Stereoselective Synthesis of New (2,3)-3-Carboxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic Acid Analogues Utilizing a C(sp)-H Activation Strategy and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies at the Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors.

Competitive antagonists for ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are highly valuable tool compounds for studying health and disease states in the central nervous system. However, only few subtype selective tool compounds are available and the discovery of antagonists with novel iGluR subtype selectivity profiles remains a profound challenge. In this paper, we report an elaborate structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the parental scaffold 2,3--3-carboxy-3-phenyl-proline by the synthesis of 40 new analogues.

Design and Synthesis of a Series of l-trans-4-Substituted Prolines as Selective Antagonists for the Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors Including Functional and X-ray Crystallographic Studies of New Subtype Selective Kainic Acid Receptor Subtype 1 (GluK1) Antagonist (2S,4R)-4-(2-Carboxyphenoxy)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic Acid.

Ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists are valuable tool compounds for studies of neurological pathways in the central nervous system. On the basis of rational ligand design, a new class of selective antagonists, represented by (2S,4R)-4-(2-carboxyphenoxy)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1b), for cloned homomeric kainic acid receptors subtype 1 (GluK1) was attained (K = 4 μM). In a functional assay, 1b displayed full antagonist activity with IC = 6 ± 2 μM.

Cyclic Enecarbamates as Precursors of α,β-Unsaturated Iminium Ions: Reactivity and Synthesis of 6,6-Spirocyclic Ring Systems.

The scalable synthesis of cyclic enecarbamates and their use as convenient precursors of α,β-unsaturated N-acyl iminium ions is reported. The newly developed route overcomes synthetic and reactivity difficulties in previously reported methods, is readily scaled up, and proceeds through stable intermediates suitable for long-term storage if required. Preliminary investigations probing the reactivity of cyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acyl iminium ions as dienophiles in Diels-Alder reactions and electrophilic alkylating agents are described.

Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Antagonist (2S,3R)-3-(3-Carboxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic Acid.

Herein we describe the first structure-activity relationship study of the broad-range iGluR antagonist (2S,3R)-3-(3-carboxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (1) by exploring the pharmacological effect of substituents in the 4, 4', or 5' positions and the bioisosteric substitution of the distal carboxylic acid for a phosphonic acid moiety. Of particular interest is a hydroxyl group in the 4' position 2a which induced a preference in binding affinity for homomeric GluK3 over GluK1 (Ki = 0.87 and 4.

GABAA receptor partial agonists and antagonists: structure, binding mode, and pharmacology.

A high degree of structural heterogeneity of the GABAA receptors (GABAARs) has been revealed and is reflected in multiple receptor subtypes. The subunit composition of GABAAR subtypes is believed to determine their localization relative to the synapses and adapt their functional properties to the local temporal pattern of GABA impact, enabling phasic or tonic inhibition. Specific GABAAR antagonists are essential tools for physiological and pharmacological elucidation of the different type of GABAAR inhibition.

Revision of the classical dopamine D2 agonist pharmacophore based on an integrated medicinal chemistry, homology modelling and computational docking approach.

The scientific advances during the 1970ies and 1980ies within the field of dopaminergic neurotransmission enabled the development of a pharmacophore that became the template for design and synthesis of dopamine D2 agonists during the following four decades. A major drawback, however, is that this model fails to accommodate certain classes of restrained dopamine D2 agonists including ergoline structures. To accommodate these, a revision of the original model was required.

Novel aza-analogous ergoline derived scaffolds as potent serotonin 5-HT₆ and dopamine D₂ receptor ligands.

By introducing distal substituents on a tetracyclic scaffold resembling the ergoline structure, two series of analogues were achieved exhibiting subnanomolar receptor binding affinities for the dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT6 receptor subtype, respectively. While the 5-HT6 ligands were antagonists, the D2 ligands displayed intrinsic activities ranging from full agonism to partial agonism with low intrinsic activity. These structures could potentially be interesting for treatment of neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and cognitive deficits.

Gram-scale solution-phase synthesis of selective sodium bicarbonate co-transport inhibitor S0859: in vitro efficacy studies in breast cancer cells.

Na(+)-coupled HCO(3)(-) transporters (NBCs) mediate the transport of bicarbonate ions across cell membranes and are thus ubiquitous regulators of intracellular pH. NBC dysregulation is associated with a range of diseases; for instance, NBCn1 is strongly up-regulated in a model of ErbB2-dependent breast cancer, a malignant and widespread cancer with no targeted treatment options, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in NBCn1 genetically link to breast cancer development and hypertension. The N-cyanosulfonamide S0859 has been shown to selectively inhibit NBCs, and its availability on the gram scale is therefore of significant interest to the scientific community.

Biostructural and pharmacological studies of bicyclic analogues of the 3-isoxazolol glutamate receptor agonist ibotenic acid.

We describe an improved synthesis and detailed pharmacological characterization of the conformationally restricted analogue of the naturally occurring nonselective glutamate receptor agonist ibotenic acid (RS)-3-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (7-HPCA, 5) at AMPA receptor subtypes. Compound 5 was shown to be a subtype-discriminating agonist at AMPA receptors with higher binding affinity and functional potency at GluA1/2 compared to GluA3/4, unlike the isomeric analogue (RS)-3-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid (5-HPCA, 4) that binds to all AMPA receptor subtypes with comparable potency. Biostructural X-ray crystallographic studies of 4 and 5 reveal different binding modes of (R)-4 and (S)-5 in the GluA2 agonist binding domain.

Novel 7-phenylsulfanyl-1,2,3,4,10,10a-hexahydro-pyrazino[1,2-a]indoles as dual serotonin 5-HT2C and 5-HT6 receptor ligands.

Novel 7-phenylsulfanyl-1,2,3,4,10,10a-hexahydro-pyrazino[1,2-a]indoles are synthesized using a six-step protocol. Notably, the synthesis route make use of a new and improved ring-closing methodology for the assembly of the hexahydro-pyrazino[1,2-a]indole scaffold, which is based on intramolecular C-H insertion of a carbene. The compounds act as dual serotonin 5-HT2C- and 5-HT6-ligands.