Exploring amino acids derivatives as potent,selective, and direct agonists of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype-1

In the quest to discover a potent and selective class of direct agonists to the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor, we explored the carboxylate functional group as a replacement to previously reported lead phosphates. This has led to the discovery of potent and selective direct agonists with moderate to substantial in vivo lymphopenia. The previously reported selectivity enhancing moiety (SEM) and selectivity enhancing orientation (SEO) in the phenylamide and phenylimidazole scaffolds were crucial to obtaining selectivity for S1P receptor subtype 1 over 3.     

Synthesis and evaluation of alkoxy-phenylamides and alkoxy-phenylimidazoles as potent sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype-1 agonists

In the design of potent and selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists, we were able to identify two series of molecules based on phenylamide and phenylimidazole analogs of FTY-720. Several designed molecules in these scaffolds have demonstrated selectivity for S1P receptor subtype 1 versus 3 and excellent in vivo activity in mouse. Two molecules PPI-4621 (4b) and PPI-4691 (10a), demonstrated dose responsive lymphopenia, when administered orally.     

Development of an in vivo active,dual EP1 and EP3 selective antagonist based on a novel acyl sulfonamide bioisostere

Recent preclinical studies demonstrate a role for the prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) subtype 1 (EP1) receptor in mediating, at least in part, the pathophysiology of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A series of amide and N-acylsulfonamide analogs of a previously described picolinic acid-based human EP1 receptor antagonist (7) were prepared. Each analog had improved selectivity at the mouse EP1 receptor over the mouse thromboxane receptor (TP). A subset of analogs gained affinity for the mouse PGE₂ subtype 3 (EP3) receptor, another potential therapeutic target. One analog (17) possessed equal selectivity for EP1 and EP3, displayed a sufficient in vivo residence time in mice, and lacked the potential for acyl glucuronide formation common to compound 7. Treatment of mice with 17 significantly attenuated the vasopressor activity resulting from an acute infusion of EP1 and EP3 receptor agonists. Compound 17 represents a potentially novel therapeutic in the treatment of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.     

Discovery of a novel class of zwitterionic,potent, selective and orally active S1P1 direct agonists

Amido-1,3,4-thiadiazoles have been identified as a novel structural class of potent and selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype 1 agonists. Starting from a micromolar HTS hit with the help of an in-house homology model, robust structural–activity relationships were developed to yield compounds with good selectivity and excellent in vivo efficacy in rat models.     

Synthesis and evaluation of arylalkoxy- and biarylalkoxy-phenylamide and phenylimidazoles as potent and selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype-1 agonists

In pursuit of potent and selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists, we have utilized previously reported phenylamide and phenylimidazole scaffolds to explore extensive side-chain modifications to generate new molecular entities. A number of designed molecules demonstrate good selectivity and excellent in vitro and in vivo potency in both mouse and rat models. Oral administration of the lead molecule 11c (PPI-4667) demonstrated potent and dose-responsive lymphopenia.     

Discovery of a muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist with high selectivity for M3 over M2 receptors among 2-[(1S,3S)-3-sulfonylaminocyclopentyl]phenylacetamide derivatives

In the course of developing a metabolically stable M3 receptor antagonist from the prototype antagonist, J-104129 (1), introduction of certain substituents into the cyclopentane ring of 1 was found to be effective not only in improving metabolic stability but also in greatly enhancing the subtype selectivity. Among the cyclopentane analogues, sulfonamide derivatives (10f) and (10g) displayed 160- and 310-fold selectivity for M3 over M2 receptors, and both were significantly more selective than the prototype antagonist (120-fold). Subsequent derivatization of the sulfonamide series led to the highly selective M3 receptor antagonists (10h, 10i and 10j) with >490-fold selectivity for M3 over M2 receptors. Among them, p-nitrophenylsulfonamide (J-107320, 10h) exhibited 1100-fold selectivity for M3 receptors (Ki = 2.5 nM) over M2 receptors (Ki = 2800 nM) in the human muscarinic receptor binding assay using [3H]-NMS as a radio ligand.     

Discovery of potent, selective and orally bioavailable triaryl-sulfonamide based PTP1B inhibitors

A novel series of pTyr mimetics containing triaryl-sulfonamide derivatives (5a-r) are reported as potent and selective PTP1B inhibitors. Some of the test compounds (5o and 5p) showed excellent selectivity towards PTP1B over various PTPs, including TCPTP (in vitro). The lead compound 5o showed potent antidiabetic activity (in vivo), along with improved pharmacokinetic profile. These preliminary results confirm discovery of highly potent and selective PTP1B inhibitors for the treatment of T2DM.     

