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Ali A, Bauser M, Bertrand S, Blackaby W, Boss C, Bossart M, Hall A, Binch H, Czechtizky W, Gijsen H, Haning H, Hartung IV, Kilburn P, Lassalle G, Lücking U, Mack J, Missbach M, Otsomaa L, Torrens A, Wagner M, Walter M, Weinstabl H, van Hijfte L, von Nussbaum F. European Medicinal Chemistry Leaders in Industry (EMCL) - On the Status and Future of Medicinal Chemistry Research in Europe. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300127. [PMID: 37276375 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300127] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The status of industrial Medicinal Chemistry was discussed with European Medicinal Chemistry Leaders from large to mid-sized pharma and CRO companies as well as biotechs. The chemical modality space has expanded recently from small molecules to address new challenging targets. Besides the classical SAR/SPR optimization of drug molecules also their 'greenness' has increasing importance. The entire pharma discovery ecosystem has developed significantly. Beyond pharma and academia new key players such as Biotech and integrated CROs as well as Digital companies have appeared and are now to a large extend fueled by VC money. Digitalization is happening everywhere but surprisingly did not change speed and success rates of projects so far. Future Medicinal Chemists will still have to be excellent synthetic chemists but in addition they must be knowledgeable in new computational areas such as data sciences. Their ability to collaborate and to work in teams is key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Ali
- External Discovery Chemistry, Merck and Co. Inc., 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
| | - Marcus Bauser
- Research & Early Development, Global R&D, Leo Pharma, Industriparken 55, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Sophie Bertrand
- Medicinal Chemistry, Medicine Design, R&D, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Wesley Blackaby
- Chemistry and Analytical Sciences, Drug Design and Small Molecule Unit, Servier Research Institute, 125 Chemin de Ronde, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Christoph Boss
- Drug Discovery Chemistry, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hegenheimermattweg 91, 4123, Allschwil/BK, Switzerland
| | - Martin Bossart
- Synthetic Medicinal Modalities, Sanofi, Industriepark Höchst G838, 65926, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Adrian Hall
- Medicinal Chemistry, UCB Pharma, Chemin Du Foriest 1, 1420, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Hayley Binch
- Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Werngard Czechtizky
- Medicinal Chemistry, Respiratory and Immunology, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 43183, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Harrie Gijsen
- Discovery Chemistry, Therapeutics Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, A division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Helmut Haning
- Research & Development, Drug Discovery Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, < postCode/>42096, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ingo V Hartung
- Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Kilburn
- Medicinal Chemistry and Translational DMPK, Lundbeck, Ottiliavej 9, 2500, Valby, Denmark
| | - Gilbert Lassalle
- Medicinal Chemistry, Evotec (France), SAS, Campus Curie, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Ulrich Lücking
- Chemistry, FoRx Therapeutics, Lichtstrasse 35, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Mack
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88400, Biberach, Germany
| | - Martin Missbach
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leena Otsomaa
- Medicine Design, R&D, Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma, Orionintie 1, 02200, Espoo, Finland
| | - Antoni Torrens
- Chemical Collaborations & Strategic Alliances, ABAC Therapeutics S.L., Joan XXIII, 10, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat. Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Wagner
- Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Dewpoint Therapeutics GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst, G830, 65926, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Magnus Walter
- Chemical Sciences and Process Development, Monte Rosa Therapeutics AG, Klybeckstrasse 191, WKL-136.3, 4057, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Harald Weinstabl
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, 1121, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luc van Hijfte
- Drug Discovery, Symeres, Kerkenbos 1013, 6546, BB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Franz von Nussbaum
- Life Science Chemistry, Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Müllerstr. 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Joshi P, Anderson C, Binch H, Hadida S, Yoo S, Bergeron D, Decker C, terHaar E, Moore J, Garcia-Guzman M, Termin A. Corrigendum to “Identification of potent CNS-penetrant thiazolidinones as novel CGRP receptor antagonists” [Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 24 (2014) 845–849]. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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3
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Joshi P, Anderson C, Binch H, Hadida S, Yoo S, Bergeron D, Decker C, terHaar E, Moore J, Garcia-Guzman M, Termin A. Identification of potent CNS-penetrant thiazolidinones as novel CGRP receptor antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014; 24:845-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.12.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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4
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Bebbington D, Binch H, Charrier JD, Everitt S, Fraysse D, Golec J, Kay D, Knegtel R, Mak C, Mazzei F, Miller A, Mortimore M, O’Donnell M, Patel S, Pierard F, Pinder J, Pollard J, Ramaya S, Robinson D, Rutherford A, Studley J, Westcott J. The discovery of the potent aurora inhibitor MK-0457 (VX-680). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2009; 19:3586-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.04.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2009] [Revised: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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5
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Afarinkia K, Binch H, Forristal I, Jones C, Lowman J, De Pascale E, Twist A. Asymmetric Induction by Chiral Phosphorus. PHOSPHORUS SULFUR 2002. [DOI: 10.1080/10426500212218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Afarinkia
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
| | - Hayley Binch
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
| | - Ian Forristal
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
| | - Clare Jones
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
| | - James Lowman
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
| | - Egizia De Pascale
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
| | - Andrew Twist
- a Department of Chemistry , King's College , The Strand, London , UK
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6
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Carey GJ, Billard W, Binch H, Cohen-Williams M, Crosby G, Grzelak M, Guzik H, Kozlowski JA, Lowe DB, Pond AJ, Tedesco RP, Watkins RW, Coffin VL. SCH 57790, a selective muscarinic M(2) receptor antagonist, releases acetylcholine and produces cognitive enhancement in laboratory animals. Eur J Pharmacol 2001; 431:189-200. [PMID: 11728425 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(01)01440-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The present studies were designed to assess whether the novel muscarinic M(2) receptor antagonist 4-cyclohexyl-alpha-[4[[4-methoxyphenyl]sulphinyl]-phenyl]-1-piperazineacetonitrile (SCH 57790) could increase acetylcholine release in the central nervous system (CNS) and enhance cognitive performance in rodents and nonhuman primates. In vivo microdialysis studies show that SCH 57790 (0.1-10 mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-related increases in acetylcholine release from rat hippocampus, cortex, and striatum. SCH 57790 (0.003-1.0 mg/kg) increased retention times in young rat passive avoidance responding when given either before or after training. Also, SCH 57790 reversed scopolamine-induced deficits in mice in a passive avoidance task. In a working memory operant task in squirrel monkeys, administration of SCH 57790 (0.01-0.03 mg/kg) improved performance under a schedule of fixed-ratio discrimination with titrating delay. The effects observed with SCH 57790 in behavioral studies were qualitatively similar to the effects produced by the clinically used cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil, suggesting that blockade of muscarinic M(2) receptors is a viable approach to enhancing cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Carey
- Pharmacia Corp., 301 Henrietta St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA.
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7
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Boyle CD, Chackalamannil S, Clader JW, Greenlee WJ, Josien HB, Kaminski JJ, Kozlowski JA, McCombie SW, Nazareno DV, Tagat JR, Wang Y, Zhou G, Billard W, Binch H, Crosby G, Cohen-Williams M, Coffin VL, Cox KA, Grotz DE, Duffy RA, Ruperto V, Lachowicz JE. Metabolic stabilization of benzylidene ketal M(2) muscarinic receptor antagonists via halonaphthoic acid substitution. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2001; 11:2311-4. [PMID: 11527721 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(01)00435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The potential toxicological liabilities of the M(2) muscarinic antagonist 1 were addressed by replacing the methylenedioxyphenyl moiety with a p-methoxyphenyl group, resulting in M(2) selective compounds such as 3. Several halogenated naphthamide derivatives of 3 were studied in order to improve the pharmacokinetic profile via blockage of oxidative metabolism. Compound 4 demonstrated excellent M(2) affinity and selectivity, human microsomal stability, and oral bioavailability in rodents and primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Boyle
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, 2015 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
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8
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Lachowicz JE, Duffy RA, Ruperto V, Kozlowski J, Zhou G, Clader J, Billard W, Binch H, Crosby G, Cohen-Williams M, Strader CD, Coffin V. Facilitation of acetylcholine release and improvement in cognition by a selective M2 muscarinic antagonist, SCH 72788. Life Sci 2001; 68:2585-92. [PMID: 11392630 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(01)01056-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) requires acetylcholinesterase inhibition to increase acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations in the synaptic cleft. Another mechanism by which ACh levels can be increased is blockade of presynaptic M2 muscarinic autoreceptors that regulate ACh release. An antagonist designed for this purpose must be highly selective for M2 receptors to avoid blocking postsynaptic M1 receptors, which mediate the cognitive effects of ACh. Structure-activity studies of substituted methylpiperadines led to the synthesis of 4-[4-[1(S)-[4-[(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)sulfonyl]phenyl]ethyl]-3(R)-methyl-1-piperazinyl]-4-methyl-1-(propylsulfonyl)piperidine. This compound, SCH 72788, binds to cloned human M2 receptors expressed in CHO cells with an affinity of 0.5 nM, and its affinity at M1 receptors is 84-fold lower. SCH 72788 is a functional M2 antagonist that competitively inhibits the ability of the agonist oxotremorine-M to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity. In an in vivo microdialysis paradigm, SCH 72788 increases ACh release from the striatum of conscious rats. The compound is also active in a rodent model of cognition, the young rat passive avoidance response paradigm. The effects of SCH 72788 suggest that M2 receptor antagonists may be useful for treating the cognitive decline observed in AD and other dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Lachowicz
- Department of Chemical Research, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilwrorth, NJ 07033, USA.
