Discovery of 4-amino-3-arylsulfoquinolines, a novel non-acetylenic chemotype of metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu) receptor negative allosteric modulators.

Negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu) showed efficacy in a number of animal models of different CNS diseases including anxiety and depression. Virtually all of the compounds which reached the clinic belong to the same chemotype having an acetylenic linker that connects (hetero)cyclic moieties. Searching for new chemotypes we identified a morpholino-sulfoquinoline derivative (1) by screening our corporate compound deck.

Discovery and Preclinical Characterization of 3-((4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-7-fluoroquinoline-3-yl)sulfonyl)benzonitrile, a Novel Non-acetylenic Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 (mGluR5) Negative Allosteric Modulator for Psychiatric Indications.

Negative allosteric modulators (NAM) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) have been implicated as a potential pharmacotherapy for a number of psychiatric diseases, including anxiety and depression. Most of the mGluR5 NAM clinical candidates can be characterized by the central acetylenic moiety that connects the terminal pharmacophores. Identification of a sulfoquinoline hit via high throughput screening (HTS) followed by optimization provided a 4-phenyl-3-aryl-sulfoquinoline lead compound with the minimal pharmacophore.

4-Aryl-3-arylsulfonyl-quinolines as negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic GluR5 receptors: From HTS hit to development candidate.

High throughput screening of our corporate compound library followed by hit-to-lead development resulted in a 4-aryl-3-arylsulfonyl-quinoline derivative lead (2) with mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator activity. During the lead optimization process, our objective was to improve affinity and metabolic stability. Modifications at the three targeted regions of the lead structure resulted in compounds with nanomolar affinity and acceptable metabolic stability.

Thieno[2,3-b]pyridines as negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic GluR5 receptors: Lead optimization.

An HTS campaign of our corporate compound library, and hit-to lead development resulted in thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivative leads with mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator effects. During the lead optimization process, our objective was to improve affinity and metabolic stability. Modification of the first two targeted regions resulted in compounds with nanomolar affinity, then optimal substitution of the third region improved metabolic stability.

Thieno[2,3-b]pyridines as negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic GluR5 receptors: hit-to-lead optimization.

An HTS campaign of our corporate compound library resulted in thieno[2,3-b]pyridines derivative hits with mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator effects. During the hit-to-lead development our objective was to improve affinity, and to keep the ligand efficiency values at an acceptable level. After different modifications of the linker resulted in a 2-sulfonyl-thieno[2,3-b]pyridines derivative, which fulfilled the lead criteria.

Discovery of cariprazine (RGH-188): a novel antipsychotic acting on dopamine D3/D2 receptors.

Medicinal chemistry optimization of an impurity isolated during the scale-up synthesis of a pyridylsulfonamide type dopamine D(3)/D(2) compound (1) led to a series of new piperazine derivatives having affinity to both dopamine D(3) and D(2) receptors. Several members of this group showed excellent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties as demonstrated by outstanding activities in different antipsychotic tests. The most promising representative, 2m (cariprazine) had good absorption, excellent brain penetration and advantageous safety profile.

Cariprazine (RGH-188), a potent D3/D2 dopamine receptor partial agonist, binds to dopamine D3 receptors in vivo and shows antipsychotic-like and procognitive effects in rodents.

We investigated the in vivo effects of orally administered cariprazine (RGH-188; trans-N-{4-[2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-cyclohexyl}-N',N'-dimethyl-urea), a D(3)/D(2) dopamine receptor partial agonist with ∼10-fold preference for the D(3) receptor. Oral bioavailability of cariprazine at a dose of 1mg/kg in rats was 52% with peak plasma concentrations of 91ng/mL. Cariprazine 10mg/kg had good blood-brain barrier penetration, with a brain/plasma AUC ratio of 7.

Carbamoyloximes as novel non-competitive mGlu5 receptor antagonists.

Hit-to-lead optimization of a HTS hit led to new carbamoyloxime derivatives. After identification of an advanced hit (8d) the CYP enzyme inhibitory activity of this class of compounds was successfully eliminated. Systematic exploration of different parts of the advanced hit led us to some promising lead compounds with mGluR5 affinities comparable to that of MPEP.

Hit-to-lead optimization of disubstituted oxadiazoles and tetrazoles as mGluR5 NAMs.

Here we report the discovery and early SAR of a series of mGluR5 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs). Starting from a moderately active HTS hit we synthesized 3,5-disubstituted-oxadiazoles and tetrazoles as mGluR5 NAMs. Based on the analysis of ligand efficiency and lipophilic efficiency metrics we identified a promising lead candidate as a starting point for further optimization.

Cariprazine (RGH-188), a dopamine D(3) receptor-preferring, D(3)/D(2) dopamine receptor antagonist-partial agonist antipsychotic candidate: in vitro and neurochemical profile.

Cariprazine {RGH-188; trans-N-[4-[2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]cyclohexyl]-N',N'-dimethylurea hydrochloride}, a novel candidate antipsychotic, demonstrated approximately 10-fold higher affinity for human D(3) versus human D(2L) and human D(2S) receptors (pKi 10.07, 9.16, and 9.

Gene expression profiling identifies key estradiol targets in the frontal cortex of the rat.

Estradiol modulates a wide range of neural functions in the frontal cerebral cortex where subsets of neurons express estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta. Through these receptors, estradiol contributes to the maintenance of normal operation of the frontal cortex. During the decline of gonadal hormones, the frequency of neurological and psychiatric disorders increases.

Neuroprotective effects of vinpocetine and its major metabolite cis-apovincaminic acid on NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in a rat entorhinal cortex lesion model.

Vinpocetine (ethyl-apovincaminate, Cavinton), a synthetic derivative of the Vinca minor alkaloid vincamine, has been used now for decades for prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases predisposing to development of dementia. Both vinpocetine and its main metabolite cis-apovincaminic acid (cAVA) exert a neuroprotective type of action. Bilateral N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurodegeneration in the entorhinal cortex of rat was used as a dementia model to confirm the neuroprotective action of these compounds in vivo.

Comparative pharmacology of adrenergic alpha(2C) receptors coupled to Ca(2+) signaling through different Galpha proteins.

Adrenergic alpha(1), alpha(2) and beta receptors are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor families (GPCRs) mediating physiological responses to adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Since GPCRs are major targets for potential therapeutic agents, development of robust, reliable and cost effective functional screening methods for these receptors is in the focus of pharmacological research. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to develop an intracellular calcium assay for investigating the pharmacology of the alpha(2C) type of adrenergic receptors (alpha(2C)-AR).

Subnanomolar dopamine D3 receptor antagonism coupled to moderate D2 affinity results in favourable antipsychotic-like activity in rodent models: I. neurochemical characterisation of RG-15.

RG-15 (trans-N-[4-[2-[4-(3-cyano-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-ethyl]-cyclohexyl]-3-pyridinesulfonic amide dihydrochloride) displayed subnanomolar affinity to human and rat dopamine D3 receptors (pKi 10.49 and 9.42, respectively) and nanomolar affinity to human and rat D2 receptors (pKi 8.

Subnanomolar dopamine D3 receptor antagonism coupled to moderate D2 affinity results in favourable antipsychotic-like activity in rodent models: II. behavioural characterisation of RG-15.

RG-15 (trans-N-[4-[2-[4-(3-cyano-5-trifluoromethyl -phenyl) -piperazine -1 -yl] -ethyl] -cyclohexyl] -3 -pyridinesulfonic amide dihydro-chloride), is a highly selective dopamine D3/D2 receptor antagonist with subnanomolar affinity for the D3 receptor and nanomolar affinity for the D2 receptor. We found that RG-15 showed a good oral bioavailability (54%) and high brain levels (approx. 900 ng/g) in rats and demonstrated antipsychotic efficacy in amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and conditioned avoidance response tests in rats, yielding ED50 (median effective dose) values of 8.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2'-hydroxyethyl trans-apovincaminate derivatives as antioxidant and cognitive enhancer agents.

A series of trans-2'-hydroxyethyl and 2'-acyloxyethyl apovincaminates 4b- f and 7b- f has been synthesized and evaluated for their antioxidant and antiamnesic effects. The new esters were prepared from 4a and 7a ethyl esters or from the corresponding carboxylic acid sodium salt. For starting materials 11a, b, a new stereoselective trans-reduction was elaborated.

Concerted action of antiepileptic and antidepressant agents to depress spinal neurotransmission: Possible use in the therapy of spasticity and chronic pain.

Chronic pain states and epilepsies are common therapeutic targets of voltage-gated sodium channel blockers. Inhibition of sodium channels results in central muscle relaxant activity as well. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are also applied in the treatment of pain syndromes.

Effects of RGH-237 [N-{4-[4-(3-aminocarbonyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyl}-4-bromo-benzamide], an orally active, selective dopamine D(3) receptor partial agonist in animal models of cocaine abuse.

Dopamine D(3) receptor partial agonism has been suggested as a potential therapeutic intervention in cocaine addiction. RGH-237 [N-{4-[4-(3-aminocarbonyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyl}-4-bromo-benzamide] was identified as a novel selective dopamine D(3) receptor partial agonist and used for testing this hypothesis in animal models. The compound showed nanomolar affinity to human (K(i) = 6.

Functional characterization of sodium channel blockers by membrane potential measurements in cerebellar neurons: prediction of compound preference for the open/inactivated state.

Voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) blockers are widely used in the therapy, but most currently available blockers have suboptimal profile. However, discovery of new drug candidates has been hampered by the lack of appropriate in vitro assays. We established a fluorometric, plate reader-based membrane potential assay for testing the inhibitory potency of various VGSC blocking drugs, using primary cultures of cerebellar neurons, and veratridine, as activator of VGSCs.

Flow cytometry-based method to analyze the change in Tau phosphorylation in a hGSK-3beta and hTau over-expressing EcR-293 cell line.

Neurofibrillary tangles are composed of insoluble aggregates of microtubule-associated protein Tau. In the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), accumulation of hyperphosphorylated Tau results in formation of paired helical filaments. One of the main candidate to hyperphosphorylate Tau in AD is glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta).

Inducible expression and pharmacological characterization of recombinant rat NR1a/NR2A NMDA receptors.

In this study, we have established a non-neuronal cell line stably and inducibly expressing recombinant NMDA receptors (NRs) composed of rat NR1a/NR2A subunits. EcR-293 cells were transfected with rat NR1a and NR2A cDNAs using the inducible mammalian expression vector pIND. Cell colonies resistant for the selecting agents were picked and tested for NR2A mRNA as well as protein expression using quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry based immunocytochemistry.

NR2B receptors are involved in the mediation of spinal segmental reflex potentials but not in the cumulative motoneuronal depolarization in vitro.

Windup, the frequency dependent build-up of spinal neuronal responses is an electrophysiological model of the development of the central sensitization in the chronic pain states. NR2B subunit containing NMDA-type glutamate receptors are implicated in the windup of dorsal horn neurons, while their role at the motoneuronal level is controversial. The cumulative motoneuronal depolarization in hemisected rat spinal cord preparation is an in vitro model of windup.

NR2B containing NMDA receptor dependent windup of single spinal neurons.

Windup, the frequency dependent build-up of spinal neuronal responses, is implicated in the development of central sensitization of nociceptive pathways. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been shown to be involved in these processes but the role of various receptor subtypes at the spinal level is not fully understood. In our experiments, we compared the inhibitory effect of MK-801 (a nonselective NMDA receptor antagonist, 0.

NR2B subunit selective NMDA antagonists inhibit neurotoxic effect of alcohol-withdrawal in primary cultures of rat cortical neurones.

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission is thought to play a central role in the development of alcohol dependence and this alteration is supposed to be due to a differential up-regulation of the NR2B type of subunits. In this work, we examined the effect of some known (CP-101,606; CI-1041 and Co-101,244) and novel indole-2-carboxamide derivative NR2B subunit selective NMDA receptor antagonists (SSNAs) (RG-13579 and RG-1103) on the neurotoxic effect of withdrawal in ethanol pre-treated cultures of rat cortical neurones. The extent of neurotoxicity was estimated by measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) that was released into the culture medium during the 24h withdrawal period.

Participation of AMPA- and NMDA-type excitatory amino acid receptors in the spinal reflex transmission, in rat.

Classical in vitro and in vivo models and electrophysiological techniques were used to investigate the role of AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors in various components of spinal segmental reflex potentials. In the rat hemisected spinal cord preparation, the AMPA antagonists NBQX and GYKI 52466 abolished the monosynaptic reflex (MSR) potential but caused only partial inhibition of the motoneuronal population EPSP. NMDA antagonists had no noticeable effect on the MSR in normal medium, but markedly depressed the late part of EPSP.