MAO-B elevation in mouse brain astrocytes results in Parkinson's pathology

Age-related increases in monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) may contribute to neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The MAO-B inhibitor deprenyl, a long-standing antiparkinsonian therapy, is currently used clinically in concert with the dopamine precursor L-DOPA. Clinical studies suggesting that deprenyl treatment alone is not protective against PD associated mortality were targeted to symptomatic patients. However, dopamine loss is at least 60% by the time PD is symptomatically detectable, therefore lack of effect of MAO-B inhibition in these patients does not negate a role for MAO-B in pre-symptomatic dopaminergic loss. In order to directly evaluate the role of age-related elevations in astroglial MAO-B in the early initiation or progression of PD, we created genetically engineered transgenic mice in which MAO-B levels could be specifically induced within astroglia in adult animals. Elevated astrocytic MAO-B mimicking age related increase resulted in specific, selective and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), the same subset of neurons primarily impacted in the human condition. This was accompanied by other PD-related alterations including selective decreases in mitochondrial complex I activity and increased mitochondrial oxidative stress. Along with a global astrogliosis, we observed local microglial activation within the SN. These pathologies correlated with decreased locomotor activity. Importantly, these events occurred even in the absence of the PD-inducing neurotoxin MPTP. Our data demonstrates that elevation of murine astrocytic MAO-B by itself can induce several phenotypes of PD, signifying that MAO-B could be directly involved in multiple aspects of disease neuropathology. Mechanistically this may involve increases in membrane permeant H(2)O(2) which can oxidize dopamine within dopaminergic neurons to dopaminochrome which, via interaction with mitochondrial complex I, can result in increased mitochondrial superoxide. Our inducible astrocytic MAO-B transgenic provides a novel model for exploring pathways involved in initiation and progression of several key features associated with PD pathology and for therapeutic drug testing.     

Perspectives on MAO-B in aging and neurological disease

The catecholamine-oxidizing enzyme monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) has been hypothesized to be an important determining factor in the etiology of both normal aging and age-related neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Catalysis of substrate by the enzyme produces H2O2 which is a primary originator of oxidative stress which in turn can lead to cellular damage. MAO-B increases with age as does predisposition towards PD which has also been linked to increased oxidative stress. Inhibition of MAO-B, along with supplementation of lost dopamine via L-DOPA, is one of the major antiparkinsonian therapies currently in use. In this review, we address several factors contributing to a possible role for MAO-B in normal brain aging and neurological disease and also discuss the use of MAO-B inhibitors as drug therapy for these conditions.     

Neuroprotection by monoamine oxidase B inhibitors: a therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease?

Parkinsonism (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the brain resulting in dopamine deficiency caused by the progressive death of dopaminergic neurons. PD is characterized by a combination of rigidity, poverty of movement, tremor and postural instability. Selegiline is a selective and irreversible propargylamine type B monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) inhibitor. This drug, which inhibits dopamine metabolism, has been effectively used in the treatment of PD. However, its therapeutic effects are compromised by its many neurotoxic metabolites. To circumvent this obstacle, a novel MAO-B inhibitor, rasagiline, was developed. Paradoxically, the neuroprotective mechanism of propargylamines in different neuronal models appears to be independent of MAO-B inhibition. Recent investigations into the neuroprotective mechanism of propargylamines indicate that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), MAO-B and/or other unknown proteins may represent pivotal proteins in the survival of the injured neurons. Delineation of the mechanism(s) involved in the neuroprotective effects exerted by MAO-B inhibitors may provide the key to preventive novel therapeutic modalities.     

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B by selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonists

Adenosine receptor antagonists that are selective for the A(2A) receptor subtype (A(2A) antagonists) are under investigation as possible therapeutic agents for the symptomatic treatment of the motor deficits associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Results of recent studies in the MPTP mouse model of PD suggest that A(2A) antagonists may possess neuroprotective properties. Since monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors also enhance motor function and reduce MPTP neurotoxicity, we have examined the MAO-B inhibiting properties of several A(2A) antagonists and structurally related compounds in an effort to determine if inhibition of MAO-B may contribute to the observed neuroprotection. The results of these studies have established that all of the (E)-8-styrylxanthinyl derived A(2A) antagonists examined display significant MAO-B inhibitory properties in vitro with K(i) values in the low micro M to nM range. Included in this series is (E)-1,3-diethyl-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-7-methylxanthine (KW-6002), a potent A(2A) antagonist and neuroprotective agent that is in clinical trials. The results of these studies suggest that MAO-B inhibition may contribute to the neuroprotective potential of A(2A) receptor antagonists such as KW-6002 and open the possibility of designing dual targeting drugs that may have enhanced therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD.     