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9
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Greenlee W, Clader J, Asberom T, McCombie S, Ford J, Guzik H, Kozlowski J, Li S, Liu C, Lowe D, Vice S, Zhao H, Zhou G, Billard W, Binch H, Crosby R, Duffy R, Lachowicz J, Coffin V, Watkins R, Ruperto V, Strader C, Taylor L, Cox K. Muscarinic agonists and antagonists in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Farmaco 2001; 56:247-50. [PMID: 11421251 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-827x(01)01102-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment and personality changes. The development of drugs for the treatment of the cognitive deficits of AD has focused on agents which counteract loss in cholinergic activity. Although symptoms of AD have been successfully treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil. rivastigmine, galanthamine), limited success has been achieved with direct M1 agonists, probably due to their lack of selectivity versus other muscarinic receptor subtypes. Muscarinic M2 antagonists have been reported to increase synaptic levels of acetylcholine after oral administration to rats (e.g. BIBN-99, SCH-57790), but their selectivity versus other muscarinic receptor subtypes is modest. Exploration of a series of piperidinylpiperidines has yielded the potent and selective M2 antagonist SCH-217443. This antagonist has excellent bioavailability in rats and dogs and shows activity in a rat model of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Greenlee
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033-0539, USA.
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10
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Boyle CD, Chackalamannil S, Chen LY, Dugar S, Pushpavanam P, Billard W, Binch H, Crosby G, Cohen-Williams M, Coffin VL, Duffy RA, Ruperto V, Lachowicz JE. Benzylidene ketal derivatives as M2 muscarinic receptor antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000; 10:2727-30. [PMID: 11133078 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(00)00553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Benzylidene ketal derivatives were investigated as selective M2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Compound 10 was discovered to have subnanomolar M2 receptor affinity and 100-fold selectivity against other muscarinic receptors. Also, 10 demonstrated in vivo efficacy in rodent models of muscarinic activity and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Boyle
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
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11
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Kozlowski JA, Lowe DB, Guzik HS, Zhou G, Ruperto VB, Duffy RA, McQuade R, Crosby G, Taylor LA, Billard W, Binch H, Lachowicz JE. Diphenyl sulfoxides as selective antagonists of the muscarinic M2 receptor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000; 10:2255-7. [PMID: 11055332 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(00)00438-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Structure activity studies on [4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl]methylpiperazine led to the discovery of 4-cyclohexyl-alpha-[4-[[4-methoxyphenyl(S)-sufinyl]phenyl]-1-pi perazineacetonitrile, 1, an M2 selective muscarinic antagonist. Affinity at the cloned human M2 receptor was 2.7 nM; the M1/M2 selectivity is 40-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Kozlowski
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033-0539, USA.
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12
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Wang Y, Chackalamannil S, Hu Z, Clader JW, Greenlee W, Billard W, Binch H, Crosby G, Ruperto V, Duffy RA, McQuade R, Lachowicz JE. Design and synthesis of piperidinyl piperidine analogues as potent and selective M2 muscarinic receptor antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000; 10:2247-50. [PMID: 11055330 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(00)00457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Identification of a number of highly potent M2 receptor antagonists with >100-fold selectivity against the M1 and M3 receptor subtypes is described. In the rat microdialysis assay, this series of compounds showed pronounced enhancement of brain acetylcholine release after oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA.
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13
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Billard W, Binch H, Bratzler K, Chen LY, Crosby G, Duffy RA, Dugar S, Lachowicz J, McQuade R, Pushpavanam P, Ruperto VB, Taylor LA, Clader JW. Diphenylsulfone muscarinic antagonists: piperidine derivatives with high M2 selectivity and improved potency. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000; 10:2209-12. [PMID: 11012031 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(00)00437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Piperidine analogues of our previously described piperazine muscarinic antagonists are described. Piperidine analogues show a distinct structure-activity relationship (SAR) that differs from comparable piperazines. Compounds with high selectivity and improved potency for the M2 receptor have been identified. The lead compound, 12b, increases acetylcholine release in vivo. Compounds of this class may be useful for the treatment of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- W Billard
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
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14
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15
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Billard W, Binch H, Crosby G, McQuade RD. Identification of the primary muscarinic autoreceptor subtype in rat striatum as m2 through a correlation of in vivo microdialysis and in vitro receptor binding data. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1995; 273:273-9. [PMID: 7714776] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscarinic autoreceptors located on cholinergic nerve terminals are involved in the inhibitory feedback regulation of acetylcholine (ACh) release. Establishing the subtype identity of such sites provides a more complete understanding of both normal receptor function and the functional significance of receptor changes associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, a novel approach was used to identify the muscarinic autoreceptor in rat striatum. It involved the correlation of data from two different sources--in vivo microdialysis and in vitro receptor binding. Four standard muscarinic antagonists with varying binding profiles (scopolamine, pirenzepine, AF-DX116 and himbacine) were infused directly through a microdialysis probe into the striatum of conscious, freely moving rats. The objectives were to find the minimal concentration of each antagonist capable of manifesting a functional autoreceptor response (i.e., increased ACh release) and to compare the relative ability of the antagonists to bring about this effect with their relative abilities to bind to each of the cloned muscarinic receptor subtypes. The conclusion is that the muscarinic receptor mediating ACh release in rat striatum exhibits a pharmacological profile clearly consistent with it being of the m2 subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Billard
- Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
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