Molecular pharmacology of the AMPA agonist, (S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid [(S)-APPA] and the AMPA antagonist, (R)-APPA

Enhanced cortical dopamine output and antipsychotic-like effect of raclopride with adjunctive low-dose L-dopa

BACKGROUND

Clozapine shows superior efficacy in schizophrenia and enhances prefrontal dopamine (DA) output like other atypical, but not typical, antipsychotic drugs (APDs). Clinical data also suggest an improved effect of typical APDs in schizophrenia by adjunctive treatment with low doses of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa), but experimental support is scarce, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.

METHODS

Antipsychotic efficacy of the D2 antagonist raclopride with or without adjunctive treatment with a low dose of L-dopa was assessed with the conditioned avoidance response paradigm. Extrapyramidal side effects were scored by the catalepsy test. Finally, in vivo microdialysis was used to measure DA efflux in the prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens.

RESULTS

A low dose of L-dopa (3 mg/kg) combined with benserazide, an inhibitor of peripheral DOPA decarboxylase, significantly enhanced the antipsychotic-like effect of raclopride without any associated catalepsy. L-dopa/benserazide alone had no effect. In contrast to raclopride alone, combined L-dopa/raclopride also produced a much larger increase in DA output in the prefrontal cortex than in the nucleus accumbens.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the clinical observation that low-dose L-dopa might improve the effect of typical APDs in schizophrenia and indicate that increased prefrontal DA output per se enhances the antipsychotic effect of typical APDs.

R-citalopram functionally antagonises escitalopram in vivo and in vitro: evidence for kinetic interaction at the serotonin transporter

1. Clinical observations with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), S-citalopram, indicate that S-citalopram is more efficacious and produces earlier symptom relief than RS-citalopram. Since R-citalopram is at least 20-fold weaker than S-citalopram as inhibitor of the 5-HT transporter (SERT) in preclinical studies, the clinical data suggest an unexpected antagonistic interaction between the two enantiomers. We therefore characterised the interaction of R- and S-citalopram with the SERT in in vivo and in vitro assays. 2. In both behavioural (potentiation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced behaviour) and electrophysiological studies (inhibition of 5-HT-elicited ion currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing the human SERT (hSERT) R-citalopram inhibited the effects of S-citalopram in a dose-dependent manner. With S-citalopram : R-citalopram ratios of 1 : 2 and 1 : 4, 5-HTP potentiation was significantly smaller than with S-citalopram alone. 3. R-citalopram did not antagonise the effects of another SSRI (fluoxetine) in either behavioural or electrophysiological studies. 4. In oocytes, inhibition of hSERT-mediated currents by R-citalopram was almost completely reversible and characterised by fast on- and off-sets of action. In contrast, the off-set for S-citalopram was 35-fold slower than for R-citalopram. 5. Kinetic analysis of the oocyte experiments suggests that S-citalopram binding to SERT induces a long-lasting, inhibited state of the transporter and that coapplication of R-citalopram partially relieves SERT of this persistent inhibition. 6. We propose that the kinetic interaction of R- and S-citalopram with SERT is a critical factor contributing to the antagonistic effects of R-citalopram on S-citalopram in vitro and in vivo.

A meta-analysis of the response to chronic L-dopa in patients with schizophrenia: therapeutic and heuristic implications

RATIONALE

While it is generally believed that administration of the dopamine precursor levodopa ( L-dopa) exacerbates symptoms of schizophrenia, numerous reports suggest that adjunctive L-dopa may be beneficial. This body of literature has not been critically reviewed.

OBJECTIVES

On the basis of published studies, to determine whether L-dopa administered concomitantly with antipsychotic drugs provides a beneficial response in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

This review examined 30 studies involving 716 patients. Due to wide methodological variability and limited statistical information, only five studies encompassing 160 patients could be included in a meta-analysis. The others were evaluated qualitatively.

