Identification of potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors of caspase-3 through the use of extended tethering and structure-based drug design

The design, synthesis, and in vitro activities of a series of potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors of caspase-3 are described. From extended tethering, a salicylic acid fragment was identified as having binding affinity for the S(4) pocket of caspase-3. X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling of the initial tethering hit resulted in the synthesis of 4, which reversibly inhibited caspase-3 with a K(i) = 40 nM. Further optimization led to the identification of a series of potent and selective inhibitors with K(i) values in the 20-50 nM range. One of the most potent compounds in this series, 66b, inhibited caspase-3 with a K(i) = 20 nM and selectivity of 8-500-fold for caspase-3 vs a panel of seven caspases (1, 2, and 4-8). A high-resolution X-ray cocrystal structure of 4 and 66b supports the predicted binding modes of our compounds with caspase-3.     

Nafamostat mesilate is an extremely potent inhibitor of human tryptase

Previously, nafamostat mesilate was found to be a potent inhibitor of human tryptase. In present study, we performed a kinetic study to determine its K(i) value for tryptase and compared it with that of gabexate mesilate. Nafamostat mesilate inhibited human tryptase in a competitive manner. The apparent K(i) value was estimated to be 95.3 pM, which was 1000 times lower than that of gabexate mesilate (95.1 nM). These results strongly indicated that nafamostat mesilate is an extremely potent inhibitor of tryptase and suggested that some of its beneficial effects in the treatment of clinical status may be due to tryptase inhibition.     

Human mast cell tryptase attenuates the vasodilator activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is localized in and released from sensory nerves. It is a potent and long acting vasodilator which has been suggested to play a role in the control of blood flow. Using HPLC and trichloroacetic acid precipitation techniques, we have examined the ability of human mast cell lysates and a purified preparation of mast cell tryptase to degrade CGRP. We found that CGRP is effectively cleaved by tryptase (Km = 6.8 x 10(-6) mol/L at 37 degrees). Enzymatic activity was inhibited by antipain, leupeptin, N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, benzamidine or aprotinin, but not by soybean trypsin inhibitor or N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone. The degradation of CGRP by lysates of purified skin mast cells showed a similar pattern of inhibition suggesting that tryptase may be the major enzyme involved. The activity of tryptase was not affected by the presence of heparin. Incubation of CGRP with tryptase resulted in a loss of its vasodilator activity as observed by intravital microscopy of the hamster cheek pouch microvasculature. CGRP preincubated with tryptase failed to relax arterioles when added topically. It is suggested that the catalysis of CGRP by tryptase could represent an important means by which the activity of this neuropeptide is regulated in vivo.     

Inhibitors of tryptase for the treatment of mast cell-mediated diseases

Human tryptase is a structurally unique and mast cell specific trypsin-like serine protease. Recent biological and immunological investigations have implicated tryptase as a mediator in the pathology of numerous allergic and inflammatory conditions including rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and most notably asthma. A growing body of data further implicates tryptase in certain gastrointestinal, dermatological, and cardiovascular disorders as well. The recent availability of potent, and selective tryptase inhibitors, though, has facilitated the validation of this protease as an important therapeutic target as well. Herein, we describe the design and potency of four classes of selective tryptase inhibitors, of which the first three types are synthetic and the fourth is natural in origin: 1) peptidic inhibitors (e.g., APC-366), 2) dibasic inhibitors (i.e., pentamidine-like), 3) Zn(2+)-mediated inhibitors (i.e., BABIM-like), and 4) heparin antagonists (e.g., lactoferrin). These inhibitors have been tested in the airways and skin of allergic sheep. Aerosol administration of tryptase inhibitors from each structural class 30 minutes before, and 4 hours and 24 hours after allergen challenge, abolishes late phase bronchoconstriction and airway hyperresponsiveness in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, intradermal injection of APC-366 blocks the cutaneous response to antigen. These studies provide the essential proof-of-concept for the further pursuit of tryptase inhibitors for the treatment of asthma, and perhaps other allergic diseases. Results from clinical studies with the first generation tryptase inhibitor APC-366, currently in phase II trials for the treatment of asthma, provide additional support for a pathological role for tryptase in this disease. Notable advances in the area of tryptase inhibitor design at Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. include a novel, zinc-mediated, serine protease inhibitor technology (described herein), and the discovery of a unique class of extremely potent and selective dibasic tryptase inhibitors. Independently, an X-ray crystal structure of active tryptase tetramer complexed with 4-amidinophenyl pyruvic acid has been reported. It is anticipated that these discoveries will further accelerate the design of structurally novel tryptase inhibitors as well as the development of new drugs for the treatment of mast cell tryptase-mediated disorders.     

