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Bedini A, Boutin JA, Legros C, Zlotos DP, Spadoni G. Industrial and academic approaches to the search for alternative melatonin receptor ligands: An historical survey. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12953. [PMID: 38682544 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The search for melatonin receptor agonists formed the main part of melatonin medicinal chemistry programs for the last three decades. In this short review, we summarize the two main aspects of these programs: the development of all the necessary tools to characterize the newly synthesized ligands at the two melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2, and the medicinal chemist's approaches to find chemically diverse ligands at these receptors. Both strategies are described. It turns out that the main source of tools were industrial laboratories, while the medicinal chemistry was mainly carried out in academia. Such complete accounts are interesting, as they delineate the spirits in which the teams were working demonstrating their strength and innovative character. Most of the programs were focused on nonselective agonists and few of them reached the market. In contrast, discovery of MT1-selective agonists and melatonergic antagonists with proven in vivo activity and MT1 or MT2-selectivity is still in its infancy, despite the considerable interest that subtype selective compounds may bring in the domain, as the physiological respective roles of the two subtypes of melatonin receptors, is still poorly understood. Poly-pharmacology applications and multitarget ligands have also been considered.
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MESH Headings
- Ligands
- Humans
- Animals
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Melatonin/metabolism
- Receptors, Melatonin/agonists
- Melatonin/metabolism
- History, 20th Century
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalida Bedini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Jean A Boutin
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication (NorDiC), Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm, NorDiC, Rouen, France
| | | | - Darius P Zlotos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo City, Egypt
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
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2
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Okamoto HH, Cecon E, Nureki O, Rivara S, Jockers R. Melatonin receptor structure and signaling. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12952. [PMID: 38587234 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) binds with high affinity and specificity to membrane receptors. Several receptor subtypes exist in different species, of which the mammalian MT1 and MT2 receptors are the best-characterized. They are members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, preferentially coupling to Gi/o proteins but also to other G proteins in a cell-context-depending manner. In this review, experts on melatonin receptors will summarize the current state of the field. We briefly report on the discovery and classification of melatonin receptors, then focus on the molecular structure of human MT1 and MT2 receptors and highlight the importance of molecular simulations to identify new ligands and to understand the structural dynamics of these receptors. We then describe the state-of-the-art of the intracellular signaling pathways activated by melatonin receptors and their complexes. Brief statements on the molecular toolbox available for melatonin receptor studies and future perspectives will round-up this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki H Okamoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Erika Cecon
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Osamu Nureki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ralf Jockers
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
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3
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Feng Y, Jiang X, Liu W, Lu H. The location, physiology, pathology of hippocampus Melatonin MT 2 receptor and MT 2-selective modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115888. [PMID: 37866336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin, a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland and regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, is synthesized and directly released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the third ventricle (3rdv), where it undergoes rapid absorption by surrounding tissues to exert its physiological function. The hippocampus, a vital structure in the limbic system adjacent to the ventricles, plays a pivotal role in emotional response and memory formation. Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that primarily mediate melatonin's receptor-dependent effects. In comparison to the MT1 receptor, the widely expressed MT2 receptor is crucial for mediating melatonin's biological functions within the hippocampus. Specifically, MT2 receptor is implicated in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory processes, as well as neurogenesis and axogenesis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of MT2 receptors in the pathophysiology and pharmacology of Alzheimer's disease, depression, and epilepsy. This review focuses on the anatomical localization of MT2 receptor in the hippocampus, their physiological function in this region, and their signal transduction and pharmacological roles in neurological disorders. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive review of MT2 receptor ligands used in psychopharmacology and other MT2-selective ligands over recent years. Ultimately, we provide an outlook on future research for selective MT2 receptor drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqin Feng
- Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Xiaowen Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Wenwu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hongyuan Lu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China.
