Structural significance of azaheterocyclic amines related to Parkinson's disease for dopamine transporter

A Mouse Model of Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Axonal Degeneration As a Tool for Testing Neuroprotectors

Degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease begins from the axonal terminals in the striatum and, then, in retrograde fashion, progresses to the cell bodies in the substantia nigra. Investigation of the dynamics of axonal terminal degeneration may help in the identification of new targets for neuroprotective treatment and be used as a tool for testing potential drugs. We have shown that the degeneration rate of dopaminergic axonal terminals changes over time, and that the striatal dopamine concentration is the most sensitive parameter to the action of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). This model was validated using neuroprotectors with well-known mechanisms of action: the dopamine transporter inhibitor nomifensine and SEMAX peptide that stimulates the secretion of endogenous neurotrophic factors or acts as an antioxidant. Nomifensine was shown to almost completely protect dopaminergic fibers from the toxic effect of MPTP and maintain the striatal dopamine concentration at the control level. However, SEMAX, slightly but reliably, increased striatal dopamine when administered before MPTP treatment, which indicates that it is more effective as an inductor of endogenous neurotrophic factor secretion rather than as an antioxidant.

Salsolinol: an Unintelligible and Double-Faced Molecule-Lessons Learned from In Vivo and In Vitro Experiments

Salsolinol (1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline) is a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative whose presence in humans was first detected in the urine of Parkinsonian patients on l-DOPA (l-dihydroxyphenylalanine) medication. Thus far, multiple hypotheses regarding its physiological/pathophysiological roles have been proposed, especially related to Parkinson’s disease or alcohol addiction. The aim of this review was to outline studies related to salsolinol, with special focus on in vivo and in vitro experimental models. To begin with, the chemical structure of salsolinol together with its biochemical implications and the role in neurotransmission are discussed. Numerous experimental studies are summarized in tables and the most relevant ones are stressed. Finally, the ability of salsolinol to cross the blood–brain barrier and its possible double-faced neurobiological potential are reviewed.

Cytotoxicity of β-carbolines in dopamine transporter expressing cells: Structure–activity relationships

Some beta-carbolines (BC) are natural constituents in the human brain deriving from tryptophan, tryptamine, and serotonin. In vitro and animal experiments suggest that BC-cations may cause neurodegeneration with a higher vulnerability of dopaminergic than of other neurons. Despite the possible implication of the BC-cations in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study further explores the structural requirements for the cytotoxic effects of BCs and searches for additional compounds involved in the pathogenesis of PD. Previous studies were now extended to serotonin-derived BCs, tetrahydro-BCs, a BC-dimer, and a BC-enantiomer to reveal possible stereoselectivity. Neutral, rather lipophilic BCs may pass the plasma membrane and the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes by diffusion whereas the cationic, more polar compounds, can be transported by the dopamine transporter (DAT). In the present study, 4 out of 17 BC-cations caused DAT-independent toxicity. This number is unexpected in view of previous findings that all BC-cations are transported by DAT. 3-Carboxylated and 6-methoxylated BCs were poor substrates. The size alone does not seem to be a limiting factor. A dimeric BC-cation was readily transported by the DAT despite its much larger structure compared to dopamine. Furthermore, (R)-enantiomers were preferentially transported. The neutral BCs were approximately one order of magnitude less toxic than the cationic BCs. There are considerable differences of the transport efficiency between the BCs. Potent cytotoxic tetrahydro-BCs were detected. Because precursor tetrahydro-BCs are present in the brain, the search for the occurrence of these compounds in human brain is warranted.

Cytotoxicity of chloral-derived β-carbolines is not specific towards neuronal nor dopaminergic cells

beta-Carbolines structurally related to the selective dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4- phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) may contribute to dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. The chloral-derived mammalian alkaloid derivative 1-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TaClo) is formed endogenously by a Pictet-Spengler condensation from the biogenic amine tryptamine (Ta) and the hypnotic aldehyde chloral (Clo). Here we examine the dopaminergic toxicity of TaClo and related compounds by testing their differential cytotoxicities in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y and non-dopaminergic murine Neuro2A neuroblastoma cell lines as well as in heterologous expression systems of the dopamine transporter (DAT) using both HEK-293 and Neuro2A cells. All TaClo derivatives showed significant cytotoxicity in all cell lines after 72 hours with the following rank order of toxic potency: 1-Tribromomethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TaBro) > TaClo > MPP(+) > 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (THbetaC) > 2[N]-methyl-TaClo > 2[N]-methyl-THbetaC. In contrast to MPP(+), there was no selectivity towards dopaminergic cells or cells ectopically expressing the DAT in vitro. Our results suggest that TaClo and related analogs are strong cytotoxins without selectivity towards dopaminergic cells.

