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Marty V, Butler JJ, Coutens B, Chargui O, Chagraoui A, Guiard BP, De Deurwaerdère P, Cavaillé J. Deleting Snord115 genes in mice remodels monoaminergic systems activity in the brain toward cortico-subcortical imbalances. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:244-261. [PMID: 35951020 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal-specific SNORD115 has gathered interest because its deficiency may contribute to the pathophysiology of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), possibly by altering post-transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding the serotonin (HTR2C) receptor. Yet, Snord115-KO mice do not resume the main symptoms of PWS, and only subtle-altered A-to-I RNA editing of Htr2c mRNAs was uncovered. Because HTR2C signaling fine-tunes the activity of monoaminergic neurons, we addressed the hypothesis that lack of Snord115 alters monoaminergic systems. We first showed that Snord115 was expressed in both monoaminergic and non-monoaminergic cells of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) harboring cell bodies of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, respectively. Measuring the tissue level of monoamines and metabolites, we found very few differences except that the content of homovanillic acid-a metabolite of dopamine-was decreased in the orbitofrontal and prefrontal cortex of Snord115-KO mice. The latter effects were, however, associated with a few changes in monoamine tissue content connectivity across the 12 sampled brain regions. Using in vivo single-cell extracellular recordings, we reported that the firing rate of VTA dopaminergic neurons and DRN serotonergic neurons was significantly increased in Snord115-KO mice. These neural circuit dysfunctions were not, however, associated with apparent defects in binge eating, conditioned place preference to cocaine, cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion or compulsive behavior. Altogether, our multiscale study shows that the absence of Snord115 impacts central monoaminergic circuits to an extent that does not elicit gross behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Marty
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) unit, Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS - University of Toulouse; CNRS, UPS, 31 062 Toulouse, France
| | - Jasmine J Butler
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), CNRS-UMR 5287, 146 rue Léo Saignat, B.P.281, F-33000 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Basile Coutens
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS - University of Toulouse; CNRS, UPS, 31 062 Toulouse, France
| | - Oumaima Chargui
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), CNRS-UMR 5287, 146 rue Léo Saignat, B.P.281, F-33000 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Abdeslam Chagraoui
- Différenciation et Communication Neuroendocrine, Endocrine et Germinale (NorDic), INSERM U1239, IRIB, CHU Rouen, 76 000 Rouen, France.,Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, 76 000 Rouen, France
| | - Bruno P Guiard
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS - University of Toulouse; CNRS, UPS, 31 062 Toulouse, France
| | - Philippe De Deurwaerdère
- Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), CNRS-UMR 5287, 146 rue Léo Saignat, B.P.281, F-33000 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Jérôme Cavaillé
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) unit, Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS - University of Toulouse; CNRS, UPS, 31 062 Toulouse, France
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Tammimäki A, Aonurm-Helm A, Männistö PT. Delayed O-methylation of l-DOPA in MB-COMT-deficient mice after oral administration of l-DOPA and carbidopa. Xenobiotica 2018; 48:325-331. [PMID: 28375049 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2017.1315781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
1. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the O-methylation of l-DOPA, dopamine, and other catechols. The enzyme is expressed in two isoforms: soluble (S-COMT), which resides in the cytoplasm, and membrane-bound (MB-COMT), which is anchored to intracellular membranes. 2. To obtain specific information on the functions of COMT isoforms, we studied how a complete MB-COMT deficiency affects the total COMT activity in the body, peripheral l-DOPA levels, and metabolism after l-DOPA (10 mg kg-1) plus carbidopa (30 mg kg-1) administration by gastric tube in wild-type (WT) and MB-COMT-deficient mice. l-DOPA and 3-O-methyl-l-DOPA (3-OMD) levels were assayed in plasma, duodenum, and liver. 3. We showed that the selective lack of MB-COMT did not alter the total COMT activity, COMT enzyme kinetics, l-DOPA levels, or the total O-methylation of l-DOPA but delayed production of 3-OMD in plasma and peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Tammimäki
- a Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy , Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , Finland and
| | - Anu Aonurm-Helm
- b Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Pekka T Männistö
- a Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy , Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , Finland and
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Hoon M, Petzer JP, Viljoen F, Petzer A. The Design and Evaluation of an l-Dopa-Lazabemide Prodrug for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Molecules 2017; 22:E2076. [PMID: 29186917 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
l-Dopa, the metabolic precursor of dopamine, is the treatment of choice for the symptomatic relief of the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease. The oral bioavailability of l-dopa, however, is only about 10% to 30%, and less than 1% of the oral dose is estimated to reach the brain unchanged. l-Dopa’s physicochemical properties are responsible for its poor bioavailability, short half-life and the wide range of inter- and intrapatient variations of plasma levels. An l-dopa–lazabemide prodrug is proposed to overcome the problems associated with l-dopa absorption. Lazabemide is a monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B inhibitor, a class of compounds that slows the depletion of dopamine stores in Parkinson’s disease and elevates dopamine levels produced by exogenously administered l-dopa. l-Dopa was linked at the carboxylate with the primary aminyl functional group of lazabemide via an amide, a strategy which is anticipated to protect l-dopa against peripheral decarboxylation and possibly also enhance the membrane permeability of the prodrug. Selected physicochemical and biochemical properties of the prodrug were determined and included lipophilicity (logD), solubility, passive diffusion permeability, pKa, chemical and metabolic stability as well as cytotoxicity. Although oral and i.p. treatment of mice with the prodrug did not result in enhanced striatal dopamine levels, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels were significantly depressed compared to saline, l-dopa and carbidopa/l-dopa treatment. Based on the results, further preclinical evaluation of the l-dopa–lazabemide prodrug should be undertaken with the aim of discovering prodrugs that may be advanced to the clinical stages of development.
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Semenova S, Rozov S, Panula P. Distribution, properties, and inhibitor sensitivity of zebrafish catechol-O-methyl transferases (COMT). Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 145:147-157. [PMID: 28844929 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT; EC 2.1.1.6) is an enzyme with multiple functions in vertebrates. COMT methylates and thus inactivates catecholamine neurotransmitters and metabolizes xenobiotic catechols. Gene polymorphism rs4680 that influences the enzymatic activity of COMT affects cognition and behavior in humans. The zebrafish is widely used as an experimental animal in many areas of biomedical research, but most aspects of COMT function in this species have remained uncharacterized. We hypothesized that both comt genes play essential roles in zebrafish. Both comt-a and comt-b were widely expressed in zebrafish tissues, but their relative abundance varied considerably. Homogenates of zebrafish organs, including the brain, showed enzymatic COMT activity that was the highest in the liver and kidney. Treatment of larval zebrafish with the COMT inhibitor Ro41-0960 shifted the balance of catecholamine metabolic pathways towards increased oxidative metabolism. Whole-body concentrations of dioxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), a product of dopamine oxidation, were increased in the inhibitor-treated larvae, although the dopamine levels were unchanged. Thus, COMT is likely to participate in the processing of catecholamine neurotransmitters in the zebrafish, but the inhibition of COMT in larval fish is compensated efficiently and does not have pronounced effects on dopamine levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Semenova
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stanislav Rozov
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pertti Panula
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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De Deurwaerdère P, Di Giovanni G, Millan MJ. Expanding the repertoire of L-DOPA's actions: A comprehensive review of its functional neurochemistry. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 151:57-100. [PMID: 27389773 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Though a multi-facetted disorder, Parkinson's disease is prototypically characterized by neurodegeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to a severe disruption of motor function. Accordingly, L-DOPA, the metabolic precursor of dopamine (DA), is well-established as a treatment for the motor deficits of Parkinson's disease despite long-term complications such as dyskinesia and psychiatric side-effects. Paradoxically, however, despite the traditional assumption that L-DOPA is transformed in residual striatal dopaminergic neurons into DA, the mechanism of action of L-DOPA is neither simple nor entirely clear. Herein, focussing on its influence upon extracellular DA and other neuromodulators in intact animals and experimental models of Parkinson's disease, we highlight effects other than striatal generation of DA in the functional profile of L-DOPA. While not excluding a minor role for glial cells, L-DOPA is principally transformed into DA in neurons yet, interestingly, with a more important role for serotonergic than dopaminergic projections. Moreover, in addition to the striatum, L-DOPA evokes marked increases in extracellular DA in frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, the subthalamic nucleus and additional extra-striatal regions. In considering its functional profile, it is also important to bear in mind the marked (probably indirect) influence of L-DOPA upon cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons in the basal ganglia and/or cortex, while anomalous serotonergic transmission is incriminated in the emergence of L-DOPA elicited dyskinesia and psychosis. Finally, L-DOPA may exert intrinsic receptor-mediated actions independently of DA neurotransmission and can be processed into bioactive metabolites. In conclusion, L-DOPA exerts a surprisingly complex pattern of neurochemical effects of much greater scope that mere striatal transformation into DA in spared dopaminergic neurons. Their further experimental and clinical clarification should help improve both L-DOPA-based and novel strategies for controlling the motor and other symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe De Deurwaerdère
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR CNRS 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Department of Physiology & Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Malta
| | - Mark J Millan
- Institut de Recherche Servier, Pole for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, 78290 Croissy/Seine,Paris, France
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Meloto CB, Segall SK, Smith S, Parisien M, Shabalina SA, Rizzatti-Barbosa CM, Gauthier J, Tsao D, Convertino M, Piltonen MH, Slade GD, Fillingim RB, Greenspan JD, Ohrbach R, Knott C, Maixner W, Zaykin D, Dokholyan NV, Reenilä I, Männistö PT, Diatchenko L. COMT gene locus: new functional variants. Pain 2015; 156:2072-83. [PMID: 26207649 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) metabolizes catecholaminergic neurotransmitters. Numerous studies have linked COMT to pivotal brain functions such as mood, cognition, response to stress, and pain. Both nociception and risk of clinical pain have been associated with COMT genetic variants, and this association was shown to be mediated through adrenergic pathways. Here, we show that association studies between COMT polymorphic markers and pain phenotypes in 2 independent cohorts identified a functional marker, rs165774, situated in the 3' untranslated region of a newfound splice variant, (a)-COMT. Sequence comparisons showed that the (a)-COMT transcript is highly conserved in primates, and deep sequencing data demonstrated that (a)-COMT is expressed across several human tissues, including the brain. In silico analyses showed that the (a)-COMT enzyme features a distinct C-terminus structure, capable of stabilizing substrates in its active site. In vitro experiments demonstrated not only that (a)-COMT is catalytically active but also that it displays unique substrate specificity, exhibiting enzymatic activity with dopamine but not epinephrine. They also established that the pain-protective A allele of rs165774 coincides with lower COMT activity, suggesting contribution to decreased pain sensitivity through increased dopaminergic rather than decreased adrenergic tone, characteristic of reference isoforms. Our results provide evidence for an essential role of the (a)-COMT isoform in nociceptive signaling and suggest that genetic variations in (a)-COMT isoforms may contribute to individual variability in pain phenotypes.
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Santos FM, Pedro AQ, Soares RF, Martins R, Bonifácio MJ, Queiroz JA, Passarinha LA. Performance of hydrophobic interaction ligands for human membrane-bound catechol-O
-methyltransferase purification. J Sep Sci 2013; 36:1693-702. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201300010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Milhano Santos
- CICS-UBI- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde; Universidade da Beira Interior; Covilhã Portugal
| | - Augusto Quaresma Pedro
- CICS-UBI- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde; Universidade da Beira Interior; Covilhã Portugal
| | - Rui Filipe Soares
- CICS-UBI- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde; Universidade da Beira Interior; Covilhã Portugal
| | - Rita Martins
- CICS-UBI- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde; Universidade da Beira Interior; Covilhã Portugal
| | - Maria João Bonifácio
- Departamento de Investigação e Desenvolvimento; BIAL; S. Mamede do Coronado Portugal
| | - João António Queiroz
- CICS-UBI- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde; Universidade da Beira Interior; Covilhã Portugal
| | - Luís António Passarinha
- CICS-UBI- Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde; Universidade da Beira Interior; Covilhã Portugal
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Schendzielorz N, Oinas JP, Myöhänen TT, Reenilä I, Raasmaja A, Männistö PT. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) protein expression and activity after dopaminergic and noradrenergic lesions of the rat brain. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61392. [PMID: 23613844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in presynaptic neurons remains controversial. This study utilized dopaminergic and noradrenergic toxins to assess the presence of COMT in the presynaptic neurons originating from the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area or locus coeruleus. Destruction of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons was assessed by measuring the dopamine and noradrenaline content in the projection areas of these neurons. Additionally, COMT protein expression and activity were examined in several projection areas to determine whether there are any changes in COMT values. Colocalization studies were done to identify COMT-containing postsynaptic neurons. Despite successful lesioning of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons, no changes in COMT protein expression or activity could be noted. These results strongly suggest that COMT is not present in presynaptic dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons. There was a high colocalization of COMT with the GABAergic marker of short neurons both in the striatum and cortex but only a weak, if any, with the cholinergic marker in the cortex.
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Wang L, Murphy NP, Stengel A, Goebel-Stengel M, St Pierre D, Maidment NT, Taché Y. Ghrelin prevents levodopa-induced inhibition of gastric emptying and increases circulating levodopa in fasted rats. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2012; 24:e235-45. [PMID: 22443313 PMCID: PMC3345891 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2012.01904.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Levodopa (L-dopa) is the most commonly used treatment for alleviating symptoms of Parkinson's disease. However, L-dopa delays gastric emptying, which dampens its absorption. We investigated whether ghrelin prevents L-dopa action on gastric emptying and enhances circulating L-dopa in rats. METHODS Gastric emptying of non-nutrient methylcellulose/phenol red viscous solution was determined in fasted rats treated with orogastric or intraperitoneal (i.p.) L-dopa, or intravenous (i.v.) ghrelin 10 min before orogastric L-dopa. Plasma L-dopa and dopamine levels were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Plasma acyl ghrelin levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Fos expression in the brain was immunostained after i.v. ghrelin (30 μg kg(-1)) 10 min before i.p. L-dopa. KEY RESULTS Levodopa (5 and 15 mg kg(-1)) decreased significantly gastric emptying by 32% and 62%, respectively, when administered orally, and by 91% and 83% when injected i.p. Ghrelin (30 or 100 μg kg(-1), i.v.) completely prevented L-dopa's (15 mg kg(-1), orogastrically) inhibitory action on gastric emptying and enhanced plasma L-dopa and dopamine levels compared with vehicle 15 min after orogastric L-dopa. Levodopa (5 mg kg(-1)) did not modify plasma acyl ghrelin levels at 30 min, 1, and 2 h after i.v. injection. Levodopa (15 mg kg(-1), i.p.) induced Fos in brain autonomic centers, which was not modified by i.v. ghrelin. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Ghrelin counteracts L-dopa-induced delayed gastric emptying but not Fos induction in the brain and enhances circulating L-dopa levels. Potential therapeutic benefits of ghrelin agonists in Parkinson's disease patients treated with L-dopa remain to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Wang
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Center and Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Medicine, Digestive Diseases Division, University of California at Los Angeles and VAGLAHS, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Niall P. Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andreas Stengel
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Center and Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Medicine, Digestive Diseases Division, University of California at Los Angeles and VAGLAHS, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Miriam Goebel-Stengel
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Center and Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Medicine, Digestive Diseases Division, University of California at Los Angeles and VAGLAHS, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Nigel T. Maidment
- Department of Psychology, Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yvette Taché
- CURE/Digestive Diseases Center and Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Medicine, Digestive Diseases Division, University of California at Los Angeles and VAGLAHS, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Robinson RG, Smith SM, Wolkenberg SE, Kandebo M, Yao L, Gibson CR, Harrison ST, Polsky-Fisher S, Barrow JC, Manley PJ, Mulhearn JJ, Nanda KK, Schubert JW, Trotter BW, Zhao Z, Sanders JM, Smith RF, McLoughlin D, Sharma S, Hall DL, Walker TL, Kershner JL, Bhandari N, Hutson PH, Sachs NA. Characterization of non-nitrocatechol pan and isoform specific catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors and substrates. ACS Chem Neurosci 2012; 3:129-40. [PMID: 22860182 DOI: 10.1021/cn200109w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced dopamine neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex has been implicated as causal for the negative symptoms and cognitive deficit associated with schizophrenia; thus, a compound which selectively enhances dopamine neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex may have therapeutic potential. Inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6) offers a unique advantage, since this enzyme is the primary mechanism for the elimination of dopamine in cortical areas. Since membrane bound COMT (MB-COMT) is the predominant isoform in human brain, a high throughput screen (HTS) to identify novel MB-COMT specific inhibitors was completed. Subsequent optimization led to the identification of novel, non-nitrocatechol COMT inhibitors, some of which interact specifically with MB-COMT. Compounds were characterized for in vitro efficacy versus human and rat MB and soluble (S)-COMT. Select compounds were administered to male Wistar rats, and ex vivo COMT activity, compound levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and CSF dopamine metabolite levels were determined as measures of preclinical efficacy. Finally, novel non-nitrocatechol COMT inhibitors displayed less potent uncoupling of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) compared to tolcapone as well as nonhepatotoxic entacapone, thus mitigating the risk of hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald G. Robinson
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sean M. Smith
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Scott E. Wolkenberg
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Monika Kandebo
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Lihang Yao
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Christopher R. Gibson
- Preclinical Drug Metabolism, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Scott T. Harrison
