Elsebet Ø. Nielsen

An Allosteric Modulator of the α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Possessing Cognition-Enhancing Properties in Vivo

Augmentation of nicotinic α7 receptor function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aimed at ameliorating cognitive and mnemonic dysfunction in relation to debilitating pathological conditions, such as Alzheimers disease and schizophrenia. In the present report, a novel positive allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), 1-(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea (NS1738), is described. NS1738 was unable to displace or affect radioligand binding to the agonist binding site of nicotinic receptors, and it was devoid of effect when applied alone in electrophysiological paradigms. However, when applied in the presence of acetylcholine (ACh), NS1738 produced a marked increase in the current flowing through α7 nAChRs, as determined in both oocyte electrophysiology and patch-clamp recordings from mammalian cells. NS1738 acted by increasing the peak amplitude of ACh-evoked currents at all concentrations; thus, it increased the maximal efficacy of ACh. Oocyte experiments indicated an increase in ACh potency as well. NS1738 had only marginal effects on the desensitization kinetics of α7 nAChRs, as determined from patch-clamp studies of both transfected cells and cultured hippocampal neurons. NS1738 was modestly brain-penetrant, and it was demonstrated to counteract a (–)-scopolamine-induced deficit in acquisition of a water-maze learning task in rats. Moreover, NS1738 improved performance in the rat social recognition test to the same extent as (–)-nicotine, demonstrating that NS1738 is capable of producing cognitive enhancement in vivo. These data support the notion that α7 nAChR allosteric modulation may constitute a novel pharmacological principle for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.

Nitric oxide promotes seizure activity in kainate-treated rats.

L-Arginine-derived nitrogen monoxide (NO) formation was determined in different regions of the rat brain during kainate-induced seizures. NO was trapped in vivo as a paramagnetic mononitrosyl-iron diethyldithiocarbamate complex, the concentration of which was determined ex vivo by cryogenic electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Basal NO formation (0.3-0.8 nmol g-1 tissue 30 min-1) was detected in the brain of control rats. In kainate-injected rats NO formation was increased six-fold within 30-60 min in the amygdala/temporal cortex region, and up to 12-fold, though more slowly, in the remaining cortex. The kainate-elicited convulsions and NO formation were attenuated in animals pretreated with either 7-nitroindazole, a specific inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase, or diazepam. These findings identify NO as a proconvulsant mediator in kainate-evoked seizures.

Autoradiographic Characterization and Localization of Quisqualate Binding Sites in Rat Brain Using the Antagonist [3H]6-Cyano-7-Nitroquinoxaline-2,3-Dione: Comparison with (R,S)-[3H]α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid Binding Sites

Using quantitative autoradiography, we have investigated the binding sites for the potent competitive non‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (non‐NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist [3H]6‐cyano‐7‐nitro‐quinoxaline‐2,3‐dione ([3H]‐CNQX) in rat brain sections. [3H]CNQX binding was regionally distributed, with the highest levels of binding present in hippocampus in the stratum radiatum of CA1, stratum lucidum of CA3, and molecular layer of dentate gyrus. Scatchard analysis of [3H]CNQX binding in the cerebellar molecular layer revealed an apparent single binding site with a KD= 67 ± 9.0 nM and Bmax= 3.56 ± 0.34 pmol/mg protein. In displacement studies, quisqualate, L‐glutamate, and kainate also appeared to bind to a single class of sites. However, (R,S)‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) displacement of [3H]CNQX binding revealed two binding sites in the cerebellar molecular layer. Binding of [3H]AMPA to quisqualate receptors in the presence of potassium thiocyanate produced curvilinear Scatchard plots. The curves could be resolved into two binding sites with KD1= 9.0 ± 3.5 nM, Bmax= 0.15 ± 0.05 pmol/mg protein, KD2= 278 ± 50 nM, and Bmax= 1.54 ± 0.20 pmol/mg protein. The heterogeneous anatomical distribution of [3H]CNQX binding sites correlated to the binding of L‐[3H]glutamate to quisqualate receptors and to sites labeled with [3H]AMPA. These results suggest that the non‐NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist [3H]CNQX binds with equal affinity to two states of quisqualate receptors which have different affinities for the agonist [3H]AMPA.

Inhibitory Gating Modulation of Small Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels by the Synthetic Compound (R)-N-(Benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphtylamine (NS8593) Reduces Afterhyperpolarizing Current in Hippocampal CA1 Neurons

