F-15,599, also known as NLX-101, is a
potent and
selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist
An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ag ...
.
It displays
functional selectivity
Functional selectivity (or “agonist trafficking”, “biased agonism”, “biased signaling”, "ligand bias" and “differential engagement”) is the ligand-dependent selectivity for certain signal transduction pathways relative to a referen ...
(also known as "biased agonism") by strongly activating 5-HT
1A receptors in the
postsynaptic
Chemical synapses are biological junctions through which neurons' signals can be sent to each other and to non-neuronal cells such as those in muscles or glands. Chemical synapses allow neurons to form circuits within the central nervous syste ...
prefrontal cortex
In mammalian brain anatomy, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) covers the front part of the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex. The PFC contains the Brodmann areas BA8, BA9, BA10, BA11, BA12, BA13, BA14, BA24, BA25, BA32, BA44, BA45, BA ...
while having little effect on
somatodendritic
Chemical synapses are biological junctions through which neurons' signals can be sent to each other and to non-neuronal cells such as those in muscles or glands. Chemical synapses allow neurons to form circuits within the central nervous syste ...
autoreceptor
An autoreceptor is a type of receptor located in the membranes of nerve cells. It serves as part of a negative feedback loop in signal transduction. It is only sensitive to the neurotransmitters or hormones released by the neuron on which the a ...
s in the
raphe nucleus.
As a result, it has been touted as a preferential postsynaptic 5-HT
1A receptor agonist and has been investigated as a novel potential
antidepressant
Antidepressants are a class of medication used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic pain conditions, and to help manage addictions. Common side-effects of antidepressants include dry mouth, weight gain, dizziness ...
.
In cognitive tests in rodent, F-15,599 attenuates memory deficits elicited by the NMDA receptor antagonist PCP, suggesting that it may improve cognitive function in disorders such as schizophrenia.
A subsequent study showed that F-15,599 reduces breathing irregularity and apneas observed in mice with mutations of the MeCP2 gene. Dysruption of MeCP2 gene expression underlies Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic disorder that typically becomes apparent after 6–18 months of age and almost exclusively in females. Symptoms include impairments in language and coordination, and repetitive movements. Those affected often h ...
, a debilitating neurodevelopmental orphan disease.
F-15,599 was discovered and initially developed by Pierre Fabre Médicament, a French pharmaceuticals company. In September 2013, F-15,599 was out-licensed to Neurolixis
Neurolixis is a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel drugs for the treatment of human central nervous system diseases.
Neurolixis Inc. was founded in 2011 by Mark A. Varney, PhD, and Adrian Newman-Tancredi, PhD, DSc. (Chief Executive Offi ...
, a California-based biotechnology company. Neurolixis announced that it intends to re-purpose F-15,599 for the treatment of Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic disorder that typically becomes apparent after 6–18 months of age and almost exclusively in females. Symptoms include impairments in language and coordination, and repetitive movements. Those affected often h ...
. and obtained Orphan Drug
An orphan drug is a pharmaceutical agent developed to treat medical conditions which, because they are so rare, would not be profitable to produce without government assistance. The conditions are referred to as orphan diseases.
The assignment o ...
designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...
(FDA) and from the European Commission for this indication.
Researchers at the University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a Red brick university, red brick Russell Group research university in Bristol, England. It received its royal charter in 1909, although it can trace its roots to a Society of Merchant Venturers, Merchant Venturers' sc ...
are investigating the activity of F-15599 in animal models of Rett Syndrome, with support from the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. In June 2015, the Rett Syndrome Research Trust awarded a grant to Neurolixis to advance F-15599 to clinical development.
See also
* Befiradol
Befiradol (F-13,640; NLX-112) is an experimental drug being studied for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. It is a potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist.
Pharmacology
In recombinant cell lines expressing human 5-HT1A ...
(F-13,640)
* Eptapirone
Eptapirone (F-11,440) is a very potent and highly selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist of the azapirone family. Its affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor was reported to be 4.8 nM (Ki) (or 8.33 (pKi)), and its intrinsic activity approximately eq ...
(F-11,440)
References
External links
F-15599 - AdisInsight
{{Serotonergics
Amines
Piperidines
Pyrimidines
Benzamides
Chloroarenes
Organofluorides
5-HT1A agonists
Fluoroarenes