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Orexin receptors (nomenclature as agreed by theNC-IUPHARSubcommittee on Orexin receptors [42]) are activated by the endogenous polypeptides orexin-A and orexin-B (also known as hypocretin-1 and -2; 33 and 28 aa) derived from a common precursor, preproorexin or orexin precursor, by proteolytic cleavage and some typical peptide modifications [109]. Currently the only orexin receptor ligands in clinical use are suvorexant and lemborexant, which are used as hypnotics. Orexin receptor crystal structures have been solved [134, 133, 54, 117, 46].

Research has been conducted on the allylic alcohols that contain a lactam ring. The effect of the tert-butyl hydroperoxide and tin(IV) chloride on these alcohols leading to epoxy alkyl peroxides has been examined.

1: This study characterises the binding of a novel nonpeptide antagonist radioligand, [3H]SB-674042 (1-(5-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-2-methyl-thiazol-4-yl)-1-((S)-2-(5-phenyl-(1,3,4)oxadiazol-2-ylmethyl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-methanone), to the human orexin-1 (OX1) receptor stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in both a whole cell assay and in a cell membrane-based scintillation proximity assay (SPA) format. 2: Specific binding of [3H]SB-674042 was saturable in both whole cell and membrane formats. Analyses suggested a single high-affinity site, with Kd values of 3.76±0.45 and 5.03±0.31?nM, and corresponding Bmax values of 30.8±1.8 and 34.4±2.0?pmol?mg protein-1, in whole cell and membrane formats, respectively. Kinetic studies yielded similar Kd values. 3: Competition studies in whole cells revealed that the native orexin peptides display a low affinity for the OX1 receptor, with orexin-A displaying a ~five-fold higher affinity than orexin-B (Ki values of 318±158 and 1516±597?nM, respectively). 4: SB-334867, SB-408124 (1-(6,8-difluoro-2-methyl-quinolin-4-yl)-3-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-urea) and SB-410220 (1-(5,8-difluoro-quinolin-4-yl)-3-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-urea) all displayed high affinity for the OX1 receptor in both whole cell (Ki values 99±18, 57±8.3 and 19±4.5?nM, respectively) and membrane (Ki values 38±3.6, 27±4.1 and 4.5±0.2?nM, respectively) formats. 5: Calcium mobilisation studies showed that SB-334867, SB-408124 and SB-410220 are all functional antagonists of the OX1 receptor, with potencies in line with their affinities, as measured in the radioligand binding assays, and with approximately 50-fold selectivity over the orexin-2 receptor. 6: These studies indicate that [3H]SB-674042 is a specific, high-affinity radioligand for the OX1 receptor. The availability of this radioligand will be a valuable tool with which to investigate the physiological functions of OX1 receptors.British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 141, 340-346. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705610 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Rationale: Orexins A and B have recently been discovered and shown to be derived from preproorexin, primarily expressed in the rat hypothalamus. Orexin-A has been ascribed a number of in vivo functions in the rat after intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration, including hyperphagia, neuroendocrine modulation and, most recently, evidence for a behavioural response characterised by an increase in grooming. Objectives: Here, we have investigated the orexin-receptor subtypes involved in the grooming response to orexin-A (3 micro g, ICV) in the rat. Methods: Male rats, habituated to clear Perspex behavioural observation boxes, were pretreated with antagonists with mixed selectivity for OX[sub 1], OX[sub 2], 5-HT[sub 2B] and 5-HT[sub 2C] receptor subtypes prior to the administration of orexin-A and the intense grooming response elicited by this peptide assessed. Results: Pretreatment of rats with a mixed OX[sub 1]/5-HT[sub 2B/2C] receptor antagonist 1-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3-quinolin-4-ylurea (SB-284422), revealed a significant, but incomplete, blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming. Despite