基于FKBP52结构的药物发现:2-氮-双环[2.2.1]庚-5-烯-3-羧酸衍生物的设计、合成及其神经营养活性

目的 设计并合成具有神经营养活性的小分子化合物.方法 同源模建FKBP52的N-端3D结构,基于模建的3D结构设计并合成2-氮-双环[2.2.1]庚-5-烯-3-羧酸衍生物.结果与结论 合成了21个目标化合物.结果显示化合物10k具有明显的促神经生长作用.     

Failure of GPI compounds to display neurotrophic activity in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties of a series of immunophilin ligands and to assess the potential involvement of FK506 Binding Protein 12 kDa (FKBP12) rotamase inhibition in this activity. Both FK506 and rapamycin induced a potent inhibition of the FKBP12 rotamase activity (pIC(50) values of 7.3 and 7.4, respectively) but only a modest inhibition was observed with 1-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-pentanoyl)-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid S-3-pyridin-3-yl-propyl ester (GPI 1046) (5.8), its N-oxide (5.4) and thioester (6.3) analogues. Compared to nerve growth factor, all these immunophilin ligands only induced marginal increases in neurite outgrowth of rat dissociated newborn dorsal root ganglia cells. Furthermore, systemic administration of GPI 1046 and its N-oxide and thioester analogues failed to prevent striatal dopamine depletion induced by acute or chronic i.p. treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenyl 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). These results suggest that inhibition of FKBP12 rotamase activity is not predictive for neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties of immunophilin ligands and question their therapeutic utility in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease.     

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of novel polycyclic aza-amide FKBP12 ligands

Since the discovery that FK-506 promotes neurite outgrowth, considerable attention has been focused on the development of potent nonimmunosuppressive ligands for FK-506 binding proteins (FKBPs). Such neuroimmunophilin agents have been reported to show neuroregenerative activity in a variety of cell and animal models including neurite outgrowth, age-related cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, peripheral nerve injury, optic nerve degeneration, and diabetic neuropathy. We have designed and synthesized a unique series of tetracyclic aza-amides that have been shown to be potent FKBP12 rotamase inhibitors. The structure-activity relationships established in this study have demonstrated diverse structural modifications that result in potent rotamase inhibitory activity.     

新型非免疫活性的FKBP_(12)配基N308促神经生长和神经损伤保护作用的体外评价

目的评价新型非免疫抑制的FKBP12配基N308在体外促神经生长和神经损伤的保护作用。方法采用鸡胚背根神经生长实验评价N308体外促神经生长作用;在原代培养的大鼠中脑多巴胺神经元损伤和大脑皮层神经细胞缺氧损伤的模型上观察N308的保护作用。结果 N308能够协同神经生长因子(NGF)对鸡胚背根神经节的神经纤维生长,具有明确的促进作用,在10～1000 pmol.L-1浓度范围内表现出良好的剂量依赖关系。在0.3～30 nmol.L-1浓度范围内N308明显提高缺氧诱导的大脑皮层神经细胞的存活率;0.5μmol.L-1 N308对6-OHDA诱导的大鼠中脑多巴胺神经元细胞损伤具有明确的保护作用,使细胞突起明显增长。结论 N308在体外具有明确的促神经生长及神经损伤的保护作用。     

FK1706, a novel non-immunosuppressive immunophilin: neurotrophic activity and mechanism of action

Immunophilin ligands are neuroregenerative agents, characterized by binding to FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs), which stimulate recovery of neurons in a variety of injury paradigms. Here we report the discovery of a novel, non-immunosuppressive immunophilin ligand, FK1706. FK1706, a derivative of FK506, showed similarly high affinity for two FKBP subtypes, FKBP-12 and FKBP-52, but inhibited T-cell proliferation and interleukin-2 cytokine production with much lower potency and efficacy than FK506. FK1706 (0.1 to 10 nM) significantly potentiated nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y cells, as did FK506. This neurite potentiation could be blocked by an anti-FKBP-52 antibody, as well as by specific pharmacological inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and the Ras/Raf/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. FK1706 also potentiated NGF-induced MAPK activation, with a similar dose-dependency to that necessary for potentiating neurite outgrowth. Taken together, these data suggest that FK1706 is a non-immunosuppressive immunophilin ligand with significant neurotrophic effects, putatively mediated via FKBP-52 and the Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway, and therefore that FK1706 may have therapeutic potential in a variety of neurological disorders.     

