that compounds, especially those activating mGlu4 or mGlu7 receptors, exhibit protective effects in experimental ischemia models. The discovery of allosteric ligands for specific mGluR subtypes has led to reports suggesting that group III mGluRs may be promising targets for neuroprotective therapy in PD (mGlu4R), TBI (mGlu7R), and MS (mGlu8R).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Domin
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Neurobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, Kraków, 31-343, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Burnat
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Neurobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, Kraków, 31-343, Poland
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2
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Wang J, Li Y, El Fakhri G. Advances and Insights in Positron Emission Tomography Tracers for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 4 Imaging. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10517-10529. [PMID: 38924702 PMCID: PMC11290609 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging employs positron-emitting radioisotopes to visualize biological processes in living subjects with high sensitivity and quantitative accuracy. As the most translational molecular imaging modality, PET can detect and image a wide range of radiotracers with minimal or no modification to parent drugs or targeting molecules. This Perspective provides a comprehensive analysis of developing PET radioligands using allosteric modulators for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4) as a therapeutic target for neurological disorders. We focus on the selection of lead compounds from various chemotypes of mGluR4 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and discuss the challenges and systematic characterization required in developing brain-penetrant PET tracers specific for mGluR4. Through this analysis, we offer insights into the development and evaluation of PET ligands. Our review concludes that further research and development in this field hold great promise for discovering effective treatments for neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Wang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, 02114, USA
| | - Yingbo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Georges El Fakhri
- PET Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, Connecticut, 06520, USA
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3
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Domin H. Group III metabotropic glutamate receptors as promising targets for neuroprotective therapy: Particular emphasis on the role of mGlu4 and mGlu7 receptors. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 219:173452. [PMID: 36030890 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173452] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There is still no effective treatment for central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, including cerebral ischemia, neurotrauma, and neurodegenerative diseases in which the Glu/GABA balance is disturbed with associated excitotoxicity. It is thus important to search for new efficacious therapeutic strategies. Preclinical studies on the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in neuroprotection conducted over the years show that these receptors may have therapeutic potential in these CNS disorders. However, clinical trials, especially for treating Parkinson's disease, have been unsatisfactory. This review focuses on the specific role of group III mGluRs in neuroprotection in experimental in vitro and in vivo models of excitotoxicity/neurotoxicity using neurotoxins as well as ischemia, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's diseases, and multiple sclerosis. The review highlights recent preclinical studies in which group III mGluR ligands (especially those acting at mGluR4 or mGluR7) were administered after damage, thus emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic time window in the treatment of ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. From a clinical standpoint, the review also highlights studies using group III mGluR agonists with favorable neuroprotective efficacy (histological and functional) in experimental ischemic stroke, including healthy normotensive and-hypertensive rats. This review also summarizes possible mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective activity of the group III mGluR ligands, which may be helpful in developing more effective and safe therapeutic strategies. Therefore, to fully assess the role of these receptors in neuroprotection, it is necessary to uncover new selective ligands, primarily those stimulating mGlu4 and mGlu7 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Domin
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
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4
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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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Emerging role of microRNAs in major depressive disorder and its implication on diagnosis and therapeutic response. J Affect Disord 2021; 286:80-86. [PMID: 33714174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious and common psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence in the population. Although great advances have been made, its pathogenesis is still unclear and a validated biomarker for diagnosis or therapeutic response remains unidentified. This review aims at summarizing the functional role of miRNAs in MDD pathogenesis and their potential as biomarkers for MDD diagnosis and antidepressant response. METHODS We performed a bibliographic research on the main databases (PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science) using the terms "microRNAs", "major depressive disorder", "synaptic plasticity", "biomarker", "antidepressant treatment", in order to find studies that propose the role of microRNAs in MDD pathogenesis and their potential as biomarkers for MDD diagnosis and antidepressant response. RESULTS microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs, act as key regulators of synaptic plasticity in MDD pathogenesis. Growing researches provide the evidence for peripheral miRNAs as potential biomarkers for MDD diagnosis and antidepressant response. These results suggest that targeting miRNAs directly could be therapeutically beneficial for MDD and miRNAs are potential biomarkers of MDD and its treatment. LIMITATIONS The role of miRNAs in MDD pathogenesis needs further investigation. Whether miRNAs in peripheral tissues truly represent brain-derived miRNAs is still unclear at the present time. Moreover, only a few blood miRNAs alterations are consistent across studies. CONCLUSIONS Overall, miRNAs act key regulators of synaptic plasticity in MDD pathogenesis and hold significant promise as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for MDD, but further research is still needed.
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Zhang Q, Chen X, Li S, Yao T, Wu J. Association between the group III metabotropic glutamate receptor gene polymorphisms and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and functional exploration of risk loci. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 132:65-71. [PMID: 33068816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Existing evidence suggests that the group III metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) gene variations are involved in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but few studies have fully explored this association. We conducted a case-control study with 617 cases and 636 controls to investigate the association between functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the group III mGluR gene polymorphisms (GRM4, GRM7, GRM8) and ADHD in the Chinese Han population and initially explored the function of positive SNPs. The GRM4 rs1906953 T genotype showed a significant association with a decreased risk of ADHD (TT:CC, OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.40-0.77; recessive model, OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.43-0.78). GRM7 rs9826579 C showed a significant association with an increased risk of ADHD (TC:TT, OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.39-2.36; dominant model, OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.35-2.24; additive model, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.24-1.97). In addition, compared with subjects with the rs1906953 TT genotype, subjects with of the CC genotype showed more obvious attention deficit behaviours and hyperactivity/impulsive behaviours. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays showed that a promoter reporter with the rs1906953 TT genotype significantly decreased luciferase activity compared with the CC genotype. According to electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the binding capacity of rs1906953 T probe with nucleoprotein was lower than that of the rs1906953 C probe. Our results revealed the association of GRM4 rs1906953 and GRM7 rs9826579 with ADHD. Moreover, we found that rs1906953 disturbs the transcriptional activity of GRM4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinzhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanyawen Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13, Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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7
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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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Doller D, Bespalov A, Miller R, Pietraszek M, Kalinichev M. A case study of foliglurax, the first clinical mGluR4 PAM for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease: translational gaps or a failing industry innovation model? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:1323-1338. [PMID: 33074728 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1839047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 40% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients that take mostly dopamine receptor agonists for motor fluctuations, experience the return of symptoms between regular doses. This is a phenomenon known as 'OFF periods.' Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) are a promising non-dopaminergic mechanism with potential to address the unmet need of patients suffering from OFF periods. Foliglurax is the first mGluR4 PAM that has advanced into clinical testing in PD patients. AREAS COVERED We summarize the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical pharmacology of foliglurax. Translational PET imaging studies, clinical efficacy data, and a competitive landscape analysis of available therapies are presented to the readers. In this Perspective article, foliglurax is used as a case study to illustrate the inherent R&D challenges that companies face when developing drugs. These challenges include the delivery of drugs acting through novel mechanisms, long-term scientific investment, and commercial success and shorter-term positive financial returns. EXPERT OPINION Failure to meet the primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2 study led Lundbeck to discontinue the development of foliglurax. Understanding the evidence supporting compound progression into Phase 2 will enable the proper assessment of the therapeutic potential of mGluR4 PAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anton Bespalov
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice , Heidelberg, Germany.,Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University , St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Rob Miller
- Ventral Stream Consulting LLC ., IL, USA
| | - Malgorzata Pietraszek
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice , Heidelberg, Germany
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9
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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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10
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Srivastava A, Das B, Yao AY, Yan R. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease Synaptic Dysfunction: Therapeutic Opportunities and Hope for the Future. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 78:1345-1361. [PMID: 33325389 PMCID: PMC8439550 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The impaired synaptic plasticity and dendritic loss at the synaptic level is an early event associated with the AD pathogenesis. The abnormal accumulation of soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβ), the major toxic component in amyloid plaques, is viewed to trigger synaptic dysfunctions through binding to several presynaptic and postsynaptic partners and thus to disrupt synaptic transmission. Over time, the abnormalities in neural transmission will result in cognitive deficits, which are commonly manifested as memory loss in AD patients. Synaptic plasticity is regulated through glutamate transmission, which is mediated by various glutamate receptors. Here we review recent progresses in the study of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in AD cognition. We will discuss the role of mGluRs in synaptic plasticity and their modulation as a possible strategy for AD cognitive improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akriti Srivastava
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Brati Das
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Annie Y. Yao
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Riqiang Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA
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11
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Dal Prà I, Armato U, Chiarini A. Family C G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease and Therapeutic Implications. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1282. [PMID: 31719824 PMCID: PMC6826475 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), particularly its sporadic or late-onset form (SAD/LOAD), is the most prevalent (96–98% of cases) neurodegenerative dementia in aged people. AD’s neuropathology hallmarks are intrabrain accumulation of amyloid-β peptides (Aβs) and of hyperphosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) proteins, diffuse neuroinflammation, and progressive death of neurons and oligodendrocytes. Mounting evidences suggest that family C G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which include γ-aminobutyric acid B receptors (GABABRs), metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1-8), and the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), are involved in many neurotransmitter systems that dysfunction in AD. This review updates the available knowledge about the roles of GPCRs, particularly but not exclusively those expressed by brain astrocytes, in SAD/LOAD onset and progression, taking stock of their respective mechanisms of action and of their potential as anti-AD therapeutic targets. In particular, GABABRs prevent Aβs synthesis and neuronal hyperexcitability and group I mGluRs play important pathogenetic roles in transgenic AD-model animals. Moreover, the specific binding of Aβs to the CaSRs of human cortical astrocytes and neurons cultured in vitro engenders a pathological signaling that crucially promotes the surplus synthesis and release of Aβs and hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins, and also of nitric oxide, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and proinflammatory agents. Concurrently, Aβs•CaSR signaling hinders the release of soluble (s)APP-α peptide, a neurotrophic agent and GABABR1a agonist. Altogether these effects progressively kill human cortical neurons in vitro and likely also in vivo. Several CaSR’s negative allosteric modulators suppress all the noxious effects elicited by Aβs•CaSR signaling in human cortical astrocytes and neurons thus safeguarding neurons’ viability in vitro and raising hopes about their potential therapeutic benefits in AD patients. Further basic and clinical investigations on these hot topics are needed taking always heed that activation of the several brain family C GPCRs may elicit divergent upshots according to the models studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Dal Prà
- Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Armato
- Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Chiarini
- Human Histology and Embryology Unit, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
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Volpi C, Fallarino F, Mondanelli G, Macchiarulo A, Grohmann U. Opportunities and challenges in drug discovery targeting metabotropic glutamate receptor 4. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:411-423. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1443076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Volpi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Giada Mondanelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ursula Grohmann
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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13
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Primate-specific Long Non-coding RNAs and MicroRNAs. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2017; 15:187-195. [PMID: 28602844 PMCID: PMC5487532 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression in essentially all life forms. Long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are two important RNA classes possessing regulatory functions. Up to date, many primate-specific ncRNAs have been identified and investigated. Their expression specificity to primate lineage suggests primate-specific roles. It is thus critical to elucidate the biological significance of primate or even human-specific ncRNAs, and to develop potential ncRNA-based therapeutics. Here, we have summarized the studies regarding regulatory roles of some key primate-specific lncRNAs and miRNAs.
