Side chain flexibility and the pore dimensions in the GABA<Subscript>A</Subscript> receptor

Permeation of ions through open channels and their accessibility to pore-targeting drugs depend on the pore cross-sectional dimensions, which are known only for static X-ray and cryo-EM structures. Here, we have built homology models of the closed, open and desensitized α₁β₂γ₂ GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR). The models are based, respectively, on the X-ray structure of α₃ glycine receptor (α₃ GlyR), cryo-EM structure of α₁ GlyR and X-ray structure of β₃ GABA_AR. We employed Monte Carlo energy minimizations to explore how the pore lumen may increase due to repulsions of flexible side chains from a variable-diameter electroneutral atom (an expanding sphere) pulled through the pore. The expanding sphere computations predicted that the pore diameter averaged along the permeation pathway is larger by approximately 3 Å than that computed for the models with fixed sidechains. Our models predict three major pore constrictions located at the levels of ?2′, 9′ and 20′ residues. Residues around the ?2′ and 9′ rings are known to form the desensitization and activation gates of GABA_AR. Our computations predict that the 20′ ring may also serve as GABA_AR gate whose physiological role is unclear. The side chain flexibility of residues ?2′, 9′ and 20′ and hence the dimensions of the constrictions depend on the GABA_AR functional state.     

5-HT1A Serotonergic, α-Adrenergic and Opioidergic Receptors Mediate the Analgesic Efficacy of Vortioxetine in Mice

Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant drug that affects several brain neurochemicals and has the potential to induce various pharmacological effects on the central nervous system. Therefore, we investigated the centrally mediated analgesic efficacy of this drug and the mechanisms underlying this effect. Analgesic activity of vortioxetine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o.) was examined by tail-clip, tail-immersion and hot-plate tests. Motor performance of animals was evaluated using Rota-rod device. Time course measurements (30–180 min) showed that vortioxetine (10 and 20 mg/kg) administrations significantly increased the response latency, percent maximum possible effect and area under the curve values in all of the nociceptive tests. These data pointed out the analgesic effect of vortioxetine on central pathways carrying acute thermal and mechanical nociceptive stimuli. Vortioxetine did not alter the motor coordination of mice indicating that the analgesic activity of this drug was specific. In mechanistic studies, pre-treatments with p-chlorophenylalanine (serotonin-synthesis inhibitor), NAN-190 (serotonin 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist), α-methyl-para-tyrosine (catecholamine-synthesis inhibitor), phentolamine (non-selective α-adrenoceptor blocker), and naloxone (non-selective opioid receptor blocker) antagonised the vortioxetine-induced analgesia. Obtained findings indicated that vortioxetine-induced analgesia is mediated by 5-HT_1A serotonergic, α-adrenergic and opioidergic receptors, and contributions of central serotonergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmissions are critical for this effect.     

Structure-Functions Relationships of the Benzodiazepine and Serotonine Receptors Ligands

Abstract

States of anxiety and fear are controlled in organism by GABA-ergic and serotonine- ergic systems. Concepts about the structure and functions of GABA_A receptor channel, benzodiazepine and serotonine receptors have been considered. Structural and conformational peculiarities of ligands of these receptors determine their role (agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists, partial agonists, partial inverse agonists) at the formation of supramolecular complexes ?ligand-receptor’ and, as a result, pharmacological effects of ligands.     

Methodological approaches for the study of GABA<Subscript>A</Subscript> receptor pharmacology and functional responses

Inhibitory GABA_A receptor ion channels are the target for a wide range of clinically-used therapeutic agents. The complex structural diversity of these ligand-gated channels, revealed by molecular cloning studies, together with increasing requirements for higher-throughput functional assays in drug discovery, has led to the development of a wide range of techniques to examine GABA_A receptor pharmacology and function. In the current article we review some of the methodologies which have contributed to the expansion of knowledge in this field. The techniques include: molecular approaches, immunoprecipitation, and immunopurification to study receptor assembly, structure, and functional expression; in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and autoradiography to examine receptor distribution in native tissues; radioligand binding, site-directed mutagenesis, and electrophysiology to examine pharmacology and allosteric modulation; and patch clamp, ion flux, microphysiometry, and a variety of novel fluorescence-based technologies to examine ion-channel function. The use of gene targetting approaches in transgenic mice has also provided important insights into the role of specific GABA_A receptor subtypes in vivo. The continuing evolution of novel technologies and assay approaches with appropriate sensitivity and resolution to measure subtle modulation of GABA_A ion channels will facilitate ongoing investigation of the physiological functions of these important inhibitory receptors.     

