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The human serotonin transporter is the primary target of several antidepressant drugs, and the importance of a primary, high affinity binding site (S1) for antidepressant binding is well documented. The existence of a lower affinity, secondary binding site (S2) has, however, been debated. Herein we report the synthesis of 3-position coupled imipramine ligands from clomipramine using a copper free Sonogashira reaction. Ligand design was inspired by results from docking and steered molecular dynamics simulations, and the ligands were utilized in a structure-activity relationship study of the positional relationship between the S1 and S2 sites. The computer simulations suggested that the S2 site does indeed exist although with lower affinity for imipramine than observed within the S1 site. Additionally, it was possible to dock the 3-linked imipramine analogues into positions which occupy the S1 and the S2 site simultaneously. The structure activity relationship study showed that the shortest ligands were the most potent, and mutations enlarging the proposed S2 site were found to affect the larger ligands positively, while the smaller ligands were mostly unaffected. The human serotonin transporter is the primary target of several antidepressant drugs, and the importance of a primary, high affinity binding site (S1) for antidepressant binding is well documented. The existence of a lower affinity, secondary binding site (S2) has, however, been debated. Herein we report the synthesis of 3-position coupled imipramine ligands from clomipramine using a copper free Sonogashira reaction. Ligand design was inspired by results from docking and steered molecular dynamics simulations, and the ligands were utilized in a structure–activity relationship study of the positional relationship between the S1 and S2 sites. The computer simulations suggested that the S2 site does indeed exist although with lower affinity for imipramine than observed within the S1 site. Additionally, it was possible to dock the 3-linked imipramine analogs into positions which occupy the S1 and the S2 site simultaneously. The structure activity relationship study showed that the shortest ligands were the most potent, and mutations enlarging the proposed S2 site were found to affect the larger ligands positively, while the smaller ligands were mostly unaffected.

Monoamine transporters (MATs) carry out neurotransmitter reuptake from the synaptic cleft, a key step in neurotransmission, which is targeted in the treatment of neurological disorders. Cholesterol (CHOL), a major component of the synaptic plasma membrane, has been shown to exhibit a modulatory effect on MATs. Recent crystal structures of the dopamine transporter (DAT) revealed the presence of two conserved CHOL-like molecules, suggesting a functional protein-CHOL direct interaction. Here, we present extensive atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of DAT in an outward-facing conformation. In the absence of bound CHOL, DAT undergoes structural changes reflecting early events of dopamine transport: transition to an inward-facing conformation. In contrast, in the presence of bound CHOL, these conformational changes are inhibited, seemingly by an immobilization of the intracellular interface of transmembrane helix 1a and 5 by CHOL. We also provide evidence, from coarse grain MD simulations that the CHOL sites observed in the DAT crystal structures are preserved in all human monoamine transporters (dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine), suggesting that our findings might extend to the entire family., Author summary It has been revealed that the cellular membrane is an active contributor to biological processes occurring in and across it and can regulate the function of proteins embedded within it. Cholesterol (CHOL) plays a key role in these effects. Notably, CHOL affects neurotransmission. Neurotransmission occurs at the synapse and is central to a proper functioning of the human nervous system. In particular, monoamine transporters (MATs), key players in the process of stopping signaling, are primary targets for treatment of mental disorders. Herein, we address the intriguing mechanism by which the presence of CHOL affects the function of MATs. CHOL is known to modulate the re-uptake of neurotransmitters from the synapse but the mechanism is not known. We looked at the possibility of CHOL effecting MATs by a direct interaction rather than through its effect on the biophysical properties of the embedding membrane. We present clear data indicative of conserved CHOL binding sites on all human MATs and further show how CHOL prevents conformational changes at the intracellular end of transmembrane helix 5 in the human dopamine transporter (hDAT), which we are able to confirm is associated with the outward-to-inward transition of MATs.

