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M R Emmerling

Publications and source records attributed to M R Emmerling.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

2-amino-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones as inhibitors of C1r serine protease.

A series of 2-amino-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones have been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the complement enzyme C1r. C1r is a serine protease at the beginning of the complement cascade, and complement activation by beta-amyloid may represent a major contributing pathway to the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease. Compounds such as 7-chloro-2-[(2-iodophenyl)-amino]benz[d][1,3]oxazin-4-one (32) and 7-methyl-2-[(2-iodophenyl)amino]benz[d][1,3]oxazin-4-one (37) show improved potency compared to the reference compound FUT-175. Many of these active compounds also possess increased selectivity for C1r compared to trypsin and enhanced hydrolytic stability relative to 2-(2-iodophenyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (1).

Complement C1r↗
PubMed1998

Traumatic brain injury increases beta-amyloid peptide 1-42 in cerebrospinal fluid.

The beta-amyloid peptides, A beta1-42 and A beta1-40, were quantified in ventricular CSF taken daily for up to 3 weeks from six individuals with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). There was considerable interindividual variability in the levels of A beta peptides, but in general A beta1-42 levels equalled or exceeded those of A beta1-40. Averaging the daily totals of our trauma cohort revealed that the levels of A beta1-42 and A beta1-40 rose after injury, peaking in the first week and then declining toward control levels over the next 2 weeks. A beta1-42 levels were on average two to three times higher in the trauma cohort than in CSF from nontrauma samples. Compared with nontrauma samples, the A beta1-40/A beta1-42 ratio decreased about fivefold in the trauma patients, further indicative of increased A beta1-42 levels. The ratio remained low at all time points studied. No change was measured in the levels of beta-amyloid precursor protein during the same interval. These results suggest that A beta1-42 becomes elevated in the CSF after severe brain trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Isolation, chemical characterization, and quantitation of A beta 3-pyroglutamyl peptide from neuritic plaques and vascular amyloid deposits.

From the neuritic plaques and vascular walls of the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease, we have purified and quantified an A beta peptide which starts at residue 3Glu in the form of pyroglutamyl (A beta3pE). The N-terminally truncated A beta3pE comprised 51% of the A beta in the neuritic plaques. This was followed by 30% starting at position 1Asp which included 20% in the isomerized form (IsoAsp). In contrast, the vascular amyloid only contained an average of 11% in the form of A beta3pE with the major component starting at residue 1Asp (69%), which included only 6% in the form of IsoAsp. The presence of A beta3pE has important structural consequences since it is more hydrophobic than other forms of A beta, thus increasing the insolubility of A beta. In addition, A beta3pE, with its blocked N-terminus to the action of common aminopeptidases, may result in the profuse accumulation of A beta in the neuritic plaques of Alzheimer disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1997

Inhibiting the formation of classical C3-convertase on the Alzheimer's beta-amyloid peptide.

Amyloid plaques are the pathological hallmark of Alzheimer Disease (AD) brains, being found primarily in the hippocampus and neocortex, where AD pathology is most evident. Complement activation is associated with amyloid plaques which are made from fibrils of aggregated amyloid peptides, 39-42 amino acids long. In vitro studies show that aggregated amyloid peptides activate complement via the classical pathway, implying that amyloid plaques themselves cause complement activation in AD brains. In order to test this hypothesis, we sought to determine if a major peptide component of amyloid plaques, A beta 1-42, supports the formation of the classical pathway C3 convertase. Using normal human serum depleted of C3, we are able to detect C3 convertase activity on aggregated A beta 1-42 in vitro. The convertase activity is associated with the binding of C1q and activation of C4 on the aggregated peptide. Inhibitors of C1 esterase and the cation chelator EGTA both block the formation of the convertase activity. Congo red, a histochemical stain for amyloid deposits and an inhibitor of amyloid aggregation, reduces C3 convertase activity on aggregated A beta 1-42, indicated by decreased C3a production. Our results provide further evidence that aggregated A beta 1-42 alone is sufficient to serve as a nidus for complement activation, and thus may be involved directly in initiating the inflammation seen in AD brains.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1996

Morphology and toxicity of Abeta-(1-42) dimer derived from neuritic and vascular amyloid deposits of Alzheimer's disease.

