In previous studies, we have isolated several marine indole alkaloids and evaluated them in the forced swim test (FST) and locomotor activity test, revealing their potential as antidepressant and sedative drug leads. Amongst the reported metabolites to display such activities was 5-bromo-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Owing to the importance of the judicious introduction of halogens into drug candidates, we synthesized two series built on a 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine scaffold with different halogen substitutions. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo antidepressant and sedative activities using the mouse forced swim and locomotor activity tests. Receptor binding studies of these compounds to serotonin (5-HT) receptors were conducted. Amongst the prepared compounds, 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-oxoacetamide (1a), 2-(5-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-oxoacetamide (1d), 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N -dimethylethanamine (2a), 2-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-N, N-dimethylethanamine (2c), 2-(5-bromo-1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine (2d), and 2-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N -dimethylethanamine (2e) have been shown to possess significant antidepressant-like action, while compounds 2c, 2d, and 2e exhibited potent sedative activity. Compounds 2a, 2c, 2d, and 2e showed nanomolar affinities to serotonin receptors 5-HT1A and 5-HT7. The in vitro data indicates that the antidepressant action exerted by these compounds in vivo is mediated, at least in part, via interaction with serotonin receptors. The data presented here shows the valuable role that bromine plays in providing novel chemical space and electrostatic interactions. Bromine is ubiquitous in the marine environment and a common element of marine natural products.

Serotonin (5HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that modulates a wide range of brain functions via the actions at 5HT receptors and 5HT transporters. Dysregulation of 5HT transmission underlies many neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders. To advance the research in serotonergic neurotransmission and dysfunction, we have focused on two distinct approaches- 1) investigation of basic biology of synaptic function and 2) small molecule drug discovery. We have first developed a novel fluorescent tracer of 5HT, providing a molecular tool to study the serotonergic system in the CNS with subcellular and cellular resolution in vitro and in vivo. Next, we have developed novel small molecules to activate the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2A agonists). By exploring new scaffolds, we expect to expand the pharmacophore space for 5HT2A agonists to allow exploration of 5HT2A as molecular target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, and guide structure-based discovery of more selective 5HT2A agonists with desirable pharmacological properties as potential drug candidates.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2005. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Univ., 2009. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

The serotonergic system is involved in a broad range of functions in both vertebrates and invertebrates and is highly conserved across taxa. Serotonin is an important monoamine acting in the brains of humans and animals, and has large and varying influences on many aspects of an individual’s life. For example, in humans, serotonin modulates feelings of happiness and in fruit flies, higher levels of serotonin increase aggression. In humans, an abnormal serotonergic system can result in health issues, such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorders, for which medications have been developed, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Because the serotonin system has a large influence on human health, understanding how it functions is of great interest to researchers. Using comparative studies to explore differences in the serotonin system across taxa can provide insight into the mechanistic details of the system. To investigate if the serotonin system is comparable between vertebrates and invertebrates, a literature study with particular focus on receptors and proteins involved was performed. In addition, this report takes part in an experimental study investigating the effect of the SSRI fluoxetine in Mediterranean field crickets.  Fluoxetine reduced exploration propensity of crickets, which was reversed, compared to what was anticipated and compared to effects seen in vertebrates. The literature review suggests that serotonin receptors are quite similar, but that proteins differ more when comparing vertebrates and invertebrates. This offers a likely explanation as to why results of studies on these different groups of animals may differ.

Yes / Here we describe for the first time the distinctive pharmacological profile for IRL752, a new phenyl-pyrrolidine derivative with regio-selective CNS transmission-enhancing properties. IRL752 (3.7-150 μmol/kg, s.c.) was characterised through extensive in vivo studies, using behavioural, tissue neurochemical and gene expression, as well as microdialysis methods. Behaviourally, the compound normalised tetrabenazine-induced hypoactivity, while unable to stimulate basal locomotion in normal animals or to either accentuate or reverse hyperactivity induced by amphetamine or MK-801. IRL752 induced but minor changes in monoaminergic tissue neurochemistry across NA- and DA-dominated brain regions. The expression of neuronal activity-, plasticity-, and cognition-related IEGs (immediate early genes) however increased by 1.5- to 2-fold. Furthermore, IRL752 dose-dependently enhanced cortical catecholamine dialysate output to 600-750% above baseline, while striatal DA remained unaltered and NA rose to ~250%; cortical and hippocampal dialysate ACh increased to ~250% and 190% above corresponding baseline, respectively. In line with this cortically preferential transmission-promoting action, the drug was also pro-cognitive in the novel object recognition and reversal learning tests. In vitro neurotarget affinity and functional data, coupled to drug exposure support the hypothesis that 5‑HT7 receptor and α2(C)-adrenoceptor antagonism are key contributors to the in vivo efficacy and original profile of IRL752. The cortical-preferring facilitatory impact on catecholamine (and ACh) neurotransmission, along with effects on IEG expression and cognition-enhancing features, are in line with the potential clinical usefulness of IRL752 in conditions where these aspects may be dysregulated, such as in axial motor and cognitive deficits in Parkinson's Disease.