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14
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Pires AO, Teixeira FG, Mendes-Pinheiro B, Serra SC, Sousa N, Salgado AJ. Old and new challenges in Parkinson's disease therapeutics. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 156:69-89. [PMID: 28457671 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and/or loss od neuronal projections, in several dopaminergic networks. Current treatments for idiopathic PD rely mainly on the use of pharmacologic agents to improve motor symptomatology of PD patients. Nevertheless, so far PD remains an incurable disease. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to establish new therapeutic strategies for PD treatment. Over the last 20 years, several molecular, gene and cell/stem-cell therapeutic approaches have been developed with the aim of counteracting or retarding PD progression. The scope of this review is to provide an overview of PD related therapies and major breakthroughs achieved within this field. In order to do so, this review will start by focusing on PD characterization and current treatment options covering thereafter molecular, gene and cell/stem cell-based therapies that are currently being studied in animal models of PD or have recently been tested in clinical trials. Among stem cell-based therapies, those using MSCs as possible disease modifying agents for PD therapy and, specifically, the MSCs secretome contribution to meet the clinical challenge of counteracting or retarding PD progression, will be more deeply explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana O Pires
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - F G Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - B Mendes-Pinheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Sofia C Serra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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15
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Litim N, Morissette M, Di Paolo T. Metabotropic glutamate receptors as therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease: An update from the last 5 years of research. Neuropharmacology 2016; 115:166-179. [PMID: 27055772 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Disturbance of glutamate neurotransmission in Parkinson's disease (PD) and l-DOPA induced dyskinesia (LID) is well documented. This review focuses on advances during the past five years on pharmacological modulation of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in relation to anti-parkinsonian activity, LID attenuation, and neuroprotection. Drug design and characterization have led to the development of orthosteric agonists binding the same site as glutamate and Positive and Negative Allosteric modulators (PAMs and NAMs) binding sites different from the orthosteric site and offering subtype selectivity. Inhibition of group I (mGlu1 and mGlu5) receptors with NAMs and activation of group II (mGlu2 and 3 receptors) and group III (mGlu 4, 7 and 8 receptors) with PAMs and orthosteric agonists have shown their potential to inhibit glutamate release and attenuate excitotoxicity. Earlier and recent studies have led to the development of mGlu5 receptors NAMs to reduce LID and for neuroprotection, mGlu3 receptor agonists for neuroprotection while mGlu4 receptor PAMs and agonists for antiparkinsonian effects and neuroprotection. Furthermore, homo- and heterodimers of mGlu receptors are documented and highlight the complexity of the functioning of these receptors. Research on partial allosteric modulators and biased mGlu receptor allosteric modulators offer new glutamatergic drugs with better therapeutic effects and less off target adverse activity. Thus these various mGlu receptor targets will enable the development of novel drugs with improved clinical effects for normalization of glutamate transmission, treat PD and LID relief. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadhir Litim
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Marc Morissette
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada.
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16
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Volpi C, Mondanelli G, Pallotta MT, Vacca C, Iacono A, Gargaro M, Albini E, Bianchi R, Belladonna ML, Celanire S, Mordant C, Heroux M, Royer-Urios I, Schneider M, Vitte PA, Cacquevel M, Galibert L, Poli SM, Solari A, Bicciato S, Calvitti M, Antognelli C, Puccetti P, Orabona C, Fallarino F, Grohmann U. Allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 activates IDO1-dependent, immunoregulatory signaling in dendritic cells. Neuropharmacology 2015; 102:59-71. [PMID: 26522434 PMCID: PMC4720030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) possesses immune modulatory properties in vivo, such that a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the receptor confers protection on mice with relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE). ADX88178 is a newly-developed, one such mGluR4 modulator with high selectivity, potency, and optimized pharmacokinetics. Here we found that application of ADX88178 in the RR-EAE model system converted disease into a form of mild—yet chronic—neuroinflammation that remained stable for over two months after discontinuing drug treatment. In vitro, ADX88178 modulated the cytokine secretion profile of dendritic cells (DCs), increasing production of tolerogenic IL-10 and TGF-β. The in vitro effects required activation of a Gi-independent, alternative signaling pathway that involved phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), Src kinase, and the signaling activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). A PI3K inhibitor as well as small interfering RNA targeting Ido1—but not pertussis toxin, which affects Gi protein-dependent responses—abrogated the tolerogenic effects of ADX88178-conditioned DCs in vivo. Thus our data indicate that, in DCs, highly selective and potent mGluR4 PAMs such as ADX88178 may activate a Gi-independent, long-lived regulatory pathway that could be therapeutically exploited in chronic autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. ADX88178, a selective mGluR4 PAM, exerts long-term therapeutic effects in RR-EAE. ADX88178 activates a noncanonical mGluR4 signaling in DCs. ADX88178 induces a tolerogenic functional phenotype in DCs via immunoregulatory IDO1. Highly selective mGluR4 PAMs may represent novel drugs in chronic neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Volpi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giada Mondanelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria T Pallotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carmine Vacca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alberta Iacono
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gargaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisa Albini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberta Bianchi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria L Belladonna
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sylvain Celanire
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Céline Mordant
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Madeleine Heroux
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Royer-Urios
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Manfred Schneider
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Alain Vitte
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Cacquevel
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Galibert
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sonia-Maria Poli
- Addex Therapeutics, Chemin des Aulx 14, 1228, Plans les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aldo Solari
- Department of Economics, Management, and Statistics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, Via G. Campi 287, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Mario Calvitti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Antognelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Puccetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ciriana Orabona
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Fallarino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ursula Grohmann
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
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17
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Selective Negative Allosteric Modulation Of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors – A Structural Perspective of Ligands and Mutants. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13869. [PMID: 26359761 PMCID: PMC4566082 DOI: 10.1038/srep13869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptors have a wide range of modulatory functions in the central nervous system. They are among the most highly pursued drug targets, with relevance for several neurological diseases, and a number of allosteric modulators have entered clinical trials. However, so far this has not led to a marketed drug, largely because of the difficulties in achieving subtype-selective compounds with desired properties. Very recently the first crystal structures were published for the transmembrane domain of two metabotropic glutamate receptors in complex with negative allosteric modulators. In this analysis, we make the first comprehensive structural comparison of all metabotropic glutamate receptors, placing selective negative allosteric modulators and critical mutants into the detailed context of the receptor binding sites. A better understanding of how the different mGlu allosteric modulator binding modes relates to selective pharmacological actions will be very valuable for rational design of safer drugs.
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18
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Li J, Meng H, Cao W, Qiu T. MiR-335 is involved in major depression disorder and antidepressant treatment through targeting GRM4. Neurosci Lett 2015; 606:167-72. [PMID: 26314506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mood disorder. Treatment of MDD includes a variety of biopsychosocial approaches. Glutamate receptor, metabotropic 4 (GRM4) has been implicated in the regulation of MDD and it is seen as an attractive target for drug discovery and development. Here we reported using cellular assays and blood samples from MDD patients and showed that miR-335 was downregulated in individuals with depression compared with healthy controls. Additionally, we confirmed that miR-335 can directly target GRM4, which can further regulated the expression of miR-335. Antidepressant drug treatment with citalopram can upregulate miR-335 expression and downregulate GRM4 expression. These results suggest that miR-335 is associated with the pathophysiology of depression and is a potential target for new antidepressant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Huaqing Meng
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Wan Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tian Qiu
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Chongqing 400016, China
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19
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Abstract
This review summarizes patent applications in the past 5 years for the management of brain tumors and metastases. Most of the recent patents discuss one of the following strategies: the development of new drug entities that specifically target the brain cells, the blood-brain barrier and the tumor cells, tailor-designing a novel carrier system that is able to perform multitasks and multifunction as a drug carrier, targeting vehicle and even as a diagnostic tool, direct conjugation of a US FDA approved drug with a targeting moiety, diagnostic moiety or PK modifying moiety, or the use of innovative nontraditional approaches such as genetic engineering, stem cells and vaccinations. Until now, there has been no optimal strategy to deliver therapeutic agents to the CNS for the treatment of brain tumors and metastases. Intensive research efforts are actively ongoing to take brain tumor targeting, and novel and targeted CNS delivery systems to potential clinical application.
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20
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Therapeutic potential of group III metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands in pain. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 20:64-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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21
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Amalric M. Targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in Parkinson's disease. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2014; 20:29-34. [PMID: 25462289 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between dopamine and glutamate in the basal ganglia regulate critical aspects of motor and cognitive behavior. Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are key modulators of glutamatergic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). Preclinical evidence demonstrate that group I mGlu receptor antagonism and groups II and III mGlu receptor activation improve motor symptomatology of PD and decrease l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia by regulating excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the basal ganglia. Emotional and cognitive deficits are also observed in PD. Treatment of these symptoms is challenging and underscore the need for novel effective and well tolerated pharmacological treatments. This article will thus review the currently available knowledge regarding the therapeutic potential of targeting mGlu receptors to restore motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Amalric
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives (LNC), FR3C 3512, 13331 Marseille, France.
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22
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Chruścicka B, Burnat G, Brański P, Chorobik P, Lenda T, Marciniak M, Pilc A. Tetracycline-based system for controlled inducible expression of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:350-8. [PMID: 25394730 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114559183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A stable and inducible expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 4, 7, and 8 was obtained in T-REx 293 cells using the tetracycline system. Tetracycline administration to the cell medium resulted in rapid induction and time-dependent expression of mGlu receptors, which also correlates with its functionality in a cAMP accumulation assay. The pharmacological properties of recombinant mGlu receptors were verified using orthosteric and allosteric ligands. Data suggest that the Tet-on inducible system is suitable for functional mGlu receptors' expression and characterization by means of the cAMP accumulation assay. It makes this system a precise, reproducible, and large-scale screening method, as well as a reasonable tool to study signaling properties of mGlu receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Chruścicka
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Burnat
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Piotr Brański
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Paulina Chorobik
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Tomasz Lenda
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Marcin Marciniak
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna, Poland Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Grzegórzecka, Poland
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23
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Rovira X, Malhaire F, Scholler P, Rodrigo J, Gonzalez-Bulnes P, Llebaria A, Pin JP, Giraldo J, Goudet C. Overlapping binding sites drive allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity in type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptors. FASEB J 2014; 29:116-30. [PMID: 25342125 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-257287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Type 4 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu4) receptors are emerging targets for the treatment of various disorders. Accordingly, numerous mGlu4-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been identified, some of which also display agonist activity. To identify the structural bases for their allosteric action, we explored the relationship between the binding pockets of mGlu4 PAMs with different chemical scaffolds and their functional properties. By use of innovative mGlu4 biosensors and second-messenger assays, we show that all PAMs enhance agonist action on the receptor through different degrees of allosteric agonism and positive cooperativity. For example, whereas VU0155041 and VU0415374 display equivalent efficacies [log(τ(B)) = 1.15 ± 0.38 and 1.25 ± 0.44, respectively], they increase the ability of L-AP4 to stabilize the active conformation of the receptor by 4 and 39 times, respectively. Modeling and docking studies identify 2 overlapping binding pockets as follows: a first site homologous to the pocket of natural agonists of class A GPCRs linked to allosteric agonism and a second one pointing toward a site topographically homologous to the Na(+) binding pocket of class A GPCRs, occupied by PAMs exhibiting the strongest cooperativity. These results reveal that intrinsic efficacy and cooperativity of mGlu4 PAMs are correlated with their binding mode, and vice versa, integrating structural and functional knowledge from different GPCR classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Rovira
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Fanny Malhaire
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Scholler
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Jordi Rodrigo
- Laboratoire de Chimie Thérapeutique, BioCIS UMR-CNRS 8076, LabEx LERMIT, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Sud, Châtenay-Malabry, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Gonzalez-Bulnes
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Departament of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Departament of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Jesús Giraldo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology and Bioinformatics, Institut de Neurociències and Unitat de Bioestadística, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Cyril Goudet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, CNRS UMR 5203, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France;
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24
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Kalinichev M, Le Poul E, Boléa C, Girard F, Campo B, Fonsi M, Royer-Urios I, Browne SE, Uslaner JM, Davis MJ, Raber J, Duvoisin R, Bate ST, Reynolds IJ, Poli S, Celanire S. Characterization of the novel positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 ADX88178 in rodent models of neuropsychiatric disorders. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 350:495-505. [PMID: 24947466 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.214437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGlu4) leads to anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like efficacy in rodent models, yet its relevance to depression-like reactivity remains unclear. Here, we present the pharmacological evaluation of ADX88178 [5-methyl-N-(4-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine], a novel potent, selective, and brain-penetrant positive allosteric modulator of the mGlu4 receptor in rodent models of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fear, depression, and psychosis. ADX88178 dose-dependently reduced the number of buried marbles in the marble burying test and increased open-arm exploration in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, indicative of anxiolytic-like efficacy. Target specificity of the effect in the EPM test was confirmed using male and female mGlu4 receptor knockout mice. In mice, ADX88178 reduced the likelihood of conditioned freezing in the acquisition phase of the fear conditioning test, yet had no carryover effect in the expression phase. Also, ADX88178 dose-dependently reduced duration of immobility in the forced swim test, indicative of antidepressant-like efficacy. ADX88178 reduced DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine)-mediated head twitches (albeit with no dose-dependency), and MK-801 [(5S,10R)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine]-induced locomotor hyperactivity in mice, but was inactive in the conditioned avoidance response test in rats. The compound showed good specificity as it had no effect on locomotor activity in mice and rats at efficacious doses. Thus, allosteric activation of mGlu4 receptors can be a promising new therapeutic approach for treatment of anxiety, OCD, fear-related disorders, and psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Kalinichev
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Emmanuel Le Poul
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Christelle Boléa
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Françoise Girard
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Brice Campo
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Massimiliano Fonsi
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Isabelle Royer-Urios
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Susan E Browne
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Jason M Uslaner
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Matthew J Davis
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Jacob Raber
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Robert Duvoisin
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Simon T Bate
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Ian J Reynolds
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Sonia Poli
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
| | - Sylvain Celanire
- Addex Therapeutics, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland (M.K., E.L.P., C.B., F.G., B.C., M.F., I.R.-U., S.P., S.C.); Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania (S.E.B., J.M.U., M.J.D., I.J.R.); Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (M.J.D., J.R., R.D.); and Huntingdon Life Sciences Ltd., Huntingdon Research Centre, Huntingdon, United Kingdom (S.T.B.)