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Vicente JM, Lescano CH, Bordin S, Mónica FZ, Gobbi G, Anhê GF. Agomelatine inhibits platelet aggregation through melatonin receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms. Life Sci 2023:121906. [PMID: 37394096 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Melatonin is known to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA). In the present study we investigated whether agomelatine (Ago), an antidepressant with agonist activity at melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) and MT2 could reduce platelets aggregation and adhesion. MAIN METHODS Human platelets from healthy donors were used to test the in vitro effects of Ago in the presence of different platelet activators. We performed aggregation and adhesion assays, thromboxane B2 (TxB2), cAMP and cGMP measurements, intra-platelet calcium registration and flow cytometry assays. KEY FINDINGS Our data revealed that different concentrations of Ago reduced AA- and collagen-induced human platelet aggregation in vitro. Ago also reduced AA-induced increase in thromboxane B2 (TxB2) production, intracellular calcium levels and P-selectin expression at plasma membrane. The effects of Ago in AA-activated platelets were likely dependent on MT1 as they were blocked by luzindole (a MT1/MT2 antagonist) and mimicked by the MT1 agonist UCM871 in a luzindole-sensitive manner. The MT2 agonist UCM924 was also able to inhibit platelet aggregation, but this response was not affected by luzindole. On the other hand, although UCM871 and UCM924 reduced collagen-induced platelet aggregation and adhesion, inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation by Ago was not mediated by melatonin receptors because it was not affected by luzindole. SIGNIFICANCE The present data show that Ago suppresses human platelet aggregation and suggest that this antidepressant may have the potential to prevent atherothrombotic ischemic events by reducing thrombus formation and vessel occlusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Modesto Vicente
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Caroline Honaiser Lescano
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Silvana Bordin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Zakia Mónica
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gabriel Forato Anhê
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
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5
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Posa L, De Gregorio D, Lopez-Canul M, He Q, Darcq E, Rullo L, Pearl-Dowler L, Luongo L, Candeletti S, Romualdi P, Kieffer BL, Gobbi G. Supraspinal melatonin MT 2 receptor agonism alleviates pain via a neural circuit that recruits mu opioid receptors. J Pineal Res 2022; 73:e12825. [PMID: 35996205 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin, through its G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) (MTNR1B gene) MT2 , is implicated in analgesia, but the relationship between MT2 receptors and the opioid system remains elusive. In a model of rodent neuropathic pain (spared nerve injured [SNI]), the selective melatonin MT2 agonist UCM924 reversed the allodynia (a pain response to a non-noxious stimulus), and this effect was nullified by the pharmacological blockade or genetic inactivation of the mu opioid receptor (MOR), but not the delta opioid receptor (DOR). Indeed, SNI MOR, but not DOR knockout mice, did not respond to the antiallodynic effects of the UCM924. Similarly, the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone and the selective MOR antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTOP) blocked the effects of UCM924 in SNI rats, but not the DOR antagonist naltrindole (NTI). Electrophysiological recordings in the rostral-ventromedial medulla (RVM) revealed that the typical reduction of the firing activity of pronociceptive ON-cells, and the enhancement of the firing of the antinociceptive OFF-cells, induced by the microinjection of the MT2 agonist UCM924 into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) were blocked by MOR, but not DOR, antagonism. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that MT2 receptors are expressed in both excitatory (CaMKIIα+ ) and inhibitory (GAD65+ ) neuronal cell bodies in the vlPAG (~2.16% total), but not RVM. Only 0.20% of vlPAG neurons coexpressed MOR and MT2 receptors. Finally, UCM924 treatment induced an increase in the enkephalin precursor gene (PENK) in the PAG of SNI mice. Collectively, the melatonin MT2 receptor agonism requires MORs to exert its antiallodynic effects, mostly through an interneuronal circuit involving MOR and MT2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Posa
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Italy, Milano
| | - Martha Lopez-Canul
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Qianzi He
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Quebec, Montreal, Canada
| | - Laura Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Leora Pearl-Dowler
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sanzio Candeletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Brigitte Lina Kieffer
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Quebec, Montreal, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill University, Health Center (MUHC), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Bdair H, Singleton TA, Ross K, Jolly D, Kang MS, Aliaga A, Tuznik M, Kaur T, Yous S, Soucy JP, Massarweh G, Scott PJH, Koeppe R, Spadoni G, Bedini A, Rudko DA, Gobbi G, Benkelfat C, Rosa-Neto P, Brooks AF, Kostikov A. Radiosynthesis and In Vivo Evaluation of Four Positron Emission Tomography Tracer Candidates for Imaging of Melatonin Receptors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1382-1394. [PMID: 35420022 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a neurohormone that modulates several physiological functions in mammals through the activation of melatonin receptor type 1 and 2 (MT1 and MT2). The melatonergic system is an emerging therapeutic target for new pharmacological interventions in the treatment of sleep and mood disorders; thus, imaging tools to further investigate its role in the brain are highly sought-after. We aimed to develop selective radiotracers for in vivo imaging of both MT1 and MT2 by positron emission tomography (PET). We identified four previously reported MT ligands with picomolar affinities to the target based on different scaffolds which were also amenable for radiolabeling with either carbon-11 or fluorine-18. [11C]UCM765, [11C]UCM1014, [18F]3-fluoroagomelatine ([18F]3FAGM), and [18F]fluoroacetamidoagomelatine ([18F]FAAGM) have been synthesized in high radiochemical purity and evaluated in wild-type rats. All four tracers showed moderate to high brain permeability in rats with maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax of 2.53, 1.75, 3.25, and 4.47, respectively) achieved 1-2 min after tracer administration, followed by a rapid washout from the brain. Several melatonin ligands failed to block the binding of any of the PET tracer candidates, while in some cases, homologous blocking surprisingly resulted in increased brain retention. Two 18F-labeled agomelatine derivatives were brought forward to PET scans in non-human primates and autoradiography on human brain tissues. No specific binding has been detected in blocking studies. To further investigate pharmacokinetic properties of the putative tracers, microsomal stability, plasma protein binding, log D, and membrane bidirectional permeability assays have been conducted. Based on the results, we conclude that the fast first pass metabolism by the enzymes in liver microsomes is the likely reason of the failure of our PET tracer candidates. Nevertheless, we showed that PET imaging can serve as a valuable tool to investigate the brain permeability of new therapeutic compounds targeting the melatonergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Bdair
