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Tu G, Fu T, Zheng G, Xu B, Gou R, Luo D, Wang P, Xue W. Computational Chemistry in Structure-Based Solute Carrier Transporter Drug Design: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:1433-1455. [PMID: 38294194 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Solute carrier transporters (SLCs) are a class of important transmembrane proteins that are involved in the transportation of diverse solute ions and small molecules into cells. There are approximately 450 SLCs within the human body, and more than a quarter of them are emerging as attractive therapeutic targets for multiple complex diseases, e.g., depression, cancer, and diabetes. However, only 44 unique transporters (∼9.8% of the SLC superfamily) with 3D structures and specific binding sites have been reported. To design innovative and effective drugs targeting diverse SLCs, there are a number of obstacles that need to be overcome. However, computational chemistry, including physics-based molecular modeling and machine learning- and deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI), provides an alternative and complementary way to the classical drug discovery approach. Here, we present a comprehensive overview on recent advances and existing challenges of the computational techniques in structure-based drug design of SLCs from three main aspects: (i) characterizing multiple conformations of the proteins during the functional process of transportation, (ii) identifying druggability sites especially the cryptic allosteric ones on the transporters for substrates and drugs binding, and (iii) discovering diverse small molecules or synthetic protein binders targeting the binding sites. This work is expected to provide guidelines for a deep understanding of the structure and function of the SLC superfamily to facilitate rational design of novel modulators of the transporters with the aid of state-of-the-art computational chemistry technologies including artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao Tu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Tingting Fu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | | | - Binbin Xu
- Chengdu Sintanovo Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610200, China
| | - Rongpei Gou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Ding Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Panpan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian 463000, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
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Li M, Pang X, Guo Z, Yang Y, Gu Z, Zhang L. Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the mechanism of areca nut addiction. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13352. [PMID: 38017647 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
As a chewing hobby, areca nut (Areca catechu L.) has become the most common psychoactive substance in the world, besides tobacco, alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Moreover, as a first-class carcinogen designated by International Agency for Research on Cancer, long-term chewing areca nut can result in oral mucosal diseases and even oral cancer. To clarify the potential mechanism of areca nut addiction, an integrated strategy of metabolomics and network pharmacology was adopted in this study. Network pharmacology study indicated that all the key targets related to areca nut addiction could be regulated by arecoline and pointed out the importance of G-protein coupled receptor signalling pathway. Analysis results of mice plasma metabolome and faeces metabolome intervened by arecoline suggested that the component may affect the dopamine system and 5-HT system by regulating phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism and intestinal flora structure. Moreover, the potential importance of bile acids in formation of addictive behaviour of chewing areca nut was investigated by integrative analysis of the relationships between metabolites and intestinal flora. The study can provide scientific basis for the addiction intervention and treatment of areca nut chewers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moying Li
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Pang
- National Engineering Research Center of Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zitao Guo
- National Engineering Research Center of Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center of Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenghua Gu
- National Engineering Research Center of Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Yixing, Jiangsu, China
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Zanella D, Smith NK, Hardaway JA, Buchanan AM, Mullins CH, Galli A, Carter AM. Bile acids modulate reinstatement of cocaine conditioned place preference and accumbal dopamine dynamics without compromising appetitive learning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13359. [PMID: 37591972 PMCID: PMC10435481 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40456-3] [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] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychostimulants target the dopamine transporter (DAT) to elicit their psychomotor actions. Bile acids (BAs) can also bind to DAT and reduce behavioral responses to cocaine, suggesting a potential therapeutic application of BAs in psychostimulant use disorder. Here, we investigate the potential of BAs to decrease drug-primed reinstatement when administered during an abstinence phase. To do this, after successful development of cocaine-associated contextual place preference (cocaine CPP), cocaine administration was terminated, and animals treated with vehicle or obeticholic acid (OCA). When preference for the cocaine-associated context was extinguished, mice were challenged with a single priming dose of cocaine, and reinstatement of cocaine-associated contextual preference was measured. Animals treated with OCA demonstrate a significantly lower reinstatement for cocaine CPP. OCA also impairs the ability of cocaine to reduce the clearance rate of electrically stimulated dopamine release and diminishes the area under the curve (AUC) observed with amperometry. Furthermore, the AUC of the amperometric signal positively correlates with the reinstatement index. Using operant feeding devices, we demonstrate that OCA has no effect on contextual learning or motivation for natural rewards. These data highlight OCA as a potential therapeutic for cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zanella
- Department of Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Nicholas K Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - J Andrew Hardaway
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Anna Marie Buchanan
- Department of Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Clarence H Mullins
- Department of Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Aurelio Galli
- Department of Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Center for Inter-Systemic Networks and Enteric Medical Advances (UAB CINEMA), Birmingham, USA
| | - Angela M Carter
- Department of Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.
- Center for Inter-Systemic Networks and Enteric Medical Advances (UAB CINEMA), Birmingham, USA.
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Small C, Cheng MH, Belay SS, Bulloch SL, Zimmerman B, Sorkin A, Block ER. The Alkylamine Stimulant 1,3-Dimethylamylamine Exhibits Substrate-Like Regulation of Dopamine Transporter Function and Localization. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 386:266-273. [PMID: 37348963 PMCID: PMC10353075 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The alkylamine stimulant 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is used nonmedically as an appetite suppressant and exercise performance enhancer despite adverse cardiovascular effects that have limited its legal status. There is scant research describing the mechanism of action of DMAA, making it difficult to gauge risks or therapeutic potential. An important molecular target of structurally related phenethylamines, such as amphetamine, for regulating mood, cognition, movement, and the development of substance use disorder is the dopamine transporter, which limits the range and magnitude of dopamine signaling via reuptake from the extracellular space. The present studies were therefore initiated to characterize the effects of DMAA on dopamine transporter function. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that DMAA exhibits substrate-like effects on dopamine transporter function and trafficking. In transport assays in human embryonic kidney cells, DMAA inhibited dopamine uptake by the human dopamine transporter in a competitive manner. Docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations supported these findings, revealing that DMAA binds to the S1 substrate binding site and induces a conformational change from outward-facing open to outward-facing closed states, similar to the known substrates. Further supporting substrate-like effects of DMAA, the drug stimulated dopamine transporter endocytosis in a heterologous expression system via cocaine- and protein kinase A-sensitive mechanisms, mirroring findings with amphetamine. Together, these data indicate that DMAA elicits neurologic effects by binding to and regulating function of the dopamine transporter. Furthermore, pharmacologic distinctions from amphetamine reveal structural determinants for regulating transporter conformation and add mechanistic insight for the regulation of dopamine transporter endocytosis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The alkylamine stimulant 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is used as an appetite suppressant and athletic performance enhancer and is structurally similar to amphetamine, but there is scant research describing its mechanism of action. Characterizing the effects of DMAA on dopamine transporter function supports evaluation of potential risks and therapeutic potential while also revealing mechanistic details of dynamic transporter-substrate interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Small
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mary Hongying Cheng
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Saron S Belay
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah L Bulloch
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Brooke Zimmerman
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Alexander Sorkin
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ethan R Block
- Science Department, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (C.S., S.S.B., S.L.B., B.Z., E.R.B.) and Departments of Computational and Systems Biology (M.H.C.) and Cell Biology (A.S.), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Romanazzi T, Zanella D, Bhatt M, Di Iacovo A, Galli A, Bossi E. Bile acid interactions with neurotransmitter transporters. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1161930. [PMID: 37180953 PMCID: PMC10169653 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1161930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthesized in the liver from cholesterol, the bile acids (BAs) primary role is emulsifying fats to facilitate their absorption. BAs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and be synthesized in the brain. Recent evidence suggests a role for BAs in the gut-brain signaling by modulating the activity of various neuronal receptors and transporters, including the dopamine transporter (DAT). In this study, we investigated the effects of BAs and their relationship with substrates in three transporters of the solute carrier 6 family. The exposure to obeticholic acid (OCA), a semi-synthetic BA, elicits an inward current (IBA) in the DAT, the GABA transporter 1 (GAT1), and the glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1b); this current is proportional to the current generated by the substrate, respective to the transporter. Interestingly, a second consecutive OCA application to the transporter fails to elicit a response. The full displacement of BAs from the transporter occurs only after exposure to a saturating concentration of a substrate. In DAT, perfusion of secondary substrates norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) results in a second OCA current, decreased in amplitude and proportional to their affinity. Moreover, co-application of 5-HT or NE with OCA in DAT, and GABA with OCA in GAT1, did not alter the apparent affinity or the Imax, similar to what was previously reported in DAT in the presence of DA and OCA. The findings support the previous molecular model that suggested the ability of BAs to lock the transporter in an occluded conformation. The physiological significance is that it could possibly avoid the accumulation of small depolarizations in the cells expressing the neurotransmitter transporter. This achieves better transport efficiency in the presence of a saturating concentration of the neurotransmitter and enhances the action of the neurotransmitter on their receptors when they are present at reduced concentrations due to decreased availability of transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Romanazzi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Ph.D. School in Experimental and Translational Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Daniele Zanella
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Manan Bhatt
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Ph.D. School in Experimental and Translational Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Angela Di Iacovo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Ph.D. School in Experimental and Translational Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Aurelio Galli
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Elena Bossi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Center for Research in Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Zhang Z, Zhang S, Huang J, Cao X, Hou C, Luo Z, Wang X, Liu X, Li Q, Zhang X, Guo Y, Xiao H, Xie T, Zhou X. Association between abnormal plasma metabolism and brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:999938. [PMID: 36583081 PMCID: PMC9792671 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.999938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective In this study, we aimed to characterize the plasma metabolic profiles of brain atrophy and alcohol dependence (s) and to identify the underlying pathogenesis of brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence. Methods We acquired the plasma samples of alcohol-dependent patients and performed non-targeted metabolomic profiling analysis to identify alterations of key metabolites in the plasma of BA-ADPs. Machine learning algorithms and bioinformatic analysis were also used to identify predictive biomarkers and investigate their possible roles in brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence. Results A total of 26 plasma metabolites were significantly altered in the BA-ADPs group when compared with a group featuring alcohol-dependent patients without brain atrophy (NBA-ADPs). Nine of these differential metabolites were further identified as potential biomarkers for BA-ADPs. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that these potential biomarkers exhibited good sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing BA-ADPs from NBA-ADPs. Moreover, metabolic pathway analysis suggested that glycerophospholipid metabolism may be highly involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced brain atrophy. Conclusion This plasma metabolomic study provides a valuable resource for enhancing our understanding of alcohol-induced brain atrophy and offers potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sifang Zhang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyun Cao
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Hou
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zhihong Luo
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xuejun Liu
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yujun Guo
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Huiqiong Xiao
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xuhui Zhou
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Hunan Institute of Mental Health, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People’s Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, China,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Xuhui Zhou,
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