Nancy M. Gray

A Review of the In Vitro and In Vivo Neurochemical Characterization of the NMDA/PCP/Glycine/Ion Channel Receptor Macrocomplex*

ConclusionsCurrent neurochemical studies of the NMDA receptor macromolecular complex are yielding new insights into the interactions of the subunits of this complex and the associated potential clinical benefits of selective modulation of these subnits. Such studies offer the great potential for a new generation of pharmacotherapies for a wide range of CNS disorders, including stroke, a condition for which there is currently no effective pharmacological treatment. However, it is essential to understand that the first generation products in this area may not be optimal pharmacotherapies, such that haracterization of possible receptor subtypes and understanding the molecular biology of the component proteins of the receptor complex will be crucial in the design of the optimal pharmacological modulators of the NMDA receptor complex.

Ifenprodil and SL 82.0715 potently inhibit binding of [3H](+)-3-PPP to σ binding sites in rat brain

Abstract SL 82.0715 and ifenprodil are potent anti-ischemic agents, which are believed to be due to non-competitive antagonism of N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA). It has been proposed that SL 82.0715 and ifenprodil non-competitively antagonize the actions of NMDA by interacting as antagonists with a polyamine site associated with the NMDA/phencyclidine (PCP)/glycine complex. The present study demonstrates that the actions of SL 82.0715 and ifenprodil may also be due in part to an interaction with sigma binding sites, a property that is not shared with polyamines.

Evaluation of U-50,488H analogs for neuroprotective activity in the gerbil

U-50,488H, a kappa (kappa) opioid ligand with moderate potency at sigma (sigma) receptors, protects against mechanical and ischemia-induced injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility that sigma-receptors may be involved in mediating the neuroprotective actions of U-50,488H. This possibility was examined by testing the potential of a series of U-50,488H analogs, which are potent sigma-ligands with minimal activity at kappa-opioid receptors, to protect against ischemia-induced neuronal damage in the gerbil. Like U-50,488H, BD-449 (20 mg/kg), the cis-diastereomer of U-50,4888H, protected against ischemia-induced neuronal damage as did BD-737 (50 and 30 mg/kg) and BD-738 (50 mg/kg). All 3 compounds interacted selectively with sigma-receptors. In contrast, BD-601 (50 mg/kg), did not protect against ischemia-induced neuronal damage, although it also interacted potently with sigma-receptors. One difference between the compounds that were neuroprotective and BD-601 is that only BD-601 produced sigma-like behavioral effects in the rat. Thus, it is possible that BD-601 may interact differently or at a different sigma-subtype than BD-449, BD-737 and BD-738 with sigma-receptors. However, these results clearly indicate that an interaction with kappa-opioid receptors is not required for anti-ischemic activity, and that sigma-receptors may play a role in neuroprotection.

BMY-14802 protects against ischemia-induced neuronal damage in the gerbil

BMY-14802, a selective sigma ligand currently under investigation as an atypical antipsychotic agent, was tested for potential anti-ischemic activity. BMY-14802 (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg) did not produce any stereotyped behavior, ataxia or seizures. When gerbils were pretreated with 10, 30 or 50 mg/kg of BMY-14802 30 min prior to bilateral occlusion of carotid arteries for 5 min, BMY-14802 significantly protected against ischemia-induced neuronal loss in the hippocampus. Thus, BMY-14802 may also be useful as an anti-ischemic agent that does not produce psychotomimetic effects.

Effects of sigma ligands on mouse cerebellar cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in vivo: further evidence for a functional modulation ofN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex-mediated events by sigma ligands

