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Raithatha S, Hagel JM, Matinkhoo K, Yu L, Press D, Cook SG, Sharma G, Dhananjaya D, Jensen G, Lee JB, Cai C, Gallant J, Bains J, Tucker JE, Facchini PJ. Novel Psilocin Prodrugs with Altered Pharmacological Properties as Candidate Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1024-1043. [PMID: 37983270 PMCID: PMC10823477 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The psychedelic prodrug psilocybin has shown therapeutic benefits for the treatment of numerous psychiatric conditions. Despite positive clinical end points targeting depression and anxiety, concerns regarding the duration of the psychedelic experience produced by psilocybin, associated with enduring systemic exposure to the active metabolite psilocin, pose a barrier to its therapeutic application. Our objective was to create a novel prodrug of psilocin with similar therapeutic benefits but a reduced duration of psychedelic effects compared with psilocybin. Here, we report the synthesis and functional screening of 28 new chemical entities. Our strategy was to introduce a diversity of cleavable groups at the 4-hydroxy position of the core indole moiety to modulate metabolic processing. We identified several novel prodrugs of psilocin with altered pharmacokinetic profiles and reduced pharmacological exposure compared with psilocybin. These candidate prodrugs have the potential to maintain the long-term benefits of psilocybin therapy while attenuating the duration of psychedelic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jillian M. Hagel
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Kaveh Matinkhoo
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Lisa Yu
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - David Press
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Sarah G. Cook
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Govinda Sharma
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - D. Dhananjaya
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Glynnis Jensen
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jessica B. Lee
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Charlie Cai
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jonathan Gallant
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jaideep Bains
- Hotchkiss
Brain Institute and Department of Physiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Joseph E. Tucker
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peter J. Facchini
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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Tsai YY, Shen CL, D D, Tsai CY, Tarn WY. Activation of TrkB signaling mitigates cerebellar anomalies caused by Rbm4-Bdnf deficiency. Commun Biol 2023; 6:910. [PMID: 37670183 PMCID: PMC10480162 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A molecular and functional link between neurotrophin signaling and cerebellar foliation is lacking. Here we show that constitutive knockout of two homologous genes encoding the RNA binding protein RBM4 results in foliation defects at cerebellar lobules VI-VII and delayed motor learning in mice. Moreover, the features of Rbm4 double knockout (dKO), including impaired differentiation of cerebellar granule cells and dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells, are reminiscent of neurotrophin deficiency. Loss of RBM4 indeed reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). RBM4 promoted the expression of BDNF and full-length TrkB, implicating RBM4 in efficient BDNF-TrkB signaling. Finally, prenatal supplementation with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, a TrkB agonist, restored granule cell differentiation, Purkinje cell dendritic complexity and foliation-the intercrural fissure in particular-in the neonatal cerebellum of Rbm4dKO mice, which also showed improved motor learning in adulthood. This study provides evidence that prenatal activation of TrkB signaling ameliorates cerebellar malformation caused by BDNF deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Young Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, US
| | - Chiu-Lun Shen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dhananjaya D
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yen Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Woan-Yuh Tarn
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Khosh Kish E, Choudhry M, Gamallat Y, Buharideen SM, D D, Bismar TA. The Expression of Proto-Oncogene ETS-Related Gene ( ERG) Plays a Central Role in the Oncogenic Mechanism Involved in the Development and Progression of Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094772. [PMID: 35563163 PMCID: PMC9105369 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ETS-related gene (ERG) is proto-oncogene that is classified as a member of the ETS transcription factor family, which has been found to be consistently overexpressed in about half of the patients with clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa). The overexpression of ERG can mostly be attributed to the fusion of the ERG and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) genes, and this fusion is estimated to represent about 85% of all gene fusions observed in prostate cancer. Clinically, individuals with ERG gene fusion are mostly documented to have advanced tumor stages, increased mortality, and higher rates of metastasis in non-surgical cohorts. In the current review, we elucidate ERG’s molecular interaction with downstream genes and the pathways associated with PCa. Studies have documented that ERG plays a central role in PCa progression due to its ability to enhance tumor growth by promoting inflammatory and angiogenic responses. ERG has also been implicated in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PCa cells, which increases the ability of cancer cells to metastasize. In vivo, research has demonstrated that higher levels of ERG expression are involved with nuclear pleomorphism that prompts hyperplasia and the loss of cell polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ealia Khosh Kish
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada; (E.K.K.); (M.C.); (Y.G.); (S.M.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Muhammad Choudhry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada; (E.K.K.); (M.C.); (Y.G.); (S.M.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Yaser Gamallat
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada; (E.K.K.); (M.C.); (Y.G.); (S.M.B.); (D.D.)
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada
| | - Sabrina Marsha Buharideen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada; (E.K.K.); (M.C.); (Y.G.); (S.M.B.); (D.D.)
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada
| | - Dhananjaya D
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada; (E.K.K.); (M.C.); (Y.G.); (S.M.B.); (D.D.)
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada
| | - Tarek A. Bismar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada; (E.K.K.); (M.C.); (Y.G.); (S.M.B.); (D.D.)
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada
- Departments of Oncology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada
- Tom Baker Cancer Center, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-403-943-8430; Fax: +1-403-943-3333
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Abstract
Alternative splicing of precursor mRNA is an important mechanism that increases transcriptomic and proteomic diversity and also post-transcriptionally regulates mRNA levels. Alternative splicing occurs at high frequency in brain tissues and contributes to every step of nervous system development, including cell-fate decisions, neuronal migration, axon guidance, and synaptogenesis. Genetic manipulation and RNA sequencing have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of alternative splicing in stem cell self-renewal and neuronal fate specification. Timely expression and perhaps post-translational modification of neuron-specific splicing regulators play important roles in neuronal development. Alternative splicing of many key transcription regulators or epigenetic factors reprograms the transcriptome and hence contributes to stem cell fate determination. During neuronal differentiation, alternative splicing also modulates signaling activity, centriolar dynamics, and metabolic pathways. Moreover, alternative splicing impacts cortical lamination and neuronal development and function. In this review, we focus on recent progress toward understanding the contributions of alternative splicing to neurogenesis and brain development, which has shed light on how splicing defects may cause brain disorders and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hao Su
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dhananjaya D
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Taiwan International Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Woan-Yuh Tarn
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Taiwan International Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Rao DC, Ananda Babu M, Raghavendra A, Dhananjaya D, Kumar S, Maiya PP. Non-polio enteroviruses and their association with acute diarrhea in children in India. Infect Genet Evol 2013; 17:153-61. [PMID: 23602838 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A causative agent in approximately 40% of diarrheal cases still remains unidentified. Though many enteroviruses (EVs) are transmitted through fecal-oral route and replicate in the intestinal cells, their association with acute diarrhea has not so far been recognized due to lack of detailed epidemiological investigations. This long-term, detailed molecular epidemiological study aims to conclusively determine the association of non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) with acute diarrhea in comparison with rotavirus (RV) in children. Diarrheal stool specimens from 2161 children aged 0-2 years and 169 children between 2 and 9 years, and 1800 normal stool samples from age-matched healthy children between 0 and 9 years were examined during 2008-2012 for enterovirus (oral polio vaccine strains (OPVs) and NPEVs). Enterovirus serotypes were identified by complete VP1 gene sequence analysis. Enterovirus and rotavirus were detected in 19.01% (380/2330) and 13.82% (322/2330) diarrheal stools. During the study period, annual prevalence of EV- and RV-associated diarrhea ranged between 8% and 22%, but with contrasting seasonal prevalence with RV predominating during winter months and NPEV prevailing in other seasons. NPEVs are associated with epidemics-like outbreaks during which they are detected in up to 50% of diarrheic children, and in non-epidemic seasons in 0-10% of the patients. After subtraction of OPV-positive diarrheal cases (1.81%), while NPEVs are associated with about 17% of acute diarrhea, about 6% of healthy children showed asymptomatic NPEV excretion. Of 37 NPEV serotypes detected in diarrheal children, seven echovirus types 1, 7, 11, 13, 14, 30 and 33 are frequently observed, with E11 being more prevalent followed by E30. In conclusion, NPEVs are significantly associated with acute diarrhea, and NPEVs and rotavirus exhibit contrasting seasonal predominance. This study signifies the need for a new direction of research on enteroviruses involving systematic analysis of their contribution to diarrheal burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durga C Rao
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
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