Unique challenges required reassessment and alterations to critical reagents to rescue a neutralizing antibody assay.

To redevelop a neutralizing antibody (NAb) assay to be much more drug tolerant, have a large dynamic range and have high inhibition when using high levels of positive control (PC). Early assay data suggested that typical biotin labeling of the capture reagent (Drug 1, produced in a human cell line) was blocking it from binding with the PC or the detection target, and that the detection target was out competing the PC. Methodical biotin labeling experiments were performed at several challenge ratios and an Fc linker was added to the detection target.

MK-7128, a novel CB1 receptor inverse agonist, improves scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits in mice.

Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) play an important role in a variety of physiological functions and have been considered drug targets for obesity and psychiatric disorders. In particular, the CB1R is highly expressed in brain regions crucial to learning and memory processes, and several lines of evidence indicate that pharmacological blockade of this receptor could have therapeutic applications in the treatment of cognitive disorders. In this study, we investigated whether MK-7128 (0.

Synthesis and evaluation of a new series of Neuropeptide S receptor antagonists.

Administration of Neuropeptide S (NPS) has been shown to produce arousal, that is, independent of novelty and to induce wakefulness by suppressing all stages of sleep, as demonstrated by EEG recordings in rat. Medicinal chemistry efforts have identified a quinolinone class of potent NPSR antagonists that readily cross the blood-brain barrier. We detail here optimization efforts resulting in the identification of a potent NPSR antagonist which dose-dependently and specifically inhibited (125)I-NPS binding in the CNS when administered to rats.

PISA, a novel pharmacodynamic assay for assessing poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activity in situ.

Introduction: Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) maintains genomic integrity by repairing DNA strand breaks, however over-activation of PARP following neural tissue injury is hypothesized to cause neuronal death. Therefore, PARP inhibitors have potential for limiting neural injury under certain conditions. A reliable method for assessing PARP activity in brain is critical for development of novel inhibitors with CNS activity.

Transposition of three amino acids transforms the human metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-3-positive allosteric modulation site to mGluR2, and additional characterization of the mGluR2-positive allosteric modulation site.

Glutamate is a major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and abnormal glutamate neurotransmission has been implicated in many neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, addiction, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and pain. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) activate intracellular signaling cascades in a G protein-dependent manner, which offer the opportunity for developing drugs that regulate glutamate neurotransmission in a functionally selective manner. In the present study, we further characterize the human mGluR2 (hmGluR2) potentiator binding site by showing that the substitution of the three amino acids found to be required for hmGluR2 potentiation, specifically Ser(688), Gly(689), and Asn(735), with the homologous hmGluR3 amino acids, inactivates the positive allosteric modulator activity of several structurally unique mGluR2 potentiators.

Biphenyl-indanones: allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 receptor.

We have identified and synthesized a series of biphenyl-carboxylic acid indanones as allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency and the brain to plasma ratio of the initial lead led to the discovery of 5 and 23 (EC50=111 and 5 nM, respectively).

Benzazoles as allosteric potentiators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2): efficacy in an animal model for schizophrenia.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) has been implicated in a variety of CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. Disclosed herein is the development of a new series of allosteric potentiators of mGluR2. Structure-activity relationship studies in conjunction with pharmacokinetic data led to the discovery of indole 5, which is active in an animal model for schizophrenia.

3-(2-Ethoxy-4-{4-[3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(3-methylbutanoyl)phenoxy]butoxy}phenyl)propanoic acid: a brain penetrant allosteric potentiator at the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2).

We have identified and synthesized a brain penetrant propanoic acid as an allosteric potentiator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency, level of potentiation and brain penetration led to the discovery of 8 (EC50=1200 nM, 77% potentiation, 119% brain/plasma in rat, 20 mpk i.p.

Allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2). Part 3: Identification and biological activity of indanone containing mGlu2 receptor potentiators.

We have identified and synthesized a series of phenyl-tetrazolyl and 4-thiopyridyl indanones as allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency and level of potentiation, as well as PK properties, led to the discovery of 28 (EC50=186 nM), which displayed activity in a rodent model for schizophrenia.

Allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2). Part 2: 4-thiopyridyl acetophenones as non-tetrazole containing mGlu2 receptor potentiators.

We have identified and synthesized a series of 4-thiopyridyl acetophenones as positive allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward replacement of the tetrazole in the initial lead led to the discovery of 16 (EC(50)=340 nM), which showed improved brain penetration over the initial lead.

Allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2). Part 1: Identification and synthesis of phenyl-tetrazolyl acetophenones.

We have identified and synthesized a series of aryl-tetrazoyl acetophenones as positive allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2. Structure activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency and level of potentiation led to the discovery of 22 (EC(50)=93nM, 128% potentiation).

Pyrimidine methyl anilines: selective potentiators for the metabotropic glutamate 2 receptor.

Pyrimidine methyl anilines as potent and selective mGlu2 potentiators are described. Findings from the structure-activity-relationship investigations are discussed.

Phenyl-tetrazolyl acetophenones: discovery of positive allosteric potentiatiors for the metabotropic glutamate 2 receptor.

Herein we disclose the discovery of a new class of positive allosteric potentiators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2), phenyl-tetrazolyl acetophenones, e.g. 1-(2-hydroxy-3-propyl-4-[4-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenoxy]butoxy]phenyl) ethanone (4).

Pharmacological characterization and identification of amino acids involved in the positive modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2.

In the present study, we describe the characterization of a positive allosteric modulator at metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 receptors (mGluR2). N-(4-(2-Methoxyphenoxy)-phenyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylsulfonyl)-pyrid-3-ylmethylamine (LY487379) is a selective positive allosteric modulator at human mGluR2 and is without activity at human mGluR3. Furthermore, LY487379 has no intrinsic agonist or antagonist activity at hmGluR2, as determined by functional guanosine 5'(gamma-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding, single-cell Ca2+ imaging, and electrophysiological studies.