Depletion of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1a(MtTdp1a)affects transposon expression in Medicago truncatula

The role of plant tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesteritdase 1a in genome stability is studied using a Medicago Etruncatula Mt Tdp1a-depleted line. Lack of Mt Tdp1 a results e in a 39% reduction of methylated cytosines as compared thto control. RNA-Seq analyses revealed that 11 DNA transto posons and 22 retrotransposons were differentially exrpressed in the Tdp1a-2a line. Among them all, DNA etttransposons（Mu DR, h AT, DNA3-11_Mad） and seven retroetransposons（LTR（Long Terminal Repeat）/Gipsy, LTR/Copia,LLTR and Non LTR/L1） were down-regulated, while the15 retrotransposons were up regulated. Results suggest that the occurrence of stress-responsive cis-elements as well as changes in the methylation pattern at the LTR promoters might be responsible for the enhanced retrotransposon transcription.

Effects of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors on sperm parameters and fertilizing capacity

The aim of this review study is to elucidate the effects that phosphodiesterase 5 （PDE5） inhibitors exert on spermatozoa motility, capacitation process and on their ability to fertilize the oocyte. Second messenger systems such as the cAMP/adenylate cyclase （AC） system and the cGMP/guanylate cyclase （GC） system appear to regulate sperm functions. Increased levels of intracytosolic cAMP result in an enhancement of sperm motility and viability. The stimulation of GC by low doses of nitric oxide （NO） leads to an improvement or maintenance of sperm motility, whereas higher concentrations have an adverse effect on sperm parameters. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have been carried out in order to examine whether PDE5 inhibitors affect positively or negatively sperm parameters and sperm fertilizing capacity. The results of these studies are controversial. Some of these studies demonstrate no significant effects of PDE5 inhibitors on the motility, viability, and morphology of spermatozoa collected from men that have been treated with PDE5 inhibitors. On the other hand, several studies demonstrate a positive effect of PDE5 inhibitors on sperm motility both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro studies of sildenafil citrate demonstrate a stimulatory effect on sperm motility with an increase in intracellular cAMP suggesting an inhibitory action of sildenafil citrate on a PDE isoform other than the PDE5. On the other hand, tadalafil＇s actions appear to be associated with the inhibitory effect of this compound on PDE11. In vivo studies in men treated with vardenafil in a daily basis demonstrated a significantly larger total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate, quantitative sperm motility, and qualitative sperm motility; it has been suggested that vardenafil administration enhances the secretory function of the prostate and subsequently increases the qualitative and quantitative motility of spermatozoa. The effect that PDE5 inhibitors exert on sperm parameters may lead to the improvement of the outcome of assisted reproductive technology （ART） programs. In the future PDE5 inhibitors might serve as adjunct therapeutical agents for the alleviation of male infertility.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 by FCPR16 protects SH-SY5Y cells against MPP^+ -induced decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress

Parkinson disease(PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder caused by progressive dopaminergic neuronal death in the substantia nigra pars compacta within the midbrain.There still is no cure,effective treatments for PD,available therapies are only capable of offering temporary and symptomatic relief to the patients.There are certain patents that claim phosphodiesterase(PDE) inhibitors as possible anti-PD drugs,PDE4 is a promising target for the treatment of PD and the underlying mechanism has not yet been well elucidated.PDE4 is an enzyme that specifically hydrolyzes intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)throughout the body,including the brain.Most of the available PDE4 inhibitors exert unpleasant and serious side effects,such as emesis and nausea,which hinder its clinical application.Therefore,more efforts are needed before PDE4 inhibitors with high therapeutic indices are available for treatment of PD.FCPR16 is a novel PDE4 inhibitor with little emetic potential,which exhibits excellent enzyme inhibition activity(IC50=90 nmol·L^(-1)).METHODS SH-SY5 Y cell was induced with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)to mimic PD cell injury in vitro,and CCK-8 assay was used to investigate the viability effects of different concentration of FCPR16(3.1-50 μmol·L^(-1)) on MPP+-injured SH-SY5 Y cells.Detection of apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry.The level of ntracellular reactive oxygen species was detected with the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA,and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in different experimental groups was detected with the JC-1 fluorescent probe.AO staining and Lysotracker Red staining were used to detect the intracellular antophagy changes.The expression of apoptosis related proteins,autophagy and other related signal molecules were demonstrated by Western blotting.Different cellular signaling pathway inhibitors were used to invesitigate the specific cellular mechanisms of FCPR16 protecting MPP+-induced cell injury.RESULTS FCPR16(12.5-50 μmol·L^(-1)) dose-dependently reduced MPP+-induced decline of cell viability,accompanied by reductions in nuclear condensation and lactate dehydrogenase release.The level of cleaved caspase 3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were also decreased after treatment with FCPR16 in MPP+-treated cells.Furthermore,FCPR16(25 μmol·L^(-1)) significantly suppressed the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS),prevented the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential(Δψm) and attenuated the expression of malonaldehyde level.Further studies disclosed that FCPR16 enhanced the levels of cA MP and the exchange protein directly activated by cA MP(Epac) in SHSY5 Y cel s.Western blotting analysis revealed that FCPR16 increased the phosphorylation of c AMP response element-binding protein(CREB) and protein kinase B(Akt)down-regulated by MPP+in SHSY5 Y cells.Moreover,the inhibitory effects of FCPR16 on the production of ROS and Δψm loss could be blocked by PKA inhibitor H-89 and Akt inhibitor KRX-0401.CONCLUSION The novel PDE4 inhibitor FCPR16 can protect against damaging pathways including oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in SH-SY5 Y cells.FCPR16 preventes MPP+-induced neurotoxicity through activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB and Epac/Akt signaling pathways.These may lead to develop mechanism based therapeutics and improved pharmacotherapy for PD.It is reasonable to assume that FCPR16 is a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of PD.