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Stacey Polsky-Fisher
- Preclinical Drug Metabolism, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - James C. Barrow
- Department of Pharmacology and
Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Peter J. Manley
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - James J. Mulhearn
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Kausik K. Nanda
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jeffrey W. Schubert
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - B. Wesley Trotter
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Zhijian Zhao
- Medicinal Chemistry Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, or Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - John M. Sanders
- Chemistry, Modeling, and Informatics, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Robert F. Smith
- Global Structural Biology, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Debra McLoughlin
- Preclinical Drug Metabolism, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sujata Sharma
- Global Structural Biology, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Dawn L. Hall
- Global Structural Biology, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Tiffany L. Walker
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Jennifer L. Kershner
- Molecular and Investigative Toxicology, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Neetesh Bhandari
- Molecular and Investigative Toxicology, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Pete H. Hutson
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Nancy A. Sachs
- Psychiatric Research, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, Pennsylvania, United States
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Kääriäinen TM, Käenmäki M, Forsberg MM, Oinas N, Tammimäki A, Männistö PT. Unpredictable Rotational Responses to L-dopa in the Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease: the Role of L-dopa Pharmacokinetics and Striatal Dopamine Depletion. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2011; 110:162-70. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2011.00782.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Schendzielorz N, Männistö PT, Karayiorgou M, Gogos JA, Raasmaja A. A transient inhibition and permanent lack of catechol-O-methyltransferase have minor effects on feeding pattern of female rodents. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2011; 110:307-13. [PMID: 21851556 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2011.00783.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal feeding behaviours have long been linked to disruptions in brain dopaminergic activity. Dopamine is metabolized, amongst others, by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Normally, COMT only plays a subordinate role in dopamine metabolism. However, changes in COMT activity, especially in the prefrontal cortex, become more important during events that evoke dopamine release. The current study investigated the effect of acute COMT inhibition on feeding in Wistar rats and C57BL/6 mice using a selective, brain penetrating COMT inhibitor (OR-1139). Furthermore, the effect of a long-term lack of COMT on feeding behaviour was studied in COMT-deficient (COMT -/-) mice. Apart from following the gross feeding behaviour of fasted rats and mice, the first 4 hr of re-feeding were recorded with a video camera to allow a more detailed analysis of feeding microstructure. In the acute study, rats and mice received a single injection of OR-1139 (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg), just before the experiment. We found that rats and mice receiving OR-1139 had fewer very short meals but more long meals than the controls. Treated mice even ate more frequently than the controls, but other feeding parameters remained unchanged. Conversely, COMT -/- mice displayed an increased latency to initiate the first meal and spent less total time eating than wild-type mice. In conclusion, although decreased/lack of COMT activity did not robustly alter feeding behaviour of female rodents, we observed some alterations in the microstructure of feeding. However, these minor changes were highly dependent on the extent and fashion in which COMT was manipulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Schendzielorz
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Tammimäki A, Käenmäki M, Kambur O, Kulesskaya N, Keisala T, Karvonen E, García-Horsman JA, Rauvala H, Männistö PT. Effect of S-COMT deficiency on behavior and extracellular brain dopamine concentrations in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 211:389-401. [PMID: 20617305 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1944-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has soluble (S-COMT) and membrane bound (MB-COMT) isoforms. Our aims were to assess the behavioral phenotype of S-COMT mutant mice and to clarify the role of MB-COMT in dopamine metabolism in different brain areas. METHODS Behavioral phenotype of the S-COMT mutant mice was assessed using a test battery designed to describe anxiety phenotype, spontaneous locomotor activity, sensorymotor gating, social behavior, and pain sensitivity. Microdialysis was used to explore the effect of S-COMT deficiency on extracellular dopamine under an L: -dopa load (carbidopa /L: -dopa 30/10 mg/kg i.p.). RESULTS In behavioral tests, mature adult S-COMT mutants that only possessed MB-COMT exhibited enhanced acoustic startle without alterations in sensorimotor gating. They also showed barbering of vibrissae and nonaggressive social dominance, suggesting a change in their social interactions. In addition, S-COMT deficiency slightly and sex-dependently affected spinal pain reflex and the effect of morphine on hot-plate latency. In microdialysis studies under L: -dopa load, S-COMT mutants of both sexes had higher accumbal dopamine levels, but male S-COMT mutant mice showed paradoxically lower prefrontal cortical dopamine concentrations than wild-type animals. S-COMT deficiency induced the accumulation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in all brain areas, which was accentuated after L: -dopa loading. The lack of S-COMT decreased extracellular homovanillic acid levels. However, after L: -dopa loading, homovanillic acid concentrations in the prefrontal cortex of S-COMT mutants were similar to those of wild-type mice. CONCLUSION A lack of S-COMT has a notable, albeit small, brain-area and sex-dependent effect on the O-methylation of dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the mouse brain. It also induces subtle changes in mouse social interaction behaviors and nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Tammimäki
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Myöhänen TT, Schendzielorz N, Männistö PT. Distribution of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) proteins and enzymatic activities in wild-type and soluble COMT deficient mice. J Neurochem 2010; 113:1632-43. [PMID: 20374420 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06723.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has both soluble (S-COMT) and membrane-bound (MB-COMT) isoforms. A specific COMT antibody was used in immunohistochemical and confocal co-localization studies to explore the distribution of COMT in general in normal mice and MB-COMT in particular, in an S-COMT deficient mouse line. In the peripheral tissues, high COMT protein and activity levels were observed in liver and kidney, whereas in the brain, COMT expression and activity were much lower. MB-COMT was widely distributed throughout all tissues, and overall, the MB-COMT distribution mimicked the distribution of S-COMT. MB-COMT displayed some preference for brain tissue, notably in the hippocampus. MB-COMT related enzymatic activity was also pronounced in the cerebral cortical areas and hypothalamus. MB-COMT, like S-COMT, was found to be an intracellular enzyme but it was not associated with plasma membranes in the brain. Both COMT forms were abundantly found in microglial cells and intestinal macrophages, but also in astroglial cells. COMT was also present in some neuronal cells, like pyramidal neurons, cerebellar Purkinje and granular cells and striatal spiny neurons, but not in major long projection neurons. Finally, it seemed that nuclear COMT is not visible in S-COMT deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo T Myöhänen
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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Abstract
Old and new results show that both catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) forms are found in all mouse tissues, demonstrating that COMT is a ubiquitous enzyme. Some novel findings are obvious when considering differences between old and new distribution data. In addition to the brain, membrane-bound form of COMT (MB-COMT) is found also in most peripheral mouse tissues at about equal amounts as soluble form of COMT (S-COMT), suggesting that their functions do not need to be very different. There are large differences between the species in the relative distribution of S-COMT and MB-COMT. According to the new data, it is evident that even in the animal tissues MB-COMT is not associated with the plasma membranes but with intracellular membranes, and that S-COMT resides not only in the cytoplasm but even in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo T Myöhänen
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Nissinen E, Männistö PT. Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors. International Review of Neurobiology 2010; 95:73-118. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381326-8.00005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Abstract
Entacapone and tolcapone are reversible COMT inhibitors which have been approved for clinical use in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Nebicapone is a third COMT inhibitor which has been studied in humans. COMT inhibitors are used in combination with levodopa and a dopa decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitor. Each of them has problems either in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, or in safety. All three inhibitors have short elimination half-lives, about 2-3h. Tolcapone is longer acting and more potent COMT inhibitor than entacapone; nebicapone lies in between. However, none of the present inhibitors cause a complete peripheral COMT inhibition. Tolcapone and nebicapone have increased more levodopa AUC than entacapone which is reflected also in their clinical efficacy. The most common adverse event with COMT inhibitors is dyskinesia which is usually managed by decreasing levodopa dose. The greatest problem with tolcapone and probably also with nebicapone is their liver toxicity which is not seen with entacapone. Tolcapone causes severe diarrhea more often than entacapone. Though the present COMT inhibitors have improved significantly the treatment of advanced PD patients, they still have several problems and weaknesses leaving room for developing better COMT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppo Kaakkola
- Department of Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Kambur O, Männistö PT. Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and Pain. Basic Aspects of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and the Clinical Applications of its Inhibitors. Elsevier; 2010. pp. 227-79. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381326-8.00010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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