In the course of analyzing the chemical composition of Alzheimer's disease neuritic and vascular amyloid, we have purified stable dimeric and trimeric components of Abeta peptides. These peptides (molecular mass 9.0 and 13.5 kDa) were separated by size exclusion chromatography in the presence of 80% formic acid or 5 guanidine thiocyanate, pH 7.4. The average ratio of monomers, dimers, and trimers was 55:30:15, respectively. Similar structures were produced over time upon incubation of synthetic Abeta-(1-42) at pH 7.4. The stability of these oligomeric forms was also demonstrated by Western blot and mass spectrometry. Atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy rotary shadowing revealed that the monomers polymerized into 8-10-nm filaments, whereas the dimers generated prolate ellipsoids measuring 3-4 nm in diameter. The pathogenic effects of the dimeric Abeta-(1-40/42) were tested in cultures of rat hippocampal neuron glia cells. Only in the presence of microglia did the dimer elicit neuronal killing. It is possible that these potentially pathogenic Abeta-(1-40/42) dimers and trimers from Alzheimer's disease amyloid represent the soluble oligomers of Abeta recently described in Alzheimer's disease brains (Kuo, Y.-M., Emmerling, M. R., Vigo-Pelfrey, C., Kasunic, T. C., Kirkpatrick, J. B., Murdoch, G. H., Ball, M. J., and Roher, A. E. (1996) J. Biol. Chem., 271, 4077-4081).

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1996

Identification of a 3-hydroxylated tacrine metabolite in rat and man: metabolic profiling implications and pharmacology.

Discrepancies in urinary metabolic profiles in rats administered tacrine (1) suggested the presence of an unidentified metabolite of 1. Chromatographic methods were developed that allowed isolation of a metabolite fraction containing both 1-hydroxytacrine (2) and an unknown metabolite from rat urine. Mass spectral analysis indicated this metabolite to be a monohydroxylated derivative, which upon two dimensional COSY NMR analysis could be assigned as 3-hydroxytacrine (4). This structural assignment was confirmed by independent synthesis of 4. Compound 4 was also identified as a human urinary metabolite of 1. Biologically, 4 was found to have in vitro human red blood cell acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity similar to that of 2 and 4-hydroxytacrine (5) and approximately 8-fold less than that of 1. These results underscore the need to conduct rigorous structural identification studies, especially in cases where isomeric metabolites are possible, in assessing the accuracy of chromatographic profiling techniques.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1996

Water-soluble Abeta (N-40, N-42) oligomers in normal and Alzheimer disease brains.

Ultracentrifugation and graded molecular sieving, as well as a sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to isolate and quantitate the amounts of water-soluble oligomers of beta amyloid (Abeta) peptides N-40 and N-42 in cerebral cortex of normal and Alzheimer disease (AD) brains. AD brains contained 6-fold more water-soluble Abeta (wsAbeta) than control brains. The majority of water-soluble peptides in most AD cases was A beta N-42, representing 12 times the amount found in control brains. The wsAbeta was present in the form of monomers and oligomers ranging from less than 10 kDa to greater than 100 kDa. The amount of wsAbeta N-42 in AD brains is about 50 times greater than the level of soluble Abeta N-42 found in the CSF of AD patients. This disparity may be due to the rapid association of wsAbeta N-42 into fibrillar deposits and/or to the integrity of the anatomical barriers which separate the two extracellular spaces. In this paper, we consider soluble any form of Abeta which has not yet polymerized into its insoluble, filamentous form. This includes both the newly synthesized forms of Abeta and those peptides which may be loosely attached to insoluble filaments but which can, nevertheless, still be considered soluble. It has been previously shown that, once it has aggregated into its filamentous form, the Abeta peptides are resistant to disaggregation and degradation by a number of denaturing agents and aqueous buffers containing proteolytic enzymes. Therefore, it is likely that the water-soluble Abeta peptides we quantified are precursors to its insoluble, filamentous form. Consequently, reducing the levels of soluble Abeta in AD brains could have profound effects on AD pathophysiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The role of arachidonic acid in the secretion of the amyloid precursor protein (APP).

We have studied the activation of human ml-muscarinic receptors in a genetically engineered Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO-ml) to determine which second messenger systems affect the secretion of APP via the non-amyloidogenic route. Carbachol activation of the signaling pathways in CHO-ml cells promotes APP secretion by activation of both protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent or Ca(++)-dependent second messenger pathways. Both pathways converge to increase the enzyme activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the enzyme that releases arachidonic acid from cellular stores. Directly activating PLA2 with melittin, a peptide from bee venom, or by adding arachidonic acid directly to cultured cells increases the secretion of APP. Thus, our results indicate that arachidonic acid is yet another cellular second messenger involved in regulating the metabolism of APP in addition to PKC and cytoplasmic Ca++. Moreover, activation of PLA2 appears to be an obligatory event in increasing the secretion of APP from CHO-ml cells by the various methods of activation that we have tried thus far.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗
PubMed1996

Cytotoxicity study of tacrine, structurally and pharmacologically related compounds using rat hepatocytes.

