Congeners Derived from Microtubule-Active Phenylpyrimidines Produce a Potent and Long-Lasting Paralysis of Schistosoma mansoni In Vitro

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that affects approximately 200 million people in developing countries. Current treatment relies on just one partially effective drug, and new drugs are needed. Tubulin and microtubules (MTs) are essential constituents of the cytoskeleton in all eukaryotic cells and considered potential drug targets to treat parasitic infections. The α- and β-tubulin of Schistosoma mansoni have ∼96% and ∼91% sequence identity to their respective human tubulins, suggesting that compounds which bind mammalian tubulin may interfere with MT-mediated functions in the parasite. To explore the potential of different classes of tubulin-binding molecules as antischistosomal leads, we completed a series of in vitro whole-organism screens of a target-based compound library against S. mansoni adults and somules (postinfective larvae), and identified multiple biologically active compounds, among which phenylpyrimidines were the most promising. Further structure-activity relationship studies of these hits identified a series of thiophen-2-yl-pyrimidine congeners, which induce a potent and long-lasting paralysis of the parasite. Moreover, compared to the originating compounds, which showed cytotoxicity values in the low nanomolar range, these new derivatives were 1-4 orders of magnitude less cytotoxic and exhibited weak or undetectable activity against mammalian MTs in a cell-based assay of MT stabilization. Given their selective antischistosomal activity and relatively simple drug-like structures, these molecules hold promise as candidates for the development of new treatments for schistosomiasis.

Evaluation of the Structure-Activity Relationship of Microtubule-Targeting 1,2,4-Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines Identifies New Candidates for Neurodegenerative Tauopathies

Studies in tau and Aβ plaque transgenic mouse models demonstrated that brain-penetrant microtubule (MT)-stabilizing compounds, including the 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, hold promise as candidate treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative tauopathies. Triazolopyrimidines have already been investigated as anticancer agents; however, the antimitotic activity of these compounds does not always correlate with stabilization of MTs in cells. Indeed, previous studies from our laboratories identified a critical role for the fragment linked at C6 in determining whether triazolopyrimidines promote MT stabilization or, conversely, disrupt MT integrity in cells. To further elucidate the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and to identify potentially improved MT-stabilizing candidates for neurodegenerative disease, a comprehensive set of 68 triazolopyrimidine congeners bearing structural modifications at C6 and/or C7 was designed, synthesized, and evaluated. These studies expand upon prior understanding of triazolopyrimidine SAR and enabled the identification of novel analogues that, relative to the existing lead, exhibit improved physicochemical properties, MT-stabilizing activity, and pharmacokinetics.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of photoactivatable derivatives of microtubule (MT)-active [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

The [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines comprise a promising class of non-naturally occurring microtubule (MT)-active compounds. Prior studies revealed that different triazolopyrimidine substitutions can yield molecules that either promote MT stabilization or disrupt MT integrity. These differences can have important ramifications in the therapeutic applications of triazolopyrimidines and suggest that different analogues may exhibit different binding modes within the same site or possibly interact with tubulin/MTs at alternative binding sites. To help discern these possibilities, a series of photoactivatable triazolopyrimidine congeners was designed, synthesized and evaluated in cellular assays with the goal of identifying candidate probes for photoaffinity labeling experiments. These studies led to the identification of different derivatives that incorporate a diazirine ring in the amine substituent at position 7 of the triazolopyrimidine heterocycle, resulting in molecules that either promote stabilization of MTs or disrupt MT integrity. These photoactivatable candidate probes hold promise to investigate the mode of action of MT-active triazolopyrimidines.

Multitargeted Imidazoles: Potential Therapeutic Leads for Alzheimer's and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex, multifactorial disease in which different neuropathological mechanisms are likely involved, including those associated with pathological tau and Aβ species as well as neuroinflammation. In this context, the development of single multitargeted therapeutics directed against two or more disease mechanisms could be advantageous. Starting from a series of 1,5-diarylimidazoles with microtubule (MT)-stabilizing activity and structural similarities with known NSAIDs, we conducted structure–activity relationship studies that led to the identification of multitargeted prototypes with activities as MT-stabilizing agents and/or inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathways. Several examples are brain-penetrant and exhibit balanced multitargeted in vitro activity in the low μM range. As brain-penetrant MT-stabilizing agents have proven effective against tau-mediated neurodegeneration in animal models, and because COX- and 5-LOX-derived eicosanoids are thought to contribute to Aβ plaque deposition, these 1,5-diarylimidazoles provide tools to explore novel multitargeted strategies for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of tauopathies: Hopes and challenges

A group of neurodegenerative diseases referred to as tauopathies are characterized by the presence of brain cells harboring inclusions of pathological species of the tau protein. These disorders include Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration due to tau pathology, including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and Pick's disease. Tau is normally a microtubule (MT)-associated protein that appears to play an important role in ensuring proper axonal transport, but in tauopathies tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and disengages from MTs, with consequent misfolding and deposition into inclusions that mainly affect neurons but also glia. A body of experimental evidence suggests that the development of tau inclusions leads to the neurodegeneration observed in tauopathies, and there is a growing interest in developing tau-directed therapeutic agents. The following review provides a summary of strategies under investigation for the potential treatment of tauopathies, highlighting both the promises and challenges associated with these various therapeutic approaches.