Neurotoxic mechanisms of 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion in primary dopaminergic culture

beta-Carbolines are potential endogenous and exogenous neurotoxicants that may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The 2,9-dimethyl-beta-carbolinium ion (either 2,9-dimethyl-beta-norharmanium or 2,9-Me(2)NH(+)) was found to be neurotoxic in primary mesencephalic cultures and to be a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I. However, the precise mechanisms of cell death remained obscure. Here, we investigated the mechanism of cell death in primary dopaminergic cultures of the mouse mesencephalon mediated by 2,9-Me(2)NH(+). The beta-carboline caused preferential death of dopaminergic neurones, which could not be attributed to cellular uptake via the dopamine transporter. Transient incubation with 2,9-Me(2)NH(+) for 48 h caused a progressive deterioration in the morphology of dopaminergic neurones during a 5-day recovery period and persistent damage to the overall culture. An increase in free radical production and caspase-3 activity, as well as a decrease of respiratory activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content, contributed to toxicity and pointed to an apoptotic mode of cell death, although a significant quantity of cells dying via necrosis were present simultaneously. These data underline the preferential susceptibility of dopaminergic neurones to 2,9-Me(2)NH(+) as a potent, oxidative stress generating neurotoxin.

Cytotoxicity of 17 tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells is related to mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase inhibition

Since the first report that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine induces parkinsonism, various kinds of low-molecular-weight neurotoxins, such as tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, have been identified as possible Parkinson's disease-inducing substances. In the present study, we measured four parameters of 17 tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, i.e., cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, inhibitory activity towards mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I), affinity for dopamine transporter, and 1-butanol-H2O partition coefficient (as an index of lipophilicity). Six of the derivatives showed comparatively strong inhibitory activity towards complex I (IC50 values<100 microM) and five of them were cytotoxic to SH-SY5Y cells (TC50 values<200 microM). Some of these compounds are endogenous. We found good correlations between cytotoxicity and complex I inhibitory activity, but not between cytotoxicity and affinity for dopamine transporter. Since cytotoxicity to SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was related to inhibitory activity towards mitochondrial complex I, complex I inhibition is likely to be involved, at least in part, in the mechanism of TIQ derivative-induced cell death. Uptake of most of these compounds seems to be dependent on lipophilicity, rather than active transport via dopamine transporter.

Dopamine transporter-mediated cytotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine in vitro depends on expression of mutant alpha-synucleins related to Parkinson's disease

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is widely used to produce animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) by selectively destroying the nigro-striatal dopaminergic systems, but selective toxicity of 6-OHDA towards dopaminergic cells in vitro remains controversial. Mutant (A30P and A53T) alpha-synuclein isoforms cause increased vulnerability of cells towards various toxic insults and enhance dopamine transporter (DAT)-mediated toxicity of the selective dopaminergic neurotoxin and mitochondrial complex I inhibitor MPP(+) in vitro. Here we extend our recent studies on DAT-mediated toxicity to elucidate the mechanisms involved in selective dopaminergic toxicity of 6-OHDA. We studied the cytotoxicity as well as the toxic mechanisms of 6-OHDA in human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells ectopically co-expressing mutant alpha-synucleins and the human DAT protein. 6-OHDA showed half-maximal toxic concentration (TC(50)) of 88 microM in HEK-hDAT cells without alpha-synuclein expression after 24 h, whereas the TC(50) values significantly decreased to 58 and 39 microM by expression of A30P and A53T alpha-synuclein, respectively. alpha-Synuclein expression did not affect 6-OHDA toxicity in HEK-293 cells not expressing the DAT. Analysis of intracellular parameters of cellular energy metabolism revealed that the co-expression of mutant alpha-synucleins in HEK-hDAT cells accelerates the reduction of intracellular net ATP levels and ATP/ADP ratios induced by 6-OHDA. Uptake function of the DAT was not altered by expression of alpha-synuclein isoforms. Our data suggest a mechanism of 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic toxicity involving an interaction of mutant alpha-synucleins with the DAT molecule and subsequent acceleration of cellular energy depletion that might be relevant for the pathogenesis of PD.