Luteolin prevents f MLP-induced neutrophils adhesion via suppression of LFA-1 and phosphodiesterase 4 activity

Luteolin is an active ingredient found early from Fofium perillae and Flos Ionicerae, and has a specific inhibition on phosphodiesterase 4 （PDE4） activity in vitro. Researches show luteolin has pharmacological effects of anti-inflammation, anti-anaphylaxis, antitumor, antioxidant, protection of nervous system and so on, and has mainly been used for the treatment of respiratory inflammatory diseases, cancer and cardiovascular disease in clinic. PDE4, specific to hydrolyze cyclic AMP （cAMP）, is considered to be a new anti-inflammatory target due to the decisive role on cAMP signal in inflammatory cells such as neutrophils. In order to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism, we further studied the effects of luteolin on the activity and expression of PDE4, the expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 （LFA-1） and macrophage-1 （MAC-l） in neutrophils, and the adhesion of neutrophils and endothelial cells. The results showed that luteolin had a dose-dependent inhibition on both bare PDE4 activity and PDE4 in cultured neutrophils, and had an obviously promotive effect on gene expressions of PDE4A, 4B and 4D in later period. Luteolin had a significant inhibitory effect on neutrophils adhesion and LFA-1 expression in early stage, and had no obvious effect on MAC-1 expression. Therefore, luteolin can inhibit LFA-1 expression of neutrophils, then inhibit the adhesion of neutrophils and endothelial cells, and the mechanism is at least related with the inhibition of PDE4 activity.

Influence of gallic acid on porcine neutrophils phosphodiesterase 4,IL-6,TNF-α and rat arthritis model

Our previous studies showed that the anti-inflammatory effects of Paeonia lactiflora roots extract may be mediated, at least in part, through its gallic acid content, and this effect may be regulated in part by an inhibition on c AMP-phosphodiesterase（PDE）. To explore the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism, the influence of gallic acid on neutrophils PDE4 activity and expression, TNF-α and IL-6 content and rat arthritis model were further studied. PDE4 activity and gene express were calculated respectively by substrate c AMP change examined with HPLC and real-time RT-PCR. The concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α in supernatant were assayed by ELISA method. Model of rat arthritis was caused by complete Freund＇s adjuvant. Results showed that gallic acid had a dose-dependent restraint on PDE4 activity of neutrophils in vitro, promoted significantly PDE4 A expression（P〈0.01）, and had no influence on the expressions of PDE4 B and 4D. However, PDE4 C expression was not detected. Gallic acid could promote IL-6 release（P〈0.05）, and inhibit TNF-α release of neutrophils（P〈0.05）. The experiment in vivo showed that gallic acid had obvious restraint on local inflammation of animal model（P〈0.05）. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effect of gallic acid may be mediated in part through an inhibition on PDE4 activity and further an increase of IL-6 and a decrease of TNF-α of neutrophils, and this effect seemed to have no relationship with PDE4 expression.