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluor-2-propyl)-4-hydroxyben zamide: synthesis and pharmacologic evaluation of a new antiestrogen

N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propyl)-4-hydroxybenzamide: Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of a New Antiestrogen The synthesis of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propyl)-4-hydroxybenzamide ( 1 ) is described. The compound shows a relative binding affinity for the estrogen receptor (ER) of 2.4. In the uterine weight test of the juvenile NMRI-mouse 1 is a strong antiestrogen. Only in high doses 1 exhibits weak estrogenic side effects. Neither on the hormone-dependent, transplantable MXT-mammary tumor of the BD2F₁ mouse, nor on the hormone-dependent 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced-mammary carcinoma of the SD-rat compound 1 shows significant anti-tumor activity.     

Behavioral effects of rimcazole analogues alone and in combination with cocaine

Several sigma receptor ligands have been reported to also have affinity for the dopamine transporter, among them rimcazole (9-[3-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl]carbazole dihydrochloride). However, rimcazole lacks behavioral effects like those of other dopamine uptake inhibitors, such as cocaine and GBR 12909 (1-(2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine dihydrochloride). Because of this profile, the interactions with cocaine of rimcazole and several of its novel analogues were assessed. The compounds studied were rimcazole, its N-methyl analogue, SH 1-73 (9-[3-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]carbazole hydrobromide), the dibrominated analogue, SH 1-76 (3,6-dibromo-9-[3-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]carbazole hydrochloride), and the N-propylphenyl analogues, SH 3-24 ([3-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-4-[3-phenylpropyl]-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]diphenylamine hydrochloride) and SH 3-28 (9-[3-(cis-3,5-dimethyl-4-[3-phenylpropyl]-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]carbazole hydrobromide). The former has a diphenyl-amine group in place of the carbazole moiety of rimcazole, giving the compound additional structural similarity to GBR 12909. The rimcazole analogues produced dose-related decreases in locomotor activity, and also decreased cocaine-stimulated activity in mice. In rats trained to discriminate 10 mg/kg cocaine (i.p.) from saline injections, cocaine and GBR 12909 each produced a dose-related increase in cocaine-appropriate responding. Cocaine also increased rates of responding. SH 3-28 decreased cocaine-appropriate responding at the cocaine training dose to about 58% (SH 3-28) with two of five subjects selecting the cocaine response key. Neither rimcazole nor SH 3-24 produced a significant attenuation of the discriminative effects of cocaine. Rimcazole and its analogs all attenuated the increases in rates of responding produced by cocaine. In contrast to effects obtained with rimcazole analogs, GBR 12909 potentiated the cocaine-induced increases in locomotor activity and operant behavior, as well as the discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine. The present results indicate that analogues of rimcazole can attenuate the behavioral effects of cocaine, and though the mechanism for these effects is not presently clear, it is possible that this attenuation maybe mediated by actions of the rimcazole analogues at the dopamine transporter and/or sigma receptors.     

Rapamycin, but not FK506 and GPI-1046, increases neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by inhibiting cell cycle progression

Immunophilin ligands such as rapamycin, FK506 and GPI-1046 have been reported to increase neurite outgrowth in vitro and to have neuroprotective activity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, however, FK506 and GPI-1046 (0.1-1000 nM) had little effect on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in either the presence or absence of nerve growth factor. In contrast, rapamycin markedly increased neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in the presence of a low concentration of nerve growth factor (EC(50)=10 nM). Unlike FK506 and GPI-1046, rapamycin is an inhibitor of cell cycle progression. Other cell cycle inhibitors such as ciclopirox and flavopiridol also increased neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in the presence of a low concentration of nerve growth factor (EC(50)=250 nM and 100 nM, respectively). The neuroprotective effects of FK506, rapamycin and GPI-1046 were also tested in a rodent model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. FK506 and rapamycin decreased infarct volume by 40% and 37%, respectively, whereas GPI-1046 was ineffective. These data do not support the previous suggestion that FK506 and GPI-1046 increase neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells in vitro. Rapamycin increases neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells, an effect that can be ascribed to its ability to inhibit cell cycle progression. The neuroprotective effect of FK506 and rapamycin against cerebral ischemia is probably not due to differentiation of neuronal precursors or stimulation of neuronal regeneration.     