(E)-3-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)-1-(pyridin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one,a heterocyclic chalcone is a potent and selective CYP1A1 inhibitor and cancer chemopreventive agent

The overexpression of CYP1 family of enzymes is reported to be associated with development of human carcinomas. It has been well reported that CYP1A1 specific inhibitors prevents carcinogenesis. Herein, thirteen pyridine-4-yl series of chalcones were synthesized and screened for inhibition of CYP1 isoforms 1A1, 1B1 and 1A2 in Sacchrosomes? and live human HEK293 cells. The structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that chalcones bearing tri-alkoxy groups (8a and 8k) on non-heterocyclic ring displayed selective inhibition of CYP1A1 enzyme, with IC₅₀ values of 58 and 65?nM, respectively. The 3,4,5-trimethoxy substituted derivative 8a have shown >10-fold selectivity towards CYP1A1 with respect to other enzymes of the CYP1 sub-family and >100-fold selectivity with respect to CYP2 and CYP3 family of enzymes. The potent and selective CYP1A1 inhibitor 8a displayed antagonism of B[a]P mediated activation of aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in yeast cells, and also protected human cells from CYP1A1-mediated B[a]P toxicity in human cells. This potent and selective inhibitor of CYP1A1 enzyme have a potential for development as cancer chemopreventive agent.     

Investigation of orexin-2 selective receptor antagonists: Structural modifications resulting in dual orexin receptor antagonists

In an ongoing effort to explore the use of orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia, dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) were structurally modified, resulting in compounds selective for the OX₂R subtype and culminating in the discovery of 23, a highly potent, OX₂R-selective molecule that exhibited a promising in vivo profile. Further structural modification led to an unexpected restoration of OX₁R antagonism. Herein, these changes are discussed and a rationale for selectivity based on computational modeling is proposed.     

Selective inducible microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitors derived from an oxicam template

Here we describe the SAR of a series of potent and selective mPGES-1 inhibitors based on an oxicam template. Compound 13j demonstrated low nanomolar mPGES-1 inhibition in an enzyme assay. In addition, it displayed PGE₂ inhibition in a cell-based assay (0.42 μM) and had over 238-fold selectivity for mPGES-1 over COX-2 and over 200-fold selectivity for mPGES-1 over 6-keto PGF_1α.     

1-Benzyloxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl-amines,a novel class of NR1/2B subtype selective NMDA receptor antagonists

Screening of the Roche compound depository led to the identification of (1-benzyloxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-butyl amine 4, a structurally novel NR1/2B subtype selective NMDA receptor antagonist. The structure-activity relationships developed in this series resulted in the discovery of a novel class of potent and selective NMDA receptor blockers displaying activity in vivo.     

2′ Biaryl amides as novel and subtype selective M1 agonists. Part II: Further optimization and profiling

Further optimization of the biaryl amide series via extensively exploring structure–activity relationships resulted in potent and subtype selective M₁ agonists exemplified by compounds 9a and 9j with good rat PK properties including CNS penetration. Synthesis, structure–activity relationships, subtype selectivity for M₁ over M_2–5, and DMPK properties of these novel compounds are described.     

Design,parallel synthesis,and crystal structures of biphenyl antithrombotics as selective inhibitors of tissue factor FVIIa complex. Part 1: Exploration of S2 pocket pharmacophores

Factor VIIa (FVIIa), a serine protease enzyme, coupled with tissue factor (TF) plays an important role in a number of thrombosis-related disorders. Inhibition of TF·FVIIa occurs early in the coagulation cascade and might provide some safety advantages over other related enzymes. We report here a novel series of substituted biphenyl derivatives that are highly potent and selective TF·FVIIa inhibitors. Parallel synthesis coupled with structure-based drug design allowed us to explore the S2 pocket of the enzyme active site. A number of compounds with IC₅₀ value of <10 nM were synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of some of these compounds complexed with TF·FVIIa were determined and results were applied to design the next round of inhibitors. All the potent inhibitors were tested for inhibition against a panel of related enzymes and selectivity of 17,600 over thrombin, 450 over trypsin, 685 over FXa, and 76 over plasmin was achieved. Two groups, vinyl 36b and 2-furan 36ab, were identified as the optimum binding substituents on the phenyl ring in the S2 pocket. Compounds with these two substituents are the most potent compounds in this series with good selectivity over related serine proteases. These compounds will be further explored for structure–activity relationship.     

Potent and highly selective DP1 antagonists with 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole as pharmacophore

We discovered that the introduction of a methyl group to the benzylic position of the N-benzyl group in lead compound 1a has a dramatic effect on improving the binding selectivity of this ligand for the prostanoid receptors DP1 (receptor for prostaglandin D(2)) as compared to TP (receptor for thromboxane A(2)). Based on this discovery, we have synthesized a series of potent and highly selective DP1 antagonists. Among them, compound 1h was identified as a highly selective DP1 antagonist with excellent overall properties. It has a K(i) of 0.43 nM to DP1 in binding assay and an IC(50) of 2.5 nM in the DP1 functional assay. Its selectivity for DP1 over TP (the most potent receptor after DP1) exceeds 750-fold based on both binding and functional assays. These properties make 1h a very potent and highly selective DP1 receptor antagonist suitable for investigating the biological functions of DP1 in normal physiology and models of disease.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of a novel cyclohexanamine class of neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonists

A novel series of cyclohexanamine derivatives was designed and synthesized as potent and selective human neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonists. Modification of high-throughput screening hit compound 1 resulted in the identification of compound 3i, which displays potent Y1 activity and good selectivity towards hERG K⁺ channel and serotonin transporter.     

A benzo[b]thiophene-based selective type 4 S1P receptor agonist

S1P receptors (S1PR1-5) are a group of GPCRs activated by a high affinity binding with S1P that have important roles in the regulation of the immune system. A potent S1PR agonist FTY720 is an immunomodulator used to treat multiple sclerosis and several ‘second generation’ drugs are under clinical development. Subtype-selective agonists have been reported for each S1PR isotype, some of which are used as pharmacological tools for functional studies. Here we report the discovery and initial characterization of compound 5c, a benzo[b]thiophene amino carboxylate which exhibits potent and selective agonist activity for S1PR4. Compound 5c has an EC₅₀ = 200 nM as an agonist in GTPγ³⁵S binding assay for S1PR4 and exhibits no activity against S1PR1,2,3,5. We confirmed its potent activity and decent S1PR subtype selectivity using biochemical and cellular assays.     

Evaluation of 1,2,5-thiadiazoles as modulators of M1/M5 muscarinic receptor subtypes

Studies have demonstrated the presence of allosteric binding sites on each of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtypes. Since most drugs targeting muscarinic receptors bind to the highly conserved orthosteric binding site, they fail to achieve appreciable subtype selectivity. Targeting non-conserved allosteric sites may provide a new way of enhancing selectivity for individual subtypes of muscarinic receptor. Tetra(ethyleneglycol)(3-methoxy-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)[3-(1-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyrid-3-yl)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl] ether, CDD-0304 (10), was found to be a M_1/2/4 selective muscarinic agonist and might prove useful in treating the symptoms associated with schizophrenia (J. Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 4273). It was hypothesized that the observed subtype selectivity demonstrated by 10 may be due to its ability to function as a bitopic ligand (J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 7518). To further investigate this possibility, a novel series of compounds was synthesized using a 1,2,5-thiadiazole moiety along with varying lengths of a polyethylene glycol linker and terminal groups, for evaluation as potential allosteric modulators of muscarinic receptors. Preliminary biological studies were performed using carbachol to stimulate M₁ and M₅ receptors. No significant agonist activity was observed at either M₁ or M₅ receptors for any of the compounds. Compound 18, 2-(4-methoxy-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yloxy)-N,N-dimethylethanamine fumarate (CDD-0361F) was found to block the effects of carbachol at M₅ muscarinic receptors.     

2′ Biaryl amides as novel and subtype selective M1 agonists. Part I: Identification,synthesis, and initial SAR

Biaryl amides were discovered as novel and subtype selective M₁ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists. The identification, synthesis, and initial structure–activity relationships that led to compounds 3j and 4c, possessing good M₁ agonist potency and intrinsic activity, and subtype selectivity for M₁ over M_2–5, are described.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel dual FFA1 (GPR40)/PPARδ agonists as potential anti-diabetic agents

The free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) were considered as potential anti-diabetic targets, and the dual FFA1/PPARδ agonists might provide synergistic effect in insulin secretion and sensibility. Herein, we further develop dual agonists by screening 7 series of heterocycles, resulting in the discovery of compound 19 with considerable oral pharmacokinetic profile. Compound 19 exhibited a balanced potency between FFA1 and PPARδ, and high selectivity over PPARα and PPARγ. Moreover, compound 19 exerted improved glucose-lowering effects and insulin sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner, which might be attributed to its dual effects to simultaneously regulate insulin secretion and resistance. Our results extended the existing chemical space, and provided a potent tool compound 19.     

Selective CB2 agonists with anti-pruritic activity: Discovery of potent and orally available bicyclic 2-pyridones

The CB2 receptor has emerged as a potential target for the treatment of pruritus as well as pain without CB1-mediated side effects. We previously identified 2-pyridone derivatives 1 and 2 as potent CB2 agonists; however, this series of compounds was found to have unacceptable pharmacokinetic profiles with no significant effect in vivo. To improve these profiles, we performed further structural optimization of 1 and 2, which led to the discovery of bicyclic 2-pyridone 18e with improved CB2 affinity and selectivity over CB1. In a mouse pruritus model, 18e inhibited compound 48/80 induced scratching behavior at a dose of 100 mg/kg. In addition, the docking model of 18e with an active-state CB2 homology model indicated the structural basis of its high affinity and selectivity over CB1.