Title:Inhibitors of Glycine Transporter-1: Potential Therapeutics for the Treatment of CNS Disorders
Volume: 16
Issue: 29
Author(s): Christopher L. Cioffi and Peter R. Guzzo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Glutamate, Glycine, Glycine Receptor, Glycine transporter, GlyT-1, GlyT-2, NMDA receptor, Sarcosine.
Abstract: Glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter at glycine receptor (GlyR)-enriched synapses
and as an obligatory co-agonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, where it facilitates
neuronal excitation. Two high-affinity and substrate selective transporters, glycine transporter-1
and glycine transporter-2 (GlyT-1 and GlyT-2), regulate extracellular glycine concentrations within
the CNS and as such, play critical roles in maintaining a balance between inhibitory and excitatory
neurotransmission. GlyT-1 inhibition has been extensively examined as a potential means by which
to treat several CNS disorders that include schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD), and addiction. More recently, preclinical studies have emerged that indicate the approach
may also promote neuroprotection, provide a pharmacotherapeutic strategy for autism spectrum
disorders (ASDs), and treat symptomology associated with pain, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy.
This review examines the pharmacological aspects of GlyT-1 inhibition and describes drug
discovery and development efforts toward the identification of novel inhibitors.
