Galantamine-based hybrid molecules with acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and γ-secretase inhibition activities

Curr Alzheimer Res. 2012 Jun;9(5):600-5. doi: 10.2174/156720512800618044.

Abstract

We previously designed novel peptides-containing galantamine analogues. These compounds we analyzed for their putative inhibitory effect towards acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and γ-secretase, three activities of which could be central to various neurodegenerative pathologies including Alzheimer's disease. These pharmacological agents were virtually equipotent on acetylcholinesterase activity but display drastically higher inhibitory activities towards butyrylcholinesterase with several compounds displaying an about 100-fold higher activity than that harboured by galantamine. Strikingly, two of the galantamine amides that displayed low activity towards acetylcholinesterase exhibited the highest inhibitory potency towards butyrylcholinesterase (106 to 133 times more active than galantamine). Interestingly, five compounds show a rather good γ-secretase inhibitory potency while they retain their ability to inhibit AChE and/or BuChE activity. Thus, we have been able to design novel compounds with significant inhibitory activity against several of the enzymes responsible for key dysfunctions taking place in several neurodegenerative diseases. These mixed inhibitors could therefore be envisioned as potential pharmacological tools aimed at circumventing the degenerative processes taking place in these major pathologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / drug effects*
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / drug effects*
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / drug effects*
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Galantamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Galantamine / pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Oligopeptides
  • Galantamine
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Butyrylcholinesterase
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases