MRK-409 (MK-0343), a GABAA receptor subtype-selective partial agonist, is a non-sedating anxiolytic in preclinical species but causes sedation in humans.

MRK-409 binds to α1-, α2-, α3- and α5-containing human recombinant GABA(A) receptors with comparable high affinity (0.21-0.40 nM). However, MRK-409 has greater agonist efficacy at the α3 compared with α1 subtypes (respective efficacies relative to the full agonist chlordiazepoxide of 0.45 and 0.18). This compound readily penetrates the brain in rats and occupies the benzodiazepine site of GABA(A) receptors, measured using an in vivo [(3)H]flumazenil binding assay, with an Occ(50) of 2.2 mg/kg p.o. and a corresponding plasma EC(50) of 115 ng/mL. Behaviourally, the α3-preferring agonist efficacy profile of MRK-409 produced anxiolytic-like activity in rodent and primate unconditioned and conditioned models of anxiety with minimum effective doses corresponding to occupancies, depending on the particular model, ranging from ∼35% to 65% yet there were minimal overt signs of sedation at occupancies greater than 90%. In humans, however, safety and tolerability studies showed that there was pronounced sedation at a dose of 2 mg, resulting in a maximal tolerated dose of 1 mg. This 2 mg dose corresponded to a C(max) plasma concentration of 28 ng/mL, which, based on the rodent plasma EC(50) for occupancy of 115 ng/mL, suggested that sedation in humans occurs at low levels of occupancy. This was confirmed in human positron emission tomography studies, in which [(11)C]flumazenil uptake following a single dose of 1 mg MRK-409 was comparable to that of placebo, indicating that occupancy of GABA(A) receptor benzodiazepine binding sites by MRK-409 was below the limits of detection (i.e. <10%). Taken together, these data show that MRK-409 causes sedation in humans at a dose (2 mg) corresponding to levels of occupancy considerably less than those predicted from rodent models to be required for anxiolytic efficacy (∼35-65%). Thus, the preclinical non-sedating anxiolytic profile of MRK-409 did not translate into humans and further development of this compound was halted.

Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of TPA023B, a GABAA receptor α2/α3 subtype-selective partial agonist.

In the accompanying paper we describe how MRK-409 unexpectedly produced sedation in man at relatively low levels of GABA(A) receptor occupancy (∼10%). Since it was not clear whether this sedation was mediated via the α2/α3 or α1 GABA(A) subtype(s), we characterized the properties of TPA023B, a high-affinity imidazotriazine which, like MRK-409, has partial agonist efficacy at the α2 and α3 subtype but is an antagonist at the α1 subtype, at which MRK-409 has weak partial agonism. TPA023B gave dose- and time-dependent occupancy of rat brain GABA(A) receptors as measured using an in vivo [(3)H]flumazenil binding assay, with 50% occupancy corresponding to a respective dose and plasma drug concentration of 0.09 mg/kg and 19 ng/mL, the latter of which was similar to that observed in mice (25 ng/mL) and comparable to values obtained in baboon and man using [(11)C]flumazenil PET (10 and 5.8 ng/mL, respectively). TPA023B was anxiolytic in rodent and primate (squirrel monkey) models of anxiety (elevated plus maze, fear-potentiated startle, conditioned suppression of drinking, conditioned emotional response) yet had no significant effects in rodent or primate assays of ataxia and/or myorelaxation (rotarod, chain-pulling, lever pressing), up to doses (10 mg/kg) corresponding to occupancy of greater than 99%. In man, TPA023B was well tolerated at a dose (1.5 mg) that produced occupancy of >50%, suggesting that the sedation previously seen with MRK-409 is due to the partial agonist efficacy of that compound at the α1 subtype, and highlighting the importance of antagonist efficacy at this particular GABA(A) receptor population for avoiding sedation in man.

Occupancy of human brain GABA(A) receptors by the novel α5 subtype-selective benzodiazepine site inverse agonist α5IA as measured using [¹¹C]flumazenil PET imaging.

