Synthesis and Molecular Modelling Studies of New 1,3-Diaryl-5-Oxo-Proline Derivatives as Endothelin Receptor Ligands.

The synthesis of seventeen new 1,3-diaryl-5-oxo-proline derivatives as endothelin receptor (ETR) ligands is described. The structural configuration of the new molecules was determined by analyzing selected signals in proton NMR spectra. In vitro binding assays of the human ETA and ETB receptors allowed us to identify compound 31h as a selective ETAR ligand. The molecular docking of the selected compounds and the ETA antagonist atrasentan in the ETAR homology model provided insight into the structural elements required for the affinity and the selectivity of the ETAR subtype.

High affinity ligands and potent antagonists for the α1D-adrenergic receptor. Novel 3,8-disubstituted [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives.

A new series of high affinity ligands and antagonists for the α1D-adrenergic receptor (AR) has been discovered. New molecules present a [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione or a [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one scaffold and bear a 2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl moiety in the 3-position and various amide substituents in the 8-position. In binding assays at the three human cloned α1A-, α1B-, and α1D-AR subtypes, they showed high affinity values, particularly for the α1D-AR subtype. Compound 22 (RX18), N(1)-methyl-N(5)-[3-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-8-yl]-N(1)-(phenylmethyl)pentanediamide, was the most interesting in the series displaying very high affinity (pKi = 10.25) and potent antagonism (pKb = 9.15) when tested in a functional assay at the α1D-AR.

Novel 4-phenylpiperidine-2,6-dione derivatives. Ligands for α1-adrenoceptor subtypes.

A number of new 4-phenylpiperidine-2,6-diones bearing at the 1-position an ω-[4-(substituted phenyl)piperazin-1-yl]alkyl moiety were designed and synthesized as ligands for the α(1)-adrenergic receptor (α(1)-AR) subtypes. Some synthesized compounds, tested in binding assays for the human cloned α(1A)-, α(1B)-, and α(1D)-AR subtypes, displayed affinities in the nanomolar range. Highest affinity values were found in derivatives having a butyl connecting chain between the 4-phenylpiperidine-2,6-dione and the phenylpiperazinyl moieties. 1-[4-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]butyl]-4-phenylpiperidine-2,6-dione (34) showed the best affinity for the α(1A)-AR (pK(i) = 8.74) and 10-fold selectivity compared to the other two α(1)-AR subtypes. Some representative compounds were also tested in order to evaluate their effects on the signal transduction pathway coupled to α(1)-AR subtypes. They all blocked norepinephrine-induced stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, thus behaving as antagonists. Binding data were used to refine a previously developed pharmacophoric model for α(1D)-ARs. The revised model shows