RESULTS

When L-dopa was added to antipsychotic drugs, the overall improvement was moderate ( d=0.71) and highly significant ( P<0.0001). There were 16 other studies in which L-dopa was added to antipsychotic drugs, but which did not meet criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. In these, worsening occurred in less than 20% of patients; the percentage of improved patients varied widely but had a central tendency around 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

. In patients already on antipsychotic drugs, the addition of L-dopa can be beneficial. Dopamine agonists merit further consideration as adjuncts to antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Resolution, configurational assignment, and enantiopharmacology of 2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-methyl-2H- tetrazol-5-yl)isoxazol-4-yl]propionic acid, a potent GluR3- and GluR4-preferring AMPA receptor agonist

We have previously shown that (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)isoxazol -4-yl] propionic acid (2-Me-Tet-AMPA) is a selective agonist at (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, markedly more potent than AMPA itself, whereas the isomeric compound 1-Me-Tet-AMPA is essentially inactive. We here report the enantiopharmacology of 2-Me-Tet-AMPA in radioligand binding and cortical wedge electrophysiological assay systems, and using cloned AMPA (GluR1-4) and kainic acid (KA) (GluR5, 6, and KA2) receptor subtypes expressed in Xenopus oocytes. 2-Me-Tet-AMPA was resolved using preparative chiral HPLC. Zwitterion (-)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA was assigned the (R)-configuration based on an X-ray crystallographic analysis supported by the elution order of (-)- and (+)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA using four different chiral HPLC columns and by circular dichroism spectra. None of the compounds tested showed detectable affinity for N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor sites, and (R)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA was essentially inactive in all of the test systems used. Whereas (S)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA showed low affinity (IC(50) = 11 microM) in the [(3)H]KA binding assay, it was significantly more potent (IC(50) = 0.009 microM) than AMPA (IC(50) = 0.039 microM) in the [(3)H]AMPA binding assay, and in agreement with these findings, (S)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA (EC(50) = 0.11 microM) was markedly more potent than AMPA (EC(50) = 3.5 microM) in the electrophysiological cortical wedge model. In contrast to AMPA, which showed comparable potencies (EC(50) = 1.3-3.5 microM) at receptors formed by the AMPA receptor subunits (GluR1-4) in Xenopus oocytes, more potent effects and a substantially higher degree of subunit selectivity were observed for (S)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA: GluR1o (EC(50) = 0.16 microM), GluR1o/GluR2i (EC(50) = 0.12 microM), GluR3o (EC(50) = 0.014 microM) and GluR4o (EC(50) = 0.009 microM). At the KA-preferring receptors GluR5 and GluR6/KA2, (S)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA showed much weaker agonist effects (EC(50) = 8.7 and 15.3 microM, respectively). It is concluded that (S)-2-Me-Tet-AMPA is a subunit-selective and highly potent AMPA receptor agonist and a potentially useful tool for studies of physiological AMPA receptor subtypes.

Characterization of a new AMPA receptor radioligand, [3H]2-amino-3-(3-carboxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid

(RS)-2-Amino-3-(3-carboxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (ACPA), which is a potent and selective agonist at (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, has previously been shown to desensitize AMPA receptors to a much lower degree than AMPA itself. We now report the synthesis of [3H]ACPA (32.5 Ci/mmol), the neurochemical and pharmacological characterization of [3H]ACPA binding, and a comparison of the distribution of [3H]ACPA, [3H]AMPA, and [3H](S)-5-fluorowillardiine binding sites in rat brain. Under equilibrium conditions, [3H]ACPA was shown to bind to a single population of receptor sites on rat brain membranes. [3H]ACPA was shown to bind with single and similar affinities (15-45 nM) to cloned AMPA receptor subunits (GluR1-4), expressed in insect cells, whereas a K(D) value of 330 nM was determined for the binding of [3H]ACPA to cloned kainic acid preferring GluR5 subunits. Whereas Bmax and K(D) values for [3H]ACPA binding, determined using filtration techniques, were different from such obtained in centrifugation assays, Bmax and K(D) values as well as association and dissociation constants were not significantly affected by the addition of the chaotropic agent KSCN. K(D) values, determined under equilibrium conditions, were, however, markedly different from K(D) values derived from kinetic data. Furthermore, the results of analyses of these kinetic data were consistent with the existence of two different populations of [3H]ACPA binding sites. The pharmacology of [3H]ACPA binding sites was characterized using a series of AMPA receptor agonists and antagonists. Whereas addition of KSCN had little effect on the affinities of AMPA receptor agonists for [3H]ACPA binding, this chaotropic agent reduced the affinities of AMPA receptor antagonists structurally related to AMPA. Based on these and previously reported data, the AMPA receptor agonists, ACPA, AMPA and (S)-5-fluorowillardiine, seem to bind to and activate AMPA receptors in a nonidentical fashion, and these three agonists together may be useful tools for studies of AMPA receptor mechanisms.