Tacrine is the first drug approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 50% of patients treated with tacrine develop elevated serum aminotransferase levels, as an indication of potential hepatotoxicity. However, acute and chronic studies with a limited number of animal models have not demonstrated hepatotoxicity. The present study compared the cytotoxicity in hepatocyte cultures of tacrine with structurally (proflavine and 9-aminoacridine) or pharmacologically similar compounds (physostigmine), as well as structurally modified tacrine to determine if there was a structure activity relationship with regards to toxicity. Cytotoxicity was assessed by determination of extra- and intracellular amounts of lactate dehydrogenase. Cytotoxicity was assessed after a four-hour exposure over a test compound concentration range of 0 to 3 mM. Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity occurred with tacrine and all structurally related compounds. Physostigmine which is pharmacologically similar, but structurally different, did not induce cytotoxicity. Cytotoxic potency did not appear to be related to acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while compounds with acridine structures induced cytotoxicity. Thus, in this in vitro model, cytotoxicity appears to be related to structure and not pharmacological action. Results of this study indicate that compounds structurally related to tacrine are cytotoxic because of the heterocyclic ring structure. Neither unsaturation of an aromatic ring of the heterocyclic compound, amino substitution of the heterocyclic rings, N-hydroxylation of the amino group, nor ring hydroxylation dramatically alter cytotoxicity.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1995

An age-related correlation between levels of beta-amyloid precursor protein and beta-amyloid in human cerebrospinal fluid.

We investigated the levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and beta-amyloid peptide (A beta) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 110 individuals ranging in age from newborn to 82-years old to analyze their regulation with age. These samples were segregated into two groups; one group contained CSF samples from patients with diagnosed CNS abnormalities and the second group contained CSF samples from patients with no known CNS disorders. The presence of APP and A beta was detected in all ages and from both CSF groups. No significant difference in the average level of A beta or APP was noted from either group with a change in age. However, a positive correlation was found to exist between levels of APP and A beta in individuals 25 years and older, suggesting that APP and A beta processing in the CSF is developmentally regulated. This observation was observed for both CSF groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Secretion and accumulation of Alzheimer's beta-protein by cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from old and young dogs.

Cultured smooth muscle cells isolated from beta-amyloid-affected blood vessels from old dogs accumulate beta-protein at early passages [5,24]. Now, we show that smooth muscle cells derived from amyloid-free brain blood vessels and peripheral arteries from old and young animals are induced by culture conditions to deposit intracellularly fibrillar and non-fibrillar beta-protein. Accumulation of beta-protein is associated with a higher secretion of beta-protein, but not with a higher secretion of beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) or higher cellular content of beta APP. Gradual cessation of proliferative activity was observed in cultures that accumulate beta-protein.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Purification of acetylcholinesterase by tacrine affinity chromatography.

Acridine ligand affinity chromatography is an effective means of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) purification. However, the synthesis of these resins is laborious and expensive. We have developed an acridine ligand affinity resin that is easy to produce, inexpensive, and selective for AChE over butyrylcholinesterase. The resin is produced in a single synthetic step by attaching the aminoacridine tacrine to epoxy-activated Sepharose. AChE from bovine serum (59% yield), Torpedo electric organ (27-60% yield), and two commercial sources of eel AChE (> 92% yield) is purified using the affinity resin. One commercial source of eel AChE contains two proteins with molecular weights of 80 and 55 kDa upon purification, while two proteins with molecular weights of 55 and 25 kDa are isolated from the other commercial source, presumably representing degraded AChE. The degradation state of the commercially available eel AChE preparations did not influence their specific activities. The isolation of AChE from bovine serum results in a single 80-kDa protein. However, butyrylcholinesterase is not purified from the serum. Using the tacrine affinity resin, and 80-kDa AChE, solubilized from Torpedo electric organ membranes by protease digestion, can also be purified. Velocity sedimentation analysis of the Torpedo AChE reveals that the molecular forms isolated are either tetrameric or asymmetric when solubilized by collagenase or trypsin, respectively. Overall, the tacrine affinity resin which is simple and inexpensive to produce allows for the selective isolation of AChE from diverse biological matrices.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1995

Cholinergic therapies for Alzheimer's disease. Palliative or disease altering?

