W. Kem - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by W. Kem
Marine Drugs
Many organisms possess “secondary” compounds to avoid consumption or to immobilize prey. While th... more Many organisms possess “secondary” compounds to avoid consumption or to immobilize prey. While the most abundant or active compounds are initially investigated, more extensive analyses reveal other “minor” compounds with distinctive properties that may also be of biomedical and pharmaceutical significance. Here, we present an initial in vitro investigation of the actions of two isomeric tetrahydropyridyl ring-containing anabasine analogs: isoanatabine, an alkaloid isolated from a marine worm, and anatabine, a relatively abundant minor alkaloid in commercial tobacco plants. Both compounds have a double bond that is distal to the piperidine ring nitrogen of anabasine. Racemic isoanatabine and anatabine were synthesized and their S- and R-enantiomers were isolated by chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both isoanatabines displayed higher efficacies at α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) relative to the anatabines; R-isoanatabine was most potent. Radioligand b...
Marine Drugs
Three major forms of the nicotinic agonist toxin anabaseine (cyclic iminium, cyclic imine and the... more Three major forms of the nicotinic agonist toxin anabaseine (cyclic iminium, cyclic imine and the monocationic open-chain ammonium-ketone) co-exist in almost equal concentrations at physiological pH. We asked the question: Which of these forms is pharmacologically active? First, we investigated the pH dependence of anabaseine inhibition of [3H]-methylcarbamylcholine binding at rat brain α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These experiments indicated that one or both monocationic forms interact with the orthosteric binding site for ACh. However, since they occur at equal concentrations near physiological pH, we employed another approach, preparing a stable analog of each form and examining its agonist activities and binding affinities at several vertebrate brain and neuromuscular nAChRs. Only 2-(3-pyridyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine monohydrogen chloride (PTHP), the cyclic iminium analog, displayed nAChR potencies and binding affinities similar to anabaseine. The cycli...
Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology, Jan 13, 2018
Muscle changes of critical illness are attributed to systemic inflammatory responses and disuse a... more Muscle changes of critical illness are attributed to systemic inflammatory responses and disuse atrophy. GTS-21 (3-(2,4-dimethoxy-benzylidene)anabaseine), also known as DMBX-A) is a synthetic derivative of the natural product anabaseine that acts as an agonist at α7-acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs). Hypothesis tested was that modulation of inflammation by agonist GTS-21 (10 mg/kg b.i.d. intraperitoneally) will attenuate body weight (BW) and muscle changes. Systemic sham inflammation was produced in 125 rats by Cornyebacterium parvum (C.p.) or saline injection on days 0/4/8. Seventy-four rats had one immobilized-limb producing disuse atrophy. GTS-21 effects on BW, tibialis muscle mass (TMM), and function were assessed on day 12. Systemically, methemoglobin levels increased 26-fold with C.p. (p < 0.001) and decreased significantly (p < 0.033) with GTS-21. Control BW increased (+ 30 ± 9 g, mean ± SD) at day 12, but decreased with C.p. and superimposed disuse (p = 0.005). GTS-21...
Schizophrenia research, May 16, 2017
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Jan 21, 2017
The aim of the trial was to assess whether extending plasma levels of the alpha 7-nicotinic acety... more The aim of the trial was to assess whether extending plasma levels of the alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine (DMXB-A) over time enhances its cognitive effects in schizophrenia. Both smoking and non-smoking patients were studied, to determine if effects differ between these two groups. Forty-three smokers and 37 non-smokers who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 1 month trial. DMXB-A 150 mg was formulated with hypromellose to produce extended release over 4 h and administered four times daily. The primary outcome the Neurocognitive Composite of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery and secondary outcomes the MATRICS Attention/Vigilance Doman and P50 gating, showed no significant effect. Plasma levels were obtained 2.5 h post administration. In non-smokers, levels were similar to those reached transiently with 75 to 150 mg DMXB-A immediate release formulat...
