Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P80404 (GABA transaminase)
786 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Drugs which elevate brain levels of the inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter GABA by inhibiting the GABA catabolizing enzyme GABA transaminase (GABA-T) have been developed for treatment of brain disease, such as epilepsy. Among all GABA-T inhibitors available, vigabatrin is thought to be the most selective compound, and this drug is the only GABA-T inhibitor in clinical use. However, some previous studies have indicated that vigabatrin might affect the metabolism of several amino acids not directly linked to the GABA shunt. In the present study, various amino acids, involving inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, were determined in 12 brain regions and plasma of rats after treatment with anticonvulsant doses of vigabatrin and the less selective GABA-T inhibitors aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) and gamma-acetylenic GABA (GAG). Furthermore, the antiepileptic drug valproate, which is also thought to act via the GABA system, was included for comparison. The GABA-T inhibitors markedly enhanced GABA levels in all brain regions examined, while valproate induced only moderate increases in some regions. All drugs, including valproate, significantly decreased aspartate in the brain to a similar extent, and the GABA-T inhibitors but not valproate decreased levels of glutamate. The decreases in aspartate and glutamate levels were not correlated with the different magnitudes of GABA increase produced by GABA-T inhibitors, suggesting that these effects were not simply due to the altered GABA degradation. In addition to glutamate and aspartate, alanine levels were decreased by GABA-T inhibitors but not valproate in several regions. Brain levels of glutamine were decreased by GAG and vigabatrin but increased by valproate and partly also by AOAA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Differential effects of vigabatrin, gamma-acetylenic GABA, aminooxyacetic acid, and valproate on levels of various amino acids in rat brain regions and plasma. 820 5

Gabapentin is a novel anticonvulsant drug. The anticonvulsant mechanism of gabapentin is not known. Based on the amino acid structure of gabapentin we explored its possible effects on glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in brain as they may relate to its anticonvulsant mechanisms of action. Gabapentin was tested for its effects on seven enzymes in the metabolic pathways of these two neurotransmitters: alanine aminotransferase (AL-T), aspartate aminotransferase (AS-T), GABA aminotransferase (GABA-T), branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAA-T), glutamine synthetase (Gln-S), glutaminase (GLNase), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). In the presence of 10 mM gabapentin, only GABA-T, BCAA-T, and GDH activities were affected by this drug. Inhibition of GABA-T by gabapentin was weak (33%). The Ki values for inhibition of cytosolic and mitochondrial forms of GABA-T (17-20 mM) were much higher than the Km values for GABA (1.5-1.9 mM). It is, therefore, unlikely that inhibition of GABA-T by gabapentin is clinically relevant. As with leucine, gabapentin stimulated GDH activity. The GDH activity in rat brain synaptosomes was activated 6-fold and 3.4-fold, respectively, at saturating concentrations (10 mM) of leucine and gabapentin. The half-maximal stimulation by gabapentin was observed at approximately 1.5 mM. Gabapentin is not a substrate of BCAA-T, but it exhibited a potent competitive inhibition of both cytosolic and mitochondrial forms of brain BCAA-T. Inhibition of BCAA-T by this drug was reversible. The Ki values (0.8-1.4 mM) for inhibition of transamination by gabapentin were close to the apparent Km values for the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine (0.6-1.2 mM), suggesting that gabapentin may significantly reduce synthesis of glutamate from BCAA in brain by acting on BCAA-T.
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PMID:Effects of anticonvulsant drug gabapentin on the enzymes in metabolic pathways of glutamate and GABA. 856 62

