Identification of a new functional target of haloperidol metabolite: implications for a receptor-independent role of 3-(4-fluorobenzoyl) propionic acid

J Neurochem. 2006 Oct;99(2):458-69. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04108.x.

Abstract

Haloperidol, a dopamine D2 receptor blocker, is a classical neuroleptic drug that elicits extrapyramidal symptoms. Its metabolites include 3-(4-fluorobenzoyl) propionic acid (FBPA) and 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-piperidinol (CPHP). Until now, the biological significance of these metabolites has remained largely unknown. Here, we report that the administration of FBPA to mice effected a suppression of locomotor activity and induced catalepsy in a manner similar to that observed with haloperidol, whereas CPHP had no significant effects. Neither of these two metabolites, however, exhibited any ability to bind to the dopamine D2 receptor. FBPA blocked dopamine-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, and it specifically affected mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1/2 activity in hippocampal HN33 cells. Moreover, FBPA was capable of direct interaction with MEK1/2, and inhibited its activity in vitro. We demonstrated the generation of haloperidol metabolites within haloperidol-treated cells by mass spectrometric analyses. Collectively, our results confirm the biological activity of FBPA, and provide initial clues as to the receptor-independent role of haloperidol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Catalepsy / chemically induced
  • Catalepsy / metabolism
  • Catalepsy / physiopathology
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine Antagonists / metabolism
  • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / drug effects
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Haloperidol / metabolism*
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Structure
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Propionates / metabolism*
  • Propionates / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Propionates
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • beta-(4-fluorobenzoyl)propionic acid
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • Map2k1 protein, mouse
  • Haloperidol