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Appiani R, Viscarra F, Biggin PC, Bermudez I, Giraudo A, Pallavicini M, Bolchi C. Selective Potentiation of the (α4) 3(β2) 2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Response by NS9283 Analogues. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1501-1514. [PMID: 38511291 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00797] [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] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
NS9283, 3-(3-pyridyl)-5-(3-cyanophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole, is a selective positive allosteric modulator of (α4)3(β2)2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It has good subtype selective therapeutic potential afforded by its specific binding to the unique α4-α4 subunit interface present in the (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR. However, there is currently a lack of structure activity relationship (SAR) studies aimed at developing a class of congeners endowed with the same profile of activity that can help consolidate the druggability of the α4-α4 subunit interface. In this study, new NS9283 analogues were designed, synthesized, and characterized for their ability to selectively potentiate the ACh activity at heterologous (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs vs nAChR subtypes (α4)2(β2)3, α5α4β2, and α7. With few exceptions, all the NS9283 analogues exerted positive modulation of the (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR ACh-evoked responses. Above all, those modified at the 3-cyanophenyl moiety by replacement with 3-nitrophenyl (4), 4-cyanophenyl (10), and N-formyl-4-piperidinyl (20) showed the same efficacy as NS9283, although with lower potency. Molecular dynamics simulations of NS9283 and some selected analogues highlighted consistency between potentiation activity and pose of the ligand inside the α4-α4 site with the main interaction being with the complementary (-) side and induction of a significant conformational change of the Trp156 residue in the principal (+) side.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Appiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
| | - Franco Viscarra
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Philip C Biggin
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Giraudo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
| | - Marco Pallavicini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bolchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano I-20133, Italy
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Matera C, Papotto C, Dallanoce C, De Amici M. Advances in small molecule selective ligands for heteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106813. [PMID: 37302724 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The study of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) has significantly progressed in the last decade, due to a) the improved techniques available for structural studies; b) the identification of ligands interacting at orthosteric and allosteric recognition sites on the nAChR proteins, able to tune channel conformational states; c) the better functional characterization of receptor subtypes/subunits and their therapeutic potential; d) the availability of novel pharmacological agents able to activate or block nicotinic-mediated cholinergic responses with subtype or stoichiometry selectivity. The copious literature on nAChRs is related to the pharmacological profile of new, promising subtype selective derivatives as well as the encouraging preclinical and early clinical evaluation of known ligands. However, recently approved therapeutic derivatives are still missing, and examples of ligands discontinued in advanced CNS clinical trials include drug candidates acting at both neuronal homomeric and heteromeric receptors. In this review, we have selected heteromeric nAChRs as the target and comment on literature reports of the past five years dealing with the discovery of new small molecule ligands or the advanced pharmacological/preclinical investigation of more promising compounds. The results obtained with bifunctional nicotinic ligands and a light-activated ligand as well as the applications of promising radiopharmaceuticals for heteromeric subtypes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Matera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section "Pietro Pratesi", University of Milan, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Papotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section "Pietro Pratesi", University of Milan, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Clelia Dallanoce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section "Pietro Pratesi", University of Milan, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco De Amici
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section "Pietro Pratesi", University of Milan, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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3
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Kamens HM, Flarend G, Horton WJ. The role of nicotinic receptors in alcohol consumption. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106705. [PMID: 36813094 PMCID: PMC10083870 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106705] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of alcohol causes significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined by the excessive use of this drug despite a negative impact on the individual's life. While there are currently medications available to treat AUD, they have limited efficacy and several side effects. As such, it is essential to continue to look for novel therapeutics. One target for novel therapeutics is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we systematically review the literature on the involvement of nAChRs in alcohol consumption. Data from both genetic and pharmacology studies provide evidence that nAChRs modulate alcohol intake. Interestingly, pharmacological modulation of all nAChR subtypes examined can decrease alcohol consumption. The reviewed literature demonstrates that nAChRs should continue to be investigated as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Geneva Flarend
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - William J Horton
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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Appiani R, Pallavicini M, Hamouda AK, Bolchi C. Pyrrolidinyl benzofurans and benzodioxanes: Selective α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands with different activity profiles at the two receptor stoichiometries. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 65:128701. [PMID: 35346843 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128701] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A series of racemic benzofurans bearing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl residue at C(2) or C(3) has been synthesized and tested for affinity at the α4β2 and α3β4 nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). As previously reported for the benzodioxane based analogues, hydroxylation at proper position of benzene ring results in high α4β2 nAChR affinity and α4β2 vs. α3β4 nAChR selectivity. 7-Hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl-1,4-benzodioxane (2) and its 7- and 5-amino benzodioxane analogues 3 and 4, which are all α4β2 nAChR partial agonists, and 2-(N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-6-hydroxybenzofuran (12) were selected for functional characterization at the two α4β2 stoichiometries, the high sensitivity (α4)2(β2)3 and the low sensitivity (α4)3(β2)2. The benzene pattern substitution, which had previously been found to control α4β2 partial agonist activity and α4β2 vs. α3β4 selectivity, proved to be also involved in stoichiometry-selectivity. The 7-hydroxybenzodioxane derivative 2 selectively activates (α4)2(β2)3 nAChR, which cannot be activated by its 5-amino analogue 4. A marginal structural modification, not altering the base pyrrolidinyl benzodioxane scaffold, resulted in opposite activity profiles at the two α4β2 nAChR isoforms providing an interesting novel case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Appiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Marco Pallavicini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Ayman K Hamouda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Outcomes, Fisch College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA.
| | - Cristiano Bolchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 25, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
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Wills L, Ables JL, Braunscheidel KM, Caligiuri SPB, Elayouby KS, Fillinger C, Ishikawa M, Moen JK, Kenny PJ. Neurobiological Mechanisms of Nicotine Reward and Aversion. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:271-310. [PMID: 35017179 PMCID: PMC11060337 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate the rewarding actions of nicotine contained in tobacco that establish and maintain the smoking habit. nAChRs also regulate the aversive properties of nicotine, sensitivity to which decreases tobacco use and protects against tobacco use disorder. These opposing behavioral actions of nicotine reflect nAChR expression in brain reward and aversion circuits. nAChRs containing α4 and β2 subunits are responsible for the high-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain and are densely expressed by reward-relevant neurons, most notably dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area. High-affinity nAChRs can incorporate additional subunits, including β3, α6, or α5 subunits, with the resulting nAChR subtypes playing discrete and dissociable roles in the stimulatory actions of nicotine on brain dopamine transmission. nAChRs in brain dopamine circuits also participate in aversive reactions to nicotine and the negative affective state experienced during nicotine withdrawal. nAChRs containing α3 and β4 subunits are responsible for the low-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain and are enriched in brain sites involved in aversion, including the medial habenula, interpeduncular nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract, brain sites in which α5 nAChR subunits are also expressed. These aversion-related brain sites regulate nicotine avoidance behaviors, and genetic variation that modifies the function of nAChRs in these sites increases vulnerability to tobacco dependence and smoking-related diseases. Here, we review the molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms through which nicotine elicits reward and aversion and the adaptations in these processes that drive the development of nicotine dependence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Tobacco use disorder in the form of habitual cigarette smoking or regular use of other tobacco-related products is a major cause of death and disease worldwide. This article reviews the actions of nicotine in the brain that contribute to tobacco use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wills
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Jessica L Ables
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Kevin M Braunscheidel
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Stephanie P B Caligiuri
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Karim S Elayouby
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Clementine Fillinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Masago Ishikawa
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Janna K Moen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
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Zhang Y, Wang K, Yu Z. Drug Development in Channelopathies: Allosteric Modulation of Ligand-Gated and Voltage-Gated Ion Channels. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15258-15278. [PMID: 33253554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels have been characterized as promising drug targets for treatment of numerous human diseases. Functions of ion channels can be fine-tuned by allosteric modulators, which interact with channels and modulate their activities by binding to sites spatially discrete from those of orthosteric ligands. Positive and negative allosteric modulators have presented a plethora of potential therapeutic advantages over traditionally orthosteric agonists and antagonists in terms of selectivity and safety. This thematic review highlights the discovery of representative allosteric modulators for ligand-gated and voltage-gated ion channels, discussing in particular their identifications, locations, and therapeutic uses in the treatment of a range of channelopathies. Additionally, structures and functions of selected ion channels are briefly described to aid in the rational design of channel modulators. Overall, allosteric modulation represents an innovative targeting approach, and the corresponding modulators provide an abundant but challenging landscape for novel therapeutics targeting ligand-gated and voltage-gated ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Zhiyi Yu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
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