Heteroaryl analogues of AMPA. 2. Synthesis, absolute stereochemistry, photochemistry, and structure-activity relationships

We have previously shown that (S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid [(S)-APPA, 2] is a weak agonist at (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, specifically activated by (S)-AMPA (1), whereas (S)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-pyridyl)-4-isoxazolyl]propionic acid [(S)-2-Py-AMPA, 5] and (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-thiazolyl)-4-isoxazolyl]propionic acid (4) are potent AMPA agonists. On the other hand, (R)-APPA (3) and (R)-2-Py-AMPA (6) have been shown to be weak AMPA antagonists. We now report the synthesis of 2-Py-AMPA (7a) and the isomeric compounds 3-Py-AMPA (7b) and 4-Py-AMPA (7c) as well as the 7a analogues, (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-isoxazolyl]p ropion ic acid (7d) and (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-quinolinyl)-4-isoxazolyl]propionic acid (7e). Furthermore, (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-furyl)-4-isoxazolyl]propionic acid (2-Fu-AMPA, 7f) and its 5-bromo-2-furyl derivative (7g) were synthesized, and (S)-2-Fu-AMPA (8) and (R)-2-Fu-AMPA (9) were prepared by semipreparative chiral HPLC resolution of 7f. HPLC analyses and circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated the absolute stereochemistry of 8 and 9 to be S and R, respectively. This was confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of 9.HCl. In receptor binding (IC50 values) and rat cortical wedge electrophysiological (EC50 values) studies, 7c (IC50 = 5.5 +/- 0.6 microM; EC50 = 96 +/- 5 microM) was shown to be markedly weaker than 7a (IC50 = 0.57 +/- 0.16 microM; EC50 = 7.4 +/- 0.2 microM) as an AMPA agonist, whereas 7b,d,e were inactive. The very potent AMPA agonist effect of 7f (IC50 = 0.15 +/- 0.03 microM; EC50 = 1.7 +/- 0. 2 microM) was shown to reside exclusively in 8 (IC50 = 0.11 +/- 0.01 microM; EC50 = 0.71 +/- 0.11 microM), whereas 9 did not interact significantly with AMPA receptors, either as an agonist or as an antagonist. 8 was shown to be photochemically active and is a potential photoaffinity label for the recognition site of the AMPA receptors. Compound 7g turned out to be a very weak AMPA receptor agonist (IC50 = 12 +/- 0.7 microM; EC50 = 160 +/- 15 microM). None of these new compounds showed detectable effects at N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) or kainic acid receptors in vitro. The present studies have emphasized that the presence of a heteroatom in the 2-position of the heteroaryl 5-substituent greatly facilitates AMPA receptor agonist activity.

Aryl and cycloalkyl analogues of AMPA: synthetic, pharmacological and stereochemical aspects

We have previously shown that (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (APPA, 2) is a functional partial agonist at the (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) subtype of excitatory amino acid receptors, reflecting that (S)-APPA is a full agonist and (R)-APPA a competitive antagonist at AMPA receptors. We have now synthesized and pharmacologically characterized (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-fluorophenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]propioni c acid (2-F-APPA, 5a), 3-F-APPA (5b), 4-F-APPA (5c), (S)-4-F-APPA (6), (R)-4-F-APPA (7), and the fully and partially, respectively, saturated APPA (2) analogues, (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (5d) and compound 5e containing a 1-cyclohexenyl ring. The absolute stereochemistry of 6 and 7 was established on the basis of comparative circular dichroism studies on 6, 7, and (S)- and (R)-APPA. 4-F-APPA (5c), (S)-4-F-APPA (6), 5d, and 5e were shown to selectively inhibit [3H]AMPA binding and to activate AMPA receptors. Whereas (S)-4-F-APPA (6) showed full AMPA receptor agonism, (R)-4-F-APPA (7) was an AMPA receptor antagonist. Co-administration of (S)- and (R)-4-F-APPA to the rat cortical wedge preparation produced functional partial AMPA receptor agonism. Semi empirical calculations showed that the magnitude of the torsional angle of the bond connecting the two rings in the series of nonannulated bicyclic AMPA analogues appears to be of importance for the potency and efficacy of these compounds.

Excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists: resolution, absolute stereochemistry, and pharmacology of (S)- and (R)-2-amino-2-(5-tert-butyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-4-yl)acetic acid (ATAA)

We have previously shown that (RS)-2-amino-2-(5-tert-butyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-4-yl)acetic acid (ATAA) is an antagonist at N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. We have now resolved ATAA via diastereomeric salt formation using N-BOC protected ATAA and (R)- and (S)-phenylethylamine. Enantiomeric purities (ee > 98%) of (R)- and (S)-ATAA were determined using the Crownpak CR(-) and CR(+) columns, respectively. The absolute configuration of (R)-ATAA was established by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of the (R)-phenylethylamine salt of N-BOC-(R)-ATAA. Like ATAA, neither (R)- nor (S)-ATAA significantly affected (IC50 > 100 microM) the receptor binding of tritiated AMPA, kainic acid, or (RS)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid, the latter being a competitive NMDA antagonist. Electrophysiological experiments, using the rat cortical wedge preparation, showed the NMDA antagonist effect as well as the AMPA antagonist effect of ATAA to reside exclusively in the (R)-enantiomer (Ki = 75 +/- 5 microM and 57 +/- 1 microM, respectively). Neither (R)- nor (S)-ATAA significantly reduced kainic acid-induced excitation (Ki > 1,000 microM).

Heteroaryl analogues of AMPA. Synthesis and quantitative structure-activity relationships

A number of 3-isoxazolol bioisosteres, 7a-i, of (S)-glutamic acid (Glu), in which the methyl group of (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA, 1) was replaced by different 5-membered heterocyclic rings, were synthesized. Comparative in vitro pharmacological studies on this series of AMPA analogues were performed using receptor binding assays (IC50 values) and the electrophysiological rat cortical slice model (EC50 values). None of these compounds showed detectable affinity for the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid subtype of Glu receptors. Some of the compounds were weak inhibitors of [3H]kainic acid binding. The inhibitory effects on [3H]AMPA binding and agonist potencies at AMPA receptors of 7a-i were strictly dependent on the structure, electrostatic potential, and methyl substitution of the heterocyclic 5-substituent. Thus, while 7a (IC50 = 0.094 microM; EC50 = 2.3 microM) was approximately equipotent with AMPA (IC50 = 0.023 microM; EC50 = 5.4 microM), (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)isoxazol-4-yl]propio nic acid (7b) (IC50 = 48 microM; EC50 = 550 microM) was some 2 orders of magnitude weaker than AMPA, and (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-isoxazol-4 -yl] propionic acid (7c) (IC50 > 100 microM; EC50 > 1000 microM) was inactive. Furthermore, (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)isoxazol -4-yl] propionic acid (7i) (IC50 = 0.030 microM; EC50 = 0.92 microM) was more potent than AMPA, whereas its N-1 methyl isomer, (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isoxazol -4-yl] propionic acid (7h) (IC50 = 54 microM; EC50 > 1000 microM) was inactive as an AMPA agonist. A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis revealed a positive correlation between receptor affinity, electrostatic potential near the nitrogen atom at the "ortho" position of the heterocyclic 5-substituent, and the rotational energy barrier around the bond connecting the two rings. We envisage that a hydrogen bond between the protonated amino group and an ortho-positioned heteroatom of the ring substituent at the 5-position stabilize receptor-active conformations of these AMPA analogues.