SK channels are small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels important for the control of neuronal excitability, the fine tuning of firing patterns, and the regulation of synaptic mechanisms. The classic SK channel pharmacology has largely focused on the peptide apamin, which acts extracellularly by a pore-blocking mechanism. 1-Ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO) and 6,7-dichloro-1H-indole-2,3-dione 3-oxime (NS309) have been identified as positive gating modulators that increase the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of SK channels. In the present study, we describe inhibitory gating modulation as a novel principle for selective inhibition of SK channels. In wholecell patch-clamp experiments, the compound (R)-N-(benzimidazol-2-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphtylamine (NS8593) reversibly inhibited recombinant SK3-mediated currents (human SK3 and rat SK3) with potencies around 100 nM. However, in contrast to known pore blockers, NS8593 did not inhibit 125I-apamin binding. Using excised patches, it was demonstrated that NS8593 decreased the Ca2+ sensitivity by shifting the activation curve for Ca2+ to the right, only slightly affecting the maximal Ca2+-activated SK current. NS8593 inhibited all the SK1-3 subtypes Ca2+-dependently (Kd = 0.42, 0.60, and 0.73 μM, respectively, at 0.5 μM Ca2+), whereas the compound did not affect the Ca2+-activated K+ channels of intermediate and large conductance (hIK and hBK channels, respectively). The site of action was accessible from both sides of the membrane, and the NS8593-mediated inhibition was prevented in the presence of a high concentration of the positive modulator NS309. NS8593 was further tested on mouse CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices and shown to inhibit the apaminand tubocurarine-sensitive SK-mediated afterhyperpolarizing current, at a concentration of 3 μM.

Non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist 3H-CNQX binds with equal affinity to two agonist states of quisqualate receptors

Binding of 3H-CNQX to rat cortical membranes is saturable and reversible. Apparently, 3H-CNQX binds to a single site with KD = 39 nM. However, studies using AMPA as inhibitor revealed a biphasic inhibition of 3H-CNQX binding. The results suggest that CNQX binds with the same affinity to two different sites. The molecular target size of 3H-CNQX binding (51.8 +/- 3.4 kD) is equivalent to the size of the high affinity 3H-AMPA binding sites, but different from the high affinity 3H-kainate binding sites. A monoexponential decay curve for the high energy radiation inactivation analysis of 3H-CNQX binding indicates that the two 3H-CNQX binding sites have the same molecular weight and therefore might be two different conformations of the same receptor. The standard excitatory amino acids quisqualate, AMPA and kainate have a different rank order of potency as binding inhibitors at the two conformations of the quisqualate receptor.

NS11394 [3′-[5-(1-Hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-biphenyl-2-carbonitrile], a Unique Subtype-Selective GABAA Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator: In Vitro Actions, Pharmacokinetic Properties and in Vivo Anxiolytic Efficacy

The novel positive allosteric modulator NS11394 [3′-[5-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-biphenyl-2-carbonitrile] possesses a functional selectivity profile at GABAA receptors of α5 > α3 > α2 > α1 based on oocyte electrophysiology with human GABAA receptors. Compared with other subtype-selective ligands, NS11394 is unique in having superior efficacy at GABAA-α3 receptors while maintaining low efficacy at GABAA-α1 receptors. NS11394 has an excellent pharmacokinetic profile, which correlates with pharmacodynamic endpoints (CNS receptor occupancy), yielding a high level of confidence in deriving in vivo conclusions anchored to an in vitro selectivity profile and allowing for translation to higher species. Specifically, we show that NS11394 is potent and highly effective in rodent anxiety models. The anxiolytic efficacy of NS11394 is most probably mediated through its high efficacy at GABAA-α3 receptors, although a contributory role of GABAA-α2 receptors cannot be excluded. Compared with benzodiazepines, NS11394 has a significantly reduced side effect profile in rat (sedation, ataxia, and ethanol interaction) and mouse (sedation), even at full CNS receptor occupancy. We attribute this benign side effect profile to very low efficacy of NS11394 at GABAA-α1 receptors and an overall partial agonist profile across receptor subtypes. However, NS11394 impairs memory in both rats and mice, which is possibly attributable to its efficacy at GABAA-α5 receptors, albeit activity at this receptor might be relevant to its antinociceptive effects (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 327:doi;10.1124/jpet.108.144, 2008). In conclusion, NS11394 has a unique subtype-selective GABAA receptor profile and represents an excellent pharmacological tool to further our understanding on the relative contributions of GABAA receptor subtypes in various therapeutic areas.

A novel non-NMDA receptor antagonist shows selective displacement of low-affinity [3H]kainate binding

5-Nitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenzo[G]indole-2,3-dione-3-oxime (NS-102), a new competitive glutamate receptor antagonist displaced binding to non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) binding sites with no activity at the NMDA and strychnine-insensitive glycine binding sites. Under experimental conditions in which both high- and low-affinity sites were labelled, NS-102 only partially inhibited the binding of [3H]kainate. Studies of NS-102 displacement of high-affinity versus low-affinity [3H]kainate binding showed a high selectivity of NS-102 for the low-affinity [3H]kainate binding site (Ki = 0.6 microM) compared to the high-affinity [3H]kainate binding site (Ki > 10 microM). NS-102 was a relatively weak inhibitor of 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) binding (IC50 = 7.2 microM). NS-102 and related compounds with similar pharmacological profiles may become valuable tools in the characterization of the functional importance of the low-affinity [3H]kainate binding site.