Synthesis and evaluation of biaryl derivatives for structural characterization of selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors toward Parkinson’s disease therapy

Benzyloxyphenyl moiety is a common structure of highly potent, selective and reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), safinamide and sembragiline. We synthesized 4-(benzyloxy)phenyl and biphenyl-4-yl derivatives including halogen substituents on the terminal aryl unit. In addition, we modified the carbon linker between amine group and the biaryl linked unit. Among synthesized compounds, 12c exhibited the most potent and selective MAO-B inhibitory effect (hMAO-B IC₅₀: 8.9?nM; >10,000-fold selectivity over MAO-A) as a competitive inhibitor. In addition, 12c showed greater MAO-B inhibitory activity and selectivity compared to well-known MAO-B inhibitors such as selegiline, safinamide and sembragiline. In the MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD), 12c significantly protected the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunopositive DAergic neurons and attenuated the PD-associated behavioral deficits. This study suggests characteristic structures as a MAO-B inhibitor that may provide a good insight for the development of therapeutic agents for PD.     

Dual inhibition of monoamine oxidase B and antagonism of the adenosine A(2A) receptor by (E,E)-8-(4-phenylbutadien-1-yl)caffeine analogues

The adenosine A(2A) receptor has emerged as an attractive target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidence suggests that antagonists of the A(2A) receptor (A(2A) antagonists) may be neuroprotective and may help to alleviate the symptoms of PD. We have reported recently that several members of the (E)-8-styrylcaffeine class of A(2A) antagonists also are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). Since MAO-B inhibitors are known to possess anti-parkinsonian properties, dual-target-directed drugs that block both MAO-B and A(2A) receptors may have enhanced value in the management of PD. In an attempt to explore this concept further we have prepared three additional classes of C-8 substituted caffeinyl analogues. The 8-phenyl- and 8-benzylcaffeinyl analogues exhibited relatively weak MAO-B inhibition potencies while selected (E,E)-8-(4-phenylbutadien-1-yl)caffeinyl analogues were found to be exceptionally potent reversible MAO-B inhibitors with enzyme-inhibitor dissociation constants (K(i) values) ranging from 17 to 149 nM. Furthermore, these (E,E)-8-(4-phenylbutadien-1-yl)caffeines acted as potent A(2A) antagonists with K(i) values ranging from 59 to 153 nM. We conclude that the (E,E)-8-(4-phenylbutadien-1-yl)caffeines are a promising candidate class of dual-acting compounds.     

Age-Related Behavioral Phenotype of an Astrocytic Monoamine Oxidase-B Transgenic Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

We have previously shown that increases in astrocytic monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) expression, mimicking that which occurs with aging and in neurodegenerative disease, in a doxycycline (dox)-inducible transgenic mouse model evokes neuropathological similarities to what is observed in the human parkinsonian brain. Additional behavioral and neuropathological studies could provide further validation for its usage as a model for Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we utilized a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate age-related phenotype in this model. In the open field test, we found that dox-induction impaired motor ability with decreases in movement and ambulatory function as well as diminished stereotypical, repetitive movement episodes in both young and old mice. Older mice also showed decreased motor performance in the pole test when compared to younger mice. Furthermore, dox-induced older mice displayed severe hindlimb clasping and the most significant loss of dopamine (DA) in the striatum when compared to young and non-induced animals. Additionally, increased MAO-B activity significantly correlated with decreased expression of striatal DA. The results of our study further confirms that the dox-inducible astrocytic MAO-B transgenic mouse displays similar age-related behavioral and neuropathological features to other models of PD, and could serve as a useful tool to study PD pathophysiology and for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions.     

PF 9601N [N-(2-propynyl)-2-(5-benzyloxy-indolyl) methylamine], a new MAO-B inhibitor,attenuates MPTP-induced depletion of striatal dopamine levels in C57/BL6 mice

