M Positive Allosteric Modulator VU0467154 Impacts Amphetamine Sensitization and Spontaneous Locomotion in Male Mice.

This study investigates the effects of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype 4 (M) positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0467154 on the development, incubation, and expression of amphetamine sensitization in mice, the expression of immediate early genes in the medial prefrontal cortex after induction and expression of sensitization, as well as on spontaneous locomotion and several aspects of sensorimotor function. Mice were pretreated with VU0467154 during the induction phase, before the challenge test, or both. A separate cohort was treated during the incubation period.

Discovery of ONO-2920632 (VU6011887): A Highly Selective and CNS Penetrant TREK-2 (TWIK-Related K+ Channel 2) Preferring Activator Tool Compound.

Herein we describe our initial work on the KP family of potassium ion channels with the chemical optimization and characterization of a novel series of TWIK-Related K+ Channel (TREK)-1/2 dual activators and TREK-2 preferring activators derived from a high-throughput screening hit. The exercise provided TREK activators with good CNS penetration and others with low CNS exposure to enable exploration of both central and peripheral TREK activation. From this, ONO-2920632 (VU6011887 = ) emerged as a reasonably potent (human Tl; TREK-1 EC = 2.

Cryo-EM reveals a new allosteric binding site at the M mAChR.

The M muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M mAChR) represents a promising therapeutic target for neurological disorders. However, the high conservation of its orthosteric binding site has posed significant challenges for drug development. While selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) offer a potential solution, a structural understanding of the M mAChR and its allosteric binding sites has remained limited.

Synthesis of a Hydroxy-15-Azasterol.

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disorder that will cause eventual brain damage with limited treatment options available. Though clinical trials are undergoing with repurposed pharmaceuticals, no novel chemotype exists purely for the treatment of NPC. In 2021, an azasterol was found to bind to both NPC1 and NPC2 proteins and is considered as a cholesterol mimic.

Further Optimization of the mGlu PAM VU6024578/BI02982816: Discovery and Characterization of VU6033685.

Herein, we report the further chemical optimization of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 (mGlu) positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU6024578/BI02982816 and the discovery of VU6033685/BI1752. PAM VU6033685/BI1752 was developed through an iterative process wherein, after the furanyl moiety (a potential toxicophore) was replaced by an -linked pyrazole, a diversity screen identified a quinoline core, which was further truncated to a pyridine scaffold. PAM VU6033685/BI1752 proved to be a potent and selective mGlu PAM with efficacy in both amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AHL) and novel object recognition (NOR) with a clear pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship.

Discovery of 4-(5-Membered)Heteroarylether-6-methylpicolinamide Negative Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5.

This Letter details our efforts to develop novel, non-acetylene-containing metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu) negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) with improved pharmacological properties. This endeavor involved replacing the ether-linked pyrimidine moiety, a metabolic liability, with various 5-membered heterocycles. From this exercise, we identified , a highly brain penetrant and selective mGlu NAM which displayed moderate potency against both human and rat mGlu.

Discovery of VU6024578/BI02982816: An mGlu Positive Allosteric Modulator with Efficacy in Preclinical Antipsychotic and Cognition Models.

Herein, we report progress toward a metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 (mGlu) positive allosteric modulator (PAM) clinical candidate and the discovery of VU6024578/BI02982816. From a weak high-throughput screening hit (VU0538160, EC > 10 μM, 71% Glu), optimization efforts improved functional potency over 185-fold to deliver the selective (inactive on mGlu) and CNS penetrant (rat K = 0.99, K = 0.

Discovery of VU0467319: an M Positive Allosteric Modulator Candidate That Advanced into Clinical Trials.

Herein we detail the of VU0467319 (VU319), an M Positive Allosteric Modulator (PAM) clinical candidate that successfully completed a Phase I Single Ascending Dose (SAD) clinical trial. VU319 () is a moderately potent M PAM (M PAM EC = 492 nM ± 2.9 nM, 71.

The cannabinoid CB receptor positive allosteric modulator EC21a exhibits complicated pharmacology .

Schizophrenia is a complex disease involving the dysregulation of numerous brain circuits and patients exhibit positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), negative symptoms (anhedonia), and cognitive impairments. We have shown that the antipsychotic efficacy of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of both the M muscarinic receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu) involve the retrograde activation of the presynaptic cannabinoid type-2 (CB) receptor, indicating that CB activation or potentiation could result in a novel therapeutic strategy for schizophrenia. We used two complementary assays, receptor-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis and GIRK channel activation, to characterize a CB PAM scaffold, represented by the compound EC21a, to explore its potential as a starting point to optimize therapeutics for schizophrenia.

Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Medetomidine.

Medetomidine is an FDA-approved α-adrenoreceptor (α-AR) agonist used as a veterinary sedative due to its analgesic, sedative, and anxiolytic properties. While it is marketed for veterinary use as a racemic mixture under the brand name Domitor, the pharmacologically active enantiomer, dexmedetomidine, is approved for sedation and analgesia in the hospital setting. Medetomidine has recently been detected in the illicit drug supply alongside fentanyl, xylazine, cocaine, and heroin, producing pronounced sedative effects that are not reversed by naloxone.

Discovery of VU6016235: A Highly Selective, Orally Bioavailable, and Structurally Distinct Tricyclic M Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator (PAM).

Herein, we report structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to develop novel tricyclic M PAM scaffolds with improved pharmacological properties. This endeavor involved a "tie-back" strategy to replace a 5-amino-2,4-dimethylthieno[2,3-]pyrimidine-6-carboxamide core, which led to the discovery of two novel tricyclic cores. While both tricyclic cores displayed low nanomolar potency against both human and rat M and were highly brain-penetrant, the 2,4-dimethylpyrido[4',3':4,5]thieno[2,3-]pyrimidine tricycle core provided lead compound, , with an overall superior pharmacological and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) profile, as well as efficacy in a preclinical antipsychotic animal model.

Discovery of VU6007496: Challenges in the Development of an M Positive Allosteric Modulator Backup Candidate.

Herein we report progress toward a backup clinical candidate to the M positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU319/ACP-319. Scaffold-hopping from the pyrrolo[2,3-]pyridine-based M PAM VU6007477 to isomeric pyrrolo[3,2-]pyridine and thieno[3,2-]pyridine congeners identified several backup contenders. Ultimately, VU6007496, a pyrrolo[3,2-]pyridine, advanced into late stage profiling, only to be plagued with unanticipated, species-specific metabolism and active/toxic metabolites which were identified in our phenotypic seizure liability screen, preventing further development.

Discovery of VU6008677: A Structurally Distinct Tricyclic M Positive Allosteric Modulator with Improved CYP450 Profile.

This Letter details our efforts to develop novel tricyclic muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype 4 (M) positive allosteric modulator (PAM) scaffolds with improved pharmacological properties. This endeavor involved a "tie-back" strategy to replace the 3-amino-5-chloro-4,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-]pyridine-2-carboxamide core, which led to the discovery of two novel tricyclic cores: an 8-chloro-9-methylpyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-]pyrimidin-4-amine core and 8-chloro-7,9-dimethylpyrido[3',2':4,5]furo[3,2-]pyrimidin-4-amine core. Both tricyclic cores displayed low nanomolar potency against human M and greatly reduced cytochrome P450 inhibition when compared with parent compound .

Development of VU6036864: A Triazolopyridine-Based High-Quality Antagonist Tool Compound of the M Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor.

While the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor mAChR subtype 5 (M) has been studied over decades, recent findings suggest that more in-depth research is required to elucidate a thorough understanding of its physiological function related to neurological and psychiatric disorders. Our efforts to identify potent, selective, and pharmaceutically favorable next-generation M antagonist tool compounds have led to the discovery of a novel triazolopyridine-based series. In particular, () showed exquisite potency (human M IC = 20 nM), good subtype selectivity (>500 fold selectivity against human M), desirable brain exposure ( = 0.

Co-stimulation of muscarinic M1 and M4 acetylcholine receptors prevents later cocaine reinforcement in male and female mice, but not place-conditioning.

Acute stimulation of M or M muscarinic cholinergic receptors reduces cocaine abuse-related effects in mice and rats. The combined activation of these receptor subtypes produces synergistic effects on some behavioural endpoints in mice. M and M + M receptor stimulation in a cocaine vs.

Discovery of Protease-Activated Receptor 4 (PAR4)-Tethered Ligand Antagonists Using Ultralarge Virtual Screening.

Here, we demonstrate a structure-based small molecule virtual screening and lead optimization pipeline using a homology model of a difficult-to-drug G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) target. Protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) is activated by thrombin cleavage, revealing a tethered ligand that activates the receptor, making PAR4 a challenging target. A virtual screen of a make-on-demand chemical library yielded a one-hit compound.