Diabetic nephropathy:Treatment with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors

The importance of nitric oxide(NO) in vascular physiology is irrefutable;it stimulates the intracellular production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP),initiating vascular smooth muscle relaxation.This biochemical process increases the diameter of small arteries,regulating blood flow distribution between arterioles and the microvasculature.The kidney is no exception,since NO predominantly dilates the glomerular afferent arterioles.It is now evident that the vascular production of cGMP can be augmented by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5(PDE 5),the enzyme which breakdowns this cyclic nucleotide.This has clinical relevance,since diabetic nephropathy(DN) a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and the most common cause of end-stage renal disease,increases intraglomerular capillary pressure,leading to glomerular hypertension.PDE 5 inhibitors may have,therefore,the potential to reduce glomerular hypertension.This review describes the use of PDE 5 inhibitors to improve the metabolic,haemodynamic and inflammatory pathways/responses,all of which are dysfunctional in DN.

Effect of Icariin on Cyclic GMP Levels and on the mRNA Expression of cGMP-binding cGMP-specific Phosphodiesterase (PDE5) in Penile Cavernosum

Summary： To further investigate the mechanisms of action of icariin （ICA）, we assessed the effects of ICA on the in vitro formation of cGMP and cAMP in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum. Isolated segments of rabbit corpus cavernosum were exposed to increasing concentrations of ICA and the dose-dependent accumulation of cGMP and cAMP was determined in the tissues samples by means of ^125I radioimmunoassay. Responses of the isolated tissues preparations to ICA were compared with those obtained with the reference compounds sildenafil （Sild）. Furthermore, the effects of ICA on the mRNA expression of specific cGMP-binding phosphodiesterase type Ⅴ （PDE5） in rat penis were also observed. After incubation with ICA for 6 h or 14 h respectively, the levels of PDE5 mRNA were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The results showed that ICA increased cGMP concentrations directly （P〈0.05）, but there was no significant effect on cAMP concentrations （P〉0.05）. In the presence of sodium nitroprusside （SNP）, a stimulatory agent of cGMP, both ICA and Sild increased cGMP concentrations with increasing dose （P〈0.01）. Their EC50 was 4.62 （ICA） and 0.42 （Sild） μmol/L respectively. Under the same condition, ICA and Sild unaltered cAMP level significantly （P〉0.05）. There were PDE5A 1 and PDE5A2 mRNA expressions in rat cor- pus cavernosum with PDE5A2 being the dominant isoform. ICA could obviously inhibit these two isoforms mRNA expression in rat penis, and decrease PDE5A1 more pronouncedly （P〈 0.01）. The present study indicated that the aphrodisiac mechanisms of icariin involved the NO-cGMP signal transduction pathway, with increasing cGMP levels in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The inhibitory effect of icariin on PDE5 mRNA expression, especially on PDE5A1, might account for its molecular mechanisms for its long-term activity.

Erectile potentials of a new phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, DA-8159, in diet-induced obese rats

Aim： To examine the changes in the erectile function in diet-induced obese rats and investigate the oral efficacy of DA-8159, a new phosphodiesterase type 5 （PDE5） inhibitor, on penile erection in obese rats. Methods： The rats were fed a high-energy diet for 12 weeks and divided into three groups： an obesity-resistant （OR） control group, an obesity-prone （OP） control group, and an OP-DA-8159 treatment （DA-8159） group. The electrostimulation-induced erectile responses were measured in all groups. The body weight, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels were also measured. Results： In the OP control group, the maximum intracavernous pressure （ICP） and ICP/blood pressure （ICP/BP） ratio after electric stimulation were significantly lower than those in OR control group. The corresponding area under the curve （AUC） of the ICP/BP ratio, the detumescence time and the baseline cavernous pressure were also lower than those in the OR control group, but this difference was not significant. The body weight gain, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride level in the OP group were significantly higher than those in the OR group. After administering the DA-8159, a significant increase in the maximum ICP and the ICP/BP ratio were observed. The corresponding AUCs in the DA-8159 group were also higher than those in the two control groups. Furthermore, the detumescence time was significantly prolonged after treatment with DA-8159. Conclusion： These results demon- strate that diet-induced obesity affects the erectile function in rats and these erectile dysfunction （ED） can be improved by the treatment with DA-8159, indicating DA-8159 might be a treatment option for ED associated with obesity.