Semi-correlations as a tool to build up categorical (active/inactive) model of GABAA receptor modulator activity

The interpretation of mode of action for GABA_A receptor modulator activity is an important task of medicinal chemistry. The computational elucidation of the modulator activity is one of the ways to solve the above task. So-called semi-correlation is a tool for prediction of GABA_A receptor modulator activity. The semi-correlation is based on the Monte Carlo method. This approach is to build up categorical classification models into two classes: (i) active and (ii) inactive. The CORAL software (http://www.insilico.eu/coral) can be used to build up the semi-correlations. The statistical quality of models (for external validation sets) based on semi-correlation has the range of Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) is 0.72–1.00 for 30 random splits of all available data (n?=?210) into the training and validation sets. In contrast to existing approaches, the predictive CORAL models give prediction using solely data on molecular architecture (represented by simplified molecular input-line entry system?=?SMILES) and available experimental data on endpoints. Suggested models for prediction of GABA_A receptor modulator activity are built up according to the OECD principles. Thus, the approach based on the semi-correlation can be a useful tool for studying of the GABA_A receptor modulators activity.

     

Theoretical approach to the pharmacophoric pattern of GABAB analogs

In order to determine the structural requirements that are important for GABA_B binding affinity, a quantum-chemical-based conformational study has been performed, followed by a similarity analysis which includes 12 GABA_B analogs. Due to the flexibility of the structures, a semigrid GABA_B analog [2RS-(5,5-dimethyl) morpholinyl-acetic acid] has been used as a template for the amonium moiety in order to help to identify the active conformation. Both in vacuo, and solvent-simulated calculations, for the physiological media modeled as water molecules, have been compared, for this analog, at ab initio (G94, 6-31+G(d,p)) and semiempirical (PM3) levels, respectively. On the basis of this comparison, the results of in vacuo PM3 calculations have been chosen for the similarity analysis. We have included, in the calculations, a group of molecules heterogeneous enough to become representative of the different families that can bind to the GABA_B receptor site. Following their comparison we report the leading characteristics that can be related to their binding capability and define a pharmacophoric pattern for GABA_B analogs. The latter is compared with the one previously found for the binding affinity at the GABA_A receptor site. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 70: 1195–1208, 1998     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-HEDTA/HYNIC-MPP4 complex for 5-HT<Subscript>1A</Subscript> receptor imaging

5-HT_1A receptor is associated with a variety of pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Accordingly, we have synthesized a new 5-HT_1A receptor ligand (HYNIC-MPP4) and labeled it with ^99mTc using N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) as coligand. ^99mTc-HEDTA/HYNIC-MPP4 was prepared under pH 6 at room temperature. Biodistribution of 99mTc-HEDTA/HYNIC-MPP4 in normal mice showed that this complex had moderate brain uptake (0.60% ID·g⁻¹ at 2 min p.i.) and good retention. The hippocampus had the highest radioactivity uptake at 2 min p.i. (1.84% ID⋆g⁻¹). The ratio of Hipp/CB was 3.1 at 2 min p.i. and increased to 4.4 at 60 min p.i. After blocking with 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin, the uptake of hippocampus was decreased significantly from 1.84% ID·g⁻¹ to 0.53% ID·g⁻¹ at 2 min p.i., while the cerebellum had no significant decrease. This ^99mTc complex could be a potent agent for 5-HT_1A receptor imaging. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20401004) and the Analysis and Test fund of Beijing Normal University     

Simultaneous determination of multicomponent of acetylkitasamycin and kitasamycin by LC–MS/MS in swine plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

A simple and reliable LC–MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of 12 components from acetylkitasamycin and kitasamycin in swine plasma. The analytes were separated on a Shim‐pack VP‐ODS column with a 25 min gradient elution using 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Identification and quantification were accomplished by electrospray ionization) in positive mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The limits of quantitation of acetylkitasamycin A₁A₃, A₁₃ and kitasamycin A₃, A₁₃ were 3 μg/L, and that of the other eight components was 5 μg/L. The mean recoveries of kitasamycin and acetylkitasamycin ranged from 85.3 to 103.5%. The developed method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in swine after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration of acetylkitasamycin. The result showed that the plasma concentrations of acetylkitsamycin components were much higher than that of kitasamycin in swine after i.v. and p.o., in which acetylkitsamycin A₄A₅ was the highest component at each time point.     

