Thienylpyrazoloquinolines: potent agonists and inverse agonists to benzodiazepine receptors

Iridium-Catalyzed Borylation of 6-Fluoroquinolines: Access to 6-Fluoroquinolones

The Ir-catalyzed C–H borylation of fluoroquinolines has been realized. The quinoline boronic ester formed undergoes a range of important transformations of relevance to medicinal chemistry. Judicious choice of the substituent at C4 on the quinoline facilitated the unmasking of a fluoroquinolone—the core structure of many antibiotics.

Cine-Substitutions at Five-Membered Hetarenes Enabled by Sulfonium Salts

We report a nucleophilic substitution reaction of five-membered hetarylsulfonium salts that results in a change of the substitution pattern on the arene. The products of these cine-substitutions are hard to access synthetically otherwise. The sulfonium salts that serve as starting materials are generated by a highly site-selective C–H functionalization reaction.

High affinity central benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Part 3: insights into the pharmacophore and pattern recognition study of intrinsic activities of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones

Novel 2-phenyl-2,5-dihydropyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-(3H)-ones (PQs) endowed with high affinity for central benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) were synthesized. In particular, 9-fluoro-2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-one (2(2)) showed binding affinity in the subnanomolar concentration range and proved to be in vitro a potent antagonist. This finding allowed the nature of the hydrogen bonding receptor site H(2) to be established, as located between the N-1 nitrogen of the PQ nucleus and the ortho position of the N-2-aryl group. [35S]tert-Butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding assays and electrophysiological measurements of the effects on GABA-evoked Cl(-) currents at recombinant human alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2)(L) GABA(A) receptors, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, were used to assess the intrinsic activities of a large series of PQs. With the aim of extracting discriminant information and distinguishing BzR ligands with different profiles of efficacy, 51 PQ derivatives, including full and partial agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists, were analyzed in a multidimensional chemical descriptor space, defined by the lipophilicity parameter CLOG P and 3-D molecular WHIM descriptors, by means of principal component analysis, k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) method, and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The classification methods were applied to subsets of pairs of efficacy classes, and lipophilicity and 3-D size descriptors were detected as the discriminant variables by a stepwise linear discriminant analysis. LDA proved to be superior to k-NN, especially in classifying PQ ligands (60-84% of success in prediction ability) into categories of efficacies which were contiguous and quite overlapped in the hyperspace of variables.

6,7-Dihydro-2-benzothiophen-4(5H)-ones: a novel class of GABA-A alpha5 receptor inverse agonists

Nonselective inverse agonists at the benzodiazepine binding site on the GABA-A chloride ion channel enhance cognitive performance in animals but cannot be used in the treatment of cognitive disorders because of anxiogenic and convulsant side effects. We have identified a novel series of GABA-A alpha5 receptor ligands during our search for alpha5 receptor inverse agonists as potential cognition enhancers. In particular, 6,6-dimethyl-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)thio-1-(thiazol-2-yl)-6,7-dihydro-2-benzothiophen-4(5H)-one (26) has been identified as a functionally selective GABA-A alpha5 inverse agonist.

Local intersection volume: a new 3D descriptor applied to develop a 3D-QSAR pharmacophore model for benzodiazepine receptor ligands

In this work, we have developed a new descriptor, named local intersection volume (LIV), in order to compose a 3D-QSAR pharmacophore model for benzodiazepine receptor ligands. The LIV can be classified as a 3D local shape descriptor in contraposition to the global shape descriptors. We have selected from the literature 49 non-benzodiazepine compounds as a training data set and the model was obtained and evaluated by genetic algorithms (GA) and partial least-squares (PLS) methods using LIVs as descriptors. The LIV 3D-QSAR model has a good predictive capacity according the cross-validation test by "leave-one-out" procedure (Q(2)=0.72). The developed model was compared to a comprehensive and extensive SAR pharmacophore model, recently proposed by Cook and co-workers, for benzodiazepine receptor ligands [J. Med. Chem. 43 (2000) 71]. It showed a relevant correlation with the pharmacophore groups pointed out in that work. Our LIV 3D-QSAR model was also able to predict affinity values for a series of nine compounds (test data set) that was not included into the training data set.