Nearly three-fourths of all newly diagnosed cases of epilepsy are easily controlled with our current drug armamentarium. Further progress will undoubtedly come with use of three new drugs, gabapentin, lamotrigine, and vigabatrin now in diverse stages of clinical trials. Gabapentin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog which passes the blood-brain barrier. Its mode of action is unknown. The anti-convultion effect of lamotrigine apparently results from its capacity to stabilize voltage-dependent sodium channels and thus limit release of the excitory neuromediator glutamate. Vigabatrin produces irreversible inhibition of GABA transaminase, increasing the concentration of this neurotransmittor inhibitor in the brain. The pharmacokinetic properties of these three anti-epileptics are more favorable than those of earlier drugs. Renal excretion is proportional to creatinine clearance allowing better dose adjustment and all three can be associated with oral contraception. They are as effective as the classical agents although indications may vary. There are fewer adverse effects and no teratogenic effect has been observed in animal studies. Clinical surveillance is usually sufficient without laboratory tests. One handicap is the increased cost although it has been demonstrated that the overall cost for the society for a patient with well controlled epilepsy is less. The prescription of a third-generation anti-epileptic drug is justified immediately whenever treatment with one of the classical drugs has been unsuccessful; however, in case of failure the new drug should not be continued.
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PMID:[New medical treatment of epilepsy]. 868 6

Depending on their mechanism of action, anticonvulsant drugs in clinical use may be divided into three groups: those drugs which facilitate gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission; those which block neuronal ion channels; and those whose mechanism of action is unresolved. The compounds acting on GABAergic systems may be further subdivided into those which modulate transmission through chloride channels, e.g. the barbiturates and the benzodiazepines; those compounds, in particular vigabatrin, which reduce the degradation of GABA by blocking GABA transaminase; and those which inhibit the re-uptake of GABA into the presynaptic terminal. The other group of compounds whose mechanism of action is known are those which block neuronal ion channels. Blockage of voltage-operated sodium channels by lamotrigine, phenytoin or carbamazepine leads to decreased electrical activity and, probably, a subsequent reduction in glutamate release. Conversely, ethosuximide, blocks voltage-operated calcium channels, especially those which mediate calcium currents in thalamic neurones. Of those drugs in which the mechanism of action is unknown, sodium valproate is the prime example. An antagonistic action at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor might also be a possibility, which could be the case with some of the newer compounds currently undergoing evaluation.
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PMID:Mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugs. 871 18

1. The modulatory effects of L-glutamate and its structural analogues, and of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), on sympathetic co-transmission were studied in the rat isolated vas deferens exposed to electrical field stimulation (EFS). 2. Application of exogenous L-glutamate caused a concentration-dependent (1 microM-3 mM) inhibition of the rapid twitch component of the biphasic EFS contraction. However, L-glutamate (1 microM-3 mM) had a minimal effect on the phasic contraction induced by exogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP, 150 microM) and noradrenaline (50 microM). Unlike L-glutamate, D-glutamate had no effect on the EFS contraction. 3. The L-glutamate-induced inhibition of the EFS contractions was significantly attenuated by the glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) inhibitor 3-mercapto-propionic acid (150 microM) and was abolished in the presence of the GABA transaminase (GABA-T) inhibitor, 2-aminoethyl hydrogen sulphate (500 microM). 4. The L-glutamate-induced inhibition of the electrically evoked contraction was not affected by the adenosine A1-receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)(30 nM), reactive blue 2 (30 microM) or the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (50 microM). However, the GABAB receptor antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen (50 microM) significantly inhibited the L-glutamate effect. 5. Similar to L-glutamate, GABA also caused a concentration-dependent (0.1-100 microM) inhibition of the EFS contractions. This GABA-induced inhibition was not affected by either the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (50 microM) or reactive blue 2 (30 microM). However, a significant attenuation of the GABA-mediated effect was recorded with the GABAB receptor antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen (50 microM). Contractions of the vas deferens induced by exogenous ATP and noradrenaline were not affected by GABA (0.1-100 microM). 6. The L-glutamate analogues, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (1 microM-1 mM) and quisqualate (Quis 0.1 microM-0.3 mM) had no effect, whilst kainate (Kain, 1 microM-1 mM) caused an inhibition of the EFS-induced contractions. Effects of Kain could be abolished by the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dioxine (CNQX, 10 microM). NMDA, Quis and Kain had no effect on the exogenous ATP- or noradrenaline-induced contractions. 7. It is concluded that the excitatory amino acid L-glutamate modulates the electrically evoked vas deferens contraction through conversion to the inhibitory amino acid GABA by a specific GABA transaminase. The GABA formed may then act on GABAB receptors and cause inhibition of the contraction through a presynaptic mechanism.
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PMID:Presynaptic modulation by L-glutamate and GABA of sympathetic co-transmission in rat isolated vas deferens. 876 4