Structure-guided design of A(3) adenosine receptor-selective nucleosides: combination of 2-arylethynyl and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane substitutions

(N)-Methanocarba adenosine 5'-methyluronamides containing known A(3) AR (adenosine receptor)-enhancing modifications, i.e., 2-(arylethynyl)adenine and N(6)-methyl or N(6)-(3-substituted-benzyl), were nanomolar full agonists of human (h) A(3)AR and highly selective (K(i) ～0.6 nM, N(6)-methyl 2-(halophenylethynyl) analogues 13 and 14). Combined 2-arylethynyl-N(6)-3-chlorobenzyl substitutions preserved A(3)AR affinity/selectivity in the (N)-methanocarba series (e.g., 3,4-difluoro full agonist MRS5698 31, K(i) 3 nM, human and mouse A(3)) better than that for ribosides. Polyaromatic 2-ethynyl N(6)-3-chlorobenzyl analogues, such as potent linearly extended 2-p-biphenylethynyl MRS5679 34 (K(i) hA(3) 3.1 nM; A(1), A(2A), inactive) and fluorescent 1-pyrene adduct MRS5704 35 (K(i) hA(3) 68.3 nM), were conformationally rigid; receptor docking identified a large, mainly hydrophobic binding region. The vicinity of receptor-bound C2 groups was probed by homology modeling based on recent X-ray structure of an agonist-bound A(2A)AR, with a predicted helical rearrangement requiring an agonist-specific outward displacement of TM2 resembling opsin. Thus, the X-ray structure of related A(2A)AR is useful in guiding the design of new A(3)AR agonists.     

Polycationic peptides as inhibitors of mast cell serine proteases

When mast cells are activated, e.g. during allergic responses, they secrete the serine proteases chymase and tryptase, which both are complex-bound to heparin proteoglycan in vivo. Previous reports have demonstrated potent pro-inflammatory effects of both tryptase and chymase in different animal models, suggesting that these serine proteases may be relevant targets for therapeutic intervention. Recent investigations have shown that heparin-binding compounds can cause tryptase inhibition and it has been suggested that the inhibitory activity of such compounds is due to interference with the binding of heparin to tryptase. Here we tested various polycationic peptides for their ability to inhibit heparin-free human recombinant betaI-tryptase. We demonstrate powerful direct inhibition of tryptase (IC(50) values approximately 1-100 nM) by poly-Arg and poly-Lys of different molecular weights. Poly-Arg and poly-Lys showed predominantly competitive inhibition kinetics, although decreases in the k(cat) values for the chromogenic substrate S-2288 were also observed. Peptides built up from heparin-binding motifs were also inhibitors of tryptase, albeit of lower efficiency than poly-Arg/Lys. Tryptase inhibition was strongly dependent on the size of the polycationic peptides. The various polycationic peptides were also inhibitory for heparin-dependent activities of chymase. The tryptase inhibition caused by the polycationic peptides could be reversed by adding heparin. After heparin-induced rescue of tryptase activity, the major part of the tryptase activity was sensitive to inhibition by bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, whereas tryptase before addition of polycationic peptide was completely resistant. Taken together, our findings indicate that polycationic peptides can be used as powerful agents for combined inhibition of mast cell tryptase and chymase.     

Design of potent dicyclic (4-10/5-8) gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists

With the ultimate goal of identifying a consensus bioactive conformation of GnRH antagonists, the compatibility of a number of side chain to side chain bridges in bioactive analogues was systematically explored. In an earlier publication, cyclo[Asp(4)-Dpr(10)]GnRH antagonists with high potencies in vitro and in vivo had been identified.(1) Independently from Dutta et al. (2) and based on structural considerations, the cyclic [Glu(5)-Lys(8)] constraint was also found to be tolerated in GnRH antagonists. We describe here a large number of cyclic (4-10) and (5-8) and dicyclic (4-10/5-8) GnRH antagonists optimized for affinity to the rat GnRH receptor and in vivo antiovulatory potency. The most potent monocyclic analogues were cyclo(4-10)[Ac-DNal(1), DFpa(2),DTrp(3),Asp(4),DArg(6),Xaa(10)]GnRH with Xaa = D/LAgl (1, K(i) = 1.3 nM) or Dpr (2, K(i) = 0.36 nM), which completely blocked ovulation in cycling rats after sc administration of 2.5 microgram at noon of proestrus. Much less potent were the closely related analogues with Xaa = Dbu (3, K(i) = 10 nM) or cyclo(4-10)[Ac-DNal(1), DFpa(2),DTrp(3),Glu(4),DArg(6),D/LAgl(10)]GnRH (4, K(i) = 1.3 nM). Cyclo(5-8)[Ac-DNal(1),DCpa(2),DTrp(3),Glu(5),DArg++ +(6),Lys(8), DAla(10)]GnRH (13), although at least 20 times less potent in the AOA than 1 or 2 with similar GnRHR affinity (K(i) = 0.84 nM), was found to be one of the most potent in a series of closely related cyclo(5-8) analogues with different bridge lengths and bridgehead chirality. The very high affinity of cyclo(5,5'-8)[Ac-DNal(1), DCpa(2),DPal(3),Glu(5)(betaAla),DArg(6),(D or L)Agl,(8)DAla(10)]GnRH 14 (K(i) = 0.15 nM) correlates well with its high potency in vivo (full inhibition of ovulation at 25 microgram/rat). Dicyclo(4-10/5-8)[Ac-DNal(1),DCpa(2),DTrp(3),Asp (4),Glu(5),DArg(6), Lys(8),Dpr(10)]GnRH (24, K(i) = 0.32 nM) is one-fourth as potent as 1 or 2, in the AOA; this suggests that the introduction of the (4-10) bridge in 13, while having little effect on affinity, restores functional/conformational features favorable for stability and distribution. To further increase potency of dicyclic antagonists, the size and composition of the (5-8) bridge was varied. For example, the substitution of Xbb(5') by Gly (30, K(i) = 0.16 nM), Sar (31, K(i) = 0.20 nM), Phe (32, K(i) = 0.23 nM), DPhe (33, K(i) = 120 nM), Arg (36, K(i) = 0.20 nM), Nal (37, K(i) = 4.2 nM), His (38, K(i) = 0.10 nM), and Cpa (39, K(i) = 0.23 nM) in cyclo(4-10/5,5'-8)[Ac-DNal(1),DCpa(2),DPal(3),Asp(4),G lu(5)(Xbb(5')), DArg(6),Dbu,(8)Dpr(10)]GnRH yielded several very high affinity analogues that were 10, ca. 10, 4, >200, 1, ca. 4, >2, and 2 times less potent than 1 or 2, respectively. Other scaffolds constrained by disulfide (7, K(i) = 2.4 nM; and 8, K(i) = 450 nM), cyclo[Glu(5)-Aph(8)] (16, K(i) = 20 nM; and 17, K(i) = 0.28 nM), or cyclo[Asp(5)-/Glu(5)-/Asp(5)(Gly(5'))-Amp(8)] (19, K(i) = 1.3 nM; 22, K(i) = 3.3 nM; and 23, K(i) = 3.6 nM) bridges yielded analogues that were less potent in vivo and had a wide range of affinities. The effects on biological activity of substituting DCpa or DFpa at position 2, DPal or DTrp at position 3, and DArg, DNal, or DCit at position 6 are also discussed. Interestingly, monocyclo(5-8)[Glu(5), DNal(6),Lys(8)]GnRH (18, K(i) = 1. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)     

Pharmacological characterization of RWJ-676070, a dual vasopressin V(1A)/V(2) receptor antagonist

The dysregulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) release and activation of vasopressin V(1A) and V(2) receptors may play a role in disease. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of RWJ-676070, a potent, balanced antagonist of both the V(1A) and V(2) receptors is described. RWJ-676070 binding and intracellular functional antagonist activity was characterized using cells expressing V(1A), V(1B) or V(2) receptors. Its inhibition of V(1A) receptor-mediated contraction of vascular rings and platelet aggregation was determined. V(2) receptor-medated aquaresis was determined in rats, dogs and monkeys. V(1A) receptor-mediated inhibitory activity was assessed in vivo in a vasopressin-induced hypertension model and in normotensive rats and in two hypertensive rat models. RWJ-676070 inhibited AVP binding to human V(1A) and V(2) receptors (Ki=1 and 14 nM, respectively). RWJ-676070 inhibited V(1A) receptor-induced intracellular calcium mobilization and V(2) receptor-induced cAMP accumulation with Ki values of 14 nM and 13 nM, respectively. The compound was slightly less potent against rat V(1A) receptors. RWJ-676070 inhibited V(1A) receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in rat and dog vascular rings and AVP-induced human platelet aggregation. Dose dependent aquaresis was demonstrated in rats, dogs and monkeys following oral administration. RWJ-676070 inhibited AVP-induced hypertension in rats but had no effect on arterial pressure in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats but did decrease arterial pressure in Dahl, salt-sensitive hypertensive rats. RWJ-676070 is a new, potent antagonist of V(1A) and V(2) receptors that may be useful for treatment of diseases benefiting from balanced inhibition of both V(1A) and V(2) receptors.     

Novel potent and selective thrombin inhibitors based on a central 1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one scaffold

Novel thrombin inhibitors with the central 1,4-benzoxazine-3(4 H)-one scaffold, benzamidine P1 arginine side chain mimetic and various P3 moieties are described. 3-(Benzyl(2-(4-carbamimidoylbenzyl)-4-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2 H-1,4-benzoxazin-7-yl)amino)-3-oxopropanoic acid (7b), the most potent compound in the series, exhibited a K i of 2.6 nM in vitro for thrombin and high selectivity against trypsin and factor Xa.     

Susceptibility of recent Canadian influenza A and B virus isolates to different neuraminidase inhibitors

Forty-two influenza A and 23 influenza B isolates collected from untreated subjects during the 1999-2000 influenza season in Canada were tested for their susceptibility to three neuraminidase inhibitors (zanamivir, oseltamivir carboxylate and RWJ-270201 or BCX-1812) using a chemiluminescent neuraminidase assay. Influenza B isolates were less susceptible than A viruses to all tested drugs. RWJ-270201 was the most potent drug against both influenza A(H3N2) (mean IC(50): 0.60 nM) and B (mean IC(50): 0.87 nM) viruses. Oseltamivir carboxylate was more active than zanamivir for influenza A(H3N2) isolates (mean IC(50): 0.73 vs. 2.09 nM) whereas it was less potent against B viruses (mean IC(50): 11.53 vs. 4.15 nM).     

In-depth study of tripeptide-based alpha-ketoheterocycles as inhibitors of thrombin. Effective utilization of the S1' subsite and its implications to structure-based drug design

Thrombin inhibitors are potentially useful in medicine for their anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects. We synthesized and evaluated diverse heterocycle-activated ketones based on the d-Phe-Pro-Arg, and related thrombin active-site recognition motifs, as candidate inhibitors. The peptide-based alpha-ketoheterocycles were typically prepared by either an imidate or a Weinreb amide route (Schemes 1 and 2), the latter of which proved to be more general. Test compounds were generally assayed for inhibition of human alpha-thrombin and bovine trypsin. From a structure-based design standpoint, the heterocycle allows one to explore and adjust interactions within the S1' subsite of thrombin. The preferred alpha-ketoheterocycle is a pi-rich 2-substituted azole with at least two heteroatoms proximal to the carbon bearing the keto group, and a preferred thrombin inhibitor is 2-ketobenzothiazole 3, with a potent K(i) value of 0.2 nM and ca. 15-fold selectivity over trypsin. 2-Ketobenzothiazole 13 exhibited exceedingly potent thrombin inhibition (K(i) = 0.000 65 nM; slow tight binding). Several alpha-ketoheterocycles had thrombin K(i) values in the range 0.1-400 nM. The "Arg" unit in the alpha-ketoheterocycles can be sensitive to stereomutation under mildy basic conditions. For example, 2-ketothiazoles 4 and 59 readily epimerize at pH 7.4, although they are fairly stable stereochemically at pH 3-4; thus, suitable conditions had to be selected for the enzymatic assays. Lead d-Phe-Pro-Arg 2-benzothiazoles 3, 4, and 68 displayed good selectivity for thrombin over other key coagulation enzymes (e.g., factor Xa, plasmin, protein Ca, uPA, tPA, and streptokinase); however, their selectivity for thrombin over trypsin was modest (<25-fold). Compounds 3, 4, and 68 exhibited potent in vitro antithrombotic activity as measured by inhibition of gel-filtered platelet aggregation induced by alpha-thrombin (IC(50) = 30-40 nM). They also proved to be potent anticoagulant/antithrombotic agents in vivo on intravenous administration, as determined in the canine arteriovenous shunt (ED(50) = 0.45-0.65 mg/kg) and the rabbit deep vein thrombosis (ED(50) = 0.1-0.4 mg/kg) models. Intravenous administration of 3, and several analogues, to guinea pigs caused hypotension and electrocardiogram abnormalities. Such cardiovascular side effects were also observed with some nonguanidine inhibitors and inhibitors having recognition motifs other than d-Phe-Pro-Arg. 2-Benzothiazolecarboxylates 4 and 68 exhibited significantly diminished cardiovascular side effects, and benzothiazolecarboxylic acid 4 had the best profile with respect to therapeutic index. The X-ray crystal structures of the ternary complexes 3-thrombin-hirugen and 4-thrombin-hirugen depict novel interactions in the S(1)' region, with the benzothiazole ring forming a hydrogen bond with His-57 and an aromatic stacking interaction with Trp-60D of thrombin's insertion loop. The benzothiazole ring of 3 displaces the Lys-60F side chain into a U-shaped gauche conformation, whereas the benzothiazole carboxylate of 4 forms a salt bridge with the side chain of Lys-60F such that it adopts an extended anti conformation. Since 3 has a 10-fold greater affinity for thrombin than does 4, any increase in binding energy resulting from this salt bridge is apparently offset by perturbations across the enzyme (viz. Figure 4). The increased affinity and selectivity of 2-ketobenzothiazole inhibitors, such as 3, may be primarily due to the aromatic stacking interaction with Trp-60D. However, energy contour calculations with the computer program GRID also indicate a favorable interaction between the benzothiazole sulfur atom and a hydrophobic patch on the surface of thrombin.     

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of J-113397, a potent and selective non-peptidyl ORL1 receptor antagonist

1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidyl]-3-ethyl -1, 3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397) was found to be the first potent nonpeptidyl ORL1 receptor antagonist (K(i): cloned human ORL1=1.8 nM) with high selectivity over other opioid receptors (K(i): 1000 nM for human mu-opioid receptor, >10,000 nM for human delta-opioid receptor, and 640 nM for human kappa-opioid receptor). In vitro, J-113397 inhibited nociceptin/orphanin FQ-stimulated [35S]guanosine 5'-O-(gamma-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) binding to Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells expressing ORL1 (CHO-ORL1) with an IC(50) value of 5.3 nM but had no effect on [35S]GTP gamma S binding by itself. Schild plot analysis of the [35S]GTP gamma S binding assay and cAMP assay using CHO-ORL1 indicated competitive antagonism of J-113397 on the ORL1 receptor. In CHO cells expressing mu-, delta- or kappa-opioid receptors, J-113397 had no effects on [35S]GTP gamma S binding up to a concentration of 100 nM, indicating selective antagonism of the compound on the ORL1 receptor. In vivo, J-113397, when administered subcutaneously (s.c.), dose-dependently inhibited hyperalgesia elicited by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in a tail-flick test with mice. An in vitro binding study using mouse brains indicated that J-113397 possesses high affinity for the mouse ORL1 receptor (K(i): 1.1 nM) as well as the human receptor. In summary, J-113397 is the first potent, selective ORL1 receptor antagonist that may be useful in elucidating the physiological roles of nociceptin/orphanin FQ.     

Pharmacological characterization of the benz[d]indolo[2,3-g]azecine LE300, a novel type of a nanomolar dopamine receptor antagonist

LE300 (7-methyl-6,7,8,9,14,15-hexahydro-5 H-benz[d]indolo[2,3-g]azecine), a previously reported subnanomolar antagonist at rat striatal dopamine D1 receptors, and three of its azecine-N-substituted congeners combining structural elements of serotonin and dopamine were comprehensively characterised (binding and function) at recombinant human dopamine receptors. Radioligand competition experiments at D1 and D2L receptors were performed by using [(3)H]SCH23390 and [(3)H]spiperone, respectively. Functional assays included measurements of cAMP, intracellular [Ca(2+)], and [(35)S]GTPgammaS-binding. LE300 was the most potent compound with a 10- to 20-fold selectivity for D1 over D2L receptors as measured in equilibrium binding experiments [competition radioligand binding: K(i)(D1)=1.9 nM, K(i)(D2L)=44.7 nM; [(35)S]GTPgammaS-binding: K(i)(D1)=1.8 nM, K(i)(D2L)=21.5 nM]. In functional (non-equilibrium) experiments, LE300 did not reveal a D1 over D2L selectivity but retained nanomolar K(i) values at human dopamine receptors (measurement of cAMP: K(i)(D1)=25.9 nM, K(i)(D2L)=5.2 nM; measurement of intracellular [Ca(2+)]: K(i)(D1)=60.4 nM, K(i)(D2L)=19.0 nM). LE300 is currently under investigation for usefulness as positrone emission tomography ligand. In conclusion, LE300 is a novel type of a nanomolar dopamine receptor antagonist combining structural core elements of dopamine and serotonin, and may become useful as positrone emission tomography ligand.     

Creation of a selective antagonist and agonist of the rat VPAC(1) receptor using a combinatorial approach with vasoactive intestinal peptide 6-23 as template

We have used combinatorial chemistry with amino acid mixtures (X) at positions 6 to 23 in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to optimize binding affinity and selectivity to the rat VPAC(1) receptor. The most efficient amino acid replacement was a substitution of alanine at position 18 to diphenylalanine (Dip), increasing the displacement efficiency of (125)I-VIP by 370-fold. The [Dip(18)]VIP(6-23) was subsequently used to find a second replacement, employing the same approach. Tyrosine at position 9 was selected and the resulting [Tyr(9),Dip(18)]VIP(6-23) analog has a K(i) value of 90 nM. This analog was unable to stimulate cAMP production at 10(-6) M but was able to inhibit VIP-induced cAMP stimulation (K(b) = 79 nM). The K(i) values of [Tyr(9),Dip(18)]VIP(6-23) using the rat VPAC(2) and PAC(1) receptors were 3,000 nM and >10,000 nM, respectively. Thus, [Tyr(9),Dip(18)]VIP(6-23) is a selective VPAC(1) receptor antagonist. The C-terminally extended form, [Tyr(9),Dip(18)]VIP(6-28), displays improved antagonistic properties having a K(i) and K(b) values of 18 nM and 16 nM, respectively. On the contrary, the fully extended form, [Tyr(9),Dip(18)]VIP(1-28), was a potent agonist with improved binding affinity (K(i) = 0.11 nM) and ability to stimulate cAMP (EC(50) = 0.23 nM) compared with VIP (K(i) = 1.7 nM, EC(50) = 1.12 nM). Furthermore, the specificity of this agonist to the VPAC(1) receptor was high, the K(i) values for the VPAC(2) and PAC(1) receptors were 53 nM and 3,100 nM, respectively. Seven other analogs with the [Tyr(9),Dip(18)] replacement combined with previously published VIP modifications have been synthesized and described in this work.     

Design and structure-activity relationships of potent and selective inhibitors of blood coagulation factor Xa.

The discovery of a series of non-peptide factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors incorporating 3-(S)-amino-2-pyrrolidinone as a central template is described. After identifying compound 4, improvements in in vitro potency involved modifications of the liphophilic group and optimizing the angle of presentation of the amidine group to the S1 pocket of FXa. These studies ultimately led to compound RPR120844, a potent inhibitor of FXa (K(i) = 7 nM) which shows selectivity for FXa over trypsin, thrombin, and several fibrinolytic serine proteinases. RPR120844 is an effective anticoagulant in both the rat model of FeCl(2)-induced carotid artery thrombosis and the rabbit model of jugular vein thrombus formation.     

7-Oxo-[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinoline-6-carboxamides as selective CB(2) cannabinoid receptor ligands: structural investigations around a novel class of full agonists

Cannabinoid receptor agonists have gained attention as potential therapeutic targets of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Here, we report the identification and optimization of a series of 7-oxo-[1,4]oxazino[2,3,4-ij]quinoline-6-carboxamide derivatives as a novel chemotype of selective cannabinoid CB(2) receptor agonists. Structural modifications led to the identification of several compounds as potent and selective cannabinoid receptor agonists (20, hCB(2)K(i) = 2.5 nM, SI = 166; 21, hCB(2)K(i) = 0.81 nM, SI = 383; 38, hCB(2)K(i) = 15.8 nM, SI > 633; 56, hCB(2)K(i) = 8.12 nM, SI > 1231; (R)-58, hCB(2)K(i) = 9.24 nM, SI > 1082). The effect of a chiral center on the biological activity was also investigated, and it was found that the (R)-enantiomers exhibited greater affinity at the CB(2) receptor than the (S)-enantiomers. In 3,5-cyclic adenosine monophosphate assays, the novel series behaved as agonists, exhibiting functional activity at the human CB(2) receptor.     

Discovery of a novel dopamine transporter inhibitor, 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-piperidyl 4-methylphenyl ketone, as a potential cocaine antagonist through 3D-database pharmacophore searching. Molecular modeling, structure-activity relationships, and behavioral pharmacological studies

A novel, fairly potent dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor, 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-piperidyl 4-methylphenyl ketone (3, K(i) values of 492 and 360 nM in binding affinity and inhibition of dopamine reuptake, respectively), with significant functional antagonism against cocaine and a different in vitro pharmacological profile from cocaine at the three transporter sites (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) was discovered through 3D-database pharmacophore searching. Through structure-activity relationships and molecular modeling studies, we found that hydrophobicity and conformational preference are two additional important parameters that determine affinity at the DAT site. Chemical modifications of the lead compound (3) led to a high affinity analogue (6, K(i) values of 11 and 55 nM in binding affinity and inhibition of dopamine reuptake, respectively). In behavioral pharmacological testing, 6 mimics partially the effect of cocaine in increasing locomotor activity in mice but lacks cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effect in rats. Taken together, these data suggest that 6 represents a promising lead for further evaluations as potential therapy for the treatment of cocaine abuse.     

Development of spin-labeled probes for adenosine receptors

Functionalized xanthine derivatives bearing a nitroxide moiety at the 3- or 8-position were synthesized as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) probes. The 8-cyclopentyl-1-propylxanthine derivative 4, spin-labeled at N3 by substitution with a nitroxide-bearing dihydropyrrole moiety, was a potent and selective A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist (K(i) for A(1) 5.5 nM, 1600-fold selectivity vs A(2A), >200-fold vs A(2B), and 310-fold vs A(3) adenosine receptors). 8-(1-Oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthine 10 (K(i) for A(1) 8.2 nM) was similarly potent and selective, while 8-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthine 11 (K(i) for A(1) 160 nM) exhibited significantly lower affinity for A(1) adenosine receptors. 8-[4-(((1-Oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)amino)-2-oxoethoxy)phenyl]-1-propylxanthine14, a 3-unsubstituted xanthine derivative, was found to be a potent A(2B) adenosine receptor antagonist (K(i) for A(2B) 48 nM) but also exhibited high affinity for A(1) receptors (K(i) for A(1) 15.7 nM). An X-ray structure of compound 10 was obtained, confirming the proposed structure. The novel spin-labeled A(1)-selective or A(1)/A(2B)-nonselective adenosine receptor antagonists may become useful probes for biophysicochemical investigations of adenosine receptors in their membrane environment.     

Biochemical characterization of desloratadine,a potent antagonist of the human histamine H(1) receptor

We have characterized desloratadine (5H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine, 8-chloro-6,11-dihydro-11-(4-piperidinylidene), CAS 100643-71-8) as a potent antagonist of the human histamine H(1) receptor. [3H]Desloratadine bound to membranes expressing the recombinant human histamine H(1) receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-H(1)) in a specific and saturable manner with a K(d) of 1.1+/-0.2 nM, a B(max) of 7.9+/-2.0 pmol/mg protein, and an association rate constant of 0.011 nM(-1) x min(-1). The K(d) calculated from the kinetic measurements was 1.5 nM. Dissociation of [3H]desloratadine from the human histamine H(1) receptor was slow, with only 37% of the binding reversed at 6 h in the presence of 5 microM unlabeled desloratadine. Seventeen histamine H(1)-receptor antagonists were evaluated in competition-binding studies. Desloratadine had a K(i) of 0.9+/-0.1 nM in these competition studies. In CHO-H(1) cells, histamine stimulation resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca(2+)](i) with an EC(50) of 170+/-30 nM. After a 90-min preincubation with desloratadine, the histamine-stimulated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was shifted to the right, with a depression of the maximal response at higher concentrations of antagonist. The apparent K(b) value was 0.2+/-0.14 nM with a slope of 1.6+/-0.1. The slow dissociation from the receptor and noncompetitive antagonism suggests that desloratadine may be a pseudoirreversible antagonist of the human histamine H(1) receptor. The mechanism of desloratadine antagonism of the human histamine H(1) receptor may help to explain the high potency and 24-h duration of action observed in clinical studies.     

125I]-S36057: a new and highly potent radioligand for the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor

Shortened, more stable and weakly hydrophobic analogues of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) were searched as candidates for radioiodination. Starting from the dodecapeptide MCH(6 - 17), we found that: (1) substitution of Tyr(13) by a Phe residue; (2) addition of a 3-iodo-Tyr residue at the N-terminus; and (3) addition of a hydrophilic spacer 8-amino-3,6-dioxyoctanoyl between the 3-iodo-Tyr and MCH(6 - 17) (compound S36057), led to an agonist more potent than MCH itself in stimulating [35S]-GTPgammaS binding at membranes from HEK293 cells stably expressing the human MCH receptor. Specific binding of [125I]-S36057 was found in HEK293 and CHO cell lines stably expressing the human MCH receptor. This radioligand recognized a similar number of binding sites (ca. 800 fmol mg(-1)) than [125I]-[3-iodo Tyr(13)]-MCH. However, the K(D) for [125I]-S36057 obtained from saturation studies (0.037 nM) or from binding kinetics (0.046 nM) was at least 10 fold higher to that of [125I]-[3-iodo Tyr(13)]-MCH (0.46 nM). Affinities determined for a series of MCH analogues were similar with both radioligands, S36057 being the most potent compound tested (K(i)=0.053 nM). Finally, [125I]-S36057 also potently labelled the MCH receptor in membranes from whole rat brain (K(D) 0.044 nM, B(max)=11 fmol mg(-1)). In conclusion, [125I]-S36057 is a more potent and more stable radioligand than [125I]-[3-iodo Tyr(13)]-MCH that will represent a reliable tool for binding assays in the search of novel MCH ligands. It should also provide great help for autoradiographic studies of the MCH receptor distribution in the central nervous system.