GABA(A) receptor α5-selective inverse agonists enhance cognitive performance in pre-clinical species. However, a key aspect of the clinical development of such compounds is the demonstration that in man such compounds are devoid of the anxiogenic-like activity associated with non-selective inverse agonists such as FG 7142. The triazolophthalazine α5IA (3-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-6-[(1-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyloxy]-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine) is an α5-selective inverse agonist which enhances cognitive performance in rodents and encouragingly in human Phase I Safety and Tolerability studies it was devoid of the anxiogenic-like activity associated with FG 7142. However, in order to appropriately interpret this latter observation, it was considered important to demonstrate that the absence of anxiogenic-like activity occurs at significant levels of receptor occupancy. Consequently, the occupancy of human brain GABA(A) receptors was measured using [¹¹C]flumazenil positron emission tomography in three healthy normal young male volunteers following a single oral dose of 2 mg α5IA. One hour after dosing, mean occupancy levels were 53% and this fell to 16% by 8 h post-dose, with the plasma α5IA concentration corresponding to 50% occupancy being 10 ng/mL. These data clearly show that an α5-selective inverse agonist is not associated with anxiogenic-like side effects at doses that give ~50% occupancy.

In vivo labeling of endothelin receptors with [(11)C]L-753,037: studies in mice and a dog.

UNLABELLED: Endothelin (ET) is a potent mammalian vasoconstrictive peptide and a pressor agent. Its 3 isoforms, ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3, mediate several physiologic actions in several organ systems, binding to 2 major receptor subtypes: ET(A) and ET(B). This study was undertaken to evaluate [(11)C]L-753,037 [(+)-(5S,6R,7R)-2-butyl-7-[2-((2S)-2-carboxy-propyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)cyclopenteno [1,2-beta]pyridine-6-carboxylate), a new mixed ET receptor A and B antagonist, as a tracer for in vivo labeling of ET receptors in mice and a dog. METHODS: [(11)C]L-753,037 was synthesized, purified, and formulated from a normethyl precursor, L-843,974, and [(11)C]H(3)I. The tracer was studied for its in vivo kinetics, biodistribution, and ET receptor binding characteristics in mice. In the dog, PET imaging was performed to evaluate binding of [(11)C]L-753,037 to ET receptors in the heart. Specificity of binding was studied in the heart with the selective ET(A) antagonist L-753,164. RESULTS: Kinetic studies in mice showed highest tracer uptake at 5 min after injection in liver (25.0 percentage injected dose per gram [%ID/g]), kidneys (18.7 %ID/g), lungs (15.2 %ID/g), and heart (5.6 %ID/g). Initial high uptake in liver, lungs, and kidneys was followed by rapid washout during the next 10 min and a very slow clearance during the time of observation (2 h after injection). By contrast, the radioactivity in the heart remained constant over 2 h. Administration of both ET(A) (L-753,164) and mixed ET(A)/ET(B) (L-753,137) receptor antagonists resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of [(11)C]L-753,037 binding in mouse heart, lungs, and kidneys but not in the liver. Radioactivity in the brain was very low, indicating that the tracer does not cross the blood-brain barrier. In the dog, a dynamic PET study of the heart showed high tracer accumulation at 55-95 min after injection. Injection of L-753,164 at 30 min before [(11)C]L-753,037 administration led to a significant reduction in tracer binding. [(11)C]methyl triphenyl phosphonium was used as a tracer for reference images of the dog heart muscle. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that [(11)C]L-753,037 binds to ET receptors in vivo and is, therefore, a promising candidate for investigation of these receptors and their occupancy by ET receptor antagonists using PET.

Non-invasive radiotracer imaging as a tool for drug development.

Non-Invasive Radiotracer Imaging (NIRI) uses either short-lived positron-emitting isotopes, such as 11C and 18F, for Positron Emis ion Tomography (PET) or single photon emitting nuclides, e.g., 123I, which provide images using planar imaging or Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). These high-resolution imaging modalities provide anatomical distribution and localization of radiolabeled drugs, which can be used to generate real time receptor occupancy and off-rate studies in humans. This can be accomplished by either isotopically labeling a potential new drug (usually with 11C), or indirectly by studying how the unlabelled drug inhibits specific radioligand binding in vivo. Competitive blockade studies can be accomplished using a radiolabeled analogue which binds to the site of interest, rather than a radiolabeled version of the potential drug. Imaging, particularly PET imaging, can be used to demonstrate the effect of a drug through a biochemical marker of processes such as glucose metabolism or blood flow. NIRI as a development tool in the pharmaceutical industry is gaining increased acceptance as its unique ability to provide such critical information in human subjects is recognized. This section will review recent examples that illustrate the utility of NIRI, principally PET, in drug development, and the potential of imaging advances in the development of cancer drugs and gene therapy. Finally, we provide a brief overview of the design of new radiotracers for novel targets.