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Irving Ludmer Psychiatry Research and Training Building, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Thomas A. Singleton
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Karen Ross
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Dean Jolly
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Min Su Kang
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Arturo Aliaga
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Marius Tuznik
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Tanpreet Kaur
- University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Radiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5610, United States
| | - Saïd Yous
- University of Lille, Lille Neurosciences and Cognition Research Center, Lille, Hauts-de-France FR 59000, France
| | - Jean-Paul Soucy
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Concordia University, PERFORM Centre, Montreal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Gassan Massarweh
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Peter J. H. Scott
- University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Radiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5610, United States
| | - Robert Koeppe
- University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Radiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5610, United States
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- University Carlo Bo, Department Biomolecular Science, Urbino IT 61029, Italy
| | - Annalida Bedini
- University Carlo Bo, Department Biomolecular Science, Urbino IT 61029, Italy
| | - David A. Rudko
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Irving Ludmer Psychiatry Research and Training Building, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Chawki Benkelfat
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Irving Ludmer Psychiatry Research and Training Building, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Allen F. Brooks
- University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Radiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5610, United States
| | - Alexey Kostikov
- McGill University, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, Douglas Research Institute, Le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill University, Department of Chemistry, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
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7
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Elisi GM, Scalvini L, Lodola A, Bedini A, Spadoni G, Rivara S. In silico drug discovery of melatonin receptor ligands with therapeutic potential. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:343-354. [PMID: 35255751 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2043846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neurohormone melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) regulates circadian rhythms exerting a variety of effects in the central nervous system and in periphery. These activities are mainly mediated by activation of MT1 and MT2 GPCRs. MT1/MT2 agonist compounds are used clinically for insomnia, depression, and circadian rhythm disturbances. AREA COVERED The following review describes the design strategies that have led to the identification of melatonin receptor ligands, guided by in silico approaches and molecular modeling. Initial ligand-based design, mainly relying on pharmacophore modeling and 3D-QSAR, has been flanked by structure-based virtual screening, given the recent availability of MT1 and MT2 crystal structures. Receptor ligands with different activity profiles, agonist/antagonist and subtype-selective compounds, are available. EXPERT OPINION An insight on the pharmacological characterization and therapeutic perspectives for relevant ligands is provided. In silico drug discovery has been instrumental in the design of novel ligands targeting melatonin receptors. Ligand-based approaches has led to the construction of a solid framework defining structure-activity relationships to obtain compounds with a tailored pharmacological profile. Structure-based techniques could integrate previous knowledge and provide compounds with novel chemotypes and pharmacological activity as drug candidates for disease conditions in which melatonin receptor ligands are currently being investigated, including cancer and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Marco Elisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Annalida Bedini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
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8
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Ferlenghi F, Mari M, Gobbi G, Elisi GM, Mor M, Rivara S, Vacondio F, Bartolucci S, Bedini A, Fanini F, Spadoni G. N-(Anilinoethyl)amide Melatonergic Ligands with Improved Water Solubility and Metabolic Stability. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3071-3082. [PMID: 34213063 PMCID: PMC8518537 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The MT2 -selective melatonin receptor ligand UCM765 (N-(2-((3-methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)amino)ethyl)acetamide), showed interesting sleep inducing, analgesic and anxiolytic properties in rodents, but suffers from low water solubility and modest metabolic stability. To overcome these limitations, different strategies were investigated, including modification of metabolically liable sites, introduction of hydrophilic substituents and design of more basic derivatives. Thermodynamic solubility, microsomal stability and lipophilicity of new compounds were experimentally evaluated, together with their MT1 and MT2 binding affinities. Introduction of a m-hydroxymethyl substituent on the phenyl ring of UCM765 and replacement of the replacement of the N,N-diphenyl-amino scaffold with a N-methyl-N-phenyl-amino one led to highly soluble compounds with good microsomal stability and receptor binding affinity. Docking studies into the receptor crystal structure provided a rationale for their binding affinity. Pharmacokinetic characterization in rats highlighted higher plasma concentrations for the N-methyl-N-phenyl-amino derivative, consistent with its improved microsomal stability and makes this compound worthy of consideration for further pharmacological investigation.