Synthesis and Evaluation of β-Carbolinium Cations as New Antimalarial Agents Based on π-Delocalized Lipophilic Cation (DLC) Hypothesis

Several beta-carbolines including naturally occurring substances and their corresponding cationic derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antimalarial (antiplasmodial) activity in vitro and in vivo. A tetracyclic carbolinium salt was elucidated for antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities in vitro as well as antiplasmodial activity. Quarternary carbolinium cations showed much higher potencies in vitro than electronically neutral beta-carbolines and a good correlation was observed between pi-delocalized lipophilic cationic (DLC) structure and antimalarial efficacy. beta-Carbolinium compounds exhibit medium suppressive activity in vivo against rodent malaria.

Dopamine transporter-mediated cytotoxicity of beta-carbolinium derivatives related to Parkinson's disease: relationship to transporter-dependent uptake

Endogenous or exogenous beta-carboline (betaC) derivatives structurally related to the selective dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its active metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) may contribute to dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). We addressed the importance of the dopamine transporter (DAT) for selective dopaminergic toxicity by testing the differential cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of 12 betaCs in human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells ectopically expressing the DAT gene. Cell death was measured using [4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion assays, and uptake by a fluorescence-based uptake assay. All betaCs and MPP(+) showed general cytotoxicity in parental HEK-293 cells after 72 h with half-maximal toxic concentrations (TC(50) values) in the upper micromolar range. Besides MPP(+), only 2[N]-methylated compounds showed enhanced cytotoxicity in DAT expressing HEK-293 cells with 1.3- to 4.5-fold reduction of TC(50) values compared with parental cell line. The rank order of selectivity was: MPP(+) >> 2[N],9[N]-dimethyl-harminium > 2[N]-methyl-harminium > 2[N],9[N]-dimethyl-harmanium = 2[N]-methyl-norharmanium > 2[N]-methyl-harmanium > 2[N],9[N]-dimethyl-norharminium. Consistently, only 2[N]-methylated betaCs were transported into the cell through the DAT with up to five times greater K(m) and 12-220 times smaller V(max) values compared with dopamine and MPP(+). There was a weak relation of DAT-mediated selectivity with the affinity of betaCs at the DAT (K(m)), but not with V(max). Our data suggest that DAT-mediated cellular uptake of 2[N]-methylated betaCs represents a potential mechanism for selective toxicity towards dopaminergic neurons and may be relevant for the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Update on epidemiological aspects of progressive supranuclear palsy

The cause of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), the most common form of the atypical parkinsonian disorders, is unknown. PSP is characterized by four-repeat tau aggregates in neurons (neurofibrillary tangles) and glia in specific basal ganglia and brainstem areas. A thorough literature review led us to hypothesize that genetic and/or environmental factors contribute to its development. It is likely that inheritance of the H1/H1 tau genotype represents a predisposition to develop PSP requiring other environmental or genetic factors. Less likely, a relatively rare mutation with low penetrance could contribute to the abnormal tau aggregation present in this disorder. The possible role of chemicals in the diet or occupation, hypertension, traumatic brain injury, coffee, and inflammation or oxidative injury are reviewed.

Neurotoxicity of an endogenous brain amine, 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, in organotypic slice co-culture of mesencephalon and striatum

Organotypic slice co-culture of the ventromedial portion of the mesencephalon and striatum was used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an endogenous brain amine related to Parkinson's disease. 1-Benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline is specifically increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Parkinson's disease and induces parkinsonian features in the monkey and mouse. Here, it decreased the dopamine content of the cultured mesencephalon in both dose- (10-100 microM) and time- (24 h to 7 days) dependent manners. This result suggests that the neurotoxicity of 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline is correlated with the overall exposure (concentration multiplied by exposure time). Culture with 100 microM 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline for 24 h irreversibly reduced the dopamine content. Furthermore, culture with 100 microM 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline for 10 days caused morphological changes, including cell body shrinkage and distortion of dendritic morphology, in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the mesencephalon and reduced the number of cells by half. The increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity in the media produced by 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline was significant in culture of the mesencephalon alone or its co-culture with striatum, but not in cultures of other brain regions. We suggest that 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline is toxic to tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the ventral mesencephalon and that it is correlated with the integral of the concentration by time of exposure. Thus a low concentration of 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline may first induce a decrease in the dopamine content then shrinkage of the cell body, followed by the slow death of dopaminergic neurons over a long period. This is the first report that indicates 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline exerts neurotoxicity at the cellular level, and reveals in part the character of its neurotoxicity.

Molecular mechanisms of selective dopaminergic neuronal death in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disease caused by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Although PD has been heavily researched, the precise etiology of nigral cell loss is still unknown and, consequently, treatment is largely symptomatic rather than preventive. There are conflicting data regarding the mode of dopaminergic cell death in PD and, hence, this remains controversial. Several mutations in specific genes have recently been linked with hereditary forms of PD. Although none of these mutations are seen in idiopathic disease cases, the elucidation of these genetic defects sheds light on the nature of idiopathic PD. It is possible that dopaminergic neurogenesis also contributes to the etiology of idiopathic PD. In addition, intracellular as well as extracellular substances found in the SNc are believed to function as damaging pathogenetic factors. These factors, and the interactions among them, might hold the secret to the underlying causes of the selective death of dopaminergic neurons in PD.

Identification of brain proteins that interact with 2-methylnorharman. An analog of the parkinsonian-inducing toxin, MPP+

N-Methylated beta-carbolines, including 2-methylnorharman, are structural and functional analogs of the parkinsonian-inducing toxin, MPP+. We are investigating N-methylated beta-carbolines, including 2-methylnorharman, as possible etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The cellular targets of N-methylated beta-carboline-mediated cytotoxicity are unknown; therefore, we used the T7Select Phage Display System in a novel approach to identify brain proteins that bind to 2-methylnorharman. We incubated (biopanned) immobilized 2-methylnorharman with a phage display cDNA library that expressed a library of human brain proteins on the surface of bacteriophage T7. We washed off unbound phage, amplified the phage that were bound to 2-methylnorharman, and enriched for toxin-interacting phage by repeating the biopanning and amplification steps. The cDNA sequences from the toxin-interacting phage were used to derive the amino acid sequences of the phage-displayed proteins. Five of the six 2-methylnorharman-interacting proteins may have relevance to Parkinson's disease: alpha-tubulin, paraoxonase, dorfin, fatty acid binding protein, and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase. Dorfin has sequence homology with parkin, which is interesting because mutations in the parkin gene associate with early-onset Parkinson's disease. Our findings are the basis for future studies aimed at determining whether 2-methylnorharman affects the function of these specific proteins in vitro and in vivo.

N-methylation underlying Parkinson's disease

The discovery of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) leads to the hypothesis that Parkinson's disease (PD) is maybe initiated or precipitated by environmental or endogenous toxins by the mechanism similar to that of MPTP in genetically-predisposed individuals. Endogenous analogs of MPTP, such as beta-carbolines (betaCs) and tetrahydroisoquinolines, have been proposed as possible causative candidates causing PD and are bioactivated into potential neurotoxins by N-methylation enzyme(s). These N-methylated betaCs and tetrahydroisoquinoline have been higher cerebrospinal levels in parkinsonian patients than age-matched controls. Thus, there is a hypotheses to influence the pathogenesis of PD, that is, the excess enzyme activity to activate neurotoxins, such as N-methyltransferase, might be higher in PDs. Indeed, simple betaCs, via N-methylation steps, induced bradykinesia with the decreased dopamine contents in the striatum and midbrain in C57/BL mice. In younger (65 years old) PD patients, the excretion amount of N(1)-methyl-nicotinamaide was significantly higher than that in younger controls. The protein amount of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) was also significantly higher in younger PD patients than that in younger controls. These findings described here would indicate that the excess N-methylation ability for azaheterocyclic amines, such as betaCs, before the onset had been implicated in PD pathogenesis. On the other hand, the contribution of aberrant cytochrome P450 or aldehyde oxidase activity acting on the pyridine ring, that could act as detoxification routes of endogenous neurotoxins, would be small in the etiology of PD.

Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase has beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity: hypothetical relevance to Parkinson's disease

Mammalian brain has a beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity that converts beta-carbolines, such as norharman and harman, into 2N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations, which are structural and functional analogs of the Parkinsonian-inducing toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium cation (MPP+). The identity and physiological function of this beta-carboline 2N-methylation activity was previously unknown. We report pharmacological and biochemical evidence that phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.28) has beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity. Specifically, purified phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) catalyzes the 2N-methylation (21.1 pmol/h per unit PNMT) of 9-methylnorharman, but not the 9N-methylation of 2-methylnorharmanium cation. LY134046, a selective inhibitor of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, inhibits (IC50 1.9 microM) the 2N-methylation of 9-methylnorharman, a substrate for beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase. Substrates of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase also inhibit beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. beta-Carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity (43.7pmol/h/mg protein) is present in human adrenal medulla, a tissue with high phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity. We are investigating the potential role of N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations in the pathogenesis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Presuming that phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity forms toxic 2N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations, we propose a novel hypothesis regarding Parkinson's disease-a hypothesis that includes a role for phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase-catalyzed formation of MPP+ -like 2N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations.

Selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity of isoquinoline derivatives related to Parkinson's disease: studies using heterologous expression systems of the dopamine transporter

Endogenous isoquinoline (IQ) derivatives structurally related to the selective dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its active metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+)) may contribute to dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. We addressed the importance of the DAT molecule for selective dopaminergic toxicity by testing the differential cytotoxicity of 22 neutral and quaternary compounds from three classes of isoquinoline derivatives (3, IQs; 4,3,4-dihydroisoquinolines and 15, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines) as well as MPP(+) in non-neuronal and neuronal heterologous expression systems of the DAT gene (human embryonic kidney HEK-293 and mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2A cells, respectively). Cell death was estimated using the MTT assay and the Trypan blue exclusion method. Nine isoquinolines and MPP(+) showed general cytotoxicity in both parental cell lines after 72hr with half-maximal toxic concentrations (TC(50) values) in the micromolar range. The rank order of toxic potency was: papaverine>salsolinol=tetrahydropapaveroline=1-benzyl-TIQ=norsalsolinol>tetrahydropapaverine>2[N]-methyl-salsolinol>2[N]-methyl-norsalsolinol>2[N]-Me-IQ(+)=MPP(+). Besides MPP(+), only the 2[N]-methylated compounds 2[N]-methyl-IQ(+), 2[N]-methyl-norsalsolinol and 2[N]-methyl-salsolinol showed enhanced cytotoxicity in both DAT expressing cell lines with 2- to 14-fold reduction of TC(50) values compared to parental cell lines. The rank order of selectivity in both cell systems was: MPP(+)>>2[N]-Me-IQ(+)>2[N]-methyl-norsalsolinol=2[N]-methyl-salsolinol. Our results suggest that 2[N]-methylated isoquinoline derivatives structurally related to MPTP/MPP(+) are selectively toxic to dopaminergic cells via uptake by the DAT, and therefore may play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Carrier-mediated processes in blood--brain barrier penetration and neural uptake of paraquat

Due to the structural similarity to N-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP(+)), paraquat might induce dopaminergic toxicity in the brain. However, its blood--brain barrier (BBB) penetration has not been well documented. We studied the manner of BBB penetration and neural cell uptake of paraquat using a brain microdialysis technique with HPLC/UV detection in rats. After subcutaneous administration, paraquat appeared dose-dependently in the dialysate. In contrast, MPP(+) could not penetrate the BBB in either control or paraquat pre-treated rats. These data indicated that the penetration of paraquat into the brain would be mediated by a specific carrier process, not resulting from the destruction of BBB function by paraquat itself or a paraquat radical. To examine whether paraquat was carried across the BBB by a certain amino acid transporter, L-valine or L-lysine was pre-administered as a co-substrate. The pre-treatment of L-valine, which is a high affinity substrate for the neutral amino acid transporter, markedly reduced the BBB penetration of paraquat. When paraquat was administered to the striatum through a microdialysis probe, a significant amount of paraquat was detected in the striatal cells after a sequential 180-min washout with Ringer's solution. This uptake was significantly inhibited by a low Na(+) condition, but not by treatment with putrescine, a potent uptake inhibitor of paraquat into lung tissue. These findings indicated that paraquat is possibly taken up into the brain by the neutral amino acid transport system, then transported into striatal, possibly neuronal, cells in a Na(+)-dependent manner.