Characterization of Brain-Penetrant Pyrimidine-Containing Molecules with Differential Microtubule-Stabilizing Activities Developed as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Tauopathies

The microtubule (MT)-stabilizing protein tau disengages from MTs and forms intracellular inclusions known as neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. Reduced tau binding to MTs in tauopathies may contribute to neuronal dysfunction through decreased MT stabilization and disrupted axonal transport. Thus, the introduction of brain-penetrant MT-stabilizing compounds might normalize MT dynamics and axonal deficits in these disorders. We previously described a number of phenylpyrimidines and triazolopyrimidines (TPDs) that induce tubulin post-translational modifications indicative of MT stabilization. We now further characterize the biologic properties of these small molecules, and our results reveal that these compounds can be divided into two general classes based on the cellular response they evoke. One group composed of the phenylpyrimidines and several TPD examples showed a bell-shaped concentration-response effect on markers of MT stabilization in cellular assays. Moreover, these compounds induced proteasome-dependent degradation of α- and β-tubulin and caused altered MT morphology in both dividing cells and neuron cultures. In contrast, a second group comprising a subset of TPD molecules (TPD+) increased markers of stable MTs in a concentration-dependent manner in dividing cells and in neurons without affecting total tubulin levels or disrupting MT architecture. Moreover, an example TPD+ compound was shown to increase MTs in a neuron culture model with induced tau hyperphosphorylation and associated MT deficits. Several TPD+ compounds were shown to be both brain penetrant and orally bioavailable, and a TPD+ example increased MT stabilization in the mouse brain, making these compounds potential candidate therapeutics for neurodegenerative tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease.

Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and metabolic characterization of a brain retentive microtubule (MT)-stabilizing triazolopyrimidine

Previous studies revealed that examples of the non-naturally occurring microtubule (MT)-stabilizing triazolopyrimidines are both brain penetrant and orally bioavailable, indicating that this class of compounds may be potentially attractive in the development of MT-stabilizing therapies for the central nervous system (CNS). We now report on the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and metabolism of a selected triazolopyrimidine congener, (S)-3-(4-(5-chloro-7-((1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-yl)amino)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-6-yl)-3,5-difluorophenoxy)-propan-1-ol (4). These studies revealed that 4 exhibits longer brain than plasma half-life that may be exploited to achieve a selective accumulation of the compound within the CNS. Furthermore, compound metabolism studies suggest that in plasma 4 is rapidly oxidized at the terminal hydroxyl group to form a comparatively inactive carboxylic acid metabolite. Peripheral administration of relatively low doses of 4 to normal mice was found to produce a significant elevation in acetylated α-tubulin, a marker of stable MTs, in the brain. Collectively, these results indicate that 4 may effectively target brain MTs at doses that produce minimal peripheral exposure.

Cocaine induces nuclear export and degradation of neuronal retinoid X receptor-γ via a TNF-α/JNK- mediated mechanism

Cocaine abuse represents an immense societal health and economic burden for which no effective treatment currently exists. Among the numerous intracellular signaling cascades impacted by exposure to cocaine, increased and aberrant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the CNS has been observed. Additionally, we have previously reported a decrease in retinoid-X-receptor-gamma (RXR-γ) in brains of mice chronically exposed to cocaine. Through obligate heterodimerization with a number of nuclear receptors, RXRs serve as master regulatory transcription factors, which can potentiate or suppress expression of a wide spectrum of genes. Little is known about the regulation of RXR levels, but previous studies indicate cellular stressors such as cytokines negatively regulate levels of RXRs in vitro. To evaluate the mechanism underlying the cocaine-induced decreases in RXR-γ levels observed in vivo, we exposed neurons to cocaine in vitro and examined pathways which may contribute to disruption in RXR signaling, including activation of stress pathways by cytokine induction. In these studies, we provide the first evidence that cocaine exposure disrupts neuronal RXR-γ signaling in vitro by promoting its nuclear export and degradation. Furthermore, we demonstrate this effect may be mediated, at least in part, by cocaine-induced production of TNF-α and its downstream effector c-Jun-NH-terminal kinase (JNK). Findings from this study are therefore applicable to both cocaine abuse and to pathological conditions characterized by neuroinflammatory factors, such as neurodegenerative disease.