Synthesis of fluorinated analogues of the neurosteroid GABAA receptor antagonist, 17-PA

The steroid 17-PA is a GABA_A receptor antagonist which is finding use as a tool in evaluating agonistic/antagonistic activity at GABA_A receptors. Compounds with improved efficacy over 17-PA would be are advantageous for such studies. Accordingly a series of novel analogues of the neurosteroid 17-PA have been prepared and a convenient two-step route is presented which is amenable to the synthesis of analogues with electron-donating para-aromatic substituents including fluorine. However, for the meta-fluoro analogue then the original four-step route to 17-PA remains more efficient overall. The paper describes these syntheses and discusses the electronic factors which influence this synthetic chemistry.     

A novel urea derivative anticonvulsant: In vivo biological evaluation,radioreceptor analysis of GABAA receptors and molecular docking studies of enantiomers

It has been experimentally established that the original new generation anticonvulsant Galodif, N-[(3-chlorophenyl)-(phenyl)methyl]urea, allosterically modulates GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR). Binding of [³H]flunitrazepam and [³H]Ro5-4864 to the benzodiazepine (BZD) site of GABA_AR in the brain of Galodif-treated rats showes an increase in receptor affinity in Scatchard Plot for Ligand Receptor binding analysis. The results of molecular docking (Schrödinger program Glide) reveal that the enantiomers of Galodif are complementary to the BZD binding site of GABA_AR; binding energy of R-Galodif is lower than that of S-Galodif (scoring GScore being –11.14 and –10.7 kcal mol^–1, respectively); R-Galodif interacts with key amino acids at the α1γ2 interface: Tyr159, Tyr209, H101 Phe77 with high model fit – dG of insert: 7.41.     

Synthesis,Anticonvulsant, and Antinociceptive Activity of New 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)- and 3-(3-Chlorophenyl)-2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetamides

The new series of 3-(2-chlorophenyl)- and 3-(3-chlorophenyl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione-acetamide derivatives as potential anticonvulsant and analgesic agents was synthesized. The compounds obtained were evaluated in the following acute models of epilepsy: maximal electroshock (MES), psychomotor (6 Hz, 32 mA), and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) seizure tests. The most active substance-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-{2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxoethyl}-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (6) showed more beneficial ED₅₀ and protective index values than the reference drug—valproic acid (68.30 mg/kg vs. 252.74 mg/kg in the MES test and 28.20 mg/kg vs. 130.64 mg/kg in the 6 Hz (32 mA) test, respectively). Since anticonvulsant drugs are often effective in neuropathic pain management, the antinociceptive activity for two the promising compounds—namely, 6 and 19—was also investigated in the formalin model of tonic pain. Additionally, for the aforementioned compounds, the affinity for the voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels, as well as GABA_A and TRPV1 receptors, was determined. As a result, the most probable molecular mechanism of action for the most active compound 6 relies on interaction with neuronal voltage-sensitive sodium (site 2) and L-type calcium channels. Compounds 6 and 19 were also tested for their neurotoxic and hepatotoxic properties and showed no significant cytotoxic effect.     

GABAA Receptor-Mediated Sleep-Promoting Effect of Saaz–Saphir Hops Mixture Containing Xanthohumol and Humulone

Hops contain flavonoids that have sedative and sleep-promoting activities such as α-acid, β-acid, and xanthohumol. In this study, the sleep-enhancing activity of a Saaz–Saphir hops mixture was measured. In the caffeine-induced insomnia model, the administration of a Saaz–Saphir mixture increased the sleep time compared to Saaz or Saphir administration alone, which was attributed to the increase in NREM sleep time by the δ-wave increase. Oral administration of the Saaz–Saphir mixture for 3 weeks increased the γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) content in the brain and increased the expression of the GABA_A receptor. As the GABA antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline showed a decrease in sleep activity, it was confirmed that the GABA_A receptor was involved in the Saaz–Saphir mixture activity. In addition, the GABA_A receptor antagonist also reduced the sleep activity induced by xanthohumol and humulone contained in the Saaz–Saphir mixture. Therefore, xanthohumol and humulone contained in the Saaz–Saphir mixture showed sleep-promoting activity mediated by the GABA_A receptors. The mixture of the Saaz and Saphir hop varieties may thus help mitigate sleep disturbances compared to other hop varieties.     