New neplanocin analogues. 12. Alternative synthesis and antimalarial effect of (6'R)-6'-C-methylneplanocin A, a potent AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitor

An improved method for the synthesis of (6'R)-6'-C-methylneplanocin A (RMNPA, 2), a potent S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase inhibitor, was developed via a chelation-controlled stereoselective addition of MeTiCl(3) to the neplanocin A 6'-aldehyde derivative 6. Compound 2 effectively inhibited the growth of malaria parasites both in vitro and in vivo. The antimalarial EC(50) value of 2 against Plasmodium berghei in mice was 1.0 mg/kg/day, which was superior to that of chloroquine (EC(50) = 1.8 mg/kg/day).

High affinity central benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Part 2: quantitative structure-activity relationships and comparative molecular field analysis of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones

A large series of 2-aryl(heteroaryl)-2,5-dihydropyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(3H)-ones (PQ, 106 compounds), carrying appropriate substituents at the quinoline and N2-phenyl rings, were designed, prepared and tested as central benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Compounds with an affinity significantly higher than the parent compound CGS-8216 were obtained, the most active ligand showing a pIC50 = 10.35. Hansch and comparative molecular field analyses gave coherent results suggesting the main structural requirements of high receptor binding affinity. The possible formation of a three-centred hydrogen bond (HB) at the HB donor site H2, as a key interaction for high receptor binding affinity, was assessed by the calculation and comparison of the molecular electrostatic potentials of a series of selected ligands.

Pharmacophore/receptor models for GABA(A)/BzR subtypes (alpha1beta3gamma2, alpha5beta3gamma2, and alpha6beta3gamma2) via a comprehensive ligand-mapping approach

Pharmacophore/receptor models for three recombinant GABA(A)/BzR subtypes (alpha1beta3gamma2, alpha5beta3gamma2, and alpha6beta3gamma2) have been established via an SAR ligand-mapping approach. This study was based on the affinities of 151 BzR ligands at five distinct (alpha1-3,5,6beta3gamma2) recombinant GABA(A)/BzR receptor subtypes from at least nine different structural families. Examination of the included volumes of the alpha1-, alpha5-, and alpha6-containing subtypes indicated that region L(2) for the alpha5-containing subtype appeared to be larger in size than the analogous region of the other receptor subtypes. Region L(Di), in contrast, appeared to be larger in the alpha1 subtype than in the other two subtypes. Moreover, region L(3) in the alpha6 subtype is either very small or nonexistent in this diazepam-insensitive subtype (see Figure 16 for details) as compared to the other subtypes. Use of the pharmacophore/receptor models for these subtypes has resulted in the design of novel BzR ligands (see 27) selective for the alpha5beta3gamma2 receptor subtype. alpha5-Selective ligand 27 when injected directly into the hippocampus did enhance memory in one paradigm (Bailey et al., unpublished observations); however, systemic administration of either 9 or 27 into animals did not provide an observable enhancement. This result is in complete agreement with the observation of Liu (1996). It has been shown (Liu, 1996; Wisden et al., 1992) that in the central nervous system of the rat (as well as monkeys and pigeons) there are several native subtypes of the GABA(A) receptor which exhibit different functions, regional distributions, and neuronal locations. Although 27 binds more potently at alpha5beta3gamma2 receptor subtypes and is clearly an inverse agonist (Liu et al., 1996; Liu, 1996), it is possible that this ligand acts as an agonist at one or more subtypes. Liu (1996) clearly showed that a number of imidazobenzodiazepines were negative modulators at one subtype and agonists at another. Therefore, selectivity for a particular subtype at this point is not sufficient to rule out some physiological effect at other GABA(A)/BzR subtypes. The inability of 27 to potentiate memory when given systemically is again in support of this hypothesis, especially since alpha1beta2gamma2 subtypes are distributed throughout the brain (Wisden et al., 1992). A drug delivered systemically is far more likely to interact with all subtypes than one delivered to a specific brain region. This observation (systemic vs intrahippocampal) provides further support for the design of more subtype-specific ligands at the BzR to accurately define their pharmacology, one key to the design of new drugs with fewer side effects.

