The interactions of apamin and tetraethylammonium are differentially affected by single mutations in the pore mouth of small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels

in Biochemical Pharmacology (2013), 85

Valine residues in the pore region of SK2 (V366) and SK3 (V520) were replaced by either an alanine or a phenylalanine to evaluate the impact on the interactions with the allosteric blocker apamin. Unlike ... [more ▼]

Valine residues in the pore region of SK2 (V366) and SK3 (V520) were replaced by either an alanine or a phenylalanine to evaluate the impact on the interactions with the allosteric blocker apamin. Unlike TEA which showed high sensitivity to phenylalanine mutated channels, the binding affinity of apamin to the phenylalanine mutants was strongly reduced. In addition, currents from phenylalanine mutants were largely resistant to block by apamin. On the other hand, when the valine residue was replaced by an alanine residue, an increase of the binding affinity and the amount of block by apamin was observed for alanine mutated SK2 channels, but not for mutated SK3 channels. Interestingly, the VA mutation reduced the sensitivity to TEA. In silico data confirmed these experimental results. Therefore, such mutations in the pore region of SK channels show that the three-dimensional structure of the SK tetramers can be disorganized in the outer pore region leading to reduced interaction of apamin with its target. [less ▲]

Physiologie, pharmacologie et modélisation de canaux potassiques : zoom sur les canaux SK

in Medecine Sciences : M/S (2012), 28

Various types of ion channels are involved in the control of neuronal activity. Among them, SK channels represent an interesting therapeutic target. Indeed, they underlie medium duration ... [more ▼]

Various types of ion channels are involved in the control of neuronal activity. Among them, SK channels represent an interesting therapeutic target. Indeed, they underlie medium duration afterhyperpolarizations in many types of neurons, thus inhibiting cell excitability. A thorough knowledge of the physiology of these channels and the discovery of non-peptidic selective modulators able to pass the blood-brain barrier are essential in view of developing future drugs for brain diseases such as those related to a dysfunction of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. [less ▲]

Moderate chemical modifications of WAY-100635 improve the selectivity for 5-HT1A versus D4 receptors

in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2012)

The selectivity for 5-HT1A versus D4 receptors is significantly increased when the basic side chain of WAY-100635 is replaced by a 4-phenylpiperazine (3e) or a 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine moiety ... [more ▼]

The selectivity for 5-HT1A versus D4 receptors is significantly increased when the basic side chain of WAY-100635 is replaced by a 4-phenylpiperazine (3e) or a 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine moiety (3i). The 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine compounds (3i-l) have a higher affinity for 5-HT1A receptors than do the corresponding unsubstituted phenylpiperazine analogues (3e-h). Compounds 3e and 3i appear to be selective for 5-HT1A receptors over other relevant receptors and still behave as neutral antagonists. [less ▲]

Synthesis and radioligand binding studies of bis-(8-isopropylisoquinolinium) derivatives as ligands for apamin-sensitive sites on cloned SK2 and SK3 channels

in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2011), 21(22), 6756-6759

A structure-activity relationship study of N-methyl-laudanosine, a SK channel blocker, has indicated that the 6,7-dimethoxy group could be successfully replaced by a hydrophobic moiety such as an ... [more ▼]

A structure-activity relationship study of N-methyl-laudanosine, a SK channel blocker, has indicated that the 6,7-dimethoxy group could be successfully replaced by a hydrophobic moiety such as an isopropyl substituent in position 8 of the isoquinoline ring. In the present study, bis-(8-isopropyl-isoquinolinium) derivatives (2a-e) were synthesized and tested for their affinity for cloned SK2 and SK3 channels in comparison with their 6,7-dimethoxy analogues (4a-f). Several ligands were investigated, both in flexible (propyl, butyl and pentyl) and rigid (m- or p-xylyl) series, the m-xylyl derivative (2d) having the best profile in terms of affinity and selectivity for SK3/SK2 channels. Molecular studies showed that the optimal conformation of compound 2d fits well with our SK pharmacophore model. [less ▲]

New substituted aryl esters and aryl amides of 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4- benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides as positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors

in MedChemComm (2011), 2

AMPA receptor potentiators belonging to 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides have been found to be of great interest as cognitive enhancers. Previous structure–activity relationships have ... [more ▼]

AMPA receptor potentiators belonging to 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides have been found to be of great interest as cognitive enhancers. Previous structure–activity relationships have demonstrated the importance for activity of the nature of the substituent at the 7-position of the heterocycle. This work aims to explore the impact on AMPA potentiation of the introduction of different aryl and aralkyl ester or aryl amide groups at the 7-position. The new synthesized compounds were evaluated as AMPA receptor potentiators by examining their effect on rat brain primary cell cultures on AMPA-evoked membrane depolarisation using fluorescent membrane potential dyes and on imaging-based plate reader. The most potent compound of this series was 2-methylphenyl 4-methyl- 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-carboxylate 1,1-dioxide 16c which provoked a strong potentiation of AMPA current with a potency close to that reported for the best reference compounds of the benzothiadiazine class (i.e cyclothiazide). This work also revealed that only the ortho-substitution of the phenyl group of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-carboxylate esters provided potent AMPA receptor potentiators opening the way to further chemical exploration. [less ▲]