Properties of Quisqualate-Sensitive L-[3H]Glutamate Binding Sites in Rat Brain as Determined by Quantitative Autoradiography

Abstract: Quisqualate, a glutamate analogue, displaced L‐[3H]glutamate binding in a biphasic manner, corresponding to “high‐affinity” and “low‐affinity” binding sites. High‐affinity quisqualate sites were termed “quisqualate‐sensitive L‐[3H]glutamate” binding sites. Quisqualate‐sen‐sitive L‐[3H]glutamate binding was regionally distributed, with the highest levels present in the cerebellar molecular layer. This binding was stimulated by millimolar concentrations of chloride and calcium. The stimulatory effects of calcium required the presence of chloride ions, whereas chlorides stimulatory effects did not require calcium. All of the L‐[3H]glutamate binding stimulated by chloride/calcium was quisqualate sensitive and only weakly displaced by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate, L‐aspartate, or kainate. At high concentrations (1 mM), the anion blockers 4‐acetamido‐4′‐isothiocyanostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid and4,4′‐diisothio‐cyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid both reduced, by 41 and 43%, respectively, the stimulatory effects of chloride. At concentrations of 100 μM, kynurenate, L‐aspartate, (RS)‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), and L‐2‐amino‐4‐phosphonobutyric acid (L‐APB) failed to displace quisqualate‐sensitive L‐[3H]‐glutamate binding in the cerebellar molecular layer. In the presence of KSCN, however, 100 μM AMPA displaced 44% of binding. Quisqualate‐sensitive L‐[3H]glutamate binding was not sensitive to freezing, and, in contrast to other chloride‐ and calcium‐dependent L‐[3H]glutamate binding sites that have been reported, quisqualate‐sensitive binding observed by autoradiography was enhanced at 4°C compared with 37°C. Quisqualate‐sensitive L‐[3H]glutamate binding likely represents binding to the subclass of postsynaptic neuronal glutamate receptors known as quisqualate receptors, rather than binding to previously described APB receptors, chloride‐driven sequestration into vesicles, or binding to astrocytic membrane binding sites.

In Vitro Pharmacological Characterization of a Novel Selective α7 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist ABT-107

Enhancement of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activity is considered a therapeutic approach for ameliorating cognitive deficits present in Alzheimers disease and schizophrenia. In this study, we describe the in vitro profile of a novel selective α7 nAChR agonist, 5-(6-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2,2,2]oct-3-yloxy]pyridazin-3-yl)-1H-indole (ABT-107). ABT-107 displayed high affinity binding to α7 nAChRs [rat or human cortex, [3H](1S,4S)-2,2-dimethyl-5-(6-phenylpyridazin-3-yl)-5-aza-2-azoniabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (A-585539), Ki = 0.2–0.6 nM or [3H]methyllycaconitine (MLA), 7 nM] that was at least 100-fold selective versus non-α7 nAChRs and other receptors. Functionally, ABT-107 did not evoke detectible currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing human or nonhuman α3β4, chimeric (α6/α3)β4, or 5-HT3A receptors, and weak or negligible Ca2+ responses in human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells (α3* function) and human α4β2 and α4β4 nAChRs expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. ABT-107 potently evoked human and rat α7 nAChR current responses in oocytes (EC50, 50–90 nM total charge, ∼80% normalized to acetylcholine) that were enhanced by the positive allosteric modulator (PAM) 4-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-methyl-3-propionyl-pyrrol-1-yl]-benzenesulfonamide (A-867744). In rat hippocampus, ABT-107 alone evoked α7-like currents, which were inhibited by the α7 antagonist MLA. In dentate gyrus granule cells, ABT-107 enhanced spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current activity when coapplied with A-867744. In the presence of an α7 PAM [A-867744 or N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-chlorobenzamide hydrochloride (PNU-120596)], the addition of ABT-107 elicited MLA-sensitive α7 nAChR-mediated Ca2+ signals in IMR-32 cells and rat cortical cultures and enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in differentiated PC-12 cells. ABT-107 was also effective in protecting rat cortical cultures against glutamate-induced toxicity. In summary, ABT-107 is a selective high affinity α7 nAChR agonist suitable for characterizing the roles of this subtype in pharmacological studies.

Synthesis and Structure−Activity Relationship Studies of 2-(N-Substituted)-aminobenzimidazoles as Potent Negative Gating Modulators of Small Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels

Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels) participate in the control of neuronal excitability, in the shaping of action potential firing patterns, and in the regulation of synaptic transmission.SK channel inhibitors have the potential of becoming new drugs for treatment of various psychiatric and neurological diseases such as depression, cognition impairment, and Parkinsons disease. In the present study we describe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a class of 2-(N-substituted)-2-aminobenzimidazoles that constitute a novel class of selective SK channel inhibitors that, in contrast to classical SK inhibitors, do not block the pore of the channel. The pore blocker apamin is not displaced by these compounds in binding studies, and they still inhibit SK channels in which the apamin binding site has been abolished by point mutations. These novel SK inhibitors shift the concentration-response curve for Ca2+ toward higher values and represent the first example of negative gating modulation as a mode-of-action for inhibition of SK channels. The first described compound in this class is NS8593 (14), and the most potent analogue identified in this study is the racemic compound 39 (NS11757), which reversibly inhibits SK3-mediated currents with a K(d) value of 9 nM.