Incidence rate of prostate cancer in men treated for erectile dysfunction with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors： retrospective analysis

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence rate of prostate cancer among men with erectile dysfunction （ED） treated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors （PDE-5i） over a 7-year period vs. men with ED of the same age and with similar risk factors who were not treated with PDE-5i. In a retrospective review of electronic medical records and billing databases between the years 2000 and 2006, men with ED between the ages of 50 and 69 years and no history of prostate cancer prior to 2000 were identified. These individuals were divided into two groups： 2362 men who had treatment with PDE-5i, and 2612 men who did not have treatment. Demographic data in each group were compared. During the study period, 97 （4.1%） men with ED treated with PDE-5i were diagnosed with prostate cancer compared with 258 （9.9%） men with ED in the non-treated group （P〈00001）. A higher percentage of African Americans were treated with PDE-5i vs. those who were not （10.5% vs. 7.1%; P〈O.O001）. The PDE-5i group had lower documented diagnosis of elevated prostate-specific antigen （10.0% vs. 13.1%; P=-0.0008） and higher percentage of benign prostatic hyperplasia （38.4% vs. 35.1%; P=0.0149）. Men with ED treated with PDE-5i tended to have less chance （adjusted odds ratio： 0.4; 95% confidence intervals： 0.3-0.5; P〈0.0001） of having prostate cancer. Our data suggest that men with ED treated with PDE-5i tended to have less of a chance of beine diaenosed with orostate cancer. Further research is warranted.

Phosphodiesterases:novel targets for treatment of alcoholism

OBJECTIVE Alcoholism is one of the most damaging psychiatric disorders and causes serious social and health problems in the world. However,there are no ideal treatments for this disease in clinic.Phosphodiesterases(PDEs) are a superfamily of enzymes consisting of 11 PDE families that hydrolyze cyclicAMP(cA MP) and/or cyclicGMP(cGMP). Among them,PDE4 is critical in the control of intracellular cAMP levels and has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of ethanol consumption.However,the functional role of PDE4 in mediating alcoholism remains unclear. METHODS Ethanol drinking and preference were examined using the two-bottle choice and/or drinking-in-dark(DID) test in high alcohol preferring(HAP) animals,including C57,HAP,and PDE4-subtype knockout mice,and Fawn-Hooded(FH/Wjd) rats,treated with or without the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram or roflumilast. Ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors were examined using the elevated plusmaze,holeboard,forced-swim,and tail-suspension tests in C57 mice or FH rats in the presence of PDE4 inhibition. Levels of cAMP,CREB were determined in brain regions. RESULTS Treatment with rolipram or roflumilast decreased ethanol intake and preference in two-bottle choice and DID tests in C57 and HAP mice as well as FH rats. Mice deficient in PDE4 B,but not PDE4 D,displayed similar effects to general PDE4 inhibition. In addition,rolipram reversed ethanol withdrawal-induced anxietyand depressive-like behaviors 1 d and 14 d,respectively,following withdrawal from ethanol drinking in the two-bottle choice in C57 mice or FH rats. Locomotor activity was not changed in either mice or rats treated with the PDE4 inhibitors. Levels of cAMP,p CREB in the brain were increased by rolipram.CONCLUSION The results provide solid evidence for the important role of PDE4 in ethanol consumptionand ethanol withdrawal-induced symptoms. Inhibitors of PDE4,in particular the PDE4 B isoform,can be a novel class of treatment for alcoholism.

Erectile dysfunction: on the efficacy of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor in patients with multiple risk factors

1 Introduction With the 1998 introduction of sildenafil (Viagra), the first available oral phosphodiesterase inhibitor, there

Evaluation and diagnostic testing of erectile dysfunction in the era of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors

The diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction has changed dramatically since the availability of safe and effective oral therapies. Unfortunately, not all men can be adequately treated in this way, and might require more invasive testing to diagnose and treat the specific cause of their dysfunction. This review looks at the tests and strategies available for men who cannot be treated by oral therapy alone.

