N-heterocyclic derived M1 positive allosteric modulators

The pyridazine heterocycle in molecular recognition and drug discovery

The pyridazine ring is endowed with unique physicochemical properties, characterized by weak basicity, a high dipole moment that subtends π-π stacking interactions and robust, dual hydrogen-bonding capacity that can be of importance in drug-target interactions. These properties contribute to unique applications in molecular recognition while the inherent polarity, low cytochrome P450 inhibitory effects and potential to reduce interaction of a molecule with the cardiac hERG potassium channel add additional value in drug discovery and development. The recent approvals of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist relugolix (24) and the allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib (25) represent the first examples of FDA-approved drugs that incorporate a pyridazine ring. In this review, the properties of the pyridazine ring are summarized in comparison to the other azines and its potential in drug discovery is illustrated through vignettes that explore applications that take advantage of the inherent physicochemical properties as an approach to solving challenges associated with candidate optimization.

Graphical Abstract

Substituted Pyrazoles and Their Heteroannulated Analogs-Recent Syntheses and Biological Activities

Pyrazoles are considered privileged scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. Previous reviews have discussed the importance of pyrazoles and their biological activities; however, few have dealt with the chemistry and the biology of heteroannulated derivatives. Therefore, we focused our attention on recent topics, up until 2020, for the synthesis of pyrazoles, their heteroannulated derivatives, and their applications as biologically active moieties. Moreover, we focused on traditional procedures used in the synthesis of pyrazoles.

Preparation of New Spiropyrazole, Pyrazole and Hydantoin Derivatives and Investigation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

In this study, the synthesis of new spiropyrazoles, pyrazole and hydantoin heterocycles is reported by three component reactions of parabanic acids, hydrazine derivatives, and phenacyl bromides in the presence of triphenylphosphine as a nucleophile and triethylamine as a base in good to high yields (69-91 %). Evaluation of the synthesized compounds revealed a good to excellent antioxidant activities (37.6-96.2 %) using DPPH inhibitory potency. Among these compounds, hydantoin derivatives displayed higher antioxidant activities (93.7-96.2 %) comparing with spiropyrazoles and pyrazoles. The obtained results showed that Cl and Br substituents on the phenyl ring increased antioxidant activities of the related heterocycles. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were examined against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Among the synthesized heterocycles, 2-[1,3-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-4-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)imidazolidin-4-yl]hydrazine-1-carbothioamide exhibited the excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Activities of Pyrazole Derivatives: A Review

Pyrazole and its derivatives are considered a pharmacologically important active scaffold that possesses almost all types of pharmacological activities. The presence of this nucleus in pharmacological agents of diverse therapeutic categories such as celecoxib, a potent anti-inflammatory, the antipsychotic CDPPB, the anti-obesity drug rimonabant, difenamizole, an analgesic, betazole, a H2-receptor agonist and the antidepressant agent fezolamide have proved the pharmacological potential of the pyrazole moiety. Owing to this diversity in the biological field, this nucleus has attracted the attention of many researchers to study its skeleton chemically and biologically. This review highlights the different synthesis methods and the pharmacological properties of pyrazole derivatives. Studies on the synthesis and biological activity of pyrazole derivatives developed by many scientists around the globe are reported.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Activities of Pyrazole Derivatives: A Review

Pyrazole and its derivatives are considered a pharmacologically important active scaffold that possesses almost all types of pharmacological activities. The presence of this nucleus in pharmacological agents of diverse therapeutic categories such as celecoxib, a potent anti-inflammatory, the antipsychotic CDPPB, the anti-obesity drug rimonabant, difenamizole, an analgesic, betazole, a H2-receptor agonist and the antidepressant agent fezolamide have proved the pharmacological potential of the pyrazole moiety. Owing to this diversity in the biological field, this nucleus has attracted the attention of many researchers to study its skeleton chemically and biologically. This review highlights the different synthesis methods and the pharmacological properties of pyrazole derivatives. Studies on the synthesis and biological activity of pyrazole derivatives developed by many scientists around the globe are reported.