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:38:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PAULA APARECIDA BORGES PERES.pdf: 1092863 bytes, checksum: 6b1ba024090a288ed778814bb2668c7f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-31 / Despite its obscure aetiopathology, fibromyalgia is defined by diffuse musculoskeletal pain and not joint, and heightened sensitivity to palpation of certain muscle points, mainly affecting women, in a ratio of 6 to 10 women for every man. Several studies have demonstrated the role of polymorphisms of genes serotonergic, dopaminergic and catecholaminergic in the etiology of fibromyalgia. Thus, genetic factors may be determinants in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia and some environmental factors may trigger fibromyalgia in genetically predisposed individuals. In this context, it seems that the gene polymorphism T102C serotonin receptor (5-HT2A) is relevant in susceptibility to fibromyalgia. The objective of this study was to perform a metaanalysis in order to investigate the association between polymorphism of the serotonin receptor gene (5-HT2A), the T102C SNP in susceptibility to fibromyalgia. Five studies, between the years 1999 to 2011, about 5-HT2AT102C polymorphism in fibromyalgia were selected and used for making a meta-analysis. The epidemiological profile of fibromyalgia patients revealed a mean age of 46.7 (+ 5.9) years, with extremes ranging from 21 to 77 years. The proportion between genders showed a difference of approximately 7 women for every man diagnosed fibromyalgia. The average time in which patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome is 7.4 (+ 2.9) years. Allele frequencies for T and C, the gene for 5- HT2AT102C were, respectively, for patients: 337 (43.1%) and 445 (56.9%) and for the controls: 362 (51.6%) and 340 (48.4%), indicating a predominance of the C allele in patients with fibromyalgia (p=0.0013). When evaluating the genotypic frequencies, we found: 73 (18.7%) TT, 191 (48.8%) and TC 127 (32.5%) CC. The control group: 98 (27.9%) TT, 166 (47.3%) and TC 87 (24.8%) CC. The CC genotype appears more frequently in the patients fibromyalgia patients (p=0.0046). A meta-analysis generated a universe of simultaneous evaluation of 742 individuals (391 fibromyalgia patients and 351 controls). The applied tests indicated no significant differences between the case and control groups. Thus, the result of the meta-analysis suggests no correlation between polymorphism in question and susceptibility to fibromyalgia. We suggest the use of a broad panel of SNPs with the intention of increasing the chances of finding an association between genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to fibromyalgia. / Apesar de sua etiopatologia obscura, a fibromialgia é definida por dores musculoesqueléticas difusas e não articulares e sensibilidade a palpação exacerbada em determinados pontos musculares, afetando principalmente mulheres, numa proporção de 6 a 10 mulheres para cada homem. Vários estudos têm demonstrado o papel relevante dos polimorfismos de genes serotoninérgicos, dopaminérgicos e catecolaminérgicos na etiologia da fibromialgia. Desta forma, fatores genéticos podem ser determinantes na patogênese da fibromialgia e alguns fatores ambientais podem desencadear a fibromialgia em indivíduos geneticamente predispostos. Neste contexto, parece que o polimorfismo T102C do gene do receptor da serotonina (5-HT2A) pode ser relevante na suscetibilidade à fibromialgia. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de realizar uma meta-análise com o intuito de investigar a associação entre o polimorfismo do gene do receptor da serotonina (5- HT2A), no SNP T102C, na suscetibilidade à fibromialgia. Cinco estudos, entre os anos de 1999 a 2011, sobre o polimorfismo 5-HT2AT102C em fibromialgia foram selecionados e utilizados para a confecção de uma meta-análise. O perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes fibromiálgicos revelou uma idade média de 46,7 (+ 5,9) anos, com os extremos variando de 21 a 77 anos. Adiconalmente, a proporção entre gêneros apontou uma diferença de aproximadamente 7 mulheres com fibromialgia para cada homem diagnosticado. O tempo médio em que os pacientes sofrem da síndrome fibromiálgica é de 7,4 (+ 2,9) anos. As frequências alélicas para T e C, para o gene 5-HT2AT102C, foram, respectivamente, para os pacientes: 337 (43,1%) e 445 (56,9%) e para os controles: 362 (51,6%) e 340 (48,4%), indicando um predomínio do alelo C em pacientes com fibromialgia (p=0,0013). Ao avaliar as frequências genotípicas, encontrou-se: 73 (18,7%) TT, 191 (48,8%) TC e 127 (32,5%) CC. No grupo controle foram: 98 (27,9%) TT, 166 (47,3%) TC e 87 (24,8%) CC. O genótipo CC aparece em maior frequência no grupo dos pacientes fibromiálgico (p=0,0046). A meta-análise gerou um universo de avaliação simultânea de 742 indivíduos (391 pacientes com fibromialgia e 351 controles). Os testes aplicados não indicaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos caso e controle. Assim, o resultado da meta-análise sugere ausência de correlação entre o polimorfismo em questão e a suscetibilidade à fibromialgia. Sugerimos a utilização de um amplo painel de SNPs com a intenção de aumentar as chances de se encontrar associação entre polimorfismos gênicos e suscetibilidade à fibromialgia.

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