Modulation of the 6-position of benzopyran derivatives and inhibitory effects on the insulin releasing process

in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2011)

The synthesis of different series of 4- and 6-substituted R/S-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1- benzopyrans is described. All of these new benzopyran derivatives were bearing, at the 4- position, a ... [more ▼]

The synthesis of different series of 4- and 6-substituted R/S-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1- benzopyrans is described. All of these new benzopyran derivatives were bearing, at the 4- position, a phenylthiourea moiety substituted on the phenyl ring by a meta or a para-electronwithdrawing group such as Cl or CN. The study aimed at exploring the influence of the nature of the substituent at the 6-position in order to develop new benzopyran-type KATP channel activators exhibiting an improved selectivity towards the insulin secreting cells. The original compounds were examined in vitro on rat pancreatic islets (inhibition of insulin release) as well as on rat aorta rings (vasorelaxant effect) and their activity was compared to that of the reference KATP channel activators (±)-cromakalim, (±)-pinacidil, diazoxide and to previously synthesized cromakalim analogues. Structure–activity relationships indicated that the inhibitory effect on the insulin secreting cells was related to the lipophilicity of the molecules and to the size of the substituent located at the 6-position. A marked inhibitory activity on the insulin secretory process was obtained with molecules bearing a bulky tertbutyloxycarbonylamino group at the 6-position (20-23). The latter compounds were found to have the same efficacy on the pancreatic endocrine tissue than some previously described molecules. Lastly, radioisotopic experiments further identified R/S-N-4-chlorophenyl-N’-(6- tert-butyloxycarbonylamino-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-4-yl)thiourea (23) as a KATP channel opener. [less ▲]

Binding properties of clozapine and related compounds on native D2 dopamine receptors in normal and oxidative medium

Poster (2010, November 16)

Despite the presence of several side effects, clozapine remains a valuable drug in treating schizophrenia. The presence of haematological toxicity was proposed to be related to the formation of nitrenium ... [more ▼]

Despite the presence of several side effects, clozapine remains a valuable drug in treating schizophrenia. The presence of haematological toxicity was proposed to be related to the formation of nitrenium species (1). Indeed, nitrogen derivatives like clozapine or olanzapine are very sensitive to oxidation while oxygen or sulphur isosteres such as loxapine, clothiapine and JL13, possess a very low sensitivity to oxidation (2-4). In the present study, we explore the impact of oxidation conditions on the binding of these drugs on native rat dopamine D2 receptors. Rats brains were quickly removed after cerebral dislocation and dissected on ice to get striata. After weighting, tissues were homogenized in buffer and washed three times by centrifugation. The final pellet was dispersed in the appropriate volume of incubation buffer (Tris 50 mM, MgCl2 5 mM, EDTA (Na2) 1 mM buffered at pH 7.4 with 4N HCl) depending on the experimental conditions. In oxidative conditions, horseradish peroxidase (1.25 µg/tube) and H2O2 (50 µM) were added to the incubation buffer. [3H]-Spiperone was used as radioligand and the non specific binding was determined in the presence of haloperidol (10 µM). Incubation temperature and time were 27°C and 60 min respectively. Competition experiments were done with different molecules such as haloperidol and various tricyclic derivatives. In our previous studies (2,3), we had observed that compounds like clozapine or olanzapine are significantly affected by oxidative conditions. In the present report, we show that this sensitivity is also associated with a dramatic decrease of binding affinity. Unlike such diazepine analogues, the binding of loxapine and JL13, two oxygen isosteres is slightly affected in oxidative conditions. Firstly, these results show that the distal nitrogen is not affected by the oxidative conditions. Secondly, the nitrenium formation (1) might lead to a tridimensional change that would reduce the interactions in the binding pocket. The oxidative effect of HRP/H2O2 mixture can be prevented by addition of ascorbic acid to the incubation medium. Thus depending on the oxidant character of the extracellular medium in physiological or pathophysiological conditions, interaction of molecules with different targets can be modified significantly. [less ▲]

Etude du mode de liaison des canaux potassiques de type SK et l’apamine par modélisation moléculaire

Poster (2010, May 20)

Parmi les canaux ioniques impliqués dans le contrôle de l'activité neuronale, les canaux potassiques calcium-dépendants de basse conductance, dénommés canaux SK, constituent une cible thérapeutique ... [more ▼]