Identification of two glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase genes in maize leaf phosphorus remobilization

Phosphate deficiency is one of the leading causes of crop productivity loss.Phospholipid degradation liberates phosphate to cope with phosphate deficiency.Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases(GPX-PDEs)hydrolyse the intermediate products of phospholipid catabolism glycerophosphodiesters into glycerol-3-phosphate,a precursor of phosphate.However,the function of GPX-PDEs in phosphate remobilization in maize remains unclear.In the present study,we characterized two phosphate deficiency-inducible GPX-PDE genes,ZmGPX-PDE1 and ZmGPX-PDE5,in maize leaves.ZmGPX-PDE1 and ZmGPX-PDE5 were transcriptionally regulated by ZmPHR1,a well-described phosphate starvation-responsive transcription factor of the MYB family.Complementation of the yeast GPX-PDE mutant gde1Δindicated that ZmGPX-PDE1 and ZmGPX-PDE5 functioned as GPX-PDEs,suggesting their roles in phosphate recycling from glycerophosphodiesters.In vitro enzyme assays showed that ZmGPX-PDE1 and ZmGPX-PDE5 catalysed glycerophosphodiester degradation with different substrate preferences for glycerophosphoinositol and glycerophosphocholine,respectively.ZmGPX-PDE1 was upregulated during leaf senescence,and more remarkably,loss of ZmGPXPDE1 inmaize compromised the remobilization of phosphorus fromsenescing leaves to young leaves,resulting in a stay-green phenotype under phosphate starvation.These results suggest that ZmGPX-PDE1 catalyses the degradation of glycerophosphodiesters in maize,promoting phosphate recycling from senescing leaves to new leaves.This mechanism is crucial for improving phosphorus utilization efficiency in crops.

The use of antimuscarinics,phosphodiesterase type Ⅴ inhibitors and phytotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms in men

Besides the mainstay of α-blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors,other forms of medical therapy complete the armamentarium in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS)in men.These treatments can target specific symptoms as well as associated symptoms that would affect the quality of life of the patients.Many patients are bothered by storage symptoms,more so than the voiding symptoms.Antimuscarinics are efficacious and safe,provided the patients do not have high post void residual urine.Many patients with LUTS also have erectile dysfunction,and phosphodiesterase type Ⅴ inhibitors are effective in relieving both LUTS as well as erectile dysfunction for such patients.Phytotherapy provides a popular and safe treatment for LUTS,however,the efficacy of the treatment has not been proven in well conducted prospective randomized controlled studies.

Effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the bladder

Many aging men will experience lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS).Phosphodiesterase type 5(PDE5)inhibitors have shown promise in treating LUTS in these patients.PDE5 inhibitors mediate their effects through several pathways including cAMP,NO/cGMP,Kchannel modulated pathways,and the L-cysteine/H2S pathway.PDE5 inhibitors exert their effect in muscle cells,nerve fibers,and interstitial cells(ICs).The use of PDE5 inhibitors led to improvement in LUTS.This included urodynamic parameters.PDE5 inhibitors may play a significant role in LUTS due to their effect on the bladder rather than the prostate.

Are phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors effective for the management of lower urinary symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

AIM: To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors(PDE5-Is) in lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia(LUTS/BPH). METHODS: A comprehensive research was conducted to identify all publications relating to benign prostate hyperplasia and treatment with sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil. To assess the efficacy, the changes in total international prostate symptom score(IPSS), IPSS subscore including voiding, storage and quality of life(Qo L), Benign prostatic hyperplasia Impact Index(BII), maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax) and the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF) were extracted. A meta-analytical technique was used for the analysis of integrated data from the included studies to evaluate the mean difference in the results. RESULTS: Total IPSS score, IIEF and BII showed a significant improvement in trials in which LUTS/BPH with or without erectile dysfunction(ED) were compared with the placebo. For LUTS/BPH, the mean differences of total IPSS score, IIEF and BII are-2.17, 4.88 and-0.43, P < 0.00001, respectively. For LUTS/BPH with comorbid ED, the mean difference are-1.97, 4.54 and-0.52, P < 0.00001, respectively. PDE5-Is appear to improve IPSS storage, voiding and Qo L subscore(mean difference =-0.71,-1.23 and-0.33, P < 0.00001, respectively). Although four doses of tadalafil(2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg) failed to reach significance in Qmax(mean difference = 0.22, P = 0.10), the 5 mg dose of tadalafil significantly improved the Qmax(mean difference = 0.33, P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: PED5-Is demonstrated efficacy for improving LUTS in BPH patients with or without ED and could be considered to be the first line treatment for LUTS/BPH.

Erectile dysfunction: on the efficacy of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with concurrent sex therapy

1 Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that affects perhaps 25 to 30 million men in the U.S.A. constituting

Beneficial long term effect of a phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor in cirrhotic portal hypertension:A case report with 8 years follow-up

Non-selective beta-blockers are the mainstay of medical therapy for portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5(PDE-5-inhibitors) reduce portal pressure in the acute setting by > 10% which may suggest a long-term beneficial effect. Currently, there is no available data on long-term treatment of portal hypertension with PDE-5-inhibitors. This case of a patient with liver cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune liver disease with episodes of bleeding from esophageal varices is the first documented case in which a treatment with a PDE-5-inhibitor for eight years was monitored. In the acute setting, the PDE-5-inhibitor Vardenafil lowered portal pressure by 13%. The portal blood flow increased by 28% based onDoppler sonography and by 16% using MRI technique. As maintenance medication the PDE-5-inhibitor Tadalafil was used for eight consecutive years with comparable effects on portal pressure and portal blood flow. There were no recurrence of bleeding and no formation of new varices. Influencing the NO-pathway by the use of PDE-5 inhibitors may have long-term beneficial effects in compensated cirrhosis.

Phosphodiesterase 1:a unique therapeutic target with multiple potential indications

Cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase 1(PDE1) is a unique enzyme family hydrolyzing both cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) intra-cellular signaling molecules. A unique aspect of this enzyme family is its activation by calcium-calmodulin upon excitation of excitatory cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. In chronic degenerative diseases such as Parkinson disease,Alzheimer disease and heart failure,over-stimulation and chronic excessive levels of intra-cellular calcium leads to cell death. Targeting the PDE1 enzyme family with enzyme inhibitors is a novel approach to develop therapeutic agents for degenerative disorders. ITI-214 is a potent,and selective PDE1 inhibitor that has been tested in four human clinical trials. It is safe and well tolerated even at high dose levels that lead to high plasma and cerebral spinal fluid levels. In animal models,ITI-214 has cognitive enhancing properties as demonstrated in the rat novel object recognition model. Using a unilateral 6-hydroxy-dopamine lesion mouse model,the cylinder test readout of front paw use indicated that ITI-214 displays L-DOPA sparing effects ITI-214 reverses catalepsy induced by the potent dopamine D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol,indicating potential applications in Parkinson disease and as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia. Aspects of the Intra-Cellular Therapies PDE1 inhibitor program wil be outlined and the potential application to multiple therapeutic areas wil be discussed.

Targeting phosphodiesterases for cognition enhancement:a translational approach

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cA MP) and/or cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cG MP)have been suggested to play specific roles in processes of memory. These cyclic nucleotides are hydrolyzed by specific enzymes,ie phosphodiesterases(PDEs). Thus,selective PDE inhibitors preventing the breakdown of cAMP and/or cGMP could improve memory. Studies with different timing of treatment with specific PDE inhibitors indicated that distinct underlying signaling pathways for early and late consolidation processes exist corresponding to specific time-windows for memory consolidation into longterm memory. There is evidence that the underlying mechanisms of PDE inhibition on the observed behavioral effects are independent of possible cerebrovascular effects. Most likely the underlying mechanisms are a cGMP/PKG pathway for early consolidation processes and a cAMP/PKA pathway for late consolidation processes. In addition,the early-phase cG MP/PKG signaling actually requires late-phase cAMP/PKA-signaling in long-term memory formation. Recently,the effects of specific PDE inhibitors are explored on other cognitive domains including acquisition processes/short-term memory and information processing. It will be shown that elevation of central cG MP levels or cA MP levels after treatment with a specific PDE inhibitor both improve acquisition processes/short-term memory. In vitro studying the effects of PDE inhibitors on long-term potentiation,the physiological substrate of memory,supportthe in vivo data and further show that AMPA receptor trafficking very likely mediates the memory enhancing effects. In a translational approach we initially also investigated the effects of cG MP elevation via PDE5 inhibition with vardenafil or sildenafil on cognition in humans. However,in contrast to studies with rodents and monkeys,PDE5 inhibition had no effect in humans on cognition including memory processes. It is clear that the transition of a drug from preclinical to clinical creates translational hurdles. Nevertheless,based on the expression patterns of its isoforms in the brain,PDE4,which is cAMP specific,appears more interesting for CNS targeting than PDE5. Indeed we found that a low dose of the PDE inhibitor roflumilast clearly improved cognition in humans. Interestingly,this pro-cognitive effect was not associated with emetic side effects(nausea,vomiting),which are commonly associated with PDE4 inhibition. Based on our data we suggest that the future for disease-specific PDE4 enzyme inhibition lies in the development of PDE4 isoform-specific inhibitors without emetic effects. Within the context as described above,the latest results of specific PDE inhibitors on cognitive processes will be presented and its implications will be discussed for finding and testing new cognition enhancers.