Distinctions between dopamine transporter antagonists could be just around the bend

Electrophysiological Actions of Synthetic Cathinones on Monoamine Transporters

Products containing psychoactive synthetic cathinones, such as mephedrone and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) are prevalent in our society. Synthetic cathinones are structurally similar to methamphetamine, and numerous synthetics have biological activity at dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters. Importantly, monoamine transporters co-transport sodium ions along with their substrate, and movement of substrates and ions through the transporter can generate measurable ionic currents. Here we review how electrophysiological information has enabled us to determine how synthetic cathinones affect transporter-mediated currents in cells that express these transporters. Specifically, drugs that act as transporter substrates induce inward depolarizing currents when cells are held near their resting membrane potential, whereas drugs that act as transporter blockers induce apparent outward currents by blocking an inherent inward leak current. We have employed the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique in Xenopus laevis oocytes overexpressing monoamine transporters to determine whether synthetic cathinones found in the so-called bath salts products behave as blockers or substrates. We also examined the structure-activity relationships for synthetic cathinone analogs related to the widely abused compound MDPV, a common constituent in "bath salts" possessing potent actions at the dopamine transporter.

Antagonist-induced conformational changes in dopamine transporter extracellular loop two involve residues in a potential salt bridge

Ligand-induced changes in the conformation of extracellular loop (EL) 2 in the rat (r) dopamine transporter (DAT) were examined using limited proteolysis with endoproteinase Asp-N and detection of cleavage products by epitope-specific immunoblotting. The principle N-terminal fragment produced by Asp-N was a 19kDa peptide likely derived by proteolysis of EL2 residue D174, which is present just past the extracellular end of TM3. Production of this fragment was significantly decreased by binding of cocaine and other uptake blockers, but was not affected by substrates or Zn(2+), indicating the presence of a conformational change at D174 that may be related to the mechanism of transport inhibition. DA transport activity and cocaine analog binding were decreased by Asp-N treatment, suggesting a requirement for EL2 integrity in these DAT functions. In a previous study we demonstrated that ligand-induced protease resistance also occurred at R218 on the C-terminal side of rDAT EL2. Here using substituted cysteine accessibility analysis of human (h) DAT we confirm cocaine-induced alterations in reactivity of the homologous R219 and identify conformational sensitivity of V221. Focused molecular modeling of D174 and R218 based on currently available Aquifex aeolicus leucine transporter crystal structures places these residues within 2.9Å of one another, suggesting their proximity as a structural basis for their similar conformational sensitivities and indicating their potential to form a salt bridge. These findings extend our understanding of DAT EL2 and its role in transport and binding functions.

SLC6 transporters: structure, function, regulation, disease association and therapeutics

The SLC6 family of secondary active transporters are integral membrane solute carrier proteins characterized by the Na(+)-dependent translocation of small amino acid or amino acid-like substrates. SLC6 transporters, which include the serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA, taurine, creatine, as well as amino acid transporters, are associated with a number of human diseases and disorders making this family a critical target for therapeutic development. In addition, several members of this family are directly involved in the action of drugs of abuse such as cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy. Recent advances providing structural insight into this family have vastly accelerated our ability to study these proteins and their involvement in complex biological processes.

Further structural optimization of cis-(6-benzhydryl-piperidin-3-yl)-benzylamine and 1,4-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives by introducing an exocyclic hydroxyl group: interaction with dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters

Our earlier effort to develop constrained analogues of flexible piperidine derivatives for monoamine transporters led to the development of a series of 3,6-disubstituted piperidine derivatives, and a series of 4,8-disubstituted 1,4-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives. In further structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on these constrained derivatives, several novel analogues were developed where an exocyclic hydroxyl group was introduced on the N-alkyl-aryl side chain. All synthesized derivatives were tested for their affinities for the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT), and norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the brain by measuring their potency in inhibiting the uptake of [(3)H]DA, [(3)H]5-HT, and [(3)H]NE, respectively. Compounds were also tested for their binding potency at the DAT by their ability to inhibit binding of [(3)H]WIN 35,428. The results indicated that position of the hydroxyl group on the N-alkyl side chain is important along with the length of the side chain. In general, hydroxyl derivatives derived from more constrained bicyclic diamines exhibited greater selectivity for interaction with DAT compared to the corresponding 3,6-disubstituted diamines. In the current series of molecules, compound 11b with N-propyl side chain with the hydroxyl group attached in the benzylic position was the most potent and selective for DAT (K(i)=8.63nM; SERT/DAT=172 and NET/DAT=48.4).