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miR-1202 is a primate-specific and brain-enriched microRNA involved in major depression and antidepressant treatment. Nat Med 2014; 20:764-8. [PMID: 24908571 PMCID: PMC4087015 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mood disorder that is associated with differential prefrontal brain expression patterns. Treatment of MDD includes a variety of biopsychosocial approaches. In medical practice, antidepressant drugs are the most common treatment for depressive episodes, and they are among the most prescribed medications in North America. Although antidepressants are clearly effective, particularly for moderate to severe depressive episodes, there is variability in how individuals respond to antidepressant treatment. Failure to respond has individual, economic and social consequences for patients and their families. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that genes are regulated through the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs), which act as fine-tuners and on-off switches of gene expression. Here we report on complementary studies using postmortem human brain samples, cellular assays and samples from clinical trials of patients with depression and show that miR-1202, a miRNA specific to primates and enriched in the human brain, is differentially expressed in individuals with depression. Additionally, miR-1202 regulates expression of the gene encoding metabotropic glutamate receptor-4 (GRM4) and predicts antidepressant response at baseline. These results suggest that miR-1202 is associated with the pathophysiology of depression and is a potential target for new antidepressant treatments.
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26
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Cajina M, Nattini M, Song D, Smagin G, Jørgensen EB, Chandrasena G, Bundgaard C, Toft DB, Huang X, Acher F, Doller D. Qualification of LSP1-2111 as a Brain Penetrant Group III Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Orthosteric Agonist. ACS Med Chem Lett 2014; 5:119-23. [PMID: 24900783 DOI: 10.1021/ml400338f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
LSP1-2111 is a group III metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist with preference toward the mGlu4 receptor subtype. This compound has been extensively used as a tool to explore the pharmacology of mGlu4 receptor activation in preclinical animal behavioral models. However, the blood-brain barrier penetration of this amino acid derivative has never been studied. We report studies on the central nervous system (CNS) disposition of LSP1-2111 using quantitative microdialysis in rat. Significant unbound concentrations of the drug relative to its in vitro binding affinity and functional potency were established in extracellular fluid (ECF). These findings support the use of LSP1-2111 to study the CNS pharmacology of mGlu4 receptor activation through orthosteric agonist mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Cajina
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
| | - Megan Nattini
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
| | - Dekun Song
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
| | - Gennady Smagin
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
| | | | - Gamini Chandrasena
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
| | | | | | - Xinyan Huang
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
| | - Francine Acher
- Laboratoire
de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, UMR 8601
CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
| | - Dario Doller
- Lundbeck Research
USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States
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27
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Nickols HH, Conn PJ. Development of allosteric modulators of GPCRs for treatment of CNS disorders. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 61:55-71. [PMID: 24076101 PMCID: PMC3875303 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of allosteric modulators of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) provides a promising new strategy with potential for developing novel treatments for a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Traditional drug discovery efforts targeting GPCRs have focused on developing ligands for orthosteric sites which bind endogenous ligands. Allosteric modulators target a site separate from the orthosteric site to modulate receptor function. These allosteric agents can either potentiate (positive allosteric modulator, PAM) or inhibit (negative allosteric modulator, NAM) the receptor response and often provide much greater subtype selectivity than orthosteric ligands for the same receptors. Experimental evidence has revealed more nuanced pharmacological modes of action of allosteric modulators, with some PAMs showing allosteric agonism in combination with positive allosteric modulation in response to endogenous ligand (ago-potentiators) as well as "bitopic" ligands that interact with both the allosteric and orthosteric sites. Drugs targeting the allosteric site allow for increased drug selectivity and potentially decreased adverse side effects. Promising evidence has demonstrated potential utility of a number of allosteric modulators of GPCRs in multiple CNS disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, as well as psychiatric or neurobehavioral diseases such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and addiction.
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Key Words
- (+)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-ethyl-6,7-dihydrobenzo[d]oxazol-4(5H)-one
- (1-(4-cyano-4-(pyridine-2-yl)piperidine-1-yl)methyl-4-oxo-4H-quinolizine-3-carboxylic acid)
- (1S,2S)-N(1)-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxamide
- (1S,3R,4S)-1-aminocyclo-pentane-1,3,4-tricarboxylic acid
- (3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3]b quinolin-7-yl)(cis-4-methoxycyclohexyl) methanone
- (3aS,5S,7aR)-methyl 5-hydroxy-5-(m-tolylethynyl)octahydro-1H-indole-1-carboxylate
- 1-(1′-(2-methylbenzyl)-1,4′-bipiperidin-4-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one
- 1-[3-(4-butyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone
- 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
- 2-(2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl)-5-methylpyridine
- 2-chloro-4-((2,5-dimethyl-1-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1Himidazol-4-yl)ethynyl)pyridine
- 2-methyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)pyridine
- 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine
- 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide
- 3-cyclohexyl-5-fluoro-6-methyl-7-(2-morpholin-4-ylethoxy)-4H-chromen-4-one
- 3[(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethylnyl]pyridine
- 4-((E)-styryl)-pyrimidin-2-ylamine
- 4-[1-(2-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-N-isopropyl-N-methyl-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxamide
- 4-n-butyl-1-[4-(2-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-1-butyl]-piperidine
- 5-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine
- 5MPEP
- 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-3-(4-pyridinyl)-isoxazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one
- 6-OHDA
- 6-hydroxydopamine
- 6-methyl-2-(phenylazo)-3-pyridinol
- 77-LH-28-1
- 7TMR
- AC-42
- ACPT-1
- AChE
- AD
- ADX71743
- AFQ056
- APP
- Allosteric modulator
- Alzheimer's disease
- BINA
- BQCA
- CDPPB
- CFMMC
- CNS
- CPPHA
- CTEP
- DA
- DFB
- DHPG
- Drug discovery
- ERK1/2
- FMRP
- FTIDC
- FXS
- Fragile X syndrome
- GABA
- GPCR
