MPEP

• CAT Number: I005699
• CAS Number: 96206-92-7
• Molecular Formula: C14H11N
• Molecular Weight: 193.24
• Purity: ≥95%
• Synonyms: 2-methyl-6-(2-phenylethynyl)pyridine
• InChI: InChI=1S/C14H11N/c1-12-6-5-9-14(15-12)11-10-13-7-3-2-4-8-13/h2-9H,1H3
• InChIKey: NEWKHUASLBMWRE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: CC1=NC(=CC=C1)C#CC2=CC=CC=C2

MPEP is a potent, selective, noncompetitive, orally active and systemically active mGlu5 receptor antagonist, with an IC50 of 36 nM for completely inhibiting quisqualate-stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis. MPEP has anxiolytic-or antidepressant-like effects[1][2]. MPEP is a click chemistry reagent, it contains an Alkyne group and can undergo copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAc) with molecules containing Azide groups.
MPEP does not show agonist or antagonist activity at 100 mM on human mGlu2, -3, -4a, -7b, and -8a receptors nor at 10 μM on the human mGlu6 receptor[1].
MPEP (1-30 mg/kg) induces anxiolytic-like effects in the conflict drinking test and the elevated plus-maze test in rats as well as in the four-plate test in mice[2].
MPEP (1-20 mg/kg) does shorten the immobility time in a tail suspension test in mice, however it is inactive in the behavioural despair test in rats[2].
MPEP (30 mg/kg i.p.) slightly but significantly increases (by 39%) the number of punished crossings in the four-plate test, lower doses of the compound (3 and 10 mg/kg) does not affect the number of punished crossings in that test (F (3,36)=3.240, P<0.05)[2]. MPEP (1, 10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly (by 55% after the highest dose), (F(3,28)=15.47, P<0.001) decreases the immobility time of mice in the tail suspension test. Its efficacy is similar to that of imipramine (20 mg/kg), used as the positive standard[2].

Reference

[1]. F Gasparini, et al. 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), a Potent, Selective and Systemically Active mGlu5 Receptor Antagonist. Neuropharmacology. 1999 Oct;38(10):1493-503.
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[2]. E Tatarczyńska, et al. Potential anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of MPEP, a potent, selective and systemically active mGlu5 receptor antagonist. Br J Pharmacol. 2001 Apr;132(7):1423-30.
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