Fundamental role of nitric oxide in neuritogenesis of PC12h cells

1 We investigated the neuritogenic action of nitric oxide (NO)-generating agents and their mechanisms of action in a subclone of rat pheochromocytoma, PC12h cells. 2 NO donors such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 0.05-1 microM), NOR1 (5-100 microM), NOR2 (5-20 microM), NOR3 (5-20 microM), NOR4 (5-100 microM), or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP, 10-100 microM) significantly induced neurite outgrowth. 3 NOR4-induced neurite outgrowth was accompanied by expression of neurofilament 200 kDa subunit (NF200) protein, an axonal marker, and was significantly inhibited by an NO scavenger, a soluble GC inhibitor, and a PKG inhibitor: 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazole-1-oxyl-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO, 20-100 microM), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 100 microM) and KT5823 (0.2-1 microM), respectively. 4 The intracellular cGMP concentration of cells was markedly increased by treatment with NOR4 (100 microM). 5 A mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor, PD98059 (10-50 microM), abolished the NOR4-induced neurite outgrowth. In agreement with this observation, NOR4 did phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, substrates of MAPK kinase. 6 A membrane-permeable cGMP analog, 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM) also induced significant neurite outgrowth. The 8-Br-cGMP-induced neurite outgrowth was almost completely inhibited by both KT5823 (0.5 microM) and PD98059 (50 microM). Moreover, sustained ERK phosphorylation was observed in the 8-Br-cGMP-treated PC12h cells. 7 These results suggest that NO itself has the ability to induce neurite outgrowth and that NO-induced ERK activation involves the NO-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway in PC12h cells.     

Synthesis and antihypertensive activity of 4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2H-1-benzopyrans and related compounds, new potassium channel activators

The synthesis and antihypertensive activity of 4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-ols are described. The unsubstituted pyridone adduct lead compound 7e is highly active, with substituents on the pyridone ring leading to a decrease in activity. Strongly electron-withdrawing substituents at the C-6 position are required for optimal activity. When the 2-pyridone ring is replaced by other heterocycles such as 4-pyridone, pyrimidone, pyridazinone, pyrazinone, and 1,4-butanesultam, the activity is maintained. The removal of the 3-hydroxy function (----17a) does not significantly reduce the activity. The elimination of water from the chromanols leads to the formation of the chromenes, which are among the most potent antihypertensives known. The influence of diverse substituents, in particular heterocyclic C-6 substituents, was investigated in the 4-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)chroman-3-ol series. Chromanols esterified at the 3-hydroxy group with short-chain acids, maintain their activity. The epoxidation of the chromene double bond also produces active compounds. The rearrangement of the epoxides 22 produces the 3-keto compounds 23 and the enol derivatives 25. The reduction of the ketone 23a produces cis-chromanol 7ab along with its trans isomer 7e. All compounds were tested for oral antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats with a dose of 1 mg/kg; for selected compounds ED30 values as well as the duration of the antihypertensive effect were determined. 4-(1,2-Dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6- carbonitrile (18a) is under development as a coronary vasodilator and a drug for treating angina pectoris.     

Neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects of quinic acids from Aster scaber in PC12 cells

Aster scaber T. (Asteraceae) has been used to treat bruises, snakebite, headache, and dizziness in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of four quinic acid derivatives from A. scaber on amyloid Abeta-induced PC12 cell toxicity was investigated. When cells were treated with quinic acid derivatives prior to Abeta, cell toxicity was significantly diminished. Among quinic acid derivatives, (-)4,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (1) gave the highest protection against Abeta-induced cell toxicity. In addition, the neurotrophic effects of compounds were evaluated by microscopically monitoring their potency to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Four quinic acid derivatives from A. scaber promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Interestingly, a novel quinic acid, (-)3,5-dicaffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (2) was more effective than the other compounds in promoting neurite outgrowth. Unlike nerve growth factor, the withdrawal of quinic acids did not result in any significant decrease in cell viability. The results suggest that quinic acid derivatives from A. scaber might potentially be used as a therapeutic agent in Alzheimer disease.     

Synthesis and antileukemic activities of furanyl, pyranyl, and ribosyl derivatives of 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-5-carboxamide and 3-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)pyrazole-4-carboxamide

From the reaction of silylated 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-5-carboxamide (DTIC, 5) and 3-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)pyrazole-4-carboxamide (DTPC, 9) with 2-chlorotetrahydrofuran, we have isolated in both cases a single tetrahydrofuran-2-yl derivative. However, when silylated DTPC was reacted with 2-chlorotetrahydropyran, two tetrahydropyran-2-yl compounds were obtained, and these were shown to be positional isomers on the basis of 1H NMR and UV data. These furanyl and pyranyl derivatives were tested for antileukemic activity (L-1210, in vivo) and the results were compared with the results obtained for the corresponding ribosyl derivatives of DTIC and DTPC.     

Neurite outgrowth activity of cyathane diterpenes from Sarcodon cyrneus, cyrneines A and B

Two new cyathane diterpenes, cyrneines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the mushroom Sarcodon cyrneus. The structures of the novel diterpenoids were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Neither cyrneine A nor cyrneine B at 100 microM showed cytotoxicity as determined by LDH analysis. The stimulating activity on neurite outgrowth of cyrneines was evaluated. Rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12), used as a model system of neuronal differentiation, were cultured with cyrneine A (100 microM), cyrneine B (100 microM) or NGF (100 ng/ml) for 24 h. Interestingly, cyrneines A and B significantly promoted neurite outgrowth in addition to NGF as a positive control.     

4-Heterocyclyloxy-2H-1-benzopyran potassium channel activators

The reaction of 2,4-dihydroxypyridine (2) with 3,4-epoxy-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carbonitrile (1) yielded the 4-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-4-pyridyl)oxy] compound 3a, accompanied by small amounts of the isomeric 4-(1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-pyridyl) compound 4. This could also be prepared by hydrogenation of the benzyloxy derivative 5. Reaction of 3,6-pyridazinediol (10) with 1 (R = CN) gave the 4-[(1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinyl)oxy] compound 11a, which in turn rearranged on heating with NaH in DMSO into the 4-(1,6-dihydro-3-hydroxy-6-oxo-1-pyridazinyl) compound 12. A series of 6-substituted analogues (R = CO2Me, CSNH2, NO2, Br) of 3a and 11a were synthesized. N-Alkylation led to compounds 14a-c (R = Me, Et, CHMe2). The 4-heterocyclyloxychromenes 9 and 16a were obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of their 3-camphorsulfonates. The racemic pyridazinyloxy compounds 11a and 14a could be resolved via their diastereomeric camphorsulfonates or camphanates. The differences between the 4-heterocyclyloxychromanols and the isomeric N-substituted compounds 4 and 12 were elucidated in the course of extensive NMR investigations. While in DMSO the former appeared to be conformationally flexible molecules the latter were rigid. All compounds were tested for oral antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats, using doses of 1 mg/kg. High and long lasting activities were found for the pyridyloxy compounds 3a and 3d, the pyridazinyloxy compound 11a, and its N-alkylation products, as well as for the 3S,4R-enantiomers 20a and 22a. (-)-(3S,4R)-3,4-Dihydro-4-[(1,6-dihydro-1-methyl-6-oxo-3- pyridazinyl)oxy]-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carbonitrile (22a) was selected for further development.     

Design and evaluation of naphthol- and carbazole-containing fluorescent sigma ligands as potential probes for receptor binding studies

Some 3,3-dimethyl-1-(3-naphthylpropyl)piperidine and 1-cyclohexyl-4-(3-naphthylpropyl)piperazine derivatives, structurally containing naphthol as a fluorescent moiety, were prepared for being potentially used as fluorescent sigma ligands. Structurally related analogs were also prepared, where the naphthalene nucleus was replaced by the fluorescent carbazole moiety and chain length was varied. For all compounds the in vitro affinities toward sigma receptors and Delta8-Delta7 sterol isomerase site were measured, and the fluorescent properties were determined. Compound 19 gave the best results both for sigma receptor affinities (sigma1, Ki = 6.78 nM and sigma2, Ki = 26.4 nM) and fluorescence features; thus, it was chosen for in vitro saturation binding analysis at sigma receptors. The good results obtained in such assay suggested that the fluorescent compound 19 could be used instead of a radioligand in "green" binding assays.     

Methyl (11aS)-1,2,3,5,11,11a-hexahydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxo-6H-imidazo-[3',4':1,2]pyridin[3,4-b]indol-2-substituted acetates: synthesis and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship investigation as a class of novel vasodilators

To find selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), the essential structure elements of clinically used drugs sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil were combined and a tetracyclic parent was constructed to which in 2-positions substituted acetic acid methylesters were introduced to form 17 novel vasodilators, methyl (11aS)-1,2,3,5,11,11a-hexahydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxo-6H-imidazo[3',4':1,2]- pyridin[3,4-b]indol-2-substituted acetates. By molecular field analysis (MFA), an equation of three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D QSAR) was established, which not only revealed the dependence of the in vitro vasorelaxation activities on the structures but also pointed out the way to design new lead compounds properly. Docking these novel vasodilators into the hydrophobic pocket of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) revealed that their adaptabilities to this pocket did significantly affect on their vasorelaxation activity. Actually, the docking adaptabilities of these novel vasodilators to PDE5 were consistent with the conformational requirements of them to MFA and with the crystal conformation of two representatives.     

Irreversible inhibition of CYP2D6 by (-)-chloroephedrine, a possible impurity in methamphetamine.

(+)- and (-)-Chloroephedrine, and their respective aziridines, cis- and trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine, have been reported present in clandestinely synthesized methamphetamine. Since methamphetamine and structurally related compounds are potential substrates for human liver CYP2D6, the possible interaction of the chloroephedrines with human liver CYP2D6 was evaluated. Computational methods (using Flexidock and HINT in SYBYL) were used to determine the feasibility of (+)- or (-)-chloroephedrine and cis- or trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine binding in the active site of a three dimensional CYP2D6 molecular model. Although modeling indicates both (+)- and (-)-chloroephedrine would bind comparably to methamphetamine, the binding energies of cis- or trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine products indicate a preference for trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine, the product formed from (-)-chloroephedrine. The effects of (+)- and (-)-chloroephedrine on the metabolism of dextromethorphan in human liver microsomes were then experimentally evaluated. (+)-Chloroephedrine (50 micro M) had no effect on human CYP2D6. (-)-Chloroephedrine appeared to be selective for human CYP2D6 versus CYP1A2 and CYP3A4/5. The inhibition of CYP2D6 was time-dependent, not dependent on metabolic activation, and irreversible. It appeared to bind at the active site of CYP2D6 with an apparent K(i) of 226 micro M, with a k(int) of 0.039 min(-1), and a t(1/2) of 23 min. Due to the irreversible nature of this inhibition, this impurity in clandestinely synthesized methamphetamine may be important and warrant further study.     

Synthesis and antinociceptive activity of 2- and 3-methyl derivatives of 4-(pyridyl) isosteres of meperidine.

The respective cis- and trans-[3-Me,4-(pyridyl)] diastereoisomers of 4-(2-pyridyl)- (8a and 8b), 4-(3-pyridyl)- (8d and 8e) and 4-(4-pyridyl)-1,3-dimethyl-4-ethoxycarbonylpiperidines (8h and 8i) were synthesized for evaluation as 3-methyl substituted isosteres of meperidine. Alkylation of ethyl 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylacetate (7) with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-(2-chloropropyl)methylamine (6) afforded the respective 3-methyl substituted compounds 8a and 8b, 8d and 8e or 8h and 8i, together with the corresponding 2-methyl substituted compounds 8c (only the trans-isomer was obtained), 8f and 8g, or 8j and 8k. Antinociceptive test results, acquired using the 4% sodium chloride assay in rats, indicated that a cis-3-methyl substituent usually enhanced antinociceptive potency slightly, whereas a trans-3-methyl substituent lowered activity 3-4 fold relative to the parent 3-unsubstituted compounds 3b-d, at a dose of 2 mg/kg sc. A trans-2-methyl substituent (8g and 8k), like a cis-methyl substituent (8a, 8d and 8h), also maintained or provided a small increase in antinociceptive activity. Trans-1,2-Dimethyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-4-(3-pyridyl)piperidine (8g) and cis-1,3-dimethyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-4-(4-pyridyl)piperidine (8h) were the most active antinociceptives producing a 66% inhibition of writhing at a dose of 2 mg/kg sc, relative to the reference drug meperidine (ED50 = 0.6 mg/kg sc).     

Genetical relationship between resistance to insecticides and procarcinogens in two Drosophila populations

Two Drosophila populations, one resistant and the other susceptible to several insecticides, were examined for response to several alkaryltriazenes (2,4,6-Cl₃-PDMT; 3-PyDMT; 3-PyDET) and to DMN, DEN and AM. Hikone R (HR) males developed relative resistance to both mutation induction and cell killing by the triazenes, whereas Berlin K (BK) males showed increased tolerance to DMN, DEN, and AM. When F₁ hybrid males from the two strains were treated with 2,4,6-Cl₃-PDMT, the yield of recessive lethal mutations in the heterozygotes was nearly half of that found in homozygotes from the susceptible strain Berlin K. These findings indicate that in Drosophila metabolism of procarcinogens is controlled by multiple-gene systems located on several chromosomes. An extremely divergent response of the two genotypes was found following treatment with 3-PyDET; this triazene acts as a potent mutagen in BK males but is hardly mutagenic when tested in strain HR.Abbreviations AM azoxymethane - DEN N-nitrosodiethylamine - DMN N-nitrosodimethylamine - 3-PyDET (3,3-diethyl-1-(3-pyridyl)-triazene) - 3-PyDMT (3,3-dimethyl-1-(3-pyridyl)-triazene) - 2,4,6-Cl₃-PDMT (1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-3,3-dimethyltriazene) - 3-PyODMT 3,3-dimethyl-1-N-oxide-(3-pyridyl)-triazene Part of this work was presented at a Conference on In Vitro Metabolic Activation in Mutagenesis Testing (cf. Vogel, 1976).     

Discovery of high-affinity ligands of sigma1 receptor, ERG2, and emopamil binding protein by pharmacophore modeling and virtual screening

ERG2, emopamil binding protein (EBP), and sigma-1 receptor (sigma(1)) are enzymes of sterol metabolism and an enzyme-related protein, respectively, that share high affinity for various structurally diverse compounds. To discover novel high-affinity ligands, pharmacophore models were built with Catalyst based upon a series of 23 structurally diverse chemicals exhibiting K(i) values from 10 pM to 100 microM for all three proteins. In virtual screening experiments, we retrieved drugs that were previously reported to bind to one or several of these proteins and also tested 11 new hits experimentally, of which three, among them raloxifene, had affinities for sigma(1) or EBP of <60 nM. When used to search a database of 3525 biochemicals of intermediary metabolism, a slightly modified ERG2 pharmacophore model successfully retrieved 10 substrate candidates among the top 28 hits. Our results indicate that inhibitor-based pharmacophore models for sigma(1), ERG2, and EBP can be used to screen drug and metabolite databases for chemically diverse compounds and putative endogenous ligands.