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, Dec 26, 2016
Abnormalities in CHRNA7, the alpha7-nicotinic receptor gene, have been reported in autism spectru... more Abnormalities in CHRNA7, the alpha7-nicotinic receptor gene, have been reported in autism spectrum disorder. These genetic abnormalities potentially decrease the receptor's expression and diminish its functional role. This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in two adult patients investigated whether an investigational receptor-specific partial agonist drug would increase the inhibitory functions of the gene and thereby increase patients' attention. An electrophysiological biomarker, P50 inhibition, verified the intended neurobiological effect of the agonist, and neuropsychological testing verified a primary cognitive effect. Both patients perceived increased attention in their self-ratings. Alpha7-nicotinic receptor agonists, currently the target of drug development in schizophrenia and Alzheimer Disease, may also have positive clinical effects in autism spectrum disorder.
Free Radical Research Communications, Feb 1, 1990
Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for a number of biologically active compounds which incorpo... more Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for a number of biologically active compounds which incorporate imine substitution on the pyridine nucleus. The reductions in acid (iminium ion formation) were for the most part reversible, and in the range of -0.5 to -0.7V. The toxic effect of these drugs is thought to be caused by the generation of reactive oxygen radicals that arise via charge transfer, or by disruption of electron transport chains.
Toxins, Jul 4, 2016
Teratogenic alkaloids can cause developmental defects due to the inhibition of fetal movement tha... more Teratogenic alkaloids can cause developmental defects due to the inhibition of fetal movement that results from desensitization of fetal muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We investigated the ability of two known teratogens, the piperidinyl-pyridine anabasine and its 1,2-dehydropiperidinyl analog anabaseine, to activate and desensitize peripheral nAChRs expressed in TE-671 and SH-SY5Y cells. Activation-concentration response curves for each alkaloid were obtained in the same multi-well plate. To measure rapid desensitization, cells were first exposed to five potentially-desensitizing concentrations of each alkaloid in log10 molar increments from 10 nM to 100 µM and then to a fixed concentration of acetylcholine (ACh), which alone produces near-maximal activation. The fifty percent desensitization concentration (DC50) was calculated from the alkaloid concentration-ACh response curve. Agonist fast desensitization potency was predicted by the agonist potency measur...
Heterocycles, 2009
ABSTRACT The pyridyl ring is frequently found in natural products and drugs. While bipyridyls hav... more ABSTRACT The pyridyl ring is frequently found in natural products and drugs. While bipyridyls have served as useful scaffolds for development of industrial and pesticidal chemicals, their biological properties are still not well understood. Only 2,3--bipyridyl, of the six isomeric bipyridyls, has been reported as a natural product in tobacco plants and in a hoplonemertine marine worm, Amphiporus angulatus (Aa), which uses its pyridyl alkaloid-rich venom to paralyze its crustacean prey and chemically defend itself against predators. Here we report for the first time the synthesis and spectroscopic properties of all eight possible methyl 2,3′-bipyridyl isomers and use this data to identify a trace alkaloidal constituent of Aa as 3-methyl-2,3′-bipyridyl. This is only the second reported instance of a methyl-bipyridyl being found as a natural product, the first being the tobacco alkaloid 5-methyl-2,3′-bipyridyl. © 2009 The Japan Institute of Heterocyclic Chemistry All rights reserved.
