A rational approach to the design of selective substrates and potent non-transportable inhibitors of the excitatory amino acid transporter EAAC1 (EAAT3). New glutamate and aspartate analogues as potential neuroprotective agents

Two three-dimensional receptor interaction models for EAAT substrates and nontransportable inhibitors have been developed, and new glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) analogues have been synthesized. The analogues la and 3 represent novel lead compounds for the development of EAAT substrates and nontransportable inhibitors, selective for EAATs over iGluRs, as possible neuroprotective agents useful to minimize the progression of chronic or acute neurodegenerative diseases, The role played by the protonatable amine function in the interaction with EAATs has been discussed.