Cholinesterase inhibitors: xanthostigmine derivatives blocking the acetylcholinesterase-induced beta-amyloid aggregation

J Med Chem. 2005 Jun 30;48(13):4444-56. doi: 10.1021/jm049515h.

Abstract

In continuing research that led us to identify a new class of carbamate derivatives acting as potent (Rampa et al. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 3976) and long-lasting (Rampa et al. J. Med. Chem. 2001, 44, 3810) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, we obtained some analogues able to simultaneously block both the catalytic and the beta-amyloid (Abeta) proaggregatory activities of AChE. The key feature of these derivatives is a 2-arylidenebenzocycloalkanone moiety that provides the ability to bind at the AChE peripheral site responsible for promoting the Abeta aggregation. The new carbamates were tested in vitro for the inhibition of both cholinesterases and also for the ability to prevent the AChE-induced Abeta aggregation. All of the compounds had AChE IC(50) values in the nanomolar range and showed the ability to block the AChE-induced Abeta aggregation, thus supporting the feasibility of this new strategy in the search of compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / chemistry
  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / drug effects
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / chemistry
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Carbamates / chemical synthesis
  • Carbamates / chemistry
  • Carbamates / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Conformation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Carbamates
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Butyrylcholinesterase