Decahydroisoquinoline derivatives as novel non-peptidic, potent and subtype-selective somatostatin sst(3) receptor antagonists.

Starting from non-peptidic sst(1)-selective somatostatin receptor antagonists, first compounds with mixed sst(1)/sst(3) affinity were identified by directed structural modifications. Systematic optimization of these initial leads afforded novel, enantiomerically pure, highly potent and sst(3)-subtype selective somatostatin antagonists based on a (4S,4aS,8aR)-decahydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylic acid core moiety. These compounds can efficiently be synthesized and show promising PK properties in rodents.

Discovery of novel non-peptidic beta-alanine piperazine amide derivatives and their optimization to achiral, easily accessible, potent and selective somatostatin sst1 receptor antagonists.

Structural simplification of the core moieties of obeline and ergoline somatostatin sst(1) receptor antagonists, followed by systematic optimization, led to the identification of novel, highly potent and selective sst(1) receptor antagonists. These achiral, non-peptidic compounds are easily prepared and show promising PK properties in rodents.

Ergoline derivatives as highly potent and selective antagonists at the somatostatin sst 1 receptor.

Non-peptidic compounds containing the octahydro-indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline (ergoline) structural element have been optimized into derivatives with high affinity (pK(d) r sst(1)>9) and selectivity (>1000-fold for h sst(1) over h sst(2)-h sst(5)) for the somatostatin sst(1) receptor. In functional assays, these ergolines act as antagonists at human recombinant sst(1) receptors. Pharmacokinetic studies in rodents reveal good oral bioavailability and brain penetration for some of these compounds.

Identification and SAR of potent and selective non-peptide obeline somatostatin sst1 receptor antagonists.

A novel class of non-peptide somatostatin receptor ligands bearing the octahydrobenzo[g]quinoline (obeline) structural element has been identified. SAR studies have been performed that led to the discovery of derivatives with high affinity (pK(d) r sst(1) > or = 9) and selectivity (> or = 150-fold for h sst(1) over h sst(2)-h sst(5)) for somatostatin receptor subtype sst(1). In a functional assay, the compounds act as antagonists at human recombinant sst(1) receptors.

Serotonin 5-HT7 receptors coupled to induction of interleukin-6 in human microglial MC-3 cells.

Brain serotonin 5-HT(7) receptors are known to be expressed in neurons and astrocytes. We now report the presence of these receptors in a third type of cell, microglial cells. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT) and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) induced concentration-dependent stimulations of cAMP accumulation in the human microglial MC-3 cell line.

Binding and functional properties of the novel somatostatin analogue KE 108 at native mouse somatostatin receptors.

Clinically used somatostatin (SRIF) analogs, octreotide and lanreotide, act primarily by binding to SRIF receptor subtype 2 (sst2). In contrast, the recently described multiligand SOM230 binds with high affinity to sst(1-3) and sst5 and KE 108 is characterised as a high affinity ligand for all five SRIF receptors. In tumoural mouse corticotrophs (AtT-20 cells) and in mouse hippocampus, binding and functional features of KE 108 were examined and compared to SRIF-14, octreotide and SOM230.

Distinct functional properties of native somatostatin receptor subtype 5 compared with subtype 2 in the regulation of ACTH release by corticotroph tumor cells.

In a series of human corticotroph adenomas, we recently found predominant mRNA expression of somatostatin (SS) receptor subtype 5 (sst5). After 72 h, the multiligand SS analog SOM230, which has a very high sst5 binding affinity, but not Octreotide (OCT), significantly inhibited basal ACTH release. To further explore the role of sst5 in the regulation of ACTH release, we conducted additional studies with mouse AtT-20 cells.

Functional activity of the multiligand analog SOM230 at human recombinant somatostatin receptor subtypes supports its usefulness in neuroendocrine tumors.

Functional gastroenteropancreatic tumors express all 5 somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst) in different quantities. Octreotide and lanreotide treat patients with these tumors by binding preferentially to sst2 and, to a lesser extent, to sst3 and sst5 receptors, thereby controlling prominent symptoms caused by hormone hypersecretion (diarrhea and flushing). Although symptoms initially improve in most patients, a loss of response occurs in about 50% during continuous treatment.

Functional expression of the serotonin 5-HT7 receptor in human glioblastoma cell lines.

Serotonin 5-HT(7) receptors are present in astrocytes. Understanding their role in this type of cell would greatly benefit from the identification of astroglial cell lines expressing this receptor type. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of native 5-HT(7) receptors and 5-HT(7) receptor mRNA in a number of human glioblastoma cell lines, by means of cAMP measurements, Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.

Differential inverse agonist efficacies of SB-258719, SB-258741 and SB-269970 at human recombinant serotonin 5-HT7 receptors.

Recombinant 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT7 receptors are known to express constitutive, i.e., agonist-independent activity.

Functional characterization of the novel antipsychotic iloperidone at human D2, D3, alpha 2C, 5-HT6, and 5-HT1A receptors.

Iloperidone has demonstrated an interesting monoamine receptor profile in radioligand binding studies, with nanomolar affinity for certain noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin receptors. In this study, the agonist/antagonist activity of iloperidone was determined in cell lines expressing recombinant human D(2A), D(3), alpha(2C), 5-HT(1A), or 5-HT(6) receptors. With the exception of 5-HT(6) receptors, these receptors are negatively coupled to cyclase.

Functional characterisation of the putative somatostatin sst2 receptor antagonist CYN 154806.

The two forms (DTyr8 and LTyr8) of the putative somatostatin sst2 receptor antagonist CYN 154806 (Ac-4NO2-Phe-c(DCys-Tyr-DTrp-Lys-Thr-Cys)-D/LTyr-NH2) were investigated on recombinant human somatostatin receptors and endogenous guinea-pig ileum receptors. In radioligand binding studies using the agonist radioligands [125I]LTT-SRIF-28, [125I][Tyr10]cortistatin-14, [125I]CGP 23996 and [125I][Tyr3]octreotide in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (CCL39) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human somatostatin receptors (hsst1-5), CYN 154806 binds to sst2 receptors with nanomolar affinity (pKD=8.14-8.

Antagonist effect of pseudohypericin at CRF1 receptors.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is widely used for the treatment of mild to moderately severe depression.

Toward selective ERbeta agonists for central nervous system disorders: synthesis and characterization of aryl benzthiophenes.

In an effort to identify selective ligands for the estrogen receptor subtype ERbeta, a series of aryl benzthiophenes was synthesized. In a radioligand binding assay and reporter gene assays in HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells, compounds were characterized as ERbeta-selective agonists. By targeting ERbeta in the brain, these compounds could lead to drugs able to separate the beneficial effects of estrogens on mood, learning, and memory from side effects such as the stimulation of endometrial and breast cancer.

Pharmacological and endocrinological characterisation of stress-induced hyperthermia in singly housed mice using classical and candidate anxiolytics (LY314582, MPEP and NKP608).

The stress-induced hyperthermia test is a paradigm developed several years ago to model the expression of autonomic hyperactivity in anxiety. Whereas in the classical stress-induced hyperthermia, cohort removal was used, in a recently described modification of the stress-induced hyperthermia model singly housed mice rather than groups of mice were used. The modification of this model can be summarized as follows: rectal temperature is recorded in singly housed animals at two consecutive time-points (T1 and T2) which are interspaced by a defined time-interval (15 min).