Neuropharmacology, 2009
One approach for the identification of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease has focused on ... more One approach for the identification of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease has focused on the research of α7 nAChR-selective agonists such as the partial agonists 3-(4-hydroxy,2methoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (4OH-GTS-21) and, more recently, 2-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-2oxoethyl]-1-methyl pyridinium (S 24795). An alternative approach for targeting α7 nAChR has been the development of positive modulators for this receptor. In this study we examined the interactions between full or partial agonists and positive modulators of α7 nAChRs in situ in brain tissue. Three positive modulators were used, 5-hydroxyindole (5-HI), 1-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(5methyl-isoxanol-3-yl)-urea (PNU-120596), and genistein. Whole-cell recordings were performed in stratum radiatum interneurons from rat brain slices. Hippocampal interneurons were stimulated by ACh, choline, S 24795, or 4OH-GTS-21, before and after bath perfusion with the positive modulators. 5-HI was not effective at potentiating 200 μM 4OH-GTS-21-evoked responses, however 5-HI induced a sustained potentiation of responses evoked by 30 μM 4OH-GTS-21. When 1 mM ACh and 200 μM 4OH-GTS-21 were applied alternately α7-mediated responses to both agonists were reduced, suggesting that high concentration of 4OH-GTS-21 produces residual inhibition or desensitization and that 5-HI is not effective at overcoming receptor desensitization. Similar results were obtained with α7 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Interestingly, responses evoked by S 24795 were potentiated by 5-HI but not by genistein. Additionally, PNU-120596 was able to potentiate α7-mediated responses, regardless of the nature of the agonist. We demonstrated that the potentiation of α7 nAChR response would depend on the nature and the effective concentration of the agonist involved and its particular interaction with the positive modulator.
Mol Pharmacol, 2004
The ␣7 nAChR-selective partial agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (GTS-21) is more ef... more The ␣7 nAChR-selective partial agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (GTS-21) is more efficacious and potent for rat receptors than for human ␣7 receptors. Four single amino acid differences exist between human and rat ␣7 in the agonist binding site, two in the C loop, and one each in the E and F loops. Reciprocal mutations were made in these three domains and evaluated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutations in the C and F loops significantly increased the efficacy of GTS-21 for the human receptor mutants but not to the level of the wild-type, and reciprocal mutations in rat ␣7 did not decrease responses to GTS-21. Whereas mutations in the E loop alone were without effect, the E-and F-loop mutations together increased GTS-21 efficacy and potency for human receptors, but
Marine Drugs
Many organisms possess “secondary” compounds to avoid consumption or to immobilize prey. While th... more Many organisms possess “secondary” compounds to avoid consumption or to immobilize prey. While the most abundant or active compounds are initially investigated, more extensive analyses reveal other “minor” compounds with distinctive properties that may also be of biomedical and pharmaceutical significance. Here, we present an initial in vitro investigation of the actions of two isomeric tetrahydropyridyl ring-containing anabasine analogs: isoanatabine, an alkaloid isolated from a marine worm, and anatabine, a relatively abundant minor alkaloid in commercial tobacco plants. Both compounds have a double bond that is distal to the piperidine ring nitrogen of anabasine. Racemic isoanatabine and anatabine were synthesized and their S- and R-enantiomers were isolated by chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both isoanatabines displayed higher efficacies at α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) relative to the anatabines; R-isoanatabine was most potent. Radioligand b...
Marine Drugs
Three major forms of the nicotinic agonist toxin anabaseine (cyclic iminium, cyclic imine and the... more Three major forms of the nicotinic agonist toxin anabaseine (cyclic iminium, cyclic imine and the monocationic open-chain ammonium-ketone) co-exist in almost equal concentrations at physiological pH. We asked the question: Which of these forms is pharmacologically active? First, we investigated the pH dependence of anabaseine inhibition of [3H]-methylcarbamylcholine binding at rat brain α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These experiments indicated that one or both monocationic forms interact with the orthosteric binding site for ACh. However, since they occur at equal concentrations near physiological pH, we employed another approach, preparing a stable analog of each form and examining its agonist activities and binding affinities at several vertebrate brain and neuromuscular nAChRs. Only 2-(3-pyridyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine monohydrogen chloride (PTHP), the cyclic iminium analog, displayed nAChR potencies and binding affinities similar to anabaseine. The cycli...
Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology, Jan 13, 2018
Muscle changes of critical illness are attributed to systemic inflammatory responses and disuse a... more Muscle changes of critical illness are attributed to systemic inflammatory responses and disuse atrophy. GTS-21 (3-(2,4-dimethoxy-benzylidene)anabaseine), also known as DMBX-A) is a synthetic derivative of the natural product anabaseine that acts as an agonist at α7-acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs). Hypothesis tested was that modulation of inflammation by agonist GTS-21 (10 mg/kg b.i.d. intraperitoneally) will attenuate body weight (BW) and muscle changes. Systemic sham inflammation was produced in 125 rats by Cornyebacterium parvum (C.p.) or saline injection on days 0/4/8. Seventy-four rats had one immobilized-limb producing disuse atrophy. GTS-21 effects on BW, tibialis muscle mass (TMM), and function were assessed on day 12. Systemically, methemoglobin levels increased 26-fold with C.p. (p < 0.001) and decreased significantly (p < 0.033) with GTS-21. Control BW increased (+ 30 ± 9 g, mean ± SD) at day 12, but decreased with C.p. and superimposed disuse (p = 0.005). GTS-21...
Schizophrenia research, May 16, 2017
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Jan 21, 2017
The aim of the trial was to assess whether extending plasma levels of the alpha 7-nicotinic acety... more The aim of the trial was to assess whether extending plasma levels of the alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine (DMXB-A) over time enhances its cognitive effects in schizophrenia. Both smoking and non-smoking patients were studied, to determine if effects differ between these two groups. Forty-three smokers and 37 non-smokers who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 1 month trial. DMXB-A 150 mg was formulated with hypromellose to produce extended release over 4 h and administered four times daily. The primary outcome the Neurocognitive Composite of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery and secondary outcomes the MATRICS Attention/Vigilance Doman and P50 gating, showed no significant effect. Plasma levels were obtained 2.5 h post administration. In non-smokers, levels were similar to those reached transiently with 75 to 150 mg DMXB-A immediate release formulat...
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, Dec 26, 2016
Abnormalities in CHRNA7, the alpha7-nicotinic receptor gene, have been reported in autism spectru... more Abnormalities in CHRNA7, the alpha7-nicotinic receptor gene, have been reported in autism spectrum disorder. These genetic abnormalities potentially decrease the receptor's expression and diminish its functional role. This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in two adult patients investigated whether an investigational receptor-specific partial agonist drug would increase the inhibitory functions of the gene and thereby increase patients' attention. An electrophysiological biomarker, P50 inhibition, verified the intended neurobiological effect of the agonist, and neuropsychological testing verified a primary cognitive effect. Both patients perceived increased attention in their self-ratings. Alpha7-nicotinic receptor agonists, currently the target of drug development in schizophrenia and Alzheimer Disease, may also have positive clinical effects in autism spectrum disorder.
Free Radical Research Communications, Feb 1, 1990
Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for a number of biologically active compounds which incorpo... more Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for a number of biologically active compounds which incorporate imine substitution on the pyridine nucleus. The reductions in acid (iminium ion formation) were for the most part reversible, and in the range of -0.5 to -0.7V. The toxic effect of these drugs is thought to be caused by the generation of reactive oxygen radicals that arise via charge transfer, or by disruption of electron transport chains.
Toxins, Jul 4, 2016
Teratogenic alkaloids can cause developmental defects due to the inhibition of fetal movement tha... more Teratogenic alkaloids can cause developmental defects due to the inhibition of fetal movement that results from desensitization of fetal muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We investigated the ability of two known teratogens, the piperidinyl-pyridine anabasine and its 1,2-dehydropiperidinyl analog anabaseine, to activate and desensitize peripheral nAChRs expressed in TE-671 and SH-SY5Y cells. Activation-concentration response curves for each alkaloid were obtained in the same multi-well plate. To measure rapid desensitization, cells were first exposed to five potentially-desensitizing concentrations of each alkaloid in log10 molar increments from 10 nM to 100 µM and then to a fixed concentration of acetylcholine (ACh), which alone produces near-maximal activation. The fifty percent desensitization concentration (DC50) was calculated from the alkaloid concentration-ACh response curve. Agonist fast desensitization potency was predicted by the agonist potency measur...
Heterocycles, 2009
ABSTRACT The pyridyl ring is frequently found in natural products and drugs. While bipyridyls hav... more ABSTRACT The pyridyl ring is frequently found in natural products and drugs. While bipyridyls have served as useful scaffolds for development of industrial and pesticidal chemicals, their biological properties are still not well understood. Only 2,3--bipyridyl, of the six isomeric bipyridyls, has been reported as a natural product in tobacco plants and in a hoplonemertine marine worm, Amphiporus angulatus (Aa), which uses its pyridyl alkaloid-rich venom to paralyze its crustacean prey and chemically defend itself against predators. Here we report for the first time the synthesis and spectroscopic properties of all eight possible methyl 2,3′-bipyridyl isomers and use this data to identify a trace alkaloidal constituent of Aa as 3-methyl-2,3′-bipyridyl. This is only the second reported instance of a methyl-bipyridyl being found as a natural product, the first being the tobacco alkaloid 5-methyl-2,3′-bipyridyl. © 2009 The Japan Institute of Heterocyclic Chemistry All rights reserved.
Neuropharmacology, 2009
One approach for the identification of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease has focused on ... more One approach for the identification of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease has focused on the research of α7 nAChR-selective agonists such as the partial agonists 3-(4-hydroxy,2methoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (4OH-GTS-21) and, more recently, 2-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-2oxoethyl]-1-methyl pyridinium (S 24795). An alternative approach for targeting α7 nAChR has been the development of positive modulators for this receptor. In this study we examined the interactions between full or partial agonists and positive modulators of α7 nAChRs in situ in brain tissue. Three positive modulators were used, 5-hydroxyindole (5-HI), 1-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(5methyl-isoxanol-3-yl)-urea (PNU-120596), and genistein. Whole-cell recordings were performed in stratum radiatum interneurons from rat brain slices. Hippocampal interneurons were stimulated by ACh, choline, S 24795, or 4OH-GTS-21, before and after bath perfusion with the positive modulators. 5-HI was not effective at potentiating 200 μM 4OH-GTS-21-evoked responses, however 5-HI induced a sustained potentiation of responses evoked by 30 μM 4OH-GTS-21. When 1 mM ACh and 200 μM 4OH-GTS-21 were applied alternately α7-mediated responses to both agonists were reduced, suggesting that high concentration of 4OH-GTS-21 produces residual inhibition or desensitization and that 5-HI is not effective at overcoming receptor desensitization. Similar results were obtained with α7 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Interestingly, responses evoked by S 24795 were potentiated by 5-HI but not by genistein. Additionally, PNU-120596 was able to potentiate α7-mediated responses, regardless of the nature of the agonist. We demonstrated that the potentiation of α7 nAChR response would depend on the nature and the effective concentration of the agonist involved and its particular interaction with the positive modulator.
Mol Pharmacol, 2004
The ␣7 nAChR-selective partial agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (GTS-21) is more ef... more The ␣7 nAChR-selective partial agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine (GTS-21) is more efficacious and potent for rat receptors than for human ␣7 receptors. Four single amino acid differences exist between human and rat ␣7 in the agonist binding site, two in the C loop, and one each in the E and F loops. Reciprocal mutations were made in these three domains and evaluated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutations in the C and F loops significantly increased the efficacy of GTS-21 for the human receptor mutants but not to the level of the wild-type, and reciprocal mutations in rat ␣7 did not decrease responses to GTS-21. Whereas mutations in the E loop alone were without effect, the E-and F-loop mutations together increased GTS-21 efficacy and potency for human receptors, but