Synthesis and antidopaminergic activity of some 3-(aminomethyl)tetralones as analogues of butyrophenone

Multistructure 3D-QSAR studies on a series of conformationally constrained butyrophenones docked into a new homology model of the 5-HT2A receptor

The present study is part of a long-term research project aiming to gain insight into the mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotics. Here we describe a 3D-QSAR study carried out on a series of butyrophenones with affinity for the serotonin-2A receptor, aligned by docking into the binding site of a receptor model. The series studied has two peculiarities: (i) all the compounds have a chiral center and can be represented by two enantiomeric structures, and (ii) many of the structures can bind the receptor in two alternative orientations, posing the problem of how to select a single representative structure for every compound. We have used an original solution consisting of the simultaneous use of multiple structures, representing different configurations, binding conformations, and positions. The final model showed good statistical quality (n = 426, r2 = 0.84, q2LOO = 0.81) and its interpretation provided useful information, not obtainable from the simple inspection of the ligand-receptor complexes.

Synthesis and binding affinity of new pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives as potential atypical antipsychotics

We describe the synthesis and binding affinities on D(2), 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors of 6-aminomethyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-indazol-4(5H)-ones and 6-aminomethyl-6,7-dihydro-3-methyl-benzo[d]isoxazol-4(5H)-ones, as conformationally constrained butyrophenone analogues. One of the new compounds showed good in vitro binding features, and a Meltzer's ratio characteristic of an atypical antipsychotic profile.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new quinazoline and cinnoline derivatives as potential atypical antipsychotics

Four new diaza analogues (14, 15, 23, and 24) of the conformationally constrained aminobutyrophenone derivatives QF0104B (5) and QF0108B (6) were synthesized (Schemes 2 and 3), and evaluated for their binding affinities (Table) towards the serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, and the dopamine D2 receptors. Among the new compounds, the quinazoline derivative 15 (= 7-{[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-5-one) exhibited the highest affinities towards the serotonin 5-HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors, and it is in the borderline of potential atypical antipsychotics. The cinnoline derivative 23 (= 7-{[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-methylcinnolin-5-one) displayed high selectivity in its binding profile towards the 5-HT2C compared to both the 5-HT2A and D2 receptors.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis and binding affinity of novel (R)- and (S)-3-aminomethyl-1-tetralones, potential atypical antipsychotics

A series of (R)- and (S)-3-aminomethyl-1-tetralones, conformationally constrained analogues of haloperidol, have been obtained by enzymatic resolution of the corresponding racemic 3-hydroxymethyl-1-tetralones using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase. Their binding affinities at dopamine D(2) and serotonin 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors were determined showing in some cases an atypical antipsychotic profile with Meltzer's ratio higher than 1.30.

New serotonin 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), and 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonists: synthesis, pharmacology, 3D-QSAR, and molecular modeling of (aminoalkyl)benzo and heterocycloalkanones

A series of 52 conformationally constrained butyrophenones have been synthesized and pharmacologically tested as antagonists at 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), and 5-HT(2C) serotonin receptors, useful for dissecting the role of each 5-HT(2) subtype in pathophysiology. These compounds were also a consistent set for the identification of structural features relevant to receptor recognition and subtype discrimination. Six compounds were found highly active (pK(i) > 8.76) and selective at the 5-HT(2A) receptor vs 5-HT(2B) and/or 5-HT(2C) receptors. Piperidine fragments confer high affinity at the 5-HT(2A) receptor subtype, with benzofuranone- and thiotetralonepiperidine as the most selective derivatives over 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(2B) receptors, respectively; K(i) (2A/2C) and/or K(B) (2A/2B) ratios greater than 100 were obtained. Compounds showing a more pronounced selectivity at 5-HT(2A)/5-HT(2C) than at 5-HT(2A)/5-HT(2B) bear 6-fluorobenzisoxazolyl- and p-fluorobenzoylpiperidine moieties containing one methylene bridging the basic piperidine to the alkanone moiety. An ethylene bridge between the alkanone and the amino moieties led to ligands with higher affinities for the 5-HT(2B) receptor. Significant selectivity at the 5-HT(2B) receptor vs 5-HT(2C) was observed with 1-1[(1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-naphthyl)methyl]-4-[3-(p-fluorobenzoyl)propyl]piperazine (more than 100-fold higher). Although piperidine fragments also confer higher affinity at 5-HT(2C) receptors, only piperazine-containing ligands were selective over 5-HT(2A). Moderate selectivity was observed at 5-HT(2C) vs 5-HT(2B) (10-fold) with some compounds bearing a 4-[3-(6-fluorobenzisoxazolyl)]piperidine moiety in its structure. Molecular determinants for antagonists acting at 5-HT(2A) receptors were identified by 3D-QSAR (GRID-GOLPE) studies. Docking simulations at 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors suggest a binding site for the studied type of antagonists (between transmembrane helices 2, 3, and 7) different to that of the natural agonist serotonin (between 3, 5, and 6).

Conformationally constrained butyrophenones with affinity for dopamine (D(1), D(2), D(4)) and serotonin (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C)) receptors: synthesis of aminomethylbenzo[b]furanones and their evaluation as antipsychotics

A series of novel conformationally restricted butyrophenones (6-aminomethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]furan-4-ones bearing 4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazolyl)piperidine, 4-(p-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine, 4-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-pyridyl)piperazine, 4-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine, or linear butyro(or valero)phenone fragments) were prepared and evaluated as antipsychotic agents by in vitro assays for affinity for dopamine receptors (D(1), D(2), D(4)) and serotonin receptors (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C)), by neurochemical studies, and by in vivo assays for antipsychotic potential and the risk of inducing extrapyramidal side effects. Potency and selectivity depended mainly on the amine fragment connected to the cyclohexanone structure. Compounds 20b, with a benzoylpiperidine moiety, and 20c, with a benzisoxazolyl fragment, were selective for 5-HT(2A) receptors. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of N-[(4-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]furan-6-yl)methyl]-4-(p-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine (20b, QF1003B) and N-[(4-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]furan-6-yl)methyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazol-3-yl)p iperidine (20c, QF1004B) suggest that they may be effective as antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs.

Conformationally constrained butyrophenones with mixed dopaminergic (D(2)) and serotoninergic (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C)) affinities: synthesis, pharmacology, 3D-QSAR, and molecular modeling of (aminoalkyl)benzo- and -thienocycloalkanones as putative atypical antipsychotics

A series of novel conformationally restricted butyrophenones (2-(aminoethyl)- and 3-(aminomethyl)thieno- or benzocycloalkanones bearing (6-fluorobenzisoxazolyl)piperidine, (p-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine, (o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, or linear butyrophenone fragments) were prepared and evaluated as atypical antipsychotic agents by in vitro assays of affinity for dopamine receptors (D(1), D(2)) and serotonin receptors (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C)) and by in vivo assays of antipsychotic potential and the risk of inducing extrapyramidal side effects. Potency and selectivity depended mainly on the amine fragment connected to the cycloalkanone structure. As a group, compounds with a benzisoxazolyl fragment had the highest 5-HT(2A) activities, followed by the benzoylpiperidine derivatives; in general, alpha-substituted cycloalkanone derivatives were more active than the corresponding beta-substituted congeners. CoMFA (comparative molecular field analysis) and docking studies showed electrostatic, steric, and lipophilic determinants of 5-HT(2A) and D(2) affinities and 5-HT(2A)/D(2) selectivity. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of N-[(4-oxo-4H-5, 6-dihydrocyclopenta[b]thiophene-5-yl)ethyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisox azol-3 -yl)piperidine (23b, QF 0510B), N-[(4-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-5-yl)ethyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazol- 3-y l)piperidine (24b, QF 0610B), and N-[(7-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-6-yl)ethyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazol- 3-y l)piperidine (29b, QF 0902B) suggest that they may be effective antipsychotic drugs with low propensity to induce extrapyramidal side effects.

Butyrophenone analogues in the carbazole series: synthesis and determination of affinities at D2 and 5-HT2A receptors

We describe a practical and efficient route for synthesis of 2-aminomethyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ones using an effective Fisher indole methodology. The most active compounds, 4b (QF 2003B) and 4c (QF 2004B), with pKi (5-HT2A/D2) ratio of 1.28 show an antipsychotic profile according to Meltzer's classification.

Antiserotoninergic activity of 2-aminoethylbenzocyclanones in rat aorta: structure-activity relationships

The antiserotoninergic activity at the serotonin receptor subtype 2 (5-HT2) of seven new 2-aminoethylbenzocyclanones was determined with respect to serotonin-induced contractions in rat aorta and compared with that of ketanserine (pA2 = 8.87). Competitive antagonism was observed in six compounds (6.72 < or = pA2 < or = 8.12). Three-dimensional structures and molecular electrostatic potential distributions of ketanserine and 2-aminoethylbenzocyclanones were analyzed. Several molecular features correlated with the rank of antiserotoninergic activity. In the case of the cyclanone fragment, the rank of activity was associated with the degree of planarity of the bicyclic system. The steric and electrostatic effects due to the loss of planarity were analyzed. In the case of the amino moiety, activity was associated with a particular spatial pattern defined by the amino nitrogen, the aromatic system, and molecular electrostatic potential minima generated by the oxygen atom.

Structural modification patterns from agonists to antagonists and their application to drug design--a new serotonin (5-HT3) antagonist series

Structural variations from agonists to their selective antagonists seemed to follow certain patterns. To analyze the variation patterns in the structural modification processes in past examples as well as to utilize the "common" variation patterns as possible principles to design new selective antagonistic drugs, the structures of agonists and their antagonists were superimposed on a two-dimensional grid template composed of regular hexagons and the topological similarities and dissimilarities of substructural elements between agonists and antagonists were examined. Between several pairs of neurotransmitter amines and their "selective" antagonists, similar patterns were disclosed in their structural modification processes. The generalized structural modification patterns were successfully applied as guiding principles to design and identify a new prototype structure of the 5-HT3 antagonist. The prototype structure was optimized by use of QSAR procedures leading to a compound which shows a potent antiemetic activity as well as a powerful gastrointestinal-motility modulation.