Positron emission tomography neuroreceptor imaging as a tool in drug discovery, research and development.

Improved communication and cooperation between research-driven drug companies and academic positron emission tomography (PET) centers, coupled with improvements in PET camera resolution, the availability of small animal PET cameras and a growing list of neuroreceptor-specific PET tracers, have all contributed to a substantial increase in the use and value of PET as a tool in central nervous system drug discovery and development.

Open complex formation during transcription initiation at the Escherichia coli galP1 promoter: the role of the RNA polymerase alpha subunit at promoters lacking an UP-element.

We have studied the role of the C-terminal domain of the alpha subunit (alphaCTD) of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during transcription initiation at promoters lacking an UP-element. The temperature requirement for open complex formation was used as an indication of the kinetics of this process. We have previously shown that alphaCTD is required for transcription initiation at low temperature at the galP1 promoter, a promoter containing an UP-element. DNase I footprinting has been used to reveal the structure of open promoter complexes and the temperature requirement for open complex formation has been determined using potassium permanganate as a probe. In this work we show that, although alphaCTD is not absolutely required for transcription initiation at promoters lacking an UP-element, it does play a role during transcription initiation. This role is independent of the sequence of the promoter upstream from the -35 region and does not require stable alphaCTD-DNA interactions as determined by DNase I footprinting. The role of alphaCTD at promoters lacking an UP-element is discussed.

Radioiodinated endothelin-1: a radiotracer for imaging endothelin receptor distribution and occupancy.

Endothelin (ET) is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors known. Recently, ET has been implicated in various diseases, e.g., acute renal failure and congestive heart failure, which present the possibility of treating such diseases with endothelin receptor antagonists. However, establishing the dosages for these antagonists may be difficult because no convenient physiologic indicator of action exists, and because of complexities in receptor function. Two receptor subtypes have been identified for which selective antagonists have been reported (e.g., BQ-123 for the ETA receptor and BQ-788 for the ETB receptor). Of the three natural peptide hormones (ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3), ET-1 exhibits high affinity for both subtypes of receptor. Using the selective peptide antagonists, and a nonpeptide antagonist with relatively balanced affinity for the two subtypes (L-749,329), we have characterized the interactions of [125I]ET-1 with its receptors in vivo (in rat). BQ-123, BQ-788, and L-749,329 inhibited binding consistent with binding to a single receptor site. However, the sum of inhibition by the selective antagonist was greater than 100% (as defined by inhibition with L-749,329), which suggests (a) lower in vivo selectivity than determined in vitro and/or (b) receptor subtype interactions. The latter explanation is supported, in part, by in vitro autoradiographic studies as well as studies in isolated tissues and cells. We synthesized ET-1 labeled with I-123 and obtained images of receptor distribution in both rat and rhesus monkey and have demonstrated our ability to visualize, via planar, noninvasive imaging, the occupancy of endothelin receptor by antagonists in both kidney and lung. [123I]ET-1 can therefore be used to determine clinical dosages of antagonist needed for receptor saturation.

Apert syndrome mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 exhibit increased affinity for FGF ligand.

Dominantly acting mutations of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene have been implicated in various craniosynostosis syndromes. Apert syndrome, characterized in addition by syndactyly of the limbs, involves specific mutations at two adjacent residues, Ser252Trp and Pro253Arg, predicted to lie in the linker region between IgII and IgIII of the FGFR2 ligand-binding domain. We have analysed the interaction of FGF ligands with wild-type and Apert-type mutant FGFR2 ectodomains in solution. Wild-type and Apert-type receptors form a complex with FGF ligands with a stoichiometry of 2:2 (ligand:receptor). The kinetics and specificity of ligand binding to wild-type and Apert mutant receptors have been analysed using surface plasmon resonance techniques. This reveals that Apert mutations, compared with wild-type, exhibit a selective decrease in the dissociation kinetics of FGF2, but not of other FGF ligands examined. In contrast, the substitution Ser252Leu in FGFR2, previously observed in several asymptomatic individuals, exhibited wild-type kinetics. These findings indicate that Apert syndrome arises as a result of increased affinity of mutant receptors for specific FGF ligands which leads to activation of signalling under conditions where availability of ligand is limiting.

Characterization of specific binding of [125I]L-762,459, a selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor radioligand to rat and human tissues.

L-762,459 ((+/-)1-(3-¿[5-carbamoyl-2-2-[(4-hydroxy-3-iodobenzimidoyl)-amino] -ethoxy-methy¿-6-methyl-4-(4-nitropheny)-1,4-dihydropyridine -3-carbonyl]-amino¿-propyl)-4-phenyl-1-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester), an analog of a series of dihydropyridines previously reported to be selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype antagonists was found to have alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype selectivity (Ki (nM), la = 1.3, lb = 240, Id = 280). Specific [125I]L-762,459 binding was detected in rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus, vas deferens, kidney, heart and prostate tissues known to contain the alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype, but not in tissues known to contain alpha1B-adrenoceptor (spleen, liver) and alpha1D-adrenoceptor (aorta). Scatchard analysis of [125I]L-762,459 binding in rat cerebral cortex and prostate indicated a single binding site with a Kd of 0.7 nM and Bmax of 11 (cerebral cortex) and 1 (prostate) pmole/g tissue. Specific and saturable [125I]L-762,459 binding was also found in human cerebral cortex, liver, prostate and vas deferens (Kd = 0.2-0.4 nM, Bmax = 0.4-4 pmole/g tissue). The specific binding in rat and human tissues was competed by non-selective alpha1-adrenoceptor compounds (Ki values in nM: prazosin (0.14-1.2), terazosin (1.8-5.9) and phentolamine (2.4-11)) and selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor compounds [Ki values in nM: (+) niguldipine (0.04-1.2) and SNAP 5399 ((+/-)-2-((2-aminoethyl)oxy)methyl-5-carboxamido-6-ethyl-4-(4-nitropheny l)-3-N-(3-(4,4-diphenylpiperidin-1-yl)propyl)carboxamido-1,4-dihyd ropyridine hydrate (0.5-4.8)]. The results were consistent with the selective binding of [125I]L-762,459 to the alpha1A-adrenoceptor. The specific labeling of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor subtype by [125I]L-762,459 may make it a useful tool to localize the distribution of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor.

Investigation of angiotensin II/AT1 receptors with carbon-11-L-159,884: a selective AT1 antagonist.

UNLABELLED: Antagonists of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor subtype have been recently introduced for treatment of arterial hypertension and for pharmacological studies of these receptors. The purpose of this work was to label such an antagonist with 11C and test the applicability of the radioligand for PET studies. METHODS: The potent and selective nonpeptide AT1 antagonist L-159,884 was labeled with 11C and injected intravenously into six dogs. Renal accumulation and kinetics of the radioligand were imaged with PET at baseline and after receptor blockade with 1 mg/kg MK-996. Time-activity curves were derived from the renal cortex and were analyzed by the Gjedde-Patlak plot to obtain the influx rate constant of the radioligand. RESULTS: There was selective radioligand binding in the kidneys, mainly located in the cortex. Within the time interval between 95 and 115 min postinjection, the radioactivity retained in the kidneys was 109 +/- 27 and 42 +/- 4 nCi/ml/mCi of the injected dose for the control and inhibition studies, respectively. The influx rate constant of the radioligand decreased from a baseline of 0.0298 +/- 0.0156 to a post-MK-996 value of 0.0098 +/- 0.0052. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate distinct binding of 11C-L-159,884 in the renal cortex with a specific binding component suitable for quantitative PET imaging of angiotensin II/AT1 receptors.

Conserved use of a non-canonical 5' splice site (/GA) in alternative splicing by fibroblast growth factor receptors 1, 2 and 3.

The two classes of sequences for recognition and splicing of pre-mRNA in eukaryotes, GT-AG and AT-AC, are characterized by the nearly invariant dinucleotides present at the extreme 5' (donor) and 3' (acceptor) ends of the intron. Amongst GT-AG introns, which comprise the vast majority, the more extended consensus sequence at the 5' splice site isACAG/GTAGAGT (where / indicates the exon-intron boundary). This sequence is complementary to part of the U1 snRNA and is important in intron recognition. We have determined the genomic structure of the mouse fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (Fgfr2) and identified a divergent 5' splice site (ACA/GAAAGT), conserved in FGFR1 , - 2 and - 3 from humans, mice and Xenopus that is used for alternative splicing of a hexanucleotide sequence, encoding Val-Thr, at the end of exon 10. This is the only example known of the use of /GA in vertebrate splicing. Similarities to a splice site in the Antennapedia gene of Drosophila suggest that this variant motif is involved in alternative splicing of short sequences at the 5' splice site. Inclusion or exclusion of the Val-Thr dipeptide may play an important role in controlling FGFR signalling through the Ras/MAPK pathway.

Early posterior neural tissue is induced by FGF in the chick embryo.

Signals that induce neural cell fate in amniote embryos emanate from a unique cell population found at the anterior end of the primitive streak. Cells in this region express a number of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), a group of secreted proteins implicated in the induction and patterning of neural tissue in the amphibian embryo. Here we exploit the large size and accessibility of the early chick embryo to analyse the function of FGF signalling specifically during neural induction. Our results demonstrate that extraembryonic epiblast cells previously shown to be responsive to endogenous neural-inducing signals express early posterior neural genes in response to local, physiological levels of FGF signal. This neural tissue does not express anterior neural markers or undergo neuronal differentiation and forms in the absence of axial mesoderm. Prospective mesodermal tissue is, however, induced and we present evidence for both the direct and indirect action of FGFs on prospective posterior neural tissue. These findings suggest that FGF signalling underlies a specific aspect of neural induction, the initiation of the programme that leads to the generation of the posterior central nervous system.

Temperature-dependence of open-complex formation at two Escherichia coli promoters with extended -10 sequences.

We have studied the formation of open complexes between purified RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli and DNA fragments carrying the galP1 promoter, a promoter with an extended -10 region. Unusually, these complexes are formed readily at low temperatures. This low-temperature opening is unaffected by deletions of either upstream or downstream promoter sequences. We conclude that low-temperature open-complex formation is due to specific base sequences in and just upstream of the extended -10 region. In contrast, open complexes are not formed at low temperatures with DNA fragments carrying the E. coli cysG promoter, which also has an extended -10 region. This demonstrates that an extended -10 sequence alone is not sufficient for low-temperature opening. Additionally, we report the temperature dependence of a hybrid galP1-cysG promoter, the related galP2 and galP3 promoters and a derivative of galP1 with an improved -10 hexamer sequence.

In vivo labeling of angiotensin II receptors with a carbon-11-labeled selective nonpeptide antagonist.

UNLABELLED: Angiotensin II (ANG II) initiates a variety of physiological effects by binding to high affinity receptors. Two ANG II receptor subtypes, AT1 and AT2, have recently been identified. This study was undertaken to evaluate [11C]L-159,884, an AT1 subtype selective nonpeptide antagonist, as a potential PET tracer. METHODS: Carbon-11-L-159,884 was prepared by alkylation of the nor precursor with [11C]methyliodide and was studied for its in vivo binding characteristics, biodistribution and kinetics in mice. The effects of PD-123319, an AT2-selective ANGII antagonist, as well as those of alpha- and beta-adrenergic drugs on [11C]L-159,884 binding were investigated also. RESULTS: Administration of the AT1 antagonists resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of [11C]L-159,884 binding in the kidneys, the organ with the highest density of AT1 receptors. Inhibition was also observed in the lungs and the heart. Adrenergic drugs did not influence [11C]L-159,884 binding to AT1 receptors. Kinetic studies showed rapid tracer uptake in the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. Excretion of the radioactivity occurred primarily through the intestinal tract (> 20% in 90 min), with less than 8% excreted through the urine. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that [11C]L-159,884 binds in vivo to AT1 receptors in mouse kidneys, lungs and heart. This radiotracer appears to be a promising candidate for studying ANG II receptors in vivo by PET.

Development of [11C]L-159,884: a radiolabelled, nonpeptide angiotensin II antagonist that is useful for angiotensin II, AT1 receptor imaging.

[11C]L-159,884 ([11C] N-[[4'[(2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H- imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl) methyl] [1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl] sulfonyl]-4-methoxybenzamide) and [11C]L-162,574 ([11C] N-[[4'[2-ethyl-5,7- dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b] pyridin-3-yl)methyl] [1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]sulfonyl]-3- methoxybenzamide), both potent and selective ligands for the AT1 receptor, were prepared by C-11 methylation of the corresponding desmethyl phenolic precursors. The radiotracers were purified by semi-preparative reverse-phase HPLC. Non-decay corrected radiochemical yields were 5 and 3% for L-159,884 and L-162,574 respectively, and the average specific activity was 2979 mCi/mumol at end-of-synthesis (EOS). The average time of synthesis was 18 min.

Characterization of the binding of [125I]L-735,286: a new nonpeptide angiotensin II AT1 receptor radioligand.

[125I]L-735,286, a new potent and AT1-selective nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor radioligand, bound saturably to whole adrenal membranes. Scatchard and Hill plot analysis indicates a single class of high affinity (Kd = 0.5 nM) binding sites. The potencies of various angiotensin II agonists and antagonists in displacing specific [125I]L-735,286 binding are in good agreement with their potencies in displacing the binding of [125I]Sar1,Ile8-AII to adrenal AT1 receptors. The AT2 selective ligand, PD121981 had no effect on specific [125I]L-735,286 binding. In autoradiographic studies using rat kidney slices, specific labeling of [125I]L-735,286 was abolished by coincubation with saralasin. Collectively, the data indicated that [125I]L-735,286 represents a new, potent nonpeptide antagonist radioligand suitable for the study of angiotensin II AT1 receptors.

Receptor binding radiotracers for the angiotensin II receptor: radioiodinated [Sar1, Ile8]Angiotensin II.

The potential for imaging the angiotensin II receptor was evaluated using the radioiodinated peptide antagonist [125I][Sar1, Ile8)angiotensin II. The radioligand provides a receptor-mediated signal in several tissues in rat (kidneys, adrenal and liver). The receptor-mediated signal of 3% ID/g kidney cortex should be sufficient to permit imaging, at least via SPECT. The radiotracer is sensitive to reductions in receptor concentration and can be used to define in vivo dose-occupancy curves of angiotensin II receptor ligands. Receptor-mediated images of [123I][Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II were obtained in the rat kidney and Rhesus monkey liver.

Radioiodinated L-703,606: a potent, selective antagonist to the human NK1 receptor.

A new, radioiodinated, NK1 selective radiotracer ([125I]L-703,606) was prepared. L-703,606 is an iodinated analog of the NK1 antagonist CP-96,345 in which the methoxy group has been replaced by an iodine substituent. [125I]L-703,606 was made from the corresponding trimethylsilyl compound by treatment with no carrier added Na 125I and an Iodobead in TFA. The tracer was prepared at a specific activity of approx. 1100 Ci/mmol and preliminary binding studies demonstrated that [125I]L-703,606 binds selectively to NK1 receptors with a kd = 0.3 nM. These results suggest that this radioligand will be useful for the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of the human NK1 receptor and, if labeled with I-123, may be useful for non-invasive NK1 receptor imaging via SPECT.

Synthesis and radioiodination of N-Boc-p-(tri-n-butylstannyl)-L-phenylalanine tetrafluorophenyl ester: preparation of a radiolabeled phenylalanine derivative for peptide synthesis.

An investigation to prepare a phenylalanine derivative which could be radioiodinated and used directly in peptide synthesis was conducted. N-Boc-p-(tri-n-butylstannyl)-L-phenylalanine tetrafluorophenyl ester was targeted and synthesized from N-Boc-p-iodo-L-phenylalanine. The requisite aryl stannylation reaction was found to be best conducted using the phenylalanine methyl ester. Thus, N-Boc-p-iodo-L-phenylalanine methyl ester was prepared and stannylated using bis(tributyltin) and tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) in refluxing toluene to prepare N-Boc-p-(tri-n-butylstannyl)-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. Demethylation with aqueous base was accomplished without racemization to yield N-Boc-p-(tri-n-butylstannyl)-L-phenylalanine. Preparation of the targeted stannylphenylalanine tetrafluorophenyl ester was then accomplished using 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenol and 1,3-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide in anhydrous THF. Iodination and radioiodination reactions of the targeted compound were conducted in MeOH/1% HOAc to yield 83-95% of the desired N-Boc-p-[*I]iodo-L-phenylalanine tetrafluorophenyl ester.