Considerations for the use of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in neurobiology

The use of primary mammalian neurons derived from embryonic central nervous system tissue is limited by the fact that once terminally differentiated into mature neurons, the cells can no longer be propagated. Transformed neuronal-like cell lines can be used in vitro to overcome this limitation. However, several caveats exist when utilizing cells derived from malignant tumors. In this context, the popular SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line and its use in in vitro systems is described. Originally derived from a metastatic bone tumor biopsy, SH-SY5Y (ATCC(®) CRL-2266™) cells are a subline of the parental line SK-N-SH (ATCC(®) HTB-11™). SK-N-SH were subcloned three times; first to SH-SY, then to SH-SY5, and finally to SH-SY5Y. SH-SY5Y were deposited to the ATCC(®) in 1970 by June L. Biedler.Three important characteristics of SH-SY5Y cells should be considered when using these cells in in vitro studies. First, cultures include both adherent and floating cells, both types of which are viable. Few studies address the biological significance of the adherent versus floating phenotypes, but most reported studies utilize adherent populations and discard the floating cells during media changes. Second, early studies by Biedler's group indicated that the parental differentiated SK-N-SH cells contained two morphologically distinct phenotypes: neuroblast-like cells and epithelial-like cells (Ross et al., J Nat Cancer Inst 71:741-747, 1983). These two phenotypes may correspond to the "N" and "S" types described in later studies in SH-SY5Y by Encinas et al. (J Neurochem 75:991-1003, 2000). Cells with neuroblast-like morphology are positive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-β-hydroxylase characteristic of catecholaminergic neurons, whereas the epithelial-like counterpart cells lacked these enzymatic activities (Ross et al., J Nat Cancer Inst 71:741-747, 1983). Third, SH-SY5Y cells can be differentiated to a more mature neuron-like phenotype that is characterized by neuronal markers. There are several methods to differentiate SH-SY5Y cells and are mentioned below. Retinoic acid is the most commonly used means for differentiation and will be addressed in detail.

Ceftriaxone attenuates locomotor activity induced by acute and repeated cocaine exposure in mice

Ceftriaxone (CTX) decreases locomotor activation produced by initial cocaine exposure and attenuates development of behavioral sensitization produced by repeated cocaine exposure. An important question that has not yet been answered is whether or not CTX reduces behavioral sensitization to cocaine in cases in which the antibiotic is administered only during the period of cocaine absence that follows repeated cocaine exposure and precedes reintroduction to cocaine. We investigated this question using C57BL/6 mice. Mice pretreated with cocaine (15mg/kg×14 days) and then challenged with cocaine (15mg/kg) after 30 days of cocaine absence displayed sensitization of locomotor activity. For combination experiments, CTX injected during the 30 days of cocaine absence attenuated behavioral sensitization produced by cocaine challenge. In the case in which CTX was injected together with cocaine for 14 days, development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine challenge was also reduced. CTX attenuated the increase in locomotor activity produced by acute cocaine exposure; however, its efficacy was dependent on the dose of cocaine as inhibition was detected against 30mg/kg, but not 15mg/kg, of cocaine. These results from mice indicate that CTX attenuates locomotor activity produced by acute and repeated cocaine exposure and counters cocaine's locomotor activating properties in a paradigm in which the antibiotic is injected during the period of forced cocaine absence that follows repeated cocaine exposure.

PINCH in the cellular stress response to tau-hyperphosphorylation

Particularly interesting new cysteine- histidine- rich protein (PINCH) is an adaptor protein that our data have shown is required for neurite extension under stressful conditions. Our previous studies also report that PINCH is recalled by neurons showing decreased levels of synaptodendritic signaling proteins such as MAP2 or synaptophysin in the brains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The current study addressed potential role(s) for PINCH in neurodegenerative diseases. Mass spectrometry predicted the interaction of PINCH with Tau and with members of the heat shock response. Our in vitro data confirmed that PINCH binds to hyperphosphorylated (hp) Tau and to E3 ubiquitin ligase, carboxy-terminus of heat shock-70 interacting protein. Silencing PINCH prior to induction of hp-Tau resulted in more efficient clearance of accumulating hp-Tau, suggesting that PINCH may play a role in stabilizing hp-Tau. Accumulation of hp-Tau is implicated in more than 20 neuropathological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis (HIVE). Analyses of brain tissues from HIVE, AD and FTD patients showed that PINCH is increased and binds to hp-Tau. These studies address a new mechanism by which AD and HIV may intersect and identify PINCH as a contributing factor to the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated Tau.

