Glo1 inhibitors for neuropsychiatric and anti-epileptic drug development

Biochem Soc Trans. 2014 Apr;42(2):461-7. doi: 10.1042/BST20140027.

Abstract

Many current pharmacological treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are limited by a delayed onset of therapeutic effect, adverse side effects, abuse potential or lack of efficacy in many patients. These off-target effects highlight the need to identify novel mechanisms and targets for treatment. Recently, modulation of Glo1 (glyoxalase I) activity was shown to regulate anxiety-like behaviour and seizure-susceptibility in mice. These effects are likely to be mediated through the regulation of MG (methylglyoxal) by Glo1, as MG acts as a competitive partial agonist at GABA(A) (γ-aminobutyric acid A) receptors. Thus modulation of MG by Glo1 represents a novel target for treatment. In the present article, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of indirectly modulating MG concentrations through Glo1 inhibitors for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Pyruvaldehyde / metabolism
  • Seizures / drug therapy*
  • Seizures / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Pyruvaldehyde
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase