RLH-033, a novel, potent and selective ligand for the sigma 1 recognition site

New positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand for imaging σ-1 receptors in living subjects

σ-1 receptor (S1R) radioligands have the potential to detect and monitor various neurological diseases. Herein we report the synthesis, radiofluorination, and evaluation of a new S1R ligand 6-(3-fluoropropyl)-3-(2-(azepan-1-yl)ethyl)benzo[d]thiazol-2(3H)-one ([(18)F]FTC-146, [(18)F]13). [(18)F]13 was synthesized by nucleophilic fluorination, affording a product with >99% radiochemical purity (RCP) and specific activity (SA) of 2.6 ± 1.2 Ci/μmol (n = 13) at end of synthesis (EOS). Positron emission tomography (PET) and ex vivo autoradiography studies of [(18)F]13 in mice showed high uptake of the radioligand in S1R rich regions of the brain. Pretreatment with 1 mg/kg haloperidol (2), nonradioactive 13, or BD1047 (18) reduced the binding of [(18)F]13 in the brain at 60 min by 80%, 82%, and 81%, respectively, suggesting that [(18)F]13 accumulation in mouse brain represents specific binding to S1Rs. These results indicate that [(18)F]13 is a promising candidate radiotracer for further evaluation as a tool for studying S1Rs in living subjects.

(+)-cis-N-ethyleneamino-N-normetazocine derivatives. Novel and selective sigma ligands with antagonist properties

A series of (+)-cis-N-normetazocine derivatives has been described, and their affinities for sigma1, sigma2, and phencyclidine (PCP) sites and opioid, muscarinic (M2), dopamine (D2), and serotonin (5-HT2) receptors were evaluated. The effect of the N-substitution with a substituted ethylamino spacer was investigated. Compounds 8c-11c displayed high affinities for sigma1 sites and for opioid receptors. Substitution of the second basic nitrogen either with alkyl or cycloalkyl substituents give compounds (1a-6a) with high affinity and selectivity for sigma1 binding sites. Compounds 1a-5a were further characterized in vivo, and their agonist/antagonist activity was evaluated. In mouse, compound 1a and 2a as well as haloperidol suppressed in a dose-related manner the stereotyped behavior induced by (+)-SKF 10,047. Compounds 3a-5a and (+)-pentazocine do not affect the stereotyped behavior induced by ip injection of (+)-SKF 10,047. Therefore, from this series of compounds we identified potent and selective sigma1 ligands which might prove useful to unveil the functional role of sigma1 sites.

2(3H)-benzoxazolone and 2(3H)-benzothiazolone derivatives: novel, potent and selective sigma1 receptor ligands

A series of original 2(3H)-benzoxazolone and 2(3H)-benzothiazolone derivatives were evaluated for their affinity at sigma1 and sigma2 receptor subtypes in competition binding experiments, using [3H](+)-pentazocine or [3H]1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine (DTG) in the presence of 100 nM (+)-N-allylnormetazocine (NANM) in guinea-pig brain membranes. Several of these derivatives showed preferential selectivity for sigma1 binding sites. Compound 1 [3-(1-piperidinoethyl)-6-propylbenzothiazolin-2-one] emerged as a potent sigma1 receptor ligand (Ki = 0.6 nM) and displayed a moderate selectivity over the sigma2 receptor subtype (Ki for sigma2/Ki for sigma1 = 29). Compounds 2 [3-(1-piperidinopropyl)-6-propanoylbenzothiazolin-2-one] and 3 [3-(1-piperidinopropyl)-6-propanoylbenzoxazolin-2-one] still showed rather high affinities for sigma1 binding sites with Ki values of 2.3 and 8.5 nM, respectively. On the contrary, they had 87- and 58-fold less affinity at sigma2 receptors, respectively. Unlike their potent affinity for sigma binding sites, these compounds had negligible affinity for mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors, 5-HT2, dopamine D2, and muscarinic M2 receptors. Sigma receptor ligands may affect neuronal transmission and display, in animal models, antipsychotic, cognitive, motor, neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activity. Therefore, on the basis of these findings, these novel sigma receptor ligands were assayed, in mice, in three tests: maximal electroshock, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol and rotarod neurotoxicity. Compound 1, administered intraperitoneally, was the most effective against maximal electroshock-induced seizures and was devoid of significant neurotoxic effects.

The pharmacology of the novel and selective sigma ligand, PD 144418

The pharmacology of PD 144418 (1-propyl-5-(3-p-tolyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) was characterized using neurochemical, biochemical and behavioral techniques. For sigma (sigma 1 and sigma 2 respectively) sites, PD 144418 affinities were determined using whole guinea pig brain membranes with [3H](+)-pentazocine and neuroblastoma x glioma cell membranes using [3H]1,3,di-O-tolylguanidine (DTG) in the presence of 200 nM (+)-pentazocine. PD 144418 exhibited an affinity for sigma 1 of 0.08 nM (Ki) versus a K1 of 1377 nM for sigma 2 site. Additional receptor binding studies indicated that PD 144418 lacked affinity for dopaminergic, adrenergic, muscarinic and a variety of other receptors. In vitro studies indicated that PD 144418 reversed the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced increase in cyclic GMP (cGMP) in rat cerebellar slices without affecting the basal levels, suggesting that sigma 1 sites may be important in the regulation of glutamine-induced actions. PD 144418 potentiated the decrease in 5-hydroxytryptophan caused by haloperidol in the mesolimbic region, but by itself had no effect in 5-hydroxytrypamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) synthesis. Behaviorally, similar to other sigma ligands, PD 144418 antagonized mescaline-induced scratching at doses that did not alter spontaneous motor activity. This action is suggestive of potential antipsychotic property. It exhibited no anxiolytic and antidepressant properties in the models used. These results show that PD 144418 is a very selective sigma 1 agent, devoid of any significant affinity for other receptors and that sigma 1 site may modulate actions in the CNS.

Comparison of binding parameters of sigma 1 and sigma 2 binding sites in rat and guinea pig brain membranes: novel subtype-selective trishomocubanes

Comparisons of binding parameters of [3H](+)-pentazocine and [3H]1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) at sigma binding sites in guinea pig and rat brain membranes demonstrated that [3H](+)-pentazocine binds to a single high-affinity site, whereas [3H]DTG binds to two high-affinity sites in both species. The Kd values of the radioligands were similar in both types of membranes. However, the density of sigma 1 sites in guinea pig was significantly higher than that of rat. Novel trishomocubanes were tested for their affinities at sigma 1 and sigma 2 binding sites in guinea pig brain membranes using [3H](+)-pentazocine and [3H]DTG as the radioligands. N-(4-Phenylbutyl)-3-hydroxy-4- azahexacyclo[5.4.1.0(2,6).0(3,10).0(5,9).0(8,11)]dodecane (ANSTO-14) showed the highest affinity for the sigma 1 site (Ki = 9.4 nM) and 19-fold sigma 1/sigma 2 selectivity, as a result of increasing the alkyl chain between the cubane moiety and the aromatic ring. N-(3'-Fluorophenyl)methyl- 3-hydroxy-4-azahexacyclo[5.4.1.0(2,6).0(3,10).0(5,9).0(8,11]dodeca ne (ANSTO-19), displayed the highest affinity for sigma 2 sites (Ki = 19.6 nM) and 8-fold sigma 2/sigma 1 selectivity due to a fluoro substitution in the meta position of the aromatic ring. These represent structurally novel lead compounds, especially for the development of selective sigma 2 receptor ligands.