Mazindol has been explored as a possible agent in cocaine addiction pharmacotherapy. The tetracyclic compound inhibits both the dopamine transporter and the serotonin transporter, and simple chemical modifications considerably alter target selectivity. Mazindol, therefore, is an attractive scaffold for both understanding the molecular determinants of serotonin/dopamine transporter selectivity and for the development of novel drug abuse treatments. Using molecular modeling and pharmacologic profiling of rationally chosen serotonin and dopamine transporter mutants with respect to a series of mazindol analogs has allowed us to determine the orientation of mazindol within the central binding site. We find that mazindol binds in the central substrate binding site, and that the transporter selectivity can be modulated through mutations of a few residues in the binding pocket. Mazindol is most likely to bind as the R-enantiomer. Tyrosines 95 and 175 in the human serotonin transporter and the corresponding phenylalanines 75 and 155 in the human dopamine transporter are the primary determinants of mazindol selectivity. Manipulating the interaction of substituents on the 7-position with the human serotonin transporter Tyr175 versus dopamine transporter Phe155 is found to be a strong tool in tuning the selectivity of mazindol analogs and may be used in future drug design of cocaine abuse pharmacotherapies.

The amino acid compositions of the substrate binding pockets of the three human monoamine transporters are compared as is the orientation of the endogenous substrates, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, bound in these. Through a combination of homology modeling, induced fit dockings, molecular dynamics simulations, and uptake experiments in mutant transporters, we propose a common binding mode for the three substrates. The longitudinal axis of the substrates is similarly oriented with these, forming an ionic interaction between the ammonium group and a highly conserved aspartate, Asp98 (serotonin transporter, hSERT), Asp79 (dopamine transporter, hDAT), and Asp75 (norepinephrine transporter, hNET). The 6-position of serotonin and the para-hydroxyl groups of dopamine and norepinephrine were found to face Ala173 in hSERT, Gly153 in hDAT, and Gly149 in hNET. Three rotations of the substrates around the longitudinal axis were identified. In each mode, an aromatic hydroxyl group of the substrates occupied equivalent volumes of the three binding pockets, where small changes in amino acid composition explains the differences in selectivity. Uptake experiments support that the 5-hydroxyl group of serotonin and the meta-hydroxyl group norepinephrine and dopamine are placed in the hydrophilic pocket around Ala173, Ser438, and Thr439 in hSERT corresponding to Gly149, Ser419, Ser420 in hNET and Gly153 Ser422 and Ala423 in hDAT. Furthermore, hDAT was found to possess an additional hydrophilic pocket around Ser149 to accommodate the para-hydroxyl group. Understanding these subtle differences between the binding site compositions of the three transporters is imperative for understanding the substrate selectivity, which could eventually aid in developing future selective medicines.

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by preferential degeneration of the dopamine-producing neurons of the brain stem substantia nigra. Imbalances between mechanisms governing dopamine transport across the plasma membrane and cellular storage vesicles increase the level of toxic pro-oxidative cytosolic dopamine. The microtubule-stabilizing protein p25α accumulates in dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease. We hypothesized that p25α modulates the subcellular localization of the dopamine transporter via effects on sorting vesicles, and thereby indirectly affects its cellular activity. Here we show that co-expression of the dopamine transporter with p25α in HEK-293-MSR cells increases dopamine uptake via increased plasma membrane presentation of the transporter. No direct interaction between p25α and the dopamine transporter was demonstrated, but they co-fractionated during subcellular fractionation of brain tissue from striatum, and direct binding of p25α peptides to brain vesicles was demonstrated. Truncations of the p25α peptide revealed that the requirement for stimulating dopamine uptake is located in the central core and were similar to those required for vesicle binding. Co-expression of p25α and the dopamine transporter in HEK-293-MSR cells sensitized them to the toxicity of extracellular dopamine. Neuronal expression of p25α thus holds the potential to sensitize the cells toward dopamine and toxins carried by the dopamine transporter. Structured digital abstract • MINT-8055798: DAT (uniprotkb:Q01959) and p25 alpha (uniprotkb:O94811) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416) • MINT-8054201: p25 alpha (uniprotkb:B1Q0K1), bip (refseq:GI:194033595), Synaptophysin (uniprotkb:Q62277), Alpha-synuclein (uniprotkb:Q3I5G7) and DAT (uniprotkb:C6KE31) colocalize (MI:0403) by cosedimentation in solution (MI:0028) • MINT-8055878: Synaptophysin (uniprotkb:Q62277), bip (refseq:GI:194033595) and p25-alpha (uniprotkb:O94811) colocalize (MI:0403) by cosedimentation through density gradient (MI:0029)