Loss of cholinergic function in the neocortex and hippocampus arising from death or atrophy of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is a consistent feature of the Alzheimer brain at autopsy or biopsy. Replacement of lost cholinergic function, therefore, may be of therapeutic benefit to the Alzheimer's (AD) patients. This can be accomplished by enhancing endogenous levels of acetylcholine (ACh) through inhibition of its degradation by acetylcholinesterase on by directly mimicking its actions at postsynaptic muscarinic receptors. Initial efforts focused on inhibition of cholinesterase activity with tacrine (1,2,3,4-tetrahydroaminoacridine monochloride, CAS 1684-40-8, THA, Cognex). Tacrine is a mixed, reversible inhibitor of cholinesterase activity that binds near but not to the catalytically active serine in the active site of the enzyme. Through this action tacrine indirectly elevates ACh levels in the brains of animals and improves cognitive performance in rodents and monkeys. More importantly, tacrine has been shown to significantly improve several measures of cognitive performance in probable AD patients in well-controlled clinical trials, although not all patients respond to this agent. CI-979 ((E)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-3-pyridine-carboxyaldehyde-O-meth yl oxime, CAS 139886-04-7) is a non-subtype selective, partial muscarinic agonist that enhances cognitive performance and increases central cholinergic activity in rodents at doses below those required to increase peripheral cholinergic tone. In normal healthy volunteers, CI-979 is well tolerated at single and multiple doses (q 6 h) up to 1.0 mg. In normal healthy volunteers, CI-979 is well tolerated at single and multiple doses (q 6 h) up to 1.0 mg. Expected signs of mild to moderate peripheral cholinergic stimulation were noted at 0.5 to 1.0 mg doses (q 6 h).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin-1 beta dissociates beta-amyloid precursor protein and beta-amyloid peptide secretion.

A heightened production of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) has been reported in microglial-associated amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. These plaques are composed predominantly of beta/A4 peptide derived from beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP). We demonstrate that short-term (1 h) IL-1 beta-treatment increases beta APPs secretion and concomitantly decreases cell-associated beta APP in human H4 neuroglioma cells. Long-term (5 h) IL-1 beta treatment did not alter secreted or cell-associated beta APP content. In contrast, the secretion of beta/A4-containing epitope was not affected by short-term IL-1 beta stimulation; however, long-term IL-1 beta treatment decreased the amount of beta/A4-containing epitope secreted from the cells. These results show that IL-1 beta modifies the processing and secretion of beta APP to exacerbate perhaps the neuropathology of AD.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗
PubMed1993

Phospholipase A2 activation influences the processing and secretion of the amyloid precursor protein.

The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors quinacrine, manoalide and scalaradial inhibit the carbachol-stimulated secretion of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) from cells transfected with the human m1 muscarinic receptor. Conversely, activation of PLA2 by melittin increases secretion of an apparently immature species of APP from these cells. These results implicate PLA2 in regulating APP processing and secretion, which may have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗
PubMed1993

Therapeutic intervention in dementia.

The search for novel therapeutics for human cognitive disorders has intensified. Neurotransmitter replacement therapies represent a short-term hope for treating cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD, however, is clearly a neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by a loss of synaptic elements. Ultimately, synaptic loss must be halted to alter the disease course. Agents mimicking or modulating the actions of neurotrophic factors may be useful. They may restore lost function and exert anabolic effects on existing neurons, making treated cells less susceptible to neurotoxic insult (i.e., excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, etc.). Intervening in the biogenesis of amyloid plaques and blunting local inflammatory responses may provide the ultimate treatment for AD. The success of any treatment, however, rests on early diagnosis. Early intervention in the neurodegenerative disease process will be required. Without early intervention, the risk of maintaining patients in a premorbid state is high. Therefore, it is likely that no single approach will provide optimal therapy for the AD patient and multifactorial treatment strategies may be required.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1991

Identification of the trypsin-like activity in commercial preparations of eel acetylcholinesterase.

Electricus electrophorus acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) is reported to possess a trypsin-like activity. We found that purification of AChE removes over 99% of this protease activity, which resides in a single 25 kDa protein with an N-terminal sequence identical to bovine pancreatic trypsin. Digests of neuropeptides using purified eel AChE or bovine pancreatic trypsin gave identical peptide maps. These results indicate that the commercial preparation of eel AChE is contaminated by a trypsin, which is difficult to remove completely during AChE purification.

Acetylcholinesterase↗