AMPA receptor agonists: synthesis, protolytic properties, and pharmacology of 3-isothiazolol bioisosteres of glutamic acid

A number of 3-isothiazolol bioisosteres of glutamic acid (1) and analogs of the AMPA receptor agonist, (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA, 2a), including (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisothiazol-4-yl)propionic acid (thio-AMPA, 2b), were synthesized. Comparative in vitro pharmacological studies on this series of 3-isothiazolol and the corresponding 3-isoxazolol amino acids were performed using a series of receptor binding assays (IC50 values) and the electrophysiological rat cortical slice model (EC50 values). Whereas 2a (IC50 = 0.04 +/- 0.005 microM, EC50 = 3.5 +/- 0.2 microM) is markedly more potent than the tert-butyl analog ATPA (3a) (IC50 = 2.1 +/- 0.16 microM, EC50 = 34 +/- 2.4 microM) in [3H]AMPA binding and electrophysiological studies, 2b (IC50 = 1.8 +/- 0.13 microM, EC50 = 15.0 +/- 2.4 microM) was approximately equipotent with thio-ATPA (3b) (IC50 = 0.63 +/- 0.07 microM, EC50 = 14 +/- 1.3 microM). (RS)-2-Amino-3-(3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid (HIBO, 4a) was approximately equipotent with its thio analog 4b, whereas 4-Br-HIBO (5a) (IC50 = 0.65 +/- 0.12 microM, EC50 = 22 +/- 0.6 microM) turned out to be much more potent than the corresponding 3-isothiazolol 5b (IC50 = 17 +/- 2.2 microM, EC50 = 500 +/- 23 microM). 2b (ED50 = 130 mumol/kg) was more potent than 2a (220 mumol/kg) as a convulsant after subcutaneous administration in mice. The protolytic properties of 2a,b-4a,b were determined using 13C NMR spectroscopy. For each pair of compounds, the alpha-amino acid groups showed similar protolytic properties, whereas the 3-isoxazolol moieties typically showed pKa values 2 units lower than those of the 3-isothiazolols. Accordingly, calculations of ionic species distributions revealed pronounced differences between 3-isoxazolol and 3-isothiazolol amino acids. No simple correlation between activity as AMPA agonists in vitro and pKa values of these compounds was apparent. On the other hand, the relative potencies of AMPA (2a) and thio-AMPA (2b) in vitro and in vivo may reflect that these compounds predominantly penetrate the blood-brain barrier as net uncharged diprotonated ionic species.

AMPA receptor agonists: resolution, configurational assignment, and pharmacology of (+)-(S)- and (-)-(R)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-pyridyl)-isoxazol-4-yl]-propionic acid (2-Py-AMPA)

We have previously shown that whereas (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (APPA) shows the characteristics of a partial agonist at (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, (S)-APPA is a full AMPA receptor agonist and (R)-APPA a weak competitive AMPA receptor antagonist. This observation led us to introduce the new pharmacological concept, functional partial agonism. Recently we have shown that the 2-pyridyl analogue of APPA, (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-pyridyl)isoxazol-4-yl]propionic acid (2-Py-AMPA), is a potent and apparently full AMPA receptor agonist, and this compound has now been resolved into (+)- and (-)-2-Py-AMPA (ee > or = 99.0%) by chiral HPLC using a Chirobiotic T column. The absolute stereochemistry of the enantiomers of APPA has previously been established by X-ray analysis, and on the basis of comparative studies of the circular dichroism spectra of the enantiomers of APPA and 2-Py-AMPA, (+)- and (-)-2-Py-AMPA were assigned the (S)- and (R)-configuration, respectively. In a series of receptor binding studies, neither enantiomer of 2-Py-AMPA showed detectable affinity for kainic acid receptor sites or different sites at the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor complex. (+)-(S)-2-Py-AMPA was an effective inhibitor of [3H]AMPA binding (IC50 = 0.19 +/- 0.06 microM) and a potent AMPA receptor agonist in the rat cortical wedge preparation (EC50 = 4.5 +/- 0.3 microM) comparable with AMPA (IC50 = 0.040 +/- 0.01 microM; EC50 = 3.5 +/- 0.2 microM), but much more potent than (+)-(S)-APPA (IC50 = 5.5 +/- 2.2 microM; EC50 = 230 +/- 12 microM). Like (-)-(R)-APPA (IC50 > 100 microM), (-)-(R)-2-Py-AMPA (IC50 > 100 microM) did not significantly affect [3H]AMPA binding, and both compounds were weak AMPA receptor antagonists (Ki = 270 +/- 50 and 290 +/- 20 microM, respectively).