In the present investigation, the effects of sigma ligands [WY-47384 [8-fluoro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2[3-(3-pyridinyl)propyl)1H- pyrido(4,3b)indole], (+)-pentazocine, (+)-SFK 10,047 (N-allylnormetazocine), mafoprazine, opipramol, dextromethorphan, dextrorphan, (+)-3-PPP [3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-propylpiperidine], (-)-butaclamol, DTG [1,3-di(2-tolyl)guanidine], rimcazole, ifenprodil and BMY-14802 [alpha-(fluorophenyl)-4-(5-fluoropyrimidinyl)-1-piperazine butanol]] on harmaline-, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-, methamphetamine (MA)- and D-serine-induced increases in mouse cerebellar levels of cGMP were determined. Ifenprodil, BMY-14802, dextromethorphan, dextrorphan, (+)-SKF 10,047, opipramol and mafoprazine reversed harmaline-, PTZ-, MA- and D-serine-induced increases in levels of cGMP. Rimcazole reversed only the harmaline-induced response. WY-47384 reversed harmaline-, MA-, D-serine-, but not PTZ- or quisqualate-induced increases in levels of cGMP. (+)-Pentazocine attenuated harmaline- and D-serine-, but not PTZ- and MA-induced cGMP responses. Haloperidol did not affect harmaline- and D-serine-induced cGMP responses. (+)-3-PPP and (-)-butaclamol did not affect any of the responses studied. Furthermore, (+)-3-PPP-induced increases in levels of cGMP were reversed by the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, CPP]3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl- 1-phosphonic acid, the non-competitive NMDA antagonist, (+)-MK-801 (dizocilipine maleate), the NMDA-associated glycine receptor antagonist, HA-966 (3-amino-1-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one), the partial glycine agonist, DCS (D-cycloserine) as well as by the sigma ligands, ifenprodil, WY-47384, (+)-pentazocine, (+)-SKF 10,047, dextromethorphan and dextrorphan but not by rimcazole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

(+) 3-[3-Hydroxyphenyl-n-(1-propyl) piperidine] selectively differentiates effects of sigma ligands on neurochemical pathways modulated by sigma receptors: Evidence for subtypes, in vivo

The effects of sigma ligands, (+)3PPP 3-[3-hydroxyphenyl-N(1-propyl) piperidine] and (-)butaclamol, were evaluated in vivo on the metabolism of dopamine (DA) and in the striatum release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and prolactin in the rat and changes in levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the cerebellum of the mouse and compared with the effects of (+)NANM (N-allyl-normetazocine, SKF 10,047) and (+)pentazocine. Both (+)3PPP and (-) butaclamol decreased the release of prolactin and did not affect the metabolism of DA. N-Allyl-normetazocine and (+)pentazocine increased release of prolactin and have been shown previously to increase the metabolism of DA. All four ligands increased release of ACTH; however, only the increases caused by (+)NANM and (+)pentazocine were reversed by pretreatment with CPP, a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. (+)Pentazocine and (+)NANM inhibited the NMDA receptor-mediated changes in levels of cGMP in the cerebellum of the mouse, while (+)3PPP and (-)butaclamol did not attenuate the response to NMDA. In addition to further confirming a functional interaction between sigma receptors and NMDA receptors, these studies divide the observed effects of putative sigma ligands into two groups, characterized by benzomorphan compounds and non-benzomorphan compounds, suggesting the possibility of subtypes at sigma receptor in vivo.

Indole-2-carboxylates, novel antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-associated glycine recognition sites: In vivo characterization

Recent in vitro receptor binding studies have indicated that indole-2-carboxylates with halogen substitutions at the position 5 or 6 are potent competitive antagonists of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-associated strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor (Gray N. M., Dappen M. S., Cheng B. K., Cordi A. A., Biesterfeldt J. P., Hood W. F. and Monahan J. B. (1992) J. med. Chem. 34: 1283-1292; Hood W. F., Gray N. M., Dappen M. S., Watson G. B., Compton R. P., Cordi A. A., Larthorn T. H. and Monahan J. B. (1992) J. Pharmac. exp. Ther. 262: 654-660). In the present investigation, a series of indole-2-carboxylates and two putative antagonists of glycine receptor HA-966 (3-amino-l-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one) and 7-chlorokynurenic acid were examined for their effects on cGMP responses, mediated by the NMDA receptor complex, in vivo. Both SC-49648 (6-chloro-2-carboxyindole-3-acetic acid, intracerebellar injection, i.c.b.) and HA-966 (i.c.b. or intraperitoneal, i.p.) antagonized increases in levels of cyclic GMP in the cerebellum of the mouse, induced by the intracerebellar administration of NMDA and D-serine, agonists of the NMDA and the NMDA-associated glycine recognition sites, respectively. The drugs SC-49648 and 7-chlorokynurenic acid (i.p.) did not affect cGMP responses, suggesting poor bioavailability in brain. Following direct intracerebellar injection, SC-49648 was eliminated with a half-life of 12 min from the brain. Following intraperitoneal administration, SC-50132, the 3-ethylester analog of SC-49648, was eliminated from the brain with a half-life of 35 min and was found to be metabolized to SC-49648, in vivo. Some lipophilic analogs of SC-49648, designed as its prodrugs, were minimally active as glycine antagonists, in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

H1 antihistamines interact with central sigma receptors

Several antihistamines were evaluated for their ability to interact with sigma, muscarinic and histaminic H1 binding sites in rat brain preparations. All of the antihistamines were able to interact with the sigma site, as well as the other two sites. In addition, tripelennamine was found to elicit sigma-like behaviors when administered to rats. This affinity for the sigma site suggests that the compounds may elicit some of their undesirable CNS side effects via this interaction.