Diverse Effects on M1 Signaling and Adverse Effect Liability within a Series of M1 Ago-PAMs

Both historical clinical and recent preclinical data suggest that the M₁ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor is an exciting target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and the cognitive and negative symptom clusters in schizophrenia; however, early drug discovery efforts targeting the orthosteric binding site have failed to afford selective M₁ activation. Efforts then shifted to focus on selective activation of M₁ via either allosteric agonists or positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). While M₁ PAMs have robust efficacy in rodent models, some chemotypes can induce cholinergic adverse effects (AEs) that could limit their clinical utility. Here, we report studies aimed at understanding the subtle structural and pharmacological nuances that differentiate efficacy from adverse effect liability within an indole-based series of M₁ ago-PAMs. Our data demonstrate that closely related M₁ PAMs can display striking differences in their in vivo activities, especially their propensities to induce adverse effects. We report the discovery of a novel PAM in this series that is devoid of observable adverse effect liability. Interestingly, the molecular pharmacology profile of this novel PAM is similar to that of a representative M₁ PAM that induces severe AEs. For instance, both compounds are potent ago-PAMs that demonstrate significant interaction with the orthosteric site (either bitopic or negative cooperativity). However, there are subtle differences in efficacies of the compounds at potentiating M₁ responses, agonist potencies, and abilities to induce receptor internalization. While these differences may contribute to the differential in vivo profiles of these compounds, the in vitro differences are relatively subtle and highlight the complexities of allosteric modulators and the need to focus on in vivo phenotypic screening to identify safe and effective M₁ PAMs.

Prefrontal Cortex-Mediated Impairments in a Genetic Model of NMDA Receptor Hypofunction Are Reversed by the Novel M1 PAM VU6004256

Abnormalities in the signaling of the N-methyl-d-aspartate subtype of the glutamate receptor (NMDAR) within cortical and limbic brain regions are thought to underlie many of the complex cognitive and affective symptoms observed in individuals with schizophrenia. The M₁ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtype is a closely coupled signaling partner of the NMDAR. Accumulating evidence suggests that development of selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the M₁ receptor represent an important treatment strategy for the potential normalization of disruptions in NMDAR signaling in patients with schizophrenia. In the present studies, we evaluated the effects of the novel and highly potent M₁ PAM, VU6004256, in ameliorating selective prefrontal cortical (PFC)-mediated physiologic and cognitive abnormalities in a genetic mouse model of global reduction in the NR1 subunit of the NMDAR (NR1 knockdown [KD]). Using slice-based extracellular field potential recordings, deficits in muscarinic agonist-induced long-term depression (LTD) in layer V of the PFC in the NR1 KD mice were normalized with bath application of VU6004256. Systemic administration of VU6004256 also reduced excessive pyramidal neuron firing in layer V PFC neurons in awake, freely moving NR1 KD mice. Moreover, selective potentiation of M₁ by VU6004256 reversed the performance impairments of NR1 KD mice observed in two preclinical models of PFC-mediated learning, specifically the novel object recognition and cue-mediated fear conditioning tasks. VU6004256 also produced a robust, dose-dependent reduction in the hyperlocomotor activity of NR1 KD mice. Taken together, the current findings provide further support for M₁ PAMs as a novel therapeutic approach for the PFC-mediated impairments in schizophrenia.

Discovery and SAR of muscarinic receptor subtype 1 (M1) allosteric activators from a molecular libraries high throughput screen. Part 1: 2,5-dibenzyl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-ones as positive allosteric modulators

Results from a 2012 high-throughput screen of the NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) against the human muscarinic receptor subtype 1 (M1) for positive allosteric modulators is reported. A content-rich screen utilizing an intracellular calcium mobilization triple-addition protocol allowed for assessment of all three modes of pharmacology at M1, including agonist, positive allosteric modulator, and antagonist activities in a single screening platform. We disclose a dibenzyl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-one hit (DBPQ, CID 915409) and examine N-benzyl pharmacophore/SAR relationships versus previously reported quinolin-3(5H)-ones and isatins, including ML137. SAR and consideration of recently reported crystal structures, homology modeling, and structure-function relationships using point mutations suggests a shared binding mode orientation at the putative common allosteric binding site directed by the pendant N-benzyl substructure.