Functional partial agonism at cloned human muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

We have previously defined the concept of functional partial agonism as the partial agonist responses recorded in brain slices after administration of full ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists and competitive antagonists at fixed ratios. Functional partial agonism can be established at any level of maximal response, depending on the molar ratio of agonist and antagonist used. Using recombinant human muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (m1 and m5) and the functional assay, receptor selection and amplification technology (R-SAT), we have now shown that co-administration of the full agonist, carbachol, and a competitive antagonist, atropine or pirenzepine, at fixed ratios display functional partial agonism. The levels of apparent intrinsic activity of the functional partial agonist responses were shown to be dependent of the receptor density and G-protein concentration in the same manner as that determined for the true partial muscarinic agonist, 4-[N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamoyloxy]-2-butynyltrimethylammonium chloride (McN A-343). Thus, functional as well as true partial agonist responses became more efficacious and potent with increasing receptor and G-protein levels. The level of maximal functional partial agonist response, which is dependent on the agonist/antagonist ratio, is predictable from the Waud equation, describing competitive receptor/ligand interactions. In agreement with the relative antagonist potencies of pirenzepine at m1 and m5, a 10:1 ratio of carbachol and pirenzepine produced very low-efficacy functional partial agonism, approaching full antagonism, at m1 but virtually full agonism at the m5 subtype.

Synthesis and pharmacology of highly selective carboxy and phosphono isoxazole amino acid AMPA receptor antagonists

(RS)-2-Amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA, 5) and the selective AMPA receptor antagonist (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-(carboxymethoxy)-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl]propionic acid (AMOA, 7) have been used as leads for the design and synthesis of a number of potential AMPA receptor antagonists. Two parallel series of AMOA analogs were synthesized, containing either a distal carboxylic acid (compounds 8b-g and 11b) or a phosphonic acid (compounds 9a-g, 10c, and 11c). Pharmacological characterization of the synthesized compounds was carried out using a series of receptor binding assays and by in vitro electrophysiological experiments using the rat cortical slice model. The two analogs with a tert-butyl substituent, (RS)-2-amino-3-[5-tert-butyl-3-(carboxymethoxy)-4-isoxazolyl]pr opi onic acid (ATOA, 8b) and the corresponding phosphonic acid analog ATPO (9b), were the most potent and selective AMPA antagonists within each series. ATOA and ATPO showed IC50 values of 150 and 28 microM, respectively, toward AMPA-induced depolarizations in the cortical slice model compared to IC50 = 320 microM for the parent compound, AMOA. These two new competitive AMPA antagonists were significantly more selective than AMOA, showing no antagonism (up to 1 mM) toward NMDA-induced responses, whereas AMOA (at 1mM) showed weak (19%) inhibition toward NMDA-induced responses. The structure-activity relationships for the two series of compounds revealed considerable differences with respect to the substituents effects, and the phosphonic acid analogs generally exhibited significantly higher potencies compared to the carboxylic acid analogs.

Effects of decahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid monohydrate, a novel AMPA receptor antagonist, on glutamate-induced CA2+ responses and neurotoxicity in rat cortical and cerebellar granule neurons

In this study, we examined the effects of a novel water-soluble, putative AMPA receptor antagonist, (-)(3S,4aR,6R,8aR)-6-[2-(1(2)H-tetrazole-5-yl)ethyl]-1,2,3, 4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid monohydrate (LY326325), on glutamate-, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-, and kainic acid (KA)-induced elevations of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and 45Ca2+ uptake, as well as glutamate agonist-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of intact rat cortical and cerebellar granule neurons. In some experiments, the actions of LY326325 were tested in the presence of cyclothiazide, a compound that is known to block glutamate-induced desensitization of AMPA-preferring subtypes of glutamate receptors, thereby largely potentiating the functional effects of AMPA. LY326325 fully blocked the elevations of [Ca2+]i induced by NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptor agonists in both cortical and cerebellar granule neurons. The application of increasing concentrations of cyclothiazide was not able to reverse the LY326325-induced blockade of glutamate receptors in cortical neurons. In contrast, the same cyclothiazide treatment fully reversed the blockade produced by the noncompetitive AMPA/KA receptor antagonist 1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2, 3-benzodiazepine HCl (GYKI 52466). In 45Ca2+ uptake studies. LY325325 inhibited the NMDA-, AMPA-, and KA-induced enhancement of 45Ca2+ uptake in a concentration-dependent fashion in both cortical and cerebellar granule cells. In analogy to the results obtained with [Ca2+]i recordings, cyclothiazide failed to counteract the LY326325-induced blockade of KA-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake in cerebellar granule neurons, whereas the blockade induced by the noncompetitive AMPA/KA receptor blocking agent GYKI 52466 was fully reversed by cyclothiazide. Because a similar, although not identical pattern of actions was seen following the application of the competitive AMPA/KA receptor antagonist 6-nitro-7-sulphamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline-2-3-dione (NBQX), it is suggested that the inhibitory actions of LY326325 are similar to those produced by NBQX but clearly differ from those caused by the noncompetitive AMPA/KA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466. Finally, when the neuroprotective actions of LY326325 on glutamate agonist-induced neurotoxicity were examined in cerebellar granule neurons, we found that LY326325 almost completely blocked the neurotoxic actions of NMDA, AMPA, and KA, respectively, whereas it produced only a partial blockade of glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Taken together, our current results suggest that although LY326325 blocked both nonNMDA and NMDA-induced Ca2+ responses, it still displayed a preferential affinity of nonNMDA receptors as compared to NMDA receptors. However, LY326325 appears to be a less selective AMPA/KA receptor antagonist than NBQX and GYKI52466, respectively.

Differentiation of in vivo effects of AMPA and NMDA receptor ligands using drug discrimination methods and convulsant/anticonvulsant activity

The discriminative stimulus properties of the AMPA ((RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid) receptor agonist ATPA ((RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid) and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) in rats have been characterized. It is suggested that the cues are mediated by separate mechanisms in the central nervous system. The ATPA cue is not mimicked by NMDA or an NMDA receptor agonist, and is inhibited by the AMPA receptor antagonist (R)-APPA ((R)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid) but not the AMPA receptor antagonist ATOA ((RS)-2-amino-3-(3-carboxymethoxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl)propio nic acid) or the NMDA receptor antagonist CPP ((RS)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl)phosphonic acid). The ATPA cue is not mimicked by AMPA which is believed not to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. In contrast, ATPA does not generalize to the NMDA cue, which is mimicked by some NMDA receptor agonists (tetrazol-5-yl-glycine and AMAA ((RS)-2-amino-2-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)acetic acid)) and is inhibited by the NMDA receptor antagonist CPP. Highly potent convulsant activity was demonstrated in mice with all AMPA and NMDA receptor agonists after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection, whereas weaker or no effects were found after subcutaneous (s.c.) or intravenous injection. Only (RS)-tetrazol-5-yl-glycine had a potent effect after s.c. administration. I.c.v. ATOA and CPP inhibited convulsions induced by i.c.v. injection of AMPA or NMDA, while (R)-APPA was ineffective. These results indicate that there are differences in the structure-activity relations in the drug discrimination and convulsant/anticonvulsant models, even when effects after i.c.v. and s.c. injection are taken into consideration. The convulsion models are rapid tests which can give an indication of central nervous system penetration, but are less pharmacologically specific with respect to differentiation between AMPA and NMDA ligands where cue models demonstrate clear differences in effects of ligands with selectivity for receptor subtypes.

Modulation of AMPA receptor function in relation to glutamatergic abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease

Abnormalities in the excitatory glutamate neurotransmitter system appear to be a prominent factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whereas hypoactivity of this system is observed in some areas of Alzheimer brains, hyperactivity may play a role in the degenerative processes in other brain areas. This apparently paradoxical situation makes therapeutic intervention in the glutamatergic system in AD difficult and demands the development of unique therapeutic approaches. The involvement of the (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) subtype of glutamate receptors in AD brain dysfunctions seems to be important, and compounds showing different modulatory activity at AMPA receptors are discussed in relation to therapeutic possibilities. Compounds enhancing excitatory activity at AMPA receptors may have beneficial effects on the learning and memory deficits observed in AD, whereas agents showing antagonistic or partial agonist profiles may block or delay the progressive neurodegeneration, which is a key phenomenon in AD. In vitro experiments with compounds capable of enhancing AMPA receptor activity have been performed. Such compounds without excitatory activity on their own may not show the excitotoxic properties characteristic of glutamate agonists. Another possibility for therapeutic intervention is the use of a partial agonist. The concept of "functional partial agonism" at the AMPA receptors is described with a specific example.