Monoamine oxidase isoform B (MAO-B) is involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine toxin (MPTP) in human and non-human-primate. MAO-B inhibitors, such as L-deprenyl have shown to prevent against MPTP-toxicity in different species, and it has been used in Parkinson therapy, however, the fact that it is metabolized to (-)-methamphetamine and (-)-amphetamine highlights the need to find out new MAO-B inhibitors without a structural amphetaminic moiety. In this context we herein report, for the first time, anywhere a novel non-amphetamine-like MAO-B inhibitor, PF 9601N, N-(2-propynyl)-2-(5-benzyloxy-indolyl) methylamine. This attenuates the MPTP-induced striatal dopamine depletion in young-adult and adult-old C57/BL mice, using different schedules of administration, and which behave "ex vivo" as a slightly more potent and selective MAO-B inhibitor than L-deprenyl, assayed for comparative purposes in the same experimental conditions. The MAO-B ID(50) values were calculated from the total MAO-B activity measured against [14C] phenylethylamine (22 microM) as substrate, at each inhibitor concentration. The MAO-B ID(50) values resulted to be 381 and 577 nmol/kg for PF 9601N and L-deprenyl, respectively. The intraperitoneally (i.p.) co-administration to young-adult C57/BL6 mice of MPTP (30 mg/kg), with different concentrations of PF 9601N or L-deprenyl (29.5-0.357 micromol/kg) showed a dose-dependent protective effect against striatal dopamine depletion, measuring the dopamine contents and its metabolites by HPLC. The ED(50) value proved to be 3.07 micromol/kg without any significant differences between either MAO-B inhibitor. Nevertheless, lower doses of PF 9601N (1.5 micromol/kg) were necessary to get almost total protection, without any change in the DOPAC and HVA content, when administered 2 h before MPTP (30 mg/kg), whereas partial protection (45%) against dopamine depletion was observed in the case of L-deprenyl. In both cases, MAO-B inhibition was a necessary condition in order to observe the protective effect. When adult-old (8-10 months) C57/BL6 mice were used, MPTP (25 mg/kg) administration induced 25 days later, an irreversible dopamine depletion. In these conditions, chronic administration with 0.15 micromol/kg of PF 9601N, before the toxin, every 24 h for 10 days, rendered almost total protection of dopamine depletion, whereas L-deprenyl yielded only 50% protection of the dopamine content, assayed in the same conditions. It is worth remarking, that in both cases MAO-B was not affected. From these results, it can be concluded that PF 9601N attenuates MPTP neurotoxicity "in vivo" better than L-deprenyl through different mechanisms, with special relevance to the protective effect, independent of MAO-B inhibition, observed in the irreversibly MPTP-lesioned adult-old mice. Therefore, this novel non-amphetamine MAO-B inhibitor could be potentially effective in PD therapy.     

Rutin as promising drug for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease: an assessment of MAO-B inhibitory potential by docking,molecular dynamics and DFT studies

ABSTRACT

Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B have been used for many years in the therapy of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Owing to the safety concerns of the currently used agents, the discovery of novel scaffolds is of considerable interest. MAO-B inhibitory potential of rutin, a flavonoid derived from natural sources, has been established in experimental findings. Hence, the current study seeks to examine the interactions between rutin and crystal structure of human MAO-B enzyme. Molecular docking calculations, as well as molecular dynamics simulations, were employed to investigate the binding mode and the stability of the rutin/MAO-B complex. Energies of highest occupied/lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals were computed through DFT studies and used to calculate electron affinity, hardness, chemical potential, electronegativity, and electrophilicity index in order to investigate the capability of these parameters to influence the ligand–receptor interactions. It was found that rutin traverses both the entrance cavity and the substrate cavity, forcing the Ile-199 ‘gate’ to rotate into its open conformation. It results in the fusion of the two cavities of the MAO-B binding site and directly leads to better binding interactions. Results of the current study can be used for lead modification and development of novel drugs for the treatment of PD.     

Novel multifunctional neuroprotective iron chelator-monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. In vivo selective brain monoamine oxidase inhibition and prevention of MPTP-induced striatal dopamine depletion

Several multifunctional iron chelators have been synthesized from hydroxyquinoline pharmacophore of the iron chelator, VK-28, possessing the monoamine oxidase (MAO) and neuroprotective N-propargylamine moiety. They have iron chelating potency similar to desferal. M30 is a potent irreversible rat brain mitochondrial MAO-A and -B inhibitor in vitro (IC50, MAO-A, 0.037 +/- 0.02; MAO-B, 0.057 +/- 0.01). Acute (1-5 mg/kg) and chronic [5-10 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) or orally (p.o.) once daily for 14 days]in vivo studies have shown M30 to be a potent brain selective (striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum) MAO-A and -B inhibitor. It has little effects on the enzyme activities of the liver and small intestine. Its N-desmethylated derivative, M30A is significantly less active. Acute and chronic treatment with M30 results in increased levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin(5-HT), noradrenaline (NA) and decreases in DOPAC (dihydroxyphenylacetic acid), HVA (homovanillic acid) and 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole acetic acid) as determined in striatum and hypothalamus. In the mouse MPTP (N-methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) model of Parkinson's disease (PD) it attenuates the DA depleting action of the neurotoxin and increases striatal levels of DA, 5-HT and NA, while decreasing their metabolites. As DA is equally well metabolized by MAO-A and -B, it is expected that M30 would have a greater DA neurotransmission potentiation in PD than selective MAO-B inhibitors, for which it is being developed, as MAO-B inhibitors do not alter brain dopamine.     