Established antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) decrease membrane excitability by interacting with neurotransmitter receptors or ion channels. AEDs developed before 1980 appear to act on sodium channels, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors, or calcium channels. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates enhance GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition. Phenytoin (PHT), carbamazepine (CBZ), and possibly valproate (VPA) decrease high-frequency repetitive firing of action potentials by enhancing sodium-channel inactivation. Ethosuximide (ESM) and VPA reduce a low threshold (T-type) calcium-channel current. The mechanisms of action of the new AEDs are not fully established. Gabapentin (GBP) binds to a high-affinity site on neuronal membranes in a restricted regional distribution of the central nervous system. This binding site may be related to a possible active transport process of GBP into neurons; however, this has not been proven, and the mechanism of action of GBP remains uncertain. Lamotrigine (LTG) decreases sustained high-frequency repetitive firing of voltage-dependent sodium action potentials that may result in a preferential decreased release of presynaptic glutamate. The mechanism of action of oxcarbazepine (OCBZ) is not known; however, its similarity in structure and clinical efficacy to CBZ suggests that its mechanism of action may involve inhibition of sustained high-frequency repetitive firing of voltage-dependent sodium action potentials. Vigabatrin (VGB) irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase, the enzyme that degrades GABA, thereby producing greater available pools of presynaptic GABA for release in central synapses. Increased activity of GABA at postsynaptic receptors may underline the clinical efficacy of VGB.
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PMID:Antiepileptic drug mechanisms of action. 878 10

The mechanism of inactivation of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) aminotransferase by 3-amino-4-fluorobutanoic acid (2) has been investigated. As in the case of the homologue, 4-amino-5-fluoropentanoic acid (1), 2 equiv of radiolabeled inactivator become covalently attached to the enzyme, and no transamination, as determined by the lack of conversion of [1-14C] alpha-ketoglutarate into [1-14C] glutamate during inactivation, was observed. In the case of 1, the conclusion was that inactivation was completely the result of modification of the coenzyme and that there was no metabolic turnover; every enzyme molecule catalysed the conversion of one molecule of inactivator to the activated species, which inactivated the enzyme by an enamine mechanism. With 2, however, 6.7 +/- 0.7 equiv of fluoride ions were released during inactivation, and it took 7.6 +/- 0.7 inactivator molecules to inactivate each enzyme dimer. Since no transamination was occurring, another metabolic event besides inactivation must result from the PLP form of the enzyme. Inactivation of GABA amino-transferase with [1,2-14C]-2 produced [14C] acetoacetic acid (about 5.5 equiv) as the metabolite. The 1.93 +/- 0.25 equiv of radioactivity covalently bound to the enzyme after inactivation with [1,2-14C]-2 and gel filtration were completely released by base treatment. HPLC analysis showed that three radioactive compounds, identified as 2, the product of reaction of PLP with acetone (3), and the product of reaction of PLP with acetoacetate (4), were detected. The release of 3 and 4 and the prevention of release of radioactivity by treatment with sodium borohydride are consistent with the formation of covalent intermediates that have beta-carbonyl-like character, such as 6 and/or 7 (Scheme 2). Inactivation of [3H] PLP-reconstituted GABA aminotransferase with 2 followed by gel filtration then base denaturation released all of the radioactivity as a mixture of PLP, 3, and 4. Inactivation with [1,2-14C]-2 resulted in the release of 1.37 equiv of 14CO2, which was shown to be the result of decarboxylation of the acetoacetate/4 after release from the enzyme. These results are not consistent with a Michael addition mechanism (Scheme 3), but are consistent with inactivation by an enamine mechanism; release of the enamine five out of seven turnovers accounts for the formation of acetoacetate as the metabolite. To account for the detection of PLP and 2 after denaturation, it is suggested that a nonproductive formation of the Schiff base of PLP with 2 occurs in the second subunit of the enzyme; this complex is released and hydrolysed to PLP and 2 upon base denaturation.
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PMID:Mechanism-based inactivation of gamma-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase by 3-amino-4-fluorobutanoic acid. 889 9