We here report the synthesis of ethylene glycol N-interlinked imipramine dimers of various lengths from the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine via an amide coupling reaction followed by reduction with lithium aluminium hydride. The target molecules were found to be potent inhibitors of cellular viability while inducing cell type specific death mechanisms in three cancer cell lines including a highly chemoresistant Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line. Basic amine analogues were found to be important for increased potency. Imipramine and desipramine were also tested for apoptotic activity and were found to be much less active than the novel dimeric compounds. Imipramine dimers were only found to be moderate inhibitors of the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) having IC50 values in the micromolar region whilst the induction of cell death occurred independently of hSERT expression. These results demonstrate the potential of newly designed and synthesised imipramines derivatives for use against malignant cells, including those resistant to standard chemotherapy.

The human serotonin transporter (hSERT), the human dopamine transporter (hDAT), and the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) facilitate the active uptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine from the synaptic cleft. Drugs of abuse such as MDMA (streetname "ecstasy") and certain 1-phenyl-piperazine (PP) analogs such as 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-piperazine (mCPP) elicit their stimulatory effect by elevating the synaptic concentration of serotonin by blocking or reversing the normal transport activity of hSERT. Recent data suggest that certain analogs of PP may be able to counteract the addictive effect of cocaine. Little is still known about the precise mechanism by which MDMA and PP analogs function at hSERT, hDAT, and hNET and even less is known about the specific protein-ligand interactions. In this study, we provide a comprehensive biochemical examination of a repertoire of PP analogs in hSERT, hDAT, and hNET. Combined with induced fit docking models and molecular dynamics simulations of PP and 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-piperazine (3-OH-PP) bound to hSERT and hDAT, we present detailed molecular insight into the promiscuous binding of PP analogs in the monoamine transporters. We find that PP analogs inhibit uptake as well as induce release in all three monoamine transporters. We also find that the selectivity of the PP analogs can be adjusted by carefully selecting substituents on the PP skeleton.

We describe a novel approach for the synthesis of a series of 3,7-difunctionalised symmetric and unsymmetrical analogues of the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) imipramine, which uses a key palladium-catalysed amination/cyclisation of an ester-functionalised dibromide. Of the ester, methyl, hydroxymethyl and methoxymethyl disubstituted compounds prepared, 3,7-dimethyl-imipramine was found to be the most potent against the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). The inhibitory potency of 3,7-dimethyl imipramine was found to be at least as high as the parent imipramine. This novel TCA also exhibits an increased selectivity (relative to imipramine) in binding to hSERT versus the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET). Even higher selectivity could be obtained with 3,7-dihydroxymethyl imipramine, which was found to be 167-fold more selective for hSERT over hNET, representative of a 120-fold gain in selectivity relative to the parent imipramine. These results further validate our previous model for the binding of imipramine and high-affinity analogues of imipramine to the central binding site of hSERT.