the low potency of orexin-A at 5-HT[sub 2B] and 5HT[sub 2C] receptors in vitro (pKi<5), studies were undertaken to determine whether downstream 5-HT[sub 2B] or 5-HT[sub 2C] receptors mediate in the grooming-elicited by orexin-A. Whilst the selective 5-HT[sub 2B] receptor antagonist, SB-215505 (3 mg/kg, PO, 5-HT[sub 2B], pKi=8.58; OX[sub 1], pK[sub B]<5.15) failed to effect orexin-A-induced grooming, the selective 5-HT[sub 2C] receptor antagonist, SB-242084 (1 mg/kg, IP, 5-HT[sub 2C], pKi=8.95; OX[sub 1], pK[sub B]<5.1) potently antagonised the grooming response to this peptide. This suggested that the partial blockade of... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inhibitors of the glycine transporter GlyT-1 are being developed as potential treatments for schizophrenia. Here we report on the use of two novel radioligands, [3H]-SB-733993 and [3H]-GSK931145, for the characterisation of GlyT-1 in both cells and native tissue. Binding was evaluated in membranes either from HEK293 cells expressing recombinant human GlyT-1 (hGlyT-1) or from rat cerebral cortex. Specific binding of both [3H]-SB-733993 and [3H]-GSK931145 to hGlyT-1 HEK293 cell membranes and rat cerebral cortex membranes was saturable and comprised >90% of total binding. Kd and B max values for the two radioligands were fairly similar, with Kd values of 1–2 nM and B max values of around 7000 fmol/mg protein in hGlyT-1 membranes and 3000 fmol/mg protein in rat cortex membranes. Association of [3H]-SB-733993 was faster, with binding reaching equilibrium within 30 min compared with 90 min for [3H]-GSK931145. Dissociation was also much slower for [3H]-GSK931145 than for [3H]-SB-733993, with 50% of specific binding being dissociated by approximately 40 min and 5 min, respectively. Autoradiography studies with [3H]-GSK931145 showed widespread distribution of binding in rat brain, with generally higher binding in caudal compared with rostral areas. Initial studies in human frontal cortex membranes showed clear specific binding of [3H]-GSK931145, though with much lower density (B max 570 fmol/mg protein) and slightly lower affinity (Kd 4.5 nM) compared with rat cortex. A human brain autoradiography study showed higher specific binding in cerebellum compared with frontal cortex. All GlyT-1 inhibitors tested, as well as glycine itself, competed fully for the binding of both [3H]-SB-733993 and [3H]-GSK931145 in both hGlyT-1 and rat cortex membranes. Studies on the effect of varying NaCl concentration showed that [3H]-SB-733993 binding was reduced by >90% in the absence of added Na+ ions, whilst [3H]-GSK931145 binding was unaffected. Glycine produced concentration-dependent decreases in binding affinity of both radioligands without major changes in B max values, suggesting that both [3H]-SB-733993 and [3H]-GSK931145 bind to sites on GlyT-1 that are orthosteric to the site at which glycine itself binds. Overall, these results show that both [3H]-SB-733993 and [3H]-GSK931145 are useful radioligands for studies on GlyT-1 in both cell lines and native tissues, with [3H]-GSK931145 being the radioligand of choice for further studies on GlyT-1 expression and pharmacology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Glycine can act as either an inhibitory neurotransmitter or as a potentiator of NMDA-dependent excitatory neurotransmission. There is some evidence that glycine can have both pro- and anticonvulsant properties in various rodent models of epilepsy. In the present study we tested several glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitors including NFPS, SSR 504734, Lu AA21279, Org 25935, SB-710622, GSK931145, as well as the glycine agonist d-serine, in the maximal electroshock threshold (MEST) test in the rat. In a series of experiments, male Sprague–Dawley rats (n =12/group) were pre-treated with a compound of interest and then received an electric shock delivered via corneal electrodes. A cohort of satellite animals (n =3/group) was also used to measure blood and brain levels of Org 25935. All GlyT1 inhibitors increased seizure thresholds dose-dependently, indicative of anticonvulsant activity. SB-710622 and GSK931145 had lower