Indole-2-carboxylates, novel antagonists of the N-methyl--aspartate (NMDA)-associated glycine recognition sites: In vivo characterization

Recent in vitro receptor binding studies have indicated that indole-2-carboxylates with halogen substitutions at the position 5 or 6 are potent competitive antagonists of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-associated strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor (Gray N. M., Dappen M. S., Cheng B. K., Cordi A. A., Biesterfeldt J. P., Hood W. F. and Monahan J. B. (1992) J. med. Chem. 34: 1283-1292; Hood W. F., Gray N. M., Dappen M. S., Watson G. B., Compton R. P., Cordi A. A., Larthorn T. H. and Monahan J. B. (1992) J. Pharmac. exp. Ther. 262: 654-660). In the present investigation, a series of indole-2-carboxylates and two putative antagonists of glycine receptor HA-966 (3-amino-l-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one) and 7-chlorokynurenic acid were examined for their effects on cGMP responses, mediated by the NMDA receptor complex, in vivo. Both SC-49648 (6-chloro-2-carboxyindole-3-acetic acid, intracerebellar injection, i.c.b.) and HA-966 (i.c.b. or intraperitoneal, i.p.) antagonized increases in levels of cyclic GMP in the cerebellum of the mouse, induced by the intracerebellar administration of NMDA and D-serine, agonists of the NMDA and the NMDA-associated glycine recognition sites, respectively. The drugs SC-49648 and 7-chlorokynurenic acid (i.p.) did not affect cGMP responses, suggesting poor bioavailability in brain. Following direct intracerebellar injection, SC-49648 was eliminated with a half-life of 12 min from the brain. Following intraperitoneal administration, SC-50132, the 3-ethylester analog of SC-49648, was eliminated from the brain with a half-life of 35 min and was found to be metabolized to SC-49648, in vivo. Some lipophilic analogs of SC-49648, designed as its prodrugs, were minimally active as glycine antagonists, in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Indole-2-carboxylates, novel antagonists of the (NMDA)-associated glycine recognition sites: In vivo characterization

Recent in vitro receptor binding studies have indicated that indole-2-carboxylates with halogen substitutions at the position 5 or 6 are potent competitive antagonists of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-associated strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor (Gray N. M., Dappen M. S., Cheng B. K., Cordi A. A., Biesterfeldt J. P., Hood W. F. and Monahan J. B. (1992) J. med. Chem. 34: 1283-1292; Hood W. F., Gray N. M., Dappen M. S., Watson G. B., Compton R. P., Cordi A. A., Larthorn T. H. and Monahan J. B. (1992) J. Pharmac. exp. Ther. 262: 654-660). In the present investigation, a series of indole-2-carboxylates and two putative antagonists of glycine receptor HA-966 (3-amino-l-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one) and 7-chlorokynurenic acid were examined for their effects on cGMP responses, mediated by the NMDA receptor complex, in vivo. Both SC-49648 (6-chloro-2-carboxyindole-3-acetic acid, intracerebellar injection, i.c.b.) and HA-966 (i.c.b. or intraperitoneal, i.p.) antagonized increases in levels of cyclic GMP in the cerebellum of the mouse, induced by the intracerebellar administration of NMDA and D-serine, agonists of the NMDA and the NMDA-associated glycine recognition sites, respectively. The drugs SC-49648 and 7-chlorokynurenic acid (i.p.) did not affect cGMP responses, suggesting poor bioavailability in brain. Following direct intracerebellar injection, SC-49648 was eliminated with a half-life of 12 min from the brain. Following intraperitoneal administration, SC-50132, the 3-ethylester analog of SC-49648, was eliminated from the brain with a half-life of 35 min and was found to be metabolized to SC-49648, in vivo. Some lipophilic analogs of SC-49648, designed as its prodrugs, were minimally active as glycine antagonists, in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)