Udgivelsesdato: 2010-Feb-3 The two enantiomers of the antidepressant citalopram inhibit the human serotonin transporter substantially differently. Previous studies revealed Tyr95 and Ile172 as important for citalopram binding, however, the overall orientation of the ligands in the binding site and the protein-ligand interaction points remain unknown. The binding of S- and R-citalopram to a human serotonin transporter homology model are herein examined via docking simulations including induced fit effects. For a better description of the formal charges of the ligand when bound inside the protein, polarization effects of the protein were included by additional quantum-polarized ligand docking calculations, where ligand charges are evaluated using QM/MM calculations. By this approach a much clearer picture emerged of the positions of the functional groups of citalopram. The two enantiomers are predicted to bind in the substrate binding pocket with opposite orientations of their aromatic groups. The predicted binding modes are experimentally validated using human wild type and 15 serotonin transporter mutants and 13 optically pure citalopram analogues. Important protein-ligand interaction points were identified validating one binding model for each enantiomer. In the validated model of the high affinity enantiomer, S-citalopram, the fluorine atom is located near Ala173 and Thr439 and the cyano group is in close proximity of Phe341; these contacts are found to be reversed for the R-enantiomer.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) act by inhibiting presynaptic reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) leading to elevated synaptic 5-HT concentrations. However, despite extensive efforts little is known about the protein-ligand interactions of SERT and inhibitors. To identify domains and individual amino acids important for ligand binding, we cloned the serotonin transporter from zebrafish, Danio rerio, (drSERT) and compared its pharmacological profile to that of the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) with respect to inhibition of [(3)H]5-HT uptake and [(3)H]-escitalopram binding in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney cells; HEK-293-MSR. Residues responsible for altered affinities inhibitors were pinpointed by generating cross-species chimeras and subsequent point mutations by site directed mutagenesis. drSERT has a higher affinity towards compounds of the imipramine class, desipramine in particular, exhibiting a 35-fold increased affinity compared to hSERT. drSERT has a 15-30-fold lower affinity towards cocaine and cocaine analogues. The differences in ligand recognition are shown to be primarily caused by interspecies differences in TM10 and were tracked down to three residues (Ala(505), Leu(506) and Ile(507)). Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Feb-7

Data from a series of 29 monoamine transport inhibitors were used to generate 2D and 3D QSAR models for their binding affinity to the human dopamine transporter (hDAT). Among the inhibitors were many non-nitrogen containing compounds. The 2D QSAR analysis resulted in the equation −log Ki = 4.00 − 3.93ELUMO − 0.67EHOMO − 3.24σp, which predicted the importance of electron withdrawing groups in the aromatic moiety. However, the model failed to predict the observed poor binding of nitro-substituted compounds. In contrast, a derived 3D QSAR model was capable of predicting these more correctly. Data from a series of 29 monoamine transport inhibitors were used to generate 2D and 3D QSAR models for their binding affinity to the human dopamine transporter (hDAT). Among the inhibitors were many non-nitrogen containing compounds. The 2D QSAR analysis resulted in the equation -log Ki = 4.00 - 3.93ELUMO - 0.67EHOMO - 3.24σp, which predicted the importance of electron withdrawing groups in the aromatic moiety. However, the model failed to predict the observed poor binding of nitro-substituted compounds. In contrast, a derived 3D QSAR model was capable of predicting these more correctly.

A series of simple truncated analogues of phenyl tropanes, 2-arylcycloalk-1-enyl carboxylic acid methylesters, were prepared and investigated for their activity towards the dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. The compounds were prepared from cyclic ketoesters, which were converted to enolic triflates and reacted with arylboronates using the Suzuki coupling. For comparison the corresponding piperidines were also made and investigated. The new compounds inhibit monoamine-transporters with Ki values ranging from 0.1 to 1000 μM.

A combinatorial synthesis of benztropine analogues is presented. Radical azidonation of 3-benzyloxy-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-8-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 3 to 3-(1-azidobenzyloxy)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-8-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 4 was used as a key step in the synthesis. This step was optimized by adding 10% DMF to the reaction. Reaction of 4 with phenyl magnesium bromide followed by Boc removal and N-methylation gave benztropine 1. Reaction of five-component Grignard reagents with 4 was used to create a two-dimensional library of 25 N-normethylbenztropine analogues. Further reaction of this library with five alkyl bromides was carried out to create a three-dimensional library containing 125 compounds. Screening of the libraries towards binding and inhibition of uptake of the human dopamine (hDAT), serotonin (hSERT) and norepinephrine transporters (hNET) was carried out. None of the synthesized compounds were found to be stronger than benztropine, and none were selective for inhibition of binding over monoamine uptake.