Synthesis of 6-thia analogs of the natural neurosteroid allopregnanolone

A procedure is described for the preparation of 6-thiapregnanes in five steps from pregnenolone via a 5-oxo-7-iodo-secopregnane intermediate. The 6-thiasteroid obtained was converted into 6-thia-allopregnanolone and its sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives. The trans stereochemistry at the A/B ring junction was accomplished by stereoselective reduction of an intermediate hemithioketal with triethylsilane/BF₃·Et₂O. The compounds synthesized are analogs of natural neurosteroids, and exhibited GABA_A receptor activity comparable to allopregnanolone.     

The Molecular Dynamic Simulation of Zolpidem Interaction with Gamma Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor

Our goal was to generate the extracellular domain of gamma‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA_A receptor) by comparative modeling and to study the interaction of zolpidem with the GABA_A receptor. The modeling strategy was verified to provide reasonable 3‐dimensional coordinates. These coordinates helped to combine all the subunits well. The benzodiazepine (BZ) binding site was located in a binding pocket between the α₁ and γ₂ subunits of the GABA_A receptor. Zolpidem was selected to dock into the binding site. In our study, the residues of the binding pocket were suggested to be αHis129, αTyr187, αGly228, αThr234, αTyr237, γMet96, γPhe116, γSer130, γGly143, and γMet169. By the calculation of the docking module, the conformation of zolpidem docking in the BZ binding site was investigated. A hydrogen bond was found at γArg136 when zolpidem's conformation was in rank 2 of the docking score. The contracted binding pocket showed residues at αHis129, αTyr187, αGly228, αTyr237, γPhe116, and γMet169. Zolpidem docking in a contracted binding pocket might generate a hydrogen bond in α His 129.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1,3]diazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole Derivatives as Promising Anxiolytic and Analgesic Agents

A number of novel 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1,3]diazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives 2 were obtained by alkylation mainly in the 1H-tautomeric form of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1,3]diazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazole or its 8,9-dimethyl-substituted analog 4-chlorobenzyl bromide, 4-chloroacetic acid fluoroanilide, and 4-tert-butylphenacyl bromide in neutral medium. Compounds 3 were cyclized and synthesized earlier with 11-phenacyl-substituted diazepino[1,2-a]benzimidazoles upon heating in conc. HBr. The chemical structures of the compounds were clarified by using the ¹H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) technique. Anxiolytic properties were evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests. The analgesic effect of compounds was estimated with the tail flick (TF) and hot plate (HP) methods. Besides, possible the influence of the test compounds on motor activities of the animals was examined by the Grid, Wire, and Rotarod tests. Compounds 2d and 3b were the most active due to their prominent analgesic and anxiolytic potentials, respectively. The results of the performed in silico analysis showed that the high anxiolytic activity of compound 3b is explained by the combination of a pronounced interaction mainly with the benzodiazepine site of the GABA_A receptor with a prominent interaction with both the specific and allosteric sites of the 5-HT_2A receptor.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel GABAA Subtype Receptor Ligands with Potential Anxiolytic‐like and Anti‐hyperalgesic Effect

The identification of selective benzodiazepine site ligands, endowed with anxiolytic and anti‐hyperalgesic action, is a relevant opportunity for the treatment of pain syndromes. Previously, we selected a compound with a promising anti‐hyperalgesic profile, the 3‐iodo‐8‐benzylaminopyrazolo [5,1‐c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5‐oxide. Aimed to verify the structure–activity relationship, the corresponding 7‐arylakylamino derivatives were synthesized. Compounds were tested for their affinity at GABA_A‐receptor subtype; the compound 12 was further investigated in animal models of anxiety and persistent pain.     

Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide in the Ethanol Extract of Lotus Leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) Enhances Sleep Quantity and Quality in a Rodent Model via a GABAergic Mechanism

Current pharmacological treatments for insomnia carry several and long-term side effects. Therefore, natural products without side effects are warranted. In this study, the sleep-promoting activity of the lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) extract was assessed using ICR mice and Sprague Dawley rats. A pentobarbital-induced sleep test and electroencephalogram analysis were conducted to measure sleep latency time, duration, and sleep architecture. The action mechanism of the extract was evaluated through ligand binding experiments. A high dose (300 mg/kg) of the ethanolic lotus leaf extract significantly increased sleep duration compared to the normal group (p < 0.01). Administration of low (150 mg/kg) and high doses (300 mg/kg) of the extract significantly increased sleep quality, especially the relative power of theta waves (p < 0.05), compared to the normal group. Furthermore, caffeine and lotus leaf extract administration significantly recovered caffeine-induced sleep disruption (p < 0.001), and the sleep quality was similar to that of the normal group. Additionally, ligand binding assay using [³H]-flumazenil revealed that quercetin-3-O-glucuronide contained in the lotus leaf extract (77.27 μg/mg of extract) enhanced sleep by binding to GABA_A receptors. Collectively, these results indicated that the lotus leaf extract, particularly quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, exhibits sleep quantity- and quality-enhancing activity via the GABAergic pathway.     

Alcoholic monoterpenes found in essential oil of aromatic spices reduce allergic inflammation by the modulation of inflammatory cytokines

Allergic inflammation is a response of the body against pathogens by cytokine release and leucocyte recruitment. Recently, there was an increase in morbimortality associated with allergic inflammation, especially asthma. The treatment has many adverse effects, requiring the search for new therapies. Monoterpenes are natural products with anti-inflammatory activity demonstrated in several studies and can be an option to inflammation management. Thus, we investigated the effects of citronellol, α-terpineol and carvacrol on allergic inflammation. The model of asthma was established by OVA induction in male Swiss mice. The monoterpenes were administered (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 h before induction. After 24hs, the animals were sacrificed to leucocytes and TNF-α quantification. Monoterpenes significantly decrease leucocyte migration and TNF-α levels, possibly by modulation of COX, PGE₂ and H1 receptor, as demonstrated by molecular docking. These findings indicate that alcoholic monoterpenes can be an alternative for treatment of allergic inflammation and asthma.     

Role of 5-HT1A Receptor in Vilazodone-Mediated Suppression of L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia and Increased Responsiveness to Cortical Input in Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons in an Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease

L-DOPA therapy in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is limited due to emerging L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Research has identified abnormal dopamine release from serotonergic (5-HT) terminals contributing to this dyskinesia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or 5-HT receptor (5-HTr) agonists can regulate 5-HT activity and attenuate dyskinesia, but they often also produce a loss of the antiparkinsonian efficacy of L-DOPA. We investigated vilazodone, a novel multimodal 5-HT agent with SSRI and 5-HTr_1A partial agonist properties, for its potential to reduce dyskinesia without interfering with the prokinetic effects of L-DOPA, and underlying mechanisms. We assessed vilazodone effects on L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (abnormal involuntary movements, AIMs) and aberrant responsiveness to corticostriatal drive in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) measured with in vivo single-unit extracellular recordings, in the 6-OHDA rat model of PD. Vilazodone (10 mg/kg) suppressed all subtypes (axial, limb, orolingual) of AIMs induced by L-DOPA (5 mg/kg) and the increase in MSN responsiveness to cortical stimulation (shorter spike onset latency). Both the antidyskinetic effects and reversal in MSN excitability by vilazodone were inhibited by the 5-HTr_1A antagonist WAY-100635, demonstrating a critical role for 5-HTr_1A in these vilazodone actions. Our results indicate that vilazodone may serve as an adjunct therapeutic for reducing dyskinesia in patients with PD.     

A concise and efficient synthesis of flumazenil and its precursor for radiolabeling with fluorine-18

Presently there is a strong interest in developing radioligands for in vivo imaging the GABA_A-Bz site with positron emission tomography (PET). Flumazenil (1), a high-affinity GABA_A-Bz site inverse agonist, is amenable for ¹¹C and ¹⁸F-labeling. The current methods for synthesis of 1 and its precursor for ¹⁸F-labeling are not ideal and restrict structure-activity relationship (SAR) development. Herein we present a novel and less troublesome synthesis of 1 and its cognates to aid in the development of improved radioligands for PET imaging of GABA_A-Bz site.