Development of a photoactivatable allosteric ligand for the m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

The field of G protein-coupled receptor drug discovery has benefited greatly from the structural and functional insights afforded by photoactivatable ligands. One G protein-coupled receptor subfamily for which photoactivatable ligands have been developed is the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor family, though, to date, all such ligands have been designed to target the orthosteric (endogenous ligand) binding site of these receptors. Herein we report the synthesis and pharmacological investigation of a novel photoaffinity label, MIPS1455 (4), designed to bind irreversibly to an allosteric site of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor; a target of therapeutic interest for the treatment of cognitive deficits. MIPS1455 may be a valuable molecular tool for further investigating allosteric interactions at this receptor.

Discovery of naphthyl-fused 5-membered lactams as a new class of m1 positive allosteric modulators

Selective activation of the M1 muscarinic receptor via positive allosteric modulation represents an original approach to treat the cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A series of naphthyl-fused 5-membered lactams were identified as a new class of M1 positive allosteric modulators and were found to possess good potency and in vivo efficacy.

Development of M1 mAChR allosteric and bitopic ligands: prospective therapeutics for the treatment of cognitive deficits

Since the cholinergic hypothesis of memory dysfunction was first reported, extensive research efforts have focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which this intricate system contributes to the regulation of processes such as learning, memory, and higher executive function. Several cholinergic therapeutic targets for the treatment of cognitive deficits, psychotic symptoms, and the underlying pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, have since emerged. Clinically approved drugs now exist for some of these targets; however, they all may be considered suboptimal therapeutics in that they produce undesirable off-target activity leading to side effects, fail to address the wide variety of symptoms and underlying pathophysiology that characterize these disorders, and/or afford little to no therapeutic effect in subsets of patient populations. A promising target for which there are presently no approved therapies is the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M1 mAChR). Despite avid investigation, development of agents that selectively activate this receptor via the orthosteric site has been hampered by the high sequence homology of the binding site between the five muscarinic receptor subtypes and the wide distribution of this receptor family in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery. Hence, a plethora of ligands targeting less structurally conserved allosteric sites of the M1 mAChR have been investigated. This Review aims to explain the rationale behind allosterically targeting the M1 mAChR, comprehensively summarize and critically evaluate the M1 mAChR allosteric ligand literature to date, highlight the challenges inherent in allosteric ligand investigation that are impeding their clinical advancement, and discuss potential methods for resolving these issues.

Synthesis and pharmacological profiling of analogues of benzyl quinolone carboxylic acid (BQCA) as allosteric modulators of the M1 muscarinic receptor

Established therapy in Alzheimer's disease involves potentiation of the endogenous orthosteric ligand, acetylcholine, at the M1 muscarinic receptors found in higher concentrations in the cortex and hippocampus. Adverse effects, due to indiscriminate activation of other muscarinic receptor subtypes, are common. M1 muscarinic positive allosteric modulators/allosteric agonists such as BQCA offer an attractive solution, being exquisitely M1-selective over other muscarinic subtypes. A common difficulty with allosteric ligands is interpreting SAR, based on composite potency values derived in the presence of fixed concentration of agonist. In reality these values encompass multiple pharmacological parameters, each potentially and differentially sensitive to structural modification of the ligand. We report novel BQCA analogues which appear to augment ligand affinity for the receptor (pK(B)), intrinsic efficacy (τB), and both binding (α) and functional (β) cooperativity with acetylcholine. Ultimately, development of such enriched SAR surrounding allosteric modulators will provide insight into their mode of action.

The muscarinic M1 receptor positive allosteric modulator PQCA improves cognitive measures in rat, cynomolgus macaque, and rhesus macaque

RATIONALE

The current standards of care for Alzheimer's disease, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, have limited efficacy due to a host of mechanism-related side effects arising from indiscriminate activation of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. The M1 muscarinic receptor is predominantly expressed in the brain in regions involved in cognition, and therefore selective activation of the M1 receptor would be expected to boost cognitive performance with reduced risk of peripheral side effects.