High affinity central benzodiazepine receptor ligands: synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of a new series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones

A large series of 2-aryl(heteroaryl)-2,5-dihydropyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin- 3-(3H)-ones, carrying appropriate substituents at the quinoline and N2-phenyl rings, were prepared and tested as central benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Results from structure-affinity relationship studies were in full agreement with previously proposed pharmacophore models and, in addition, quantitative structure-activity analysis gave further significant insight into the main molecular determinants of high benzodiazepine receptor affinity. The intrinsic activity of some active ligands was also determined and preliminary discussed.

New neplanocin analogues. 7. Synthesis and antiviral activity of 2-halo derivatives of neplanocin A

The syntheses and the antiviral activities of 2-halo derivatives of neplanocin A (1b,c), (6'R)-6'-C-methylneplanocin A (2b), and dehydroxymethylneplanocin A (3b,c) are described. SN2 reaction of the known cyclopentenyl units 12 and 13 with 2-haloadenines under basic conditions gave the protected carbocyclic nucleosides 14b,c and 15b,c, respectively. Starting from the cyclopentenone derivative 5, the optically active tosyloxycyclopentene derivative 11 was prepared, which was similarly condensed with 2-fluoroadenine to give the protected (6'R)-6'-C-methyl derivative 16b. Deprotection of these compounds afforded the target 2-halo derivatives of neplanocin A. Of these new compounds, 2-fluoroneplanocin A (1b) showed an antiviral potency and a spectrum that was comparable to that of neplanocin A (1a). It was particularly active against vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, parainfluenza virus, reovirus, arenaviruses (Junin, Tacaribe), and human cytomegalovirus, i.e., those viruses that fall within the purview of the S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase inhibitors.

Synthesis and structure--activity relationships of fused imidazopyridines: a new series of benzodiazepine receptor ligands

2-Arylimidazo[4,5-c]quinolines and analogous fused imidazopyridines were synthesized and evaluated as benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Affinity to the receptors was greatly affected by the bulkiness of the aryl group at the 2-position, compared to the pyrazoloquinolines such as CGS-9896. Derivatives with an isoxazole moiety at the 2-position showed high binding affinity and in vivo activity. In the imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline series, substitution at the 6-position decreased or abolished activity. Most derivatives with an unsubstituted isoxazolyl group showed antagonist or inverse agonist activity except for the 7-halo analogues, which exhibited agonist activity. On the other hand, 5-methylisoxazol-3-yl or 3-methylisoxazol-5-yl derivatives generally exhibited agonist activity. A similar substitution effect on the isoxazole moiety was observed in the imidazopyridines fused with a nonaromatic ring. From the detailed pharmacological evaluation, S-8510, 2-(3-isoxazolyl)-3,6,7,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-d]pyrano++ +[4,3-b]pyridine monophosphate, possessing weak inverse agonist activity was selected as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of some symptoms of senile dementia.

New neplanocin analogues. 6. Synthesis and potent antiviral activity of 6'-homoneplanocin A1

The design, synthesis, and antiviral activities of 6'-homoneplanocin A (HNPA, 3) and its congeners having nucleobases other than adenine, such as 3-deazaadenine (4), guanine (5), thymine (6), and cytosine (7), were described. Starting from the known cyclopentenone derivative 8, the optically active (mesyloxy)cyclopentene derivative 15 was prepared, which was condensed with nucleobases then deprotected to give target compounds 3-7. Of these compounds, HNPA showed an antiviral activity spectrum that was comparable to, and an antiviral specificity that was higher than, that of neplanocin A. HNPA proved particularly active against human cytomegalovirus, vaccinia virus, parainfluenza virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and arenaviruses, which is compatible with an antiviral action targeted at S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. HNPA appears to be a promising candidate drug for the treatment of these viruses.

The rational design and synthesis of haptens having specific activity as full agonists or full antagonists at the benzodiazepine receptor

The use of computer graphics hardware, in conjunction with molecular modeling software, has allowed for a structural analysis of compounds that bind to the benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) in the nM range. The definition of additional binding requirements together with steric and/or hydrophobic limitations has been directly correlated with profiles of in vivo activity, both for full agonists and full antagonists. This information has been used for the rational design of haptens that contain the antigenic determinants necessary for the production of antibodies specific for either full agonists or for full antagonists at the BZR. The synthesis of these novel compounds has been completed.