Tamoxifen Directly Interacts with the Dopamine Transporter.
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ABSTRACT: The selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen increases extracellular dopamine in vivo and acts as a neuroprotectant in models of dopamine neurotoxicity. We investigated the effect of tamoxifen on dopamine transporter (DAT)-mediated dopamine uptake, dopamine efflux, and [3H]WIN 35,428 [(-)-2-?-carbomethoxy-3-?-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane] binding in rat striatal tissue. Tamoxifen dose-dependently blocked dopamine uptake (54% reduction at 10 ?M) and amphetamine-stimulated efflux (59% reduction at 10 ?M) in synaptosomes. It also produced a small but significant reduction in [3H]WIN 35,428 binding in striatal membranes, indicating a weak interaction with the substrate binding site in the DAT. Biotinylation and cysteine accessibility studies indicated that tamoxifen stabilizes the outward-facing conformation of the DAT in a cocaine-like manner and does not affect surface expression of the DAT. Additional studies with mutant DAT constructs D476A and I159A suggested a direct interaction between tamoxifen and a secondary substrate binding site of the transporter. Locomotor studies revealed that tamoxifen attenuates amphetamine-stimulated hyperactivity in rats but has no depressant or stimulant activity in the absence of amphetamine. These results suggest a complex mechanism of action for tamoxifen as a regulator of the DAT. Due to its effectiveness against amphetamine actions and its central nervous system permeant activity, the tamoxifen structure represents an excellent starting point for a structure-based drug-design program to develop a pharmacological therapeutic for psychostimulant abuse.
SUBMITTER: Mikelman SR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7250473 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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