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MESH Headings
- Acetamides/chemistry
- Acetamides/metabolism
- Acetamides/pharmacokinetics
- Aniline Compounds/chemistry
- Aniline Compounds/metabolism
- Aniline Compounds/pharmacokinetics
- Animals
- Humans
- Ligands
- Male
- Microsomes, Liver/chemistry
- Microsomes, Liver/metabolism
- Molecular Structure
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/metabolism
- Solubility
- Thermodynamics
- Water/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ferlenghi
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Michele Mari
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Department of PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontrealQCH3A1A1Canada
- McGill University Health CenterMontrealQCH31A1Canada
| | - Gian Marco Elisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
- Microbiome Research HubUniversity of Parma43124ParmaItaly
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Silvia Bartolucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Annalida Bedini
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Fabiola Fanini
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
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9
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Ferlenghi F, Maccioni P, Mugnaini C, Brizzi A, Fara F, Mostallino R, Castelli MP, Colombo G, Mor M, Vacondio F, Corelli F. The GABAB receptor positive allosteric modulator COR659: In vitro metabolism, in vivo pharmacokinetics in rats, synthesis and pharmacological characterization of metabolically protected derivatives. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 155:105544. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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10
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Boutin JA, Witt-Enderby PA, Sotriffer C, Zlotos DP. Melatonin receptor ligands: A pharmaco-chemical perspective. J Pineal Res 2020; 69:e12672. [PMID: 32531076 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptor ligands have been vigorously explored for the last 4 decades. Inspection of approximately 80 publications in the field revealed that most melatonergic ligands were structural analogues of melatonin combining three essential features of the parent compound: an aromatic ring bearing a methoxy group and an amide side chain in a relative arrangement similar to that present in melatonin. While several series of MT2 -selective agents-agonists, antagonists, or partial agonists-were reported, the field was lacking MT1 -selective agents. Herein, we describe various approaches toward the development of melatonergic ligands, keeping in mind that most of the molecules/pharmacophores obtained were essentially melatonin copies, even though diverse tri- or tetra-cyclic compounds were explored. In addition to lack of structural diversity, only few studies examined the activity of the reported melatonergic ligands in vivo. Moreover, an extensive pharmacological characterization including biopharmaceutical stability, pharmacokinetic properties, specificity toward other major receptors to name a few remained scarce. For example, many of the antagonists described were not stable in vivo, were not selective for the melatonin receptor subtype of interest, and were not fully characterized from a pharmacological standpoint. Indeed, virtual screening of large compound libraries has led to the recent discovery of potent and selective melatonin receptor agonists and partial agonists of new chemotypes. Having said this, the melatonergic field is still lacking subtype-selective melatonin receptor antagonists "active" in vivo, which are critical to our understanding of melatonin and melatonin receptors' role in basic physiology and disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Ligands
- Melatonin/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean A Boutin
- Institut de Recherches Internationales SERVIER, Suresnes, France
| | - Paula A Witt-Enderby
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical, Administrative and Social Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburg, PA, USA
| | - Christoph Sotriffer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Darius P Zlotos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo City, Egypt
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Chiral Recognition of Flexible Melatonin Receptor Ligands Induced by Conformational Equilibria. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184057. [PMID: 32899888 PMCID: PMC7570888 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
N-anilinoethylamides are a class of melatoninergic agents with the aniline portion mimicking the indole ring of the natural ligand and the ethylamide chain reproducing that of melatonin. The simplest compound in this class, N-{2-[(3-methoxyphenyl)methylamino]ethyl}acetamide (UCM793), has nanomolar binding affinity for MT1 and MT2 membrane receptors. To explore the effect of chain conformation on receptor binding, a methyl group was inserted on the methylene alpha or beta to the amide nitrogen and conformational equilibria were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Receptor affinity was conserved only for the beta-methyl derivative, which also showed significant stereoselectivity, with the (S) enantiomer being the eutomer. Molecular dynamics simulations, validated by NMR spectroscopy, showed that the beta-methyl group affects the conformational preferences of the ethylamide chain. Docking into the receptor crystal structure provides a rationale for the observed chiral recognition, suggesting that the (S)-beta-methyl group favors the conformation that better fits the receptor binding site.
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Ferlenghi F, Castelli R, Scalvini L, Giorgio C, Corrado M, Tognolini M, Mor M, Lodola A, Vacondio F. Drug-gut microbiota metabolic interactions: the case of UniPR1331, selective antagonist of the Eph-ephrin system, in mice. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 180:113067. [PMID: 31891876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.113067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The interest on the role of gut microbiota in the biotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics has grown over the last decades and a deeper understanding of the mutual interactions is expected to help future improvements in the fields of drug development, toxicological risk assessment and precision medicine. In this paper, a microbiome drug metabolism case is presented, involving a lipophilic small molecule, N-(3β-hydroxy-Δ5-cholen-24-oyl)-l-tryptophan, UniPR1331, active as antagonist of the Eph-ephrin system and effective in vivo in a murine orthotopic model of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Following the administration of a single 30 mg/kg dose (p.o.) to mice, maximal plasma levels were reached 30 min after dosing and rapidly declined thereafter. To explain the observed in vivo behaviour, in vitro phase I and II metabolism assays were conducted employing mouse and human liver subcellular fractions and profiling main metabolites by means of tandem (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-HR-MS). In the presence of in vitro mouse liver fractions, UniPR1331 showed a low phase I metabolic clearance, despite the identification of a 3-oxo and several hydroxylated metabolites. Conversely, after oral administration of UniPR1331 to mice, a novel isobaric metabolite was detected that (i) was subjected, as parent UniPR1331, to enterohepatic circulation (ii) had not been previously identified in vitro in mouse liver microsomes and (iii) was not observed forming after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of UniPR1331. An in vitro faecal fermentation assay produced the same chemical entity supporting a major role of gut microbiota in the in vivo clearance of UniPR1331.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ferlenghi
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Miriam Corrado
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy.
