Characterization of 2-(methylamino)alkanoic acid capacity to restrict blood–brain phenylalanine transport in Pahenu2 mice: Preliminary findings

•Select 2-(methylamino)alkanoates restrict Phe uptake and transport in PKU mice.•Aminoisobutyrate (AIB) restricts accretion of Phe in brain of PKU mice.•AIB, N-methyl AIB, and isovaline lower blood Phe in PKU mice.•Computer modeling of the mammalian large neutral amino acid transporter is underway.

BackgroundOur laboratory seeks a pharmacotherapeutic intervention for PKU that utilizes non-physiological amino acids (NPAAs) to block the accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in the brain. In previous studies (Vogel et al. 2013), methylation of the amino group of 2-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) provided an enhanced degree of selectivity for Phe restriction into the brain of Pahenu2 mice in comparison to unmethylated AIB, leading to the hypothesis that 2-(methylamino)alkanoic acid analogs of AIB might represent targeted inhibitors of Phe accretion into the brain.MethodsPahenu2 and control mice were intraperitoneally administered (500–750 mg/kg body weight, once daily; standard 19% protein diet) AIB, methyl AIB (MAIB), isovaline, and two MAIB analogs, 2-methyl-2-(methylamino)butanoic (MeVal) and 3-methyl-2-(methylamino)pentanoic (MePent) acids for one week, followed by brain and blood isolation for amino acid analyses using UPLC.ResultsIn the brain, AIB significantly reduced Phe accretion in Pahenu2 mice, while MeVal significantly improved glutamine and aspartic acids. Four of five test compounds improved brain threonine and arginine levels. AIB, MAIB and IsoVal significantly reduced blood Phe, with no effect of any drug intervention on other sera amino acids.ConclusionsFurther evaluation of AIB and the 2-(methylamino)alkanoic acids as inhibitors of brain Phe accumulation in Pahenu2 mice is warranted, with more detailed evaluations of route of administration, combinatorial intervention, and detailed toxicity studies.