Brain GABA levels rise and plateau following prolonged administration of the irreversible GABA-transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin (gamma-vinylGABA). Recently it has been shown that increased GABA levels reduces GAD67 protein, one of two major isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). The effects of GABA elevation on GABA synthesis were assessed in vivo using 1H and 13C-edited NMR spectroscopy. Rates of turnover of cortical glutamate and GABA from intravenously administered [1-13C]glucose were measured in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats 24 hours after receiving vigabatrin (500 mg/kg, i.p.) and in non-treated controls. GABA concentration was increased 2-fold at 24 hours (from 1.3 +/- 0.4 to 2.7 +/- 0.9 mumol/g) and GABA-T activity was inhibited by 60%. Tricarboxylic acid cycle flux was not affected by vigabatrin treatment compared to non-treated rats (0.47 +/- 0.19 versus 0.52 +/- 0.18 mumol/g, respectively). GABA-C2 fractional enrichment (FE) measured in acid extracts rose more slowly in vigabatrin-treated compared to non-treated rats, reaching > 90% of the glutamate FE after 3 hours. In contrast, GABA FE > or = glutamate FE in non-treated rats. A metabolic model consisting of a single glutamate pool failed to account for the rapid labeling of GABA from glutamate. Metabolic modelling analysis based on two (non-communicating) glutamate pools revealed a approximately 70% decrease in the rate of GABA synthesis following vigabatrin-treatment, from 0.14 (non-treated) to 0.04 mumol/g/min (vigabatrin-treated). These findings, in conjunction with the previously reported differential effects of elevated GABA on the GAD isoforms, suggests that GAD67 may account for a major fraction of cortical GABA synthesis in the alpha-chloralose anesthetized rat brain in vivo.
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PMID:The rate of turnover of cortical GABA from [1-13C]glucose is reduced in rats treated with the GABA-transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl GABA). 889 66

We have used quantitative immunocytochemistry to examine the content of GABA and glutamate in rabbit retinae where the enzyme GABA transaminase has been selectively inhibited. Inhibition of GABA breakdown led not only to the expected rise in GABA levels in neurones and glial cells but also to a reduction in neuronal pools of glutamate, particularly in neuronal elements in the inner plexiform layer. We suggest that a significant proportion of the glutamate pool in nerve terminals is derived from GABA via the GABA shunt. This observation is of practical significance since GABA transaminase inhibitors are used in the treatment of epilepsy; accordingly GABA-transaminase inhibitors may modify uncontrolled excitatory episodes in the brain both by raising levels of GABA, and reducing levels of the excitatory transmitter, glutamate.
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PMID:GABA transamination regulates neuronal glutamate content in the retina. 898 47

Established antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) decrease membrane excitability by interacting with neurotransmitter receptors or ion channels. AEDs developed prior to 1980 appear to act on sodium channels. gamma-amino butyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors (GABARs) or calcium channels. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates enhance GABAR-mediated inhibition. Phenytion, carbamazepine and possibly sodium valproate decrease high-frequency repetitive firing of action potentials by enhancing sodium channel inactivation. Ethosuximide and sodium valproate reduce a low threshold (T-type) calcium channel current. The mechanisms of action of the new AEDs are not fully established. Gabapentin binds to a high affinity site on neuronal membranes in a restricted regional distribution of the central nervous system. This binding site may be related to a possible active transport process of gabapentin into neurons; however, this has not been proven and the mechanism of action of gabapentin remains uncertain. Lamotrigine decreases sustained high-frequency repetitive firing of voltage-dependent sodium actin potentials that may result in a preferential decreased release of presynaptic glutamate. Oxcarbazepine's mechanism of action is not known; however, its similarity in structure and clinical efficacy to that of carbamazepine suggests that its mechanism of action may involve inhibition of sustained high-frequency repetitive firing of voltage-dependent sodium action potentials. Vigabatrin irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase, the enzyme that degrades GABA, thereby producing greater available pools of presynaptic GABA for release in central synapses. Increased activity of GABA at postsynaptic receptors may underlie the clinical efficacy of vigabatrin. The potential mechanistic bases for rational polypharmacy are reviewed.
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PMID:Is there a mechanistic basis for rational polypharmacy? 929 30


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