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy.
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Melatonin MT 1 and MT 2 Receptors Exhibit Distinct Effects in the Modulation of Body Temperature across the Light/Dark Cycle. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102452. [PMID: 31108968 PMCID: PMC6566544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone that regulates many physiological functions including sleep, pain, thermoregulation, and circadian rhythms. MLT acts mainly through two G-protein-coupled receptors named MT1 and MT2, but also through an MLT type-3 receptor (MT3). However, the role of MLT receptor subtypes in thermoregulation is still unknown. We have thus investigated the effects of selective and non-selective MLT receptor agonists/antagonists on body temperature (Tb) in rats across the 12/12-h light-dark cycle. Rectal temperature was measured every 15 min from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., following subcutaneous injection of each compound at either 5:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. MLT (40 mg/kg) had no effect when injected at 5 a.m., whereas it decreased Tb during the light phase only when injected at 5:00 p.m. This effect was blocked by the selective MT2 receptor antagonist 4P-PDOT and the non-selective MT1/MT2 receptor antagonist, luzindole, but not by the α1/MT3 receptors antagonist prazosin. However, unlike MLT, neither the selective MT1 receptor partial agonist UCM871 (14 mg/kg) nor the selective MT2 partial agonist UCM924 (40 mg/kg) altered Tb during the light phase. In contrast, UCM871 injected at 5:00 p.m. increased Tb at the beginning of the dark phase, whereas UCM924 injected at 5:00 a.m. decreased Tb at the end of the dark phase. These effects were blocked by luzindole and 4P-PDOT, respectively. The MT3 receptor agonist GR135531 (10 mg/kg) did not affect Tb. These data suggest that the simultaneous activation of both MT1 and MT2 receptors is necessary to regulate Tb during the light phase, whereas in a complex but yet unknown manner, they regulate Tb differently during the dark phase. Overall, MT1 and MT2 receptors display complementary but also distinct roles in modulating circadian fluctuations of Tb.
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Atkin T, Comai S, Gobbi G. Drugs for Insomnia beyond Benzodiazepines: Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, and Discovery. Pharmacol Rev 2018; 70:197-245. [PMID: 29487083 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.014381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the GABAergic benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z-drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon) are FDA-approved for insomnia disorders with a strong evidence base, they have many side effects, including cognitive impairment, tolerance, rebound insomnia upon discontinuation, car accidents/falls, abuse, and dependence liability. Consequently, the clinical use of off-label drugs and novel drugs that do not target the GABAergic system is increasing. The purpose of this review is to analyze the neurobiological and clinical evidence of pharmacological treatments of insomnia, excluding the BZDs and Z-drugs. We analyzed the melatonergic agonist drugs, agomelatine, prolonged-release melatonin, ramelteon, and tasimelteon; the dual orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant; the modulators of the α2δ subunit of voltage-sensitive calcium channels, gabapentin and pregabalin; the H1 antagonist, low-dose doxepin; and the histamine and serotonin receptor antagonists, amitriptyline, mirtazapine, trazodone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. The pharmacology and mechanism of action of these treatments and the evidence-base for the use of these drugs in clinical practice is outlined along with novel pipelines. There is evidence to recommend suvorexant and low-dose doxepin for sleep maintenance insomnia; there is also sufficient evidence to recommend ramelteon for sleep onset insomnia. Although there is limited evidence for the use of the quetiapine, trazodone, mirtazapine, amitriptyline, pregabalin, gabapentin, agomelatine, and olanzapine as treatments for insomnia disorder, these drugs may improve sleep while successfully treating comorbid disorders, with a different side effect profile than the BZDs and Z-drugs. The unique mechanism of action of each drug allows for a more personalized and targeted medical management of insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Atkin
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (T.A., S.C., G.G.); and Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy (S.C.)
| | - Stefano Comai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (T.A., S.C., G.G.); and Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy (S.C.)
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (T.A., S.C., G.G.); and Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy (S.C.)
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15
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Rivara S, Scalvini L, Lodola A, Mor M, Caignard DH, Delagrange P, Collina S, Lucini V, Scaglione F, Furiassi L, Mari M, Lucarini S, Bedini A, Spadoni G. Tetrahydroquinoline Ring as a Versatile Bioisostere of Tetralin for Melatonin Receptor Ligands. J Med Chem 2018; 61:3726-3737. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Daniel-Henri Caignard
- Institut de Recherches Servier, 125 Chemin de Ronde, F-78290 Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Philippe Delagrange
- Institut de Recherches Servier, 125 Chemin de Ronde, F-78290 Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Simona Collina
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucini
- Dipartimento di Oncologia ed Emato-oncologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, I-20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Scaglione
- Dipartimento di Oncologia ed Emato-oncologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, I-20129 Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Furiassi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Michele Mari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Simone Lucarini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Annalida Bedini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza Rinascimento 6, I-61029 Urbino, Italy
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16
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Yuan Z, Li N, Zhu C, Xia C. Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-amino nitriles through methyl transfer from DMF to aromatic amines. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:2854-2857. [PMID: 29457813 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc00485d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A copper-catalyzed activation of C(sp3)–H bonds of DMF at room temperature was developed, which results in methyl transfer to aromatic amines for efficient synthesis of exceedingly valuable α-amino nitriles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaifeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China
- Kunming Institute of Botany
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Kunming 650201
- China
| | - Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resources
- Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province
- School of Chemical Science and Technology
- Yunnan University
- Kunming 650091
| | - Chunyu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resources
- Ministry of Education and Yunnan Province
- School of Chemical Science and Technology
- Yunnan University
- Kunming 650091
| | - Chengfeng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China
- Kunming Institute of Botany
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Kunming 650201
- China
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17
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Selective melatonin MT2 receptor ligands relieve neuropathic pain through modulation of brainstem descending antinociceptive pathways. Pain 2015; 156:305-317. [PMID: 25599452 DOI: 10.1097/01.j.pain.0000460311.71572.5f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is an important public health problem for which only a few treatments are available. Preclinical studies show that melatonin (MLT), a neurohormone acting on MT1 and MT2 receptors, has analgesic properties, likely through MT2 receptors. Here, we determined the effects of the novel selective MLT MT2 receptor partial agonist N-{2-([3-bromophenyl]-4-fluorophenylamino)ethyl}acetamide (UCM924) in 2 neuropathic pain models in rats and examined its supraspinal mechanism of action. In rat L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation and spared nerve injury models, UCM924 (20-40 mg/kg, subcutaneously) produced a prolonged antinociceptive effect that is : (1) dose-dependent and blocked by the selective MT2 receptor antagonist 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin, (2) superior to a high dose of MLT (150 mg/kg) and comparable with gabapentin (100 mg/kg), but (3) without noticeable motor coordination impairments in the rotarod test. Using double staining immunohistochemistry, we found that MT2 receptors are expressed by glutamatergic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral periaqueductal gray. Using in vivo electrophysiology combined with tail flick, we observed that microinjection of UCM924 into the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray decreased tail flick responses, depressed the firing activity of ON cells, and activated the firing of OFF cells; all effects were MT2 receptor-dependent. Altogether, these data demonstrate that selective MT2 receptor partial agonists have analgesic properties through modulation of brainstem descending antinociceptive pathways, and MT2 receptors may represent a novel target in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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18
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López-Canul M, Comai S, Domínguez-López S, Granados-Soto V, Gobbi G. Antinociceptive properties of selective MT(2) melatonin receptor partial agonists. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 764:424-432. [PMID: 26162699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is a neurohormone involved in the regulation of both acute and chronic pain whose mechanism is still not completely understood. We have recently demonstrated that selective MT2 melatonin receptor partial agonists have antiallodynic properties in animal models of chronic neuropathic pain by modulating ON/OFF cells of the descending antinociceptive system. Here, we examined the antinociceptive properties of the selective MT2 melatonin receptor partial agonists N-{2-[(3-methoxyphenyl)phenylamino]ethyl}acetamide (UCM765) and N-{2-[(3-bromophenyl)-(4-fluorophenyl)amino]ethyl}acetamide (UCM924) in two animal models of acute and inflammatory pain: the hot-plate and formalin tests. UCM765 and UCM924 (5-40 mg/kg, s.c.) dose-dependently increased the temperature of the first hind paw lick in the hot-plate test, and decreased the total time spent licking the injected hind paw in the formalin test. Antinociceptive effects of UCM765 and UCM924 were maximal at the dose of 20mg/kg. At this dose, the effects of UCM765 and UCM924 were similar to those produced by 200 mg/kg acetaminophen in the hot-plate test, and by 3 mg/kg ketorolac or 150 mg/kg MLT in the formalin test. Notably, antinociceptive effects of the two MT2 partial agonists were blocked by the pre-treatment with the MT2 antagonist 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4P-PDOT, 10 mg/kg) in both paradigms. These results demonstrate the antinociceptive properties of UCM765 and UCM924 in acute and inflammatory pain models and corroborate the concept that MT2 melatonin receptor may be a novel target for analgesic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha López-Canul
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Dept. Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; University Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Stefano Comai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Dept. Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Vinicio Granados-Soto
