Abstract
A major neurotransmitter, L-Glutamate must be stored, transported and received, and these processes are mediated by proteins that bind this simple yet essential amino acid. Detailed evidence continues to emerge on the structure of Glu binding proteins, which includes both receptors and transporters. It appears that receptors and transporters bind to Glu in different conformations, which may present a pharmacological opportunity. This review will compare and contrast information available on Glu Receptors (AMPA, NMDA, KA and mGlu), excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), the system Xc- transporter (XCT) and the vesicular Glutamate transporter (GVT). The cross-reactivity of ligands which have been previously used to characterize the glutamate binding proteins with system Xc- raises some fundamental interpretational issues regarding the mechanisms through which these analogues produce CNS damage. Although at one time it was thought that unraveling selectivity among glutamate binding proteins was an intractable problem, recently the NMDA antagonist (memantine) has been approved for general medical practice for treatment of Alzheimers disease. Two other agents are in advanced clinical trials: an Ampakine for potential improvement of cognitive disorders, and a selective mGlu agonist for treatment of anxiety. The prospects for unraveling cross-reactivity will be weighed in light of a critical comparison of the glutamate binding protein targets.
Keywords: Glutamate, receptor, transporter, ligand, inhibitor, substrate, isoxazole
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Can Selective Ligands for Glutamate Binding Proteins be Rationally Designed?
Volume: 6 Issue: 8
Author(s): Nicholas R. Natale, Kathy R. Magnusson and Jared K. Nelson
Affiliation:
Keywords: Glutamate, receptor, transporter, ligand, inhibitor, substrate, isoxazole
Abstract: A major neurotransmitter, L-Glutamate must be stored, transported and received, and these processes are mediated by proteins that bind this simple yet essential amino acid. Detailed evidence continues to emerge on the structure of Glu binding proteins, which includes both receptors and transporters. It appears that receptors and transporters bind to Glu in different conformations, which may present a pharmacological opportunity. This review will compare and contrast information available on Glu Receptors (AMPA, NMDA, KA and mGlu), excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), the system Xc- transporter (XCT) and the vesicular Glutamate transporter (GVT). The cross-reactivity of ligands which have been previously used to characterize the glutamate binding proteins with system Xc- raises some fundamental interpretational issues regarding the mechanisms through which these analogues produce CNS damage. Although at one time it was thought that unraveling selectivity among glutamate binding proteins was an intractable problem, recently the NMDA antagonist (memantine) has been approved for general medical practice for treatment of Alzheimers disease. Two other agents are in advanced clinical trials: an Ampakine for potential improvement of cognitive disorders, and a selective mGlu agonist for treatment of anxiety. The prospects for unraveling cross-reactivity will be weighed in light of a critical comparison of the glutamate binding protein targets.
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Cite this article as:
Natale R. Nicholas, Magnusson R. Kathy and Nelson K. Jared, Can Selective Ligands for Glutamate Binding Proteins be Rationally Designed?, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 6 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802606777057535
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156802606777057535 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
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