Cocaine-induced loss of white matter proteins in the adult mouse nucleus accumbens is attenuated by administration of a β-lactam antibiotic during cocaine withdrawal

We report significantly decreased white matter protein levels in the nucleus accumbens in an adult mouse model of chronic cocaine abuse. Previous studies from human cocaine abuse patients show disruption of white matter and myelin loss, thus supporting our observations. Understanding the neuropathological mechanisms for white matter disruption in cocaine abuse patients is complicated by polydrug use and other comorbid factors, hindering the development of effective therapeutic strategies to ameliorate damage or compliment rehabilitation programs. In this context, our data further demonstrate that cocaine-induced loss of white matter proteins is absent in mice treated with the β-lactam antibiotic, ceftriaxone, during cocaine withdrawal. Other studies report that ceftriaxone, a glutamate transporter subtype-1 activator, is neuroprotective in murine models of multiple sclerosis, thereby demonstrating potential therapeutic properties for diseases with white matter loss. Cocaine-induced white matter abnormalities likely contribute to the cognitive, motor, and psychological deficits commonly afflicting cocaine abusers, yet the underlying mechanisms responsible for these changes remain unknown. Our observations describe an adult animal model for the study of cocaine-induced myelin loss for the first time, and highlight a potential pharmacological intervention to ameliorate cocaine-induced white matter loss.

Neuronal toxicity in HIV CNS disease

HIV enters the brain during the early stages of initial infection and can result in a complicated array of diverse neurological dysfunctions. While neuronal injury and loss are at the heart of neurological decline and HIV-associated neuropathology, HIV does not productively infect neurons and the effects of HIV on neurons may be described as largely indirect. Viral proteins released from infected cells in the CNS are a well-characterized source of neuronal toxicity. Likewise, host-derived inflammatory cytokines and chemokines released from infected and/or activated glial cells can damage neurons, as well. Newly identified host-virus interactions and the current state of our knowledge regarding HIV-associated neuronal toxicity will be addressed in this review. Aspects of HIV-associated neurotoxic mechanisms, patterns of neuronal damage, viral effects on neurotrophic signaling, clade variations and comorbid substance abuse will be discussed. Recent advances in our understanding of the impact of HIV infection of the CNS on neuronal dysfunction and cell death will also be highlighted.

Cocaine decreases expression of neurogranin via alterations in thyroid receptor/retinoid X receptor signaling

Mounting evidence suggests a potential link between cocaine abuse, disruptions in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis signaling, and neuroplasticity, but molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Neurogranin (Ng) is a gene containing a thyroid hormone-responsive element within its first intron that is involved in synaptic plasticity. Transcriptional activation requires heterodimerization of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) bound by their respective ligands, tri-iodothryonine and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA), and subsequent binding of this complex to the thyroid hormone-responsive element of the Ng gene. In this study, the effects of chronic cocaine abuse on Ng expression in euthyroid and hypothyroid mice were assessed. In cocaine-treated mice, decreased Ng expression was observed in the absence of changes in levels of thyroid hormones or other hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid signaling factors. Therefore, we hypothesized that cocaine decreases Ng expression via alterations in 9-cis-RA availability and TR/RXR signaling. In support of this hypothesis, RXR-γ was significantly decreased in brains of cocaine-treated mice while CYP26A1, the main enzyme responsible for neuronal RA degradation, was significantly increased. Results from this study provide the first evidence for a direct effect of cocaine abuse on TR/RXR signaling, RA metabolism, and transcriptional regulation of Ng, a gene essential for adult neuroplasticity.

PINCH: More than just an adaptor protein in cellular response

Particularly interesting new cysteine-histidine-rich protein (PINCH) is a LIM-domain-only adaptor protein involved in protein recruitment, subsequent assembly of multi-protein complexes, and subcellular localization of these complexes. PINCH is developmentally regulated and its expression is critical for proper cytoskeletal organization and extracellular matrix adhesion. Although PINCH has no catalytic abilities, the PIP (PINCH-ILK-parvin) complex serves as a link between integrins and components of growth factor receptor kinase and GTPase signaling pathways. Accordingly, PINCH-mediated signaling induces cell migration, spreading, and survival. Further research on the signaling cascades affected by PINCH is key to appreciating its biological significance in cell fate and systems maintenance, as the developmental functions of PINCH may extend to disease states and the cellular response to damage. PINCH is implicated in a diverse array of diseases including renal failure, cardiomyopathy, nervous system degeneration and demyelination, and tumorigenesis. This review presents evidence for PINCH's structural and functional importance in normal cellular processes and in pathogenesis. The current data for PINCH expression in nervous system disease is substantial, but due to the complex and ubiquitous nature of this protein, our understanding of its function in pathology remains unclear. In this review, an overview of studies identifying PINCH binding partners, their molecular interactions, and the potentially overlapping role(s) of PINCH in cancer and in nervous system diseases will be discussed. Many questions remain regarding PINCH's role in cells. What induces cell-specific PINCH expression? How does PINCH expression contribute to cell fate in the central nervous system? More broadly, is PINCH expression in disease a good thing? Clarifying the ambiguous functions of PINCH expression in the central nervous system and other systems is important to understand more clearly signaling events both in health and disease.