Bernadette Cusack

Binding of antidepressants to human brain receptors: focus on newer generation compounds.

Using radioligand binding assays and postmortem normal human brain tissue, we obtained equilibrium dissociation constants (Kds) for 17 antidepressants and two of their metabolites at histamine H1, muscarinic, α1-adrenergic, α2-adrenergic, dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT1A, and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors. Several newer antidepressants were compared with older drugs. In addition, we studied some antimuscarinic, antiparkinson, antihistamine, and neuroleptic compounds at some of these receptors. For the antidepressants, classical tricyclic antidepressants were the most potent drugs at five of the seven receptors (all but α2-adrenergic and 5-HT1A receptors). The chlorophenylpiperazine derivative antidepressants (etoperidone, nefazodone, trazodone) were the most potent antidepressants at α2-adrenergic and 5-HT1A receptors. Of ten antihistamines tested, none was more potent than doxepin at histamine H1 receptors. At muscarinic receptors antidepressants and antihistamines had a range of potencies, which were mostly weaker than those for antimuscarinics. From the in vitro data, we expect adinazolam, bupropion, fluoxetine, sertraline, tomoxetine, and venlafaxine not to block any of these five receptors in vivo. An antidepressants potency for blocking a specific receptor is predictive of certain side effects and drug-drug interactions. These studies can provide guidelines for the clinician in the choice of antidepressant.

Substrate-targeting γ-secretase modulators

Selective lowering of Aβ42 levels (the 42-residue isoform of the amyloid-β peptide) with small-molecule γ-secretase modulators (GSMs), such as some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is a promising therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease. To identify the target of these agents we developed biotinylated photoactivatable GSMs. GSM photoprobes did not label the core proteins of the γ-secretase complex, but instead labelled the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), APP carboxy-terminal fragments and amyloid-β peptide in human neuroglioma H4 cells. Substrate labelling was competed by other GSMs, and labelling of an APP γ-secretase substrate was more efficient than a Notch substrate. GSM interaction was localized to residues 28–36 of amyloid-β, a region critical for aggregation. We also demonstrate that compounds known to interact with this region of amyloid-β act as GSMs, and some GSMs alter the production of cell-derived amyloid-β oligomers. Furthermore, mutation of the GSM binding site in the APP alters the sensitivity of the substrate to GSMs. These findings indicate that substrate targeting by GSMs mechanistically links two therapeutic actions: alteration in Aβ42 production and inhibition of amyloid-β aggregation, which may synergistically reduce amyloid-β deposition in Alzheimer’s disease. These data also demonstrate the existence and feasibility of ‘substrate targeting’ by small-molecule effectors of proteolytic enzymes, which if generally applicable may significantly broaden the current notion of ‘druggable’ targets.

Specific gene blockade shows that peptide nucleic acids readily enter neuronal cells in vivo

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA analogs that can hybridize to complementary sequences with high affinity and stability. Here, we report the first evidence of intracellular delivery of PNAs in vivo. Two CNS receptors, an opioid (mu) and a neurotensin (NTR‐1), were targeted independently by repeated microinjection of PNAs into the periaqueductal gray. Behavioral responses to neurotensin (antinociception and hypothermia) and morphine (antinociception) were lost in a specific manner. Binding studies confirmed a large reduction in receptor sites. The loss of behavioral responses was long lasting but did fully recover. The implications of specifically and readily turning off gene expression in vivo are profound.

Effects of a novel neurotensin peptide analog given extracranially on CNS behaviors mediated by apomorphine and haloperidol.

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It has been implicated in the therapeutic and in the adverse effects of neuroleptics. Activity of NT in brain can only be shown by direct injection of the peptide into that organ. However, we have developed a novel analog of NT(8-13), NT69L, which is active upon intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Like atypical neuroleptics, NT69L blocked the climbing behavior in rats, but not the licking and sniffing behaviors of a high dose (600 microgram/kg) of the non-selective dopamine agonist apomorphine. Its blockade of climbing was very potent with an ED(50) (effective dose at 50% of maximum) of 16 microgram/kg. Both apomorphine and NT69L caused a long-lasting hypothermia, which was greater with the peptide but not synergistic in combination with apomorphine. The ED(50) of NT69L for hypothermia was 390 microgram/kg. NT69L (up to 5 mg/kg i.p.) did not produce catalepsy. However, when given before haloperidol, NT69L, but not clozapine, completely prevented catalepsy. When given after haloperidol, NT69L, but not clozapine, reversed haloperidols cataleptic effects with an ED(50) of 260 microg/kg. There was no significant difference between the ED(50)s for hypothermia and anticataleptic effects of NT69L. However, the ED(50) for blocking the effects of apomorphine was significantly lower than the other two. These data suggest that NT69L may have neuroleptic properties in humans and may be useful in the treatment of extrapyramidal side effects caused by typical neuroleptics such as haloperidol.

Clozapine is a potent and selective muscarinic antagonist at the five cloned human muscarinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells.

It was of interest to determine the binding characteristics of some neuroleptics too the various muscarinic receptor subtypes to see if a selectivity for or potency at a particular muscarinic subtype might distinguish atypical from typical neuroleptics

In vitro binding and CNS effects of novel neurotensin agonists that cross the blood-brain barrier

Animal studies with neurotensin (NT) directly injected into brain suggest that it has pharmacological properties similar to those of antipsychotic drugs. Here, we present radioligand binding data for some novel hexapeptide analogs of NT(8-13) at the molecularly cloned rat and human neurotensin receptors (NTR-1), along with behavioral and physiological effects of several of these peptides after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration in rats. One unique analog, NT66L, which had high affinity (0.85 nM) for the molecularly cloned rat neurotensin receptor (NTR-1), caused a drop in body temperature and antinociception at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg after i.p. injection. At 30 min post-injection, the ED50 for NT66L-induced hypothermia (rectal temperature) and antinociception (hot plate test) was 0.5 and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively. At a dose of 1 mg/kg i.p., NT66L caused 100% of the maximum possible effect for antinociception for up to 2 h after administration. At this dose body temperature lowering was greater than -2.5 degrees C from 20 to 120 min after i.p. administration. These results in animals suggest that NT66L has agonist properties at NTR-1 in vivo after extracranial administration and provide support for its further study in behavioral tests predictive of neuroleptic activity.

Antagonism of the five cloned human muscarinic cholinergic receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells by antidepressants and antihistaminics

Based on molecular cloning studies, five different muscarinic receptor subtypes exist: m1, m2, m3, m4, and m5. We determined the affinity and selectivity of binding for sixteen antidepressants, two of their metabolites, and three antihistaminics (H1) at these subtypes. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) transfected with genes for the human muscarinic receptor subtypes, we obtained equilibrium dissociation constants (Kds) from competitive radioligand binding studies with [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) and membranal preparations of these cells. QNB was the most potent compound studied (Kd 30-80 pM). Mequitazine (Kd 6-14 nM) and amitriptyline (Kd 7-16 nM) exhibited the highest affinity among the antihistaminics and antidepressants, respectively. Among the antidepressants examined were the serotonin-selective drugs sertraline and fluoxetine, both of which displayed Kd values > 1 microM. The remaining antidepressants were moderate to weak antagonists with some eliciting no radioligand competition at high concentrations. The compounds studied showed no significant selectivity among the five cloned subtypes.

A novel neurotensin peptide analog given extracranially decreases food intake and weight in rodents.

Neurotensin decreases food intake in the rat when injected into the cerebral ventricles. We tested the effect of a novel neurotensin analog (NT69L), injected intra-peritoneally (i.p.), on weight gain and food intake in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (270 g) were injected i. p. with either saline or NT69L at 0.001 or 0.010 mg/kg. In further experiments, larger rats at a more steady state on the growth curve (400 g) were injected with either saline or 0.010 or 1 mg/kg NT69L. Food intake, water consumption and body weight were recorded daily. Weight gain was significantly reduced in the smaller rats injected with 0.001 or 0.010 mg/kg, showing only a 8.5 and 9.0% increase in original weight, respectively, as compared to a 29% increase for the controls. The larger rats injected with 1 mg/kg, had a significant reduction in body weight with a 3.0% decrease in original body weight as compared to a 2.4% increase for the controls. Food intake was significantly reduced suggesting that the weight loss observed after injection of NT69L was attributable in part to a reduction in food intake. The genetically obese Zucker rats injected with NT69L (1 mg/kg) had a significant reduction in weight gain and food intake. NT69L significantly increased blood glucose and corticosterone levels and decreased TSH and T4 in Sprague-Dawley and Zucker rats, an effect that was only transitory. NT69L also caused a decrease in norepinephrine in both the hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens, and an increase in dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and serotonin. In this study, NT69L exhibited a consistent and dramatic effect on body weight and food intake in Sprague-Dawley and obese Zucker rats, and enabled us to study the role that NT plays in weight control and the functional interactions of NT with brain amines, and metabolic and endocrinological parameters.

The Rat Neurotensin Receptor Expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Mediates the Release of Inositol Phosphates

Abstract: To study second messenger synthesis mediated by the cloned rat neurotensin receptor, we derived a cell line stably expressing this receptor. The cDNA clone of this receptor was subcloned into the pcDNA 1 neo expression vector. This construct was then used to transfect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)‐K1 cells. Colony clones, selected for resistance to antibiotic G‐418 sulfate, were isolated and grown separately. Nineteen individual clones were screened for total [3H]neurotensin binding as an indication of neurotensin receptor expression. The clone (CHO‐rNTR‐10) showing the highest level of specific [3H]neurotensin binding was characterized further. With intact cells, the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) for specific [3H]neurotensin binding was 18 nM, and the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was 900 fmol/mg of protein or 740 fmol/106 cells (sim4.4 × 105 sites on the cellular surface). Whereas the KD was similar to that found in other cellular systems, for example, the murine neuroblastoma clone N1E‐115, the Bmax exceeded previously reported values. Incubation of intact CHO‐rNTR‐10 cells with neurotensin caused the release of inositol phosphates in a dose‐dependent manner (EC50= 3 nM), results indicating that the expressed transfected receptor was functional. Neurotensin did not inhibit cyclic AMP levels stimulated by forskolin. As with other systems, neurotensin (8‐13) was more potent than neurotensin. Neurotensin‐mediated inositol phosphate release is the first report of second messenger synthesis for this receptor expressed in a transfected cell line. These results suggest that the relation between structure and function of the neurotensin receptor can be readily studied in transfected cell lines.

Identification of a Polymorphism in the Human Neurotensin Receptor Gene

A complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding the neurotensin receptor was isolated from a human substantia nigra cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of this clone was almost identical to that of a cDNA for this receptor cloned from a previously described HT29 human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line. We found three base changes between the previously reported HT29 cDNA clone and the current cDNA clone. We investigated these changes by using polymerase chain reactions to amplify these areas from various human samples. One of the differences, which resulted in an amino acid change at AA194 (a leucine in the HT29 sequence was a phenylalanine in the current sequence), was found in some, but not in all, human samples. This finding represents genetic variability in human neurotensin receptors, the first such report for a peptide receptor. Both of these receptors, however, when expressed separately in transfected cell lines, had similar affinities for neurotensin and some related peptides.