Dopamine transporter and catechol-O-methyltransferase activities are required for the toxicity of 1-(3',4'-dihydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

1-(3',4'-Dihydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline [3', 4'DHBnTIQ (1)] is an endogenous parkinsonism-inducing substance. It is taken up into dopaminergic neurons via the dopamine transporter, inhibits mitochondrial respiration, and induces parkinsonism in mice. We synthesized four derivatives [aromatized, N-methylated, N-methyl-aromatized, and O-methylated (2-5, respectively)] and studied the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of 1-5, as well as the metabolism of 1. All except the O-methyl derivative (5) were specifically taken up by the dopamine transporter, but 1 was taken up most efficiently. Relative to 1, oxidation reduced v(max), N-methylation markedly increased K(m), and O-methylation eliminated the uptake activity. The cytotoxicity of 1-5 was examined in a mesencephalic cell primary culture. Compound 1 reduced cell viability by nearly 80% at 100 microM, but the other compounds had little or no effect on cell viability. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that 1 was O-methylated by soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Aromatization and N-methylation of 1 were not observed. We found that dopamine transporter inhibitors and a COMT inhibitor each blocked the cytotoxicity of 1, indicating that uptake and O-methylation are both necessary for neurotoxicity. Thus, we consider that 1 is taken up into dopaminergic neurons via the dopamine transporter and then converted by COMT to 5, which has cytotoxic and parkinsonism-inducing activities.

Inhibition of dopamine receptors by endogenous amines: binding to striatal receptors and pharmacological effects on locomotor activity

Endogenous amine 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1BnTIQ) derivatives are synthesized. and their activity for dopaminergic systems are evaluated in vitro and in vivo by receptor binding assay and pharmacological tests. It is proposed that 1BnTIQ derivatives can act as endogenous dopaminergic antagonists.

Increased beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex in Parkinson's disease

Enzymatic beta-carboline N-methyltransferase activities generate N-methylated beta-carbolinium cations that are analogs of the parkinsonian-producing neurotoxin MPP+. We measured beta-carboline-2N-methyltransferase and beta-carboline-9N-methyltransferase activities in the supernatant and particulate fractions from postmortem human brains. These N-methyltransferase activities were assessed in the substantia nigra, putamen, and frontal cortex from control and Parkinson's disease cases. No significant differences were measured in any brain region in particulate and supernatant fraction beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity or particulate fraction beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity. Likewise, supernatant fraction beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity was similar in the putamen and substantia nigra from Parkinson's disease and control cases. Unexpectedly, supernatant fraction beta-carboline 9N-methyltransferase activity was increased fourfold in Parkinson's disease frontal cortex (P < 0.05), suggesting that beta-carboline N-methylation may play a role in Parkinson's disease.

Regional distribution of parkinsonism-preventing endogenous tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and an endogenous parkinsonism-preventing substance-synthesizing enzyme in monkey brain

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) and 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1BnTIQ), which exist in the brain of several mammalian species, are parkinsonism-inducing substances, and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), which is enzymatically synthesized in rat brain, is a parkinsonism-preventing substance. In this study, we examined the regional distribution of contents of TIQ, 1MeTIQ, and 1BnTIQ, and activity of 1MeTIQ-synthesizing enzyme in monkey brain. The TIQ and 1BnTIQ contents in cerebrum and substantia nigra, and the 1MeTIQ contents in striatum and substantia nigra were higher than those in other brain regions, and 1MeTIQ-synthetic activity was high in cerebrum and thalamus. We speculate that 1MeTIQ-synthesizing enzyme may play an important role in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Biosynthesis of a parkinsonism-preventing substance, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, is inhibited by parkinsonism-inducing compounds in rat brain mitochondrial fraction

1-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), an endogenous parkinsonism-preventing substance, is enzymatically synthesized from 2-phenylethylamine (PEA) and pyruvate. We investigated whether exogenous or endogenous parkinsonism-inducing compounds inhibit 1 MeTIQ biosynthesis in a crude enzyme fraction from rat brain. Several parkinsonism-inducing compounds, including tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 1 -methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), beta-carboline and haloperidol, inhibited 1MeTIQ biosynthesis. The IC50 value of MPP+ for this enzyme is about 10 microM, lower than that for inhibition of mitochondrial complex I. We propose that the parkinsonism-inducing action of these compounds is at least partly due to inhibition of 1MeTIQ biosynthesis.