minimum effective doses (MEDs) in the MEST test than other GlyT1 inhibitors. At estimated t max, increases in dose administered were paralleled by increases in blood and brain concentrations of Org 25935. Thus, increasing extracellular concentration of glycine via inhibition of its uptake protects from electroshock-induced seizures in the rat. Whether strychnine-sensitive or strychnine-insensitive glycine binding sites are involved in this effect remains to be determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lead optimisation starting from the previously reported selective quinoline NK3 receptor antagonists talnetant 2 (SB-223412) and 3 (SB-222200) led to the identification of 3-aminoquinoline NK3 antagonist 10 (GSK172981) with excellent CNS penetration. Investigation of a structurally related series of sulfonamides with reduced lipophilicity led to the discovery of 20 (GSK256471). Both 10 and 20 are high affinity, potent NK3 receptor antagonists which despite having different degrees of CNS penetration produced excellent NK3 receptor occupancy in an ex vivo binding study in gerbil cortex. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dispositions of 50 marketed central nervous system (CNS) drugs into the brain have been examined in terms of their rat in situ (P) and in vitro apparent membrane permeability (P(app)) alongside lipophilicity and free fraction in rat brain tissue. The inter-relationship between these parameters highlights that both permeability and brain tissue binding influence the uptake of drugs into the CNS. Hydrophilic compounds characterized by low brain tissue binding display a strong correlation (R(2) = 0.82) between P and P(app), whereas the uptake of more lipophilic compounds seems to be influenced by both P(app) and brain free fraction. A nonlinear relationship is observed between logP(oct) and P over the 6 orders of magnitude range in lipophilicity studied. These findings corroborate recent reports in the literature that brain penetration is a function of both rate and extent of drug uptake into the CNS.

1. This study characterises the binding of a novel nonpeptide antagonist radioligand, [(3)H]SB-674042 (1-(5-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-2-methyl-thiazol-4-yl)-1-((S)-2-(5-phenyl-(1,3,4)oxadiazol-2-ylmethyl)-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-methanone), to the human orexin-1 (OX(1)) receptor stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in both a whole cell assay and in a cell membrane-based scintillation proximity assay (SPA) format. 2. Specific binding of [(3)H]SB-674042 was saturable in both whole cell and membrane formats. Analyses suggested a single high-affinity site, with K(d) values of 3.76+/-0.45 and 5.03+/-0.31 nm, and corresponding B(max) values of 30.8+/-1.8 and 34.4+/-2.0 pmol mg protein(-1), in whole cell and membrane formats, respectively. Kinetic studies yielded similar K(d) values. 3. Competition studies in whole cells revealed that the native orexin peptides display a low affinity for the OX(1) receptor, with orexin-A displaying a approximately five-fold higher affinity than orexin-B (K(i) values of 318+/-158 and 1516+/-597 nm, respectively). 4. SB-334867, SB-408124 (1-(6,8-difluoro-2-methyl-quinolin-4-yl)-3-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-urea) and SB-410220 (1-(5,8-difluoro-quinolin-4-yl)-3-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-urea) all displayed high affinity for the OX(1) receptor in both whole cell (K(i) values 99+/-18, 57+/-8.3 and 19+/-4.5 nm, respectively) and membrane (K(i) values 38+/-3.6, 27+/-4.1 and 4.5+/-0.2 nm, respectively) formats. 5. Calcium mobilisation studies showed that SB-334867, SB-408124 and SB-410220 are all functional antagonists of the OX(1) receptor, with potencies in line with their affinities, as measured in the radioligand binding assays, and with approximately 50-fold selectivity over the orexin-2 receptor. 6. These studies indicate that [(3)H]SB-674042 is a specific, high-affinity radioligand for the OX(1) receptor. The availability of this radioligand will be a valuable tool with which to investigate the physiological functions of OX(1) receptors.