- Neurobiology of Pain Laboratory, Departamento de Farmacobiología, Cinvestav, Sede Sur, México, D.F., México
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Dept. Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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19
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Ochoa-Sanchez R, Comai S, Spadoni G, Bedini A, Tarzia G, Gobbi G. Melatonin, selective and non-selective MT1/MT2 receptors agonists: differential effects on the 24-h vigilance states. Neurosci Lett 2014; 561:156-61. [PMID: 24406151 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.12.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone implicated in several physiological processes such as sleep. Contrasting results have been produced on whether or not it may act as a hypnotic agent, and the neurobiological mechanism through which it controls the vigilance states has not yet been elucidated. In this study we investigated the effect of MLT (40 mg/kg), a non-selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist (UCM793, 40 mg/kg), and a selective MT2 partial agonist (UCM924, 40 mg/kg) on the 24-h vigilance states. EEG and EMG sleep-wake patterns were registered across the 24-h light-dark cycle in adult Sprague-Dawley male rats. MLT decreased (-37%) the latency to the first episode of non rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS), enhanced the power of NREMS delta band (+33%), but did not alter the duration of any of the three vigilance states. Differently, UCM793 increased the number of episodes (+52%) and decreased the length of the episodes (-38%) of wakefulness but did not alter the 24-h duration of wakefulness, NREMS and REMS. UCM924 instead reduced the latency (-56%) and increased (+31%) the duration of NREMS. Moreover, it raised the number of REMS episodes (+57%) but did not affect REMS duration. Taken together, these findings show that MLT and non-selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonists do not increase the quantity of sleep but differently influence the three vigilance states. In addition, they support the evidence that selective MT2 receptor agonists increase NREMS duration compared to MLT and non-selective MT1/MT2 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Ochoa-Sanchez
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stefano Comai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Annalida Bedini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tarzia
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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20
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Comai S, Gobbi G. Unveiling the role of melatonin MT2 receptors in sleep, anxiety and other neuropsychiatric diseases: a novel target in psychopharmacology. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2014; 39:6-21. [PMID: 23971978 PMCID: PMC3868666 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.130009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melatonin (MLT) is a pleiotropic neurohormone controlling many physiological processes and whose dysfunction may contribute to several different diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, circadian and mood disorders, insomnia, type 2 diabetes and pain. Melatonin is synthesized by the pineal gland during the night and acts through 2 G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), MT1 (MEL1a) and MT2 (MEL1b). Although a bulk of research has examined the physiopathological effects of MLT, few studies have investigated the selective role played by MT1 and MT2 receptors. Here we have reviewed current knowledge about the implications of MT2 receptors in brain functions. METHODS We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and articles' reference lists for studies on MT2 receptor ligands in sleep, anxiety, neuropsychiatric diseases and psychopharmacology, including genetic studies on the MTNR1B gene, which encodes the melatonin MT2 receptor. RESULTS These studies demonstrate that MT2 receptors are involved in the pathophysiology and pharmacology of sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer disease and pain and that selective MT2 receptor agonists show hypnotic and anxiolytic properties. LIMITATIONS Studies examining the role of MT2 receptors in psychopharmacology are still limited. CONCLUSION The development of novel selective MT2 receptor ligands, together with further preclinical in vivo studies, may clarify the role of this receptor in brain function and psychopharmacology. The superfamily of GPCRs has proven to be among the most successful drug targets and, consequently, MT2 receptors have great potential for pioneer drug discovery in the treatment of mental diseases for which limited therapeutic targets are currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Correspondence to: G. Gobbi, Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Ave. W, room 220, Montréal QC H3A 1A1;
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21
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Pala D, Beuming T, Sherman W, Lodola A, Rivara S, Mor M. Structure-based virtual screening of MT2 melatonin receptor: influence of template choice and structural refinement. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 53:821-35. [PMID: 23541165 DOI: 10.1021/ci4000147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Developing GPCR homology models for structure-based virtual screening requires the choice of a suitable template and refinement of binding site residues. We explored this systematically for the MT2 melatonin receptor, with the aim to build a receptor homology model that is optimized for the enrichment of active melatoninergic ligands. A set of 12 MT2 melatonin receptor models was built using different GPCR X-ray structural templates and submitted to a virtual screening campaign on a set of compounds composed of 29 known melatonin receptor ligands and 2560 drug-like decoys. To evaluate the effect of including a priori information in receptor models, 12 representative melatonin receptor ligands were placed into the MT2 receptor models in poses consistent with known mutagenesis data and with assessed pharmacophore models. The receptor structures were then adapted to the ligands by induced-fit docking. Most of the 144 ligand-adapted MT2 receptor models showed significant improvements in screening enrichments compared to the unrefined homology models, with some template/refinement combinations giving excellent enrichment factors. The discriminating ability of the models was further tested on the 29 active ligands plus a set of 21 inactive or low-affinity compounds from the same chemical classes. Rotameric states of side chains for some residues, presumed to be involved in the binding process, were correlated with screening effectiveness, suggesting the existence of specific receptor conformations able to recognize active compounds. The top MT2 receptor model was able to identify 24 of 29 active ligands among the first 2% of the screened database. This work provides insights into the use of refined GPCR homology models for virtual screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Pala