- JNJ16259685
- L-AP4
- L-DOPA
- Lu AF21934
- Lu AF32615
- M-5MPEP
- MMPIP
- MPEP
- MPTP
- MTEP
- Metabotropic glutamate receptor
- Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
- N-[4-chloro-2[(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)methyl]phenyl]-2-hydrobenzamide
- N-methyl-d-aspartate
- N-phenyl-7-(hydroxylimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide
- NAM
- NMDA
- PAM
- PCP
- PD
- PD-LID
- PET
- PHCCC
- PQCA
- Parkinson's disease
- Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia
- SAM
- SIB-1757
- SIB-1893
- TBPB
- [(3-fluorophenyl)methylene]hydrazone-3-fluorobenzaldehyde
- acetylcholinesterase
- amyloid precursor protein
- benzylquinolone carboxylic acid
- central nervous system
- dihydroxyphenylglycine
- dopamine
- extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2
- fragile X mental retardation protein
- l-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid
- l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine
- mGlu
- metabotropic glutamate receptor
- negative allosteric modulator
- phencyclidine
- positive allosteric modulator
- positron emission tomography
- potassium 30-([(2-cyclopentyl-6-7-dimethyl-1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5yl)oxy]methyl)biphenyl l-4-carboxylate
- seven transmembrane receptor
- silent allosteric modulator
- γ-aminobutyric acid
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Highfield Nickols
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - P. Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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Williams CJ, Dexter DT. Neuroprotective and symptomatic effects of targeting group III mGlu receptors in neurodegenerative disease. J Neurochem 2013; 129:4-20. [PMID: 24224472 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders possess common pathological mechanisms, such as protein aggregation, inflammation, oxidative stress (OS) and excitotoxicity, raising the possibility of shared therapeutic targets. As a result of the selective cellular and regional expression of group III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, drugs targeting such receptors have demonstrated both neuroprotective properties and symptomatic improvements in several models of neurodegeneration. In recent years, the discovery and development of subtype-selective ligands for the group III mGlu receptors has gained pace, allowing further research into the functions of these receptors and revealing their roles in health and disease. Activation of this class of receptors results in neuroprotection, with a variety of underlying mechanisms implicated. Group III mGlu receptor stimulation prevents excitotoxicity by inhibiting glutamate release from neurons and microglia and increasing glutamate uptake by astrocytes. It also attenuates the neuroinflammatory response by reducing glial reactivity and encourages neurotrophic phenotypes. This article will review the current literature with regard to the neuroprotective and symptomatic effects of group III mGlu receptor activation and discuss their promise as therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease. We review the neuroprotective and symptomatic effects of targeting group III mGlu receptors in neurodegenerative disease: Excess extracellular glutamate causes overactivation of NMDA receptors resulting in excitotoxicity. Externalization of phosphatidylserine stimulates phagocytosis of neurons by activated microglia, which contribute to damage through glutamate and pro-inflammatory factor release. Reactive astrocytes produce cytotoxic factors enhancing neuronal cell death. Activation of group III mGlu receptors by glutamate and/or mGlu receptor ligands results in inhibition of glutamate release from presynaptic terminals and microglia, reducing excitotoxicity. Astrocytic glutamate uptake is increased and microglia produce neurotrophic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire J Williams
- Parkinson's Disease Research Group, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
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29
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Majo VJ, Prabhakaran J, Mann JJ, Kumar JSD. PET and SPECT tracers for glutamate receptors. Drug Discov Today 2012; 18:173-84. [PMID: 23092894 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Radioligands for PET imaging of glutamate receptors will have the potential for studying neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and their diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is implicated in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Glutamate and its receptors are potential targets in the treatment of these disorders. Glutamate signaling is mediated through ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. The abundant concentration of these receptors can facilitate their in vivo quantification using positron emission tomography (PET). Glutamate receptors are a potentially important set of targets for monitoring disease progression, for evaluating the effect of therapy and for new treatment development based on the quantification of receptor occupancy. Here, we review the PET and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radioligands that have been developed for imaging glutamate receptors in living brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vattoly J Majo
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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30
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Le Poul E, Boléa C, Girard F, Poli S, Charvin D, Campo B, Bortoli J, Bessif A, Luo B, Koser AJ, Hodge LM, Smith KM, DiLella AG, Liverton N, Hess F, Browne SE, Reynolds IJ. A potent and selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 positive allosteric modulator improves movement in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 343:167-77. [PMID: 22787118 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.112.196063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) have been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, evaluation of this proposal has been limited by the availability of appropriate pharmacological tools to interrogate the target. In this study, we describe the properties of a novel mGluR4 PAM. 5-Methyl-N-(4-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine (ADX88178) enhances glutamate-mediated activation of human and rat mGluR4 with EC(50) values of 4 and 9 nM, respectively. The compound is highly selective for mGluR4 with minimal activities at other mGluRs. Oral administration of ADX88178 in rats is associated with high bioavailability and results in cerebrospinal fluid exposure of >50-fold the in vitro EC(50) value. ADX88178 reverses haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats at 3 and 10 mg/kg. It is noteworthy that this compound alone has no impact on forelimb akinesia resulting from a bilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion in rats. However, coadministration of a low dose of L-DOPA (6 mg/kg) enabled a robust, dose-dependent reversal of the forelimb akinesia deficit. ADX88178 also increased the effects of quinpirole in lesioned rats and enhanced the effects of L-DOPA in MitoPark mice. It is noteworthy that the enhancement of the actions of L-DOPA was not associated with an exacerbation of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in rats. ADX88178 is a novel, potent, and selective mGluR4 PAM that is a valuable tool for exploring the therapeutic potential of mGluR4 modulation. The use of this novel tool molecule supports the proposal that activation of mGluR4 may be therapeutically useful in Parkinson's disease.