Anti-Parkinsonian agents have anti-amyloidogenic activity for Alzheimer's beta-amyloid fibrils in vitro

Inhibition of the accumulation of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) and the formation of beta-amyloid fibrils (fAbeta) from Abeta, as well as the destabilization of preformed fAbeta in the central nervous system would be attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Many studies have demonstrated that oxidative damage plays a central role in AD pathogenesis, as well as Parkinson disease (PD). Among the antioxidant strategies proposed, increasing evidence points to the possibility of achieving neuroprotection by dopamine agonists, as well as monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors. Actually, the beneficial effect of selegiline, a MAO-B inhibitor, in AD has been noted in several clinical studies. On the reverse, antimuscarinic agents have been reported to accelerate beta-amyloidosis and senile plaque formation in PD. Using fluorescence spectroscopic analysis with thioflavin T and electron microscopic studies, we examined the effects of anti-Parkinsonian agents, dopamine, levodopa, pergolide, bromocriptine, selegiline, and trihexyphenidyl on the formation, extension, and destabilization of fAbeta(1-40) and fAbeta(1-42) at pH 7.5 at 37 degrees C in vitro. The anti-Parkinsonian agents other than trihexyphenidyl dose-dependently inhibited fAbeta formation from Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42), as well as their extension. Moreover, these agents dose-dependently destabilized preformed fAbetas. The overall activity of the molecules examined was in the order of: dopamine>selegiline>levodopa=pergolide>bromocriptine. Although the exact mechanism of the anti-amyloidogenic activity of these agents is unclear, these and other structurally related compounds could be key molecules for the development of therapeutics for AD and other conformational diseases.     

Controversies in Neurology: why monoamine oxidase B inhibitors could be a good choice for the initial treatment of Parkinson's disease

Background  

Early initiation of pharmacotherapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) is nowadays widely advocated by experts since the delay of treatment has shown to be associated with a significant deterioration of health related quality of life in affected patients. Due to marked advances in PD treatment during the last decades, physicians are nowadays fortunately equipped with a variety of substances that can effectively ameliorate emerging motor symptoms of the disease, among them levodopa, dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors. Despite numerous drug intervention trials in early PD, there is however still ongoing controversy among neurologists which substance to use for the initial treatment of the disease.     

Subnanomolar indazole-5-carboxamide inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) continued: indications of iron binding,experimental evidence for optimised solubility and brain penetration

Pharmacological and physicochemical studies of N-unsubstituted indazole-5-carboxamides (subclass I) and their structurally optimised N1-methylated analogues (subclass II), initially developed as drug and radioligand candidates for the treatment and diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), are presented. The compounds are highly brain permeable, selective, reversible, and competitive monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors with improved water-solubility and subnanomolar potency (pIC₅₀ >8.8). Using a well-validated, combined X-ray/modelling technology platform, we performed a semi-quantitative analysis of the binding modes of all compounds and investigated the role of the indazole N1 position for their MAO-B inhibitory activity. Moreover, compounds NTZ-1006, 1032, and 1441 were investigated for their ability to bind Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions using UV-visible spectroscopy.     

Lack of platelet monoamine oxidase activity in Cebus monkeys (Cebus albifrons)

1. Recent evidence suggests that monoamine oxidase (MAO) plays an important role modulating the extrapyramidal syndromes produced by neuroleptic drugs in both human and nonhuman primates. 2. To evaluate the possibility of using peripheral blood platelet MAO-B levels as indices of central nervous system MAO-B effects, we measured platelet MAO-B levels in Cebus monkeys that were previously tested with neuroleptics (N = 36) or drug naive (N = 6). 3. No platelet MAO-B was consistently detectable in these blood samples. 4. Thus platelet measures of MAO-B do not reliably reflect brain MAO-B function in nonhuman primates and do not offer a useful model for studying blood-brain MAO-B relationships.     

Rational approaches towards reversible inhibition of type B monoamine oxidase. Design and evaluation of a novel 5H-Indeno[1,2-c]pyridazin-5-one derivative

The stereoelectronic properties of several potent reversible monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors were studied with a view to develop a pharmacophore model for reversible MAO-B inhibition. This study suggested that important specific H-bond and hydrophobic interactions are required for potent and selective MAO-B inhibition. These requirements were applied in the design and synthesis of a novel reversible and selective MAO-B inhibitor, 3-methyl-8-(4,4,4-trifluoro-butoxy)indeno[1,2-c]pyridazin-5-one, that is ca. 7000 times more selective as an inhibitor for MAO-B than for MAO-A, with K(i(MAO-B)) in the low nanomolar range.     

Estrogen-related receptors-stimulated monoamine oxidase B promoter activity is down-regulated by estrogen receptors

Although there are studies published about the neuroprotective effect of estrogen, little is known about the mechanisms and cellular targets of the hormone. Recent reports demonstrate that estrogen down-regulates the expression of monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) in the hypothalamus of the Macaques monkey, both of which are key isoenzymes in the neurotransmitter degradation pathway. Additionally, estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRalpha) up-regulates MAO-B gene expression in breast cancer cells. ERRalpha recognizes a variety of estrogen response elements and shares many target genes and coactivators with estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). In this study, we investigate the interplay of ERs and ERRs in the regulation of MAO-B promoter activity. We demonstrate that ERRalpha and ERRgamma up-regulate MAO-B gene activity, whereas ERalpha and ERbeta decrease stimulation in both a ligand-dependent and -independent manner. Ectopically expressed ERRalpha and ERRgamma stimulate the expression of MAO-B mRNA and protein as well as increase the MAO-B enzymatic activity in ER-negative HeLa cells. The ability of ERRs to stimulate MAO-B promoter activity was reduced in ER-positive MCF-7 and T47D cells. Several AGGTCA motifs of the MAO-B promoter are responsible for up-regulation by ERRs. Interestingly, ERalpha or ERbeta alone have no effect on MAO-B promoter activity but can down-regulate the activation function of ERRs, whereas glucocorticoid receptor does not. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we demonstrate that ERs compete with ERRs for binding to the MAO-B promoter at selective AGGTCA motifs, thereby changing the chromatin status and cofactor recruitment to a repressed state. These studies provide new insight into the relationship between ERalpha, ERbeta, ERRalpha, and ERRgamma in modulation of MAO-B gene activity.     

A scaffold hopping approach to identify novel monoamine oxidase B inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors are used to treat Parkinson's disease. In this study, we searched for novel MAO-B inhibitors using a scaffold hopping approach based on our experience with the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of compounds as MAO-B inhibitors. Several novel compounds were identified, with potencies in the low nanomolar and low micromolar range. We also found that derivatives of the natural product sulfuretin are potent MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors.     

MAO-B knockout mice exhibit deficient habituation of locomotor activity but normal nicotine intake

Low levels of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity, such as those observed in smokers, are also associated with behavioral traits such as a heightened responsiveness to novelty. However, the exact mechanism by which low MAO-B activity influences smoking and heightened responsiveness to novelty is still poorly understood. We used MAO-B knockout (KO) mice to test the hypothesis that MAO-B concomitantly affects locomotor responses in a novel inescapable open field and nicotine intake. Male wild-type (WT) and MAO-B KO mice were placed in an inescapable open field and their horizontal locomotor activity was measured for 30 min per day for 5 days. MAO-B KO mice exhibited impaired within-session habituation of locomotor activity, as compared to WT mice. Separate groups of male WT and MAO-B KO mice were individually housed in their home cages with two water bottles. One of the bottles contained tap water and the other contained nicotine (0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 or 100 micro g/ml). The total amount of water and nicotine solution consumed was measured every three days for 16 days. MAO-B KO mice and WT mice consumed equal amounts of nicotine and exhibited comparable concentration-dependent nicotine preference and aversion over a period of 16 days. The data suggest that the absence of MAO-B impairs the ability of mice to habituate in the inescapable environment, but does not alter their nicotine intake.     

Selected chromone derivatives as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase

A previous study has shown that a series of C6-benzyloxy substituted chromones exhibit high binding affinities for human monoamine oxidase (MAO) B. In an attempt to discover additional chromones with potent and selective MAO-B inhibitory potencies and to further examine the structure-activity relationships of MAO-B inhibition by chromones, the series was expanded with homologues containing polar functional groups on C3 of the chromone ring. The results demonstrate that 6-[(3-bromobenzyl)oxy]chromones containing acidic and aldehydic functional groups on C3 act as potent reversible MAO-B inhibitors with IC(50) values of 2.8 and 3.7nM, respectively. Interestingly, a 2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzopyran-4-one derivative as well as open-ring 2-acetylphenol analogues of the chromones also were potent MAO-B inhibitors with IC(50) values ranging from 4 to 11nM. Chromone derivatives containing the benzyloxy substituent on C5 of the chromone ring, however, exhibit MAO-B inhibition potencies that are several orders of magnitude weaker. High potency inhibitors of MAO-B may find application in the therapy of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.