Discovery of MK-7725, A Potent, Selective Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3 Agonist for the Treatment of Obesity.

Extensive structure-activity relationship studies of a series derived from atropisomer 1, a previously described chiral benzodiazepine sulfonamide series, led to a potent, brain penetrant and selective compound with excellent preclinical pharmacokinetic across species. We also describe the utilization of a high throughput mouse pharmacodynamic assay which allowed for expedient assessment of pharmacokinetic and brain distribution.

Antiobesity effect of MK-5046, a novel bombesin receptor subtype-3 agonist.

Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Here, we report the biologic effects of a highly optimized BRS-3 agonist, (2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-[4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-(4-{[1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropyl]methyl}-1H-imidazol-2-yl)propan-2-ol (MK-5046). Single oral doses of MK-5046 inhibited 2-h and overnight food intake and increased fasting metabolic rate in wild-type but not Brs3 knockout mice.

Body temperature as a mouse pharmacodynamic response to bombesin receptor subtype-3 agonists and other potential obesity treatments.

Treatment of rodents with a bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonist reduces food intake and increases fasting metabolic rate, causing weight loss with continued treatment. In small mammals, core body temperature (T(b)) is regulated in part by nutritional status, with a reduced T(b) during fasting. We report that fed Brs3 knockout mice have a lower T(b), which is discordant with their nutritional status.