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31
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Amalric M, Lopez S, Goudet C, Fisone G, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F, Pin JP, Acher FC. Group III and subtype 4 metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists: discovery and pathophysiological applications in Parkinson's disease. Neuropharmacology 2012; 66:53-64. [PMID: 22664304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Revised: 04/28/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Restoring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory circuits in the basal ganglia, following the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, represents a major challenge to treat patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). The imbalanced situation in favor of excitation in the disease state may also accelerate excitotoxic processes, thereby representing a potential target for neuroprotective therapies. Reducing the excitatory action of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia, should lead to symptomatic improvement for PD patients and may promote the survival of DA neurons. Recent studies have focused on the modulatory action of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors on neurodegenerative diseases including PD. Group III mGlu receptors, including subtypes 4, 7 and 8, are largely expressed in the basal ganglia. Recent studies highlight the use of selective mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) for the treatment of PD. Here we review the effects of newly-designed group-III orthosteric agonists on neuroprotection, neurorestoration and reduction of l-DOPA induced dyskinesia in animal models of PD. The combination of orthosteric mGlu4 receptor selective agonists with PAMs may open new avenues for the symptomatic treatment of PD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amalric
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS UMR 7291, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Fonctionnelles, Case C, 3 Place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex 3, France.
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32
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Flor PJ, Acher FC. Orthosteric versus allosteric GPCR activation: the great challenge of group-III mGluRs. Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 84:414-24. [PMID: 22554564 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Group-III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) comprise four structurally related brain and retinal G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8, which receive much attention as promising targets for nervous system drugs. In particular, activation of mGluR4 is a major focus for the development of new therapeutics in Parkinson's disease, while mGluR7 activation is considered a potential approach for future treatments of specific psychiatric conditions. The first generation group-III mGluR agonists, e.g.l-AP4 and l-SOP, are characterized by an essential phosphonate functional group, which became a major limitation for the development of systemically active, potent and receptor subtype-selective drugs. Recently however, two approaches emerged in parallel providing resolution to this constraint: in silico high-throughput screening of chemical libraries against a 3D-model of the mGluR4 extracellular domain identified a hit that was optimized into a series of potent and subtype-selective orthosteric agonists with drug-like properties and novel chemotype structures; secondly, high-throughput random screening of chemical libraries against recombinantly expressed group-III receptors identified diverse chemical sets of allosteric agonists and positive modulators, which are drug-like, display selectivity for mGluR4, mGluR7, or mGluR8 and act via novel pharmacological sites. Here, we illustrate new scientific insights obtained via the use of those strategies. Also, we compare advantages and disadvantages of both approaches to identify the desired group-III mGluR activators and we conclude with suggestions how to employ those discovery strategies with success for the identification, optimization, and development of clinical drug candidates; this may have important implications for the entire field of GPCR research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Flor
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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33
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Jimenez HN, Liu KG, Hong SP, Reitman MS, Uberti MA, Bacolod MD, Cajina M, Nattini M, Sabio M, Doller D. 4-(1-Phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)quinolines as novel, selective and brain penetrant metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 positive allosteric modulators. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:3235-9. [PMID: 22465637 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
4-(1-Phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)quinoline (1) was identified by screening the Lundbeck compound collection, and characterized as having mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulator properties. Compound 1 is selective over other mGlu receptors and a panel of GPCRs, ion channels and enzymes, but has suboptimal lipophilicity and high plasma and brain non-specific binding. In view of the challenges at the hit-to-lead stage previously reported in the development of mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), a thorough structure-mGlu4 PAM activity relationship study was conducted to interrogate the chemical tractability of this chemotype. The central pyrazole ring tolerates the addition of one or two methyl groups. The C-7 position of the quinoline ring provides a site tolerant to hydrophilic substituents, enabling the design of diverse analogs with good in vitro mGlu4 PAM potency and efficacy, as well as improved microsomal turnover in vitro, compared to 1. In spite of the excellent ligand efficiency of 1 (LE=0.43), optimization of in vitro potency for this series reached a plateau around EC(50)=200 nM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermogenes N Jimenez
- Chemical & Pharmacokinetic Sciences, Lundbeck Research USA, 215 College Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA
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