Vesamicol
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vesamicol is an experimental drug, acting presynaptically by inhibiting acetylcholine (ACh) uptake into synaptic vesicles and reducing its release.[1] Vesamicol may have applications for the treatment of adenocarcinoma in situ of the lung.[2]
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| Formula | C17H25NO |
| Molar mass | 259.393 g·mol−1 |
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Mechanism of action
Vesamicol can be broadly categorized as a cholinergic physiological antagonist, because it reduces the apparent activity of cholinergic neurons, but does not act at the postsynaptic ACh receptor. Vesamicol causes a non-competitive and reversible block of the intracellular transporter VAChT responsible for carrying newly synthesized ACh into secretory vesicles in the presynaptic nerve terminal. This transport process is driven by a proton gradient between cell organelles and the cytoplasm. Blocking of acetylcholine loading leads to empty vesicles fusing with neuron membranes, decreasing ACh release.[3]