OBJECTIVES

Here we investigated whether the selective M1 muscarinic receptor positive allosteric modulator, PQCA, improves cognitive performance and cerebral blood flow.

RESULTS

PQCA attenuated a scopolamine-induced deficit in novel object recognition in rat, self-ordered spatial search in cynomolgus macaque, and the object retrieval detour task in rhesus macaque. Beneficial effects in each of these assays and species were observed at similar plasma drug concentrations. Furthermore, at similar drug concentrations that were effective in the behavioral studies, PQCA increased blood flow in the frontal cortex of mice, providing a translational biomarker that could be used to guide dose selection for clinical studies.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide a framework for appropriately testing an M1 selective compound in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Identification of amides as carboxylic Acid surrogates for quinolizidinone-based m1 positive allosteric modulators

Selective activation of the M1 muscarinic receptor via positive allosteric modulation represents an approach to treat the cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A series of amides were examined as a replacement for the carboxylic acid moiety in a class of quinolizidinone carboxylic acid M1 muscarinic receptor positive allosteric modulators, and leading pyran 4o and cyclohexane 5c were found to possess good potency and in vivo efficacy.

Novel M(1) allosteric ligands: a patent review

INTRODUCTION

There is substantial evidence from preclinical and early proof-of-concept studies suggesting that selective modulation of the M(1) muscarinic receptor is efficacious in cognitive models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and antipsychotic models of schizophrenia. For example, a number of nonselective M(1) muscarinic agonists have previously shown positive effects on cognitive function in AD patients, but were limited due to cholinergic adverse events thought to be mediated by pan activation of the M(2) to M(5) subtypes. Thus, there is a need to identify selective activators of the M(1) receptor to evaluate their potential in cognitive disorders. One strategy to confer selectivity for M(1) is the identification of allosteric agonists or positive allosteric modulators, which would target an allosteric site on the M(1) receptor rather than the highly conserved orthosteric acetylcholine binding site.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the M(1) muscarinic receptor and its potential therapeutic value in the treatment of CNS disorders such as AD and schizophrenia. Specifically, novel allosteric ligands that activate or positively modulate the M(1) receptor are examined and peer-reviewed articles associated with these patents publications are also described.

EXPERT OPINION

There is substantial evidence supporting activation of the M(1) receptor might be effective in treating symptoms of AD and schizophrenia, but therapeutic success has been elusive and is hypothesized to be due to the lack of selectivity among orthosteric agonists. During the past decade, allosteric modulation of GPCRs has evolved as a viable strategy toward generating subtype selective molecules. A number of novel, selective ligands in the form of allosteric agonists and positive allosteric modulators of the M(1) receptor have been identified offering the potential for clinical evaluation of M(1)-specific receptor activation.

Quinolizidinone carboxylic acids as CNS penetrant, selective m1 allosteric muscarinic receptor modulators

Positive allosteric modulation of the M1 muscarinic receptor represents an approach to treat the cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Replacement of a quinolone ring system in a quinolone carboxylic acid series of M1 modulators with a quinolizidinone bearing a basic amine linkage led to a series of compounds with higher free fraction, enhanced CNS exposure, and improved efficacy in rodent in vivo models of cognition.

Allosteric activators of muscarinic receptors as novel approaches for treatment of CNS disorders

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) represent exciting therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple CNS disorders. The high degree of conservation of amino acids comprising the orthosteric acetylcholine (ACh) binding site between individual mAChR subtypes has hindered the development of subtype-selective compounds that bind to this site. As a result, many academic and industry researchers are now focusing on developing allosteric activators of mAChRs including both positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and allosteric agonists. In the past 10 years major advances have been achieved in the discovery of allosteric ligands that possess much greater selectivity for individual mAChR subtypes when compared to previously developed orthosteric agents. These novel allosteric modulators of mAChRs may provide therapeutic potential for treatment of a number of CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.