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
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Ochoa-Sanchez R, Rainer Q, Comai S, Spadoni G, Bedini A, Rivara S, Fraschini F, Mor M, Tarzia G, Gobbi G. Anxiolytic effects of the melatonin MT(2) receptor partial agonist UCM765: comparison with melatonin and diazepam. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 39:318-25. [PMID: 22789661 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone known to be involved in the regulation of anxiety. Most of the physiological actions of MLT in the brain are mediated by two high-affinity G-protein-coupled receptors, denoted MT(1) and MT(2). However, the particular role of these receptors in anxiety remains to be defined. Here we used a novel MT(2)-selective partial agonist, UCM765 to evaluate the involvement of MT(2) receptors in anxiety. Adult male rats were acutely injected with UCM765 (5-10-20mg/kg), MLT (20mg/kg) or diazepam (DZ, 1mg/kg). Anxiety-related behaviors were assessed in the elevated plus maze test (EPMT), novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT) and open field test (OFT). UCM765 at the dose of 10mg/kg showed anxiolytic-like properties by increasing the time spent in the open arm of the EPMT, and by reducing the latency to eat in a novel environment in the NSFT. In the EPMT, animals treated with UCM765 (10mg/kg) or MLT (20mg/kg) spent more time in the open arms compared to vehicle-treated animals, but to a lesser extent compared to DZ (1mg/kg). In the NSFT, all treatments similarly decreased the latency to eat in a novel environment compared to vehicle. UCM765 and MLT did not affect the total time and the number of entries into the central area of the OFT, but unlike DZ, did not impair locomotion. The anxiolytic effects of UCM765 and MLT in the EPMT and the NSFT were blocked using a pre-treatment with the MT(1)/MT(2) antagonist luzindole (10mg/kg) or the MT(2) antagonist 4P-PDOT (10mg/kg). These results demonstrated, for the first time, the anxiolytic properties of UCM765 and suggest that MT(2)-receptors may be considered a novel target for the development of anxiolytic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Ochoa-Sanchez
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Rivara S, Pala D, Lodola A, Mor M, Lucini V, Dugnani S, Scaglione F, Bedini A, Lucarini S, Tarzia G, Spadoni G. MT1-Selective Melatonin Receptor Ligands: Synthesis, Pharmacological Evaluation, and Molecular Dynamics Investigation ofN-{[(3-O-Substituted)anilino]alkyl}amides. ChemMedChem 2012; 7:1954-64. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Righi M, Topi F, Bartolucci S, Bedini A, Piersanti G, Spadoni G. Synthesis of tryptamine derivatives via a direct, one-pot reductive alkylation of indoles. J Org Chem 2012; 77:6351-7. [PMID: 22724919 DOI: 10.1021/jo3010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An efficient, one-pot reductive alkylation of indoles with N-protected aminoethyl acetals in the presence of TES/TFA is reported. It represents the first general method for the direct synthesis of tryptamine derivatives from indoles and nitrogen-functionalized acetals. This convergent and versatile approach employs safe and inexpensive reagents, proceeds under mild conditions, and tolerates several functional groups. The new procedure was efficiently applied to a gram-scale synthesis of both luzindole, a reference MT2-selective melatonin receptor antagonist, and melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Righi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Piazza Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy
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Zhu J, Hu Y, Ho MKC, Wong YH. Pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability and metabolism of a novel isoquinolinone-based melatonin receptor agonist in rats. Xenobiotica 2012; 42:1138-50. [DOI: 10.3109/00498254.2012.691186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Well-defined NHC–Pd(II)–Im (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene; Im=1-methylimidazole) complex catalyzed C–N coupling of primary amines with aryl chlorides. Tetrahedron 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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27
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Righi M, Bedini A, Piersanti G, Romagnoli F, Spadoni G. Direct, One-Pot Reductive Alkylation of Anilines with Functionalized Acetals Mediated by Triethylsilane and TFA. Straightforward Route for Unsymmetrically Substituted Ethylenediamine. J Org Chem 2010; 76:704-7. [DOI: 10.1021/jo102109f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marika Righi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Annalida Bedini
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Giovanni Piersanti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Federica Romagnoli
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy
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Zhu J, Hu Y, Ho MK, Wong YH. 3-Methoxylphenylpropyl amides as novel receptor subtype-selective melatoninergic ligands: characterization of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Xenobiotica 2010; 41:35-45. [DOI: 10.3109/00498254.2010.524264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Melatonin is a major chronobiological regulator involved in circadian phasing, sleep, and numerous other functions including cyto-/neuroprotection, immune modulation, and energy metabolism. The suitability of melatonin as a drug is limited because of its short half-life. Therefore, various indolic and non-indolic melatonergic agonists have been developed. Frequent health problems such as sleep disturbances, neuropsychiatric disorders related to circadian dysphasing, and metabolic diseases associated with insulin resistance are targeted by melatonergic agonists. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW Various synthetic melatonergic drugs are compared with regard to receptor affinities, selectivity, effects on sleep, endogenous melatonin, circadian phase and insulin-related metabolism. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN The chemical design of melatonin receptor agonists is discussed in relation to consequences for receptor affinity, selectivity, metabolism, and spectrum of effects. TAKE HOME MESSAGE Melatonergic agonists are suitable for phase-shifting circadian rhythms, and may be used for treating disorders related to circadian dysfunction including sleep difficulties. Facilitation of sleep onset is a general property, whereas promotion of sleep maintenance is demonstrable but not always fully sufficient. Details are especially available for tasimelteon. Support of insulin sensitivity may become a new area of application for compounds such as NEU-P11. Some drugs acting additionally as serotonergic antagonists display antidepressant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger Hardeland
- University of Göttingen, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, Göttingen, Germany.
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