Parmi les canaux ioniques impliqués dans le contrôle de l'activité neuronale, les canaux potassiques calcium-dépendants de basse conductance, dénommés canaux SK, constituent une cible thérapeutique intéressante. En effet, ils sous-tendent la posthyperpolarisation ("AfterHyperPolarization") de durée moyenne (mAHP) qui limite l'excitabilité de divers types de neurones du système nerveux central (SNC). A ce jour, 3 types de sous-unités, SK1, SK2 et SK3, ont été identifiés dans différentes régions du cerveau. Le blocage sélectif de ces canaux pourrait être bénéfique dans le traitement de divers troubles du SNC comme la maladie de Parkinson (SK3), la dépression (SK3) ou encore les désordres cognitifs (SK2) (Liégeois et al., 2003 ; Pedarzani et al., 2008). Jusqu’à présent, le site d’interaction entre les canaux SK et leurs bloqueurs n’a pas encore été précisément élucidé. Dans ce contexte, nous avons entrepris la modélisation de ces canaux par homologie comparative en se basant sur la structure cristalline du canal potassique KCSA (Doyle et al., 1998). La construction de ces canaux constitue la première étape dans la détermination des requis structuraux essentiels à l’affinité de bloqueurs et à la compréhension des modes de liaison de ces ligands. Le mode de liaison de l’apamine, bloqueur peptidique issu du venin d’abeille, a été ensuite exploré par « docking ». Afin de confirmer ce site de liaison potentiel, des expériences de mutagénèse dirigée ont été réalisées. Les premiers canaux mutants testés dans des expériences électrophysiologiques par la technique de « patch clamp » ont permis de valider certaines données théoriques. Grâce à cette stratégie, nous espérons préciser le mécanisme d'action des bloqueurs des canaux SK et, idéalement, découvrir des pistes pour concevoir des bloqueurs sélectifs. [less ▲]

Combined experimental and computational approaches to study the action of blockers of small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels

in Acta Physiologica Scandinavica (2010), 199(supplement 678), -10

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK) are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and underlie medium duration afterhyperpolarizations in many types of neurons ... [more ▼]

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK) are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and underlie medium duration afterhyperpolarizations in many types of neurons. Three subtypes of SK channels, SK1, SK2 and SK3, have been identified so far in different parts of the brain. Blocking SK channels might be beneficial in the treatment of several CNS disorders such as depression, Parkinson’s disease and cognitive disorders. Until now, the precise site of interaction between these channels and their blockers has not yet been elucidated. In this context, molecular modeling is a theoretical approach that can quickly provide ideas on the binding mode of SK blockers. We first performed homology modeling of the S5-H5-S6 portion of the channels on the basis of the crystal structure of the KcsA potassium channel (Zhou et al. Nature. 2001, 414, 43-48). The binding sites of N-methyl-laudanosine (NML) (Scuvée-Moreau et al. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2002, 302, 1176-83), a non-selective and non-peptidic ligand, and apamin (Blatz et al. Nature. 1986, 323, 718-20), an octadecapeptide with a preference for the SK2 subtype, were subsequently explored by docking analysis. Different amino-acids were suggested to interact with the two blockers. The docking of NML revealed a binding site in the turret region, far from the pore. The docking of apamin identified a very large binding site that includes a portion of the site of NML. In order to confirm the predicted binding sites, site-directed mutagenesis was used. The first mutant channels tested in electrophysiological experiments by the patch clamp technique validated some of the theoretical data. Using this strategy, we hope to get a better understanding of the mechanism of action of SK blockers and eventually find strategies to obtain subtype-selective blockers. [less ▲]

Conformational analysis of new 5-HT1A ligands by molecular modeling

Conference (2009, May 14)

5-HT1A receptors represent a major target for research and drug development due to their involvement in pathologies such as anxiety,1 depression,2 sleep and memory disorders,3,4 and schizophrenia.5 The ... [more ▼]

5-HT1A receptors represent a major target for research and drug development due to their involvement in pathologies such as anxiety,1 depression,2 sleep and memory disorders,3,4 and schizophrenia.5 The main feature of many drugs having a 5-HT1A affinity is the presence of arylpiperazine moiety.6 Indeed, the protonated nitrogen and the aromatic ring of the arylpiperazine compounds are considered crucial for the interaction with the receptor.7 Interestingly, an in vitro binding study realized in our laboratory reveals the presence of the 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine instead of the piperazine moiety in 4-arylpiperazine-ethyl carboxamide derivatives is highly favourable for 5-HT1A affinity. In order to better understand the favourable effect of this chemical modification, we have performed a conformational analysis of these compounds mainly based on the position of the phenyl ring relative to the piperazine and tetrahydropyridine ones. In the piperazine compounds, the phenyl ring is found in a perpendicular orientation, whereas an almost planar orientation seems to be the most favourable conformation for the tetrahydropyridine compounds (See figure). Therefore, the almost planar orientation of the 4-substituted phenyl ring appears as an important spatial requirement for an optimal interaction with the receptor binding site. This finding could lead to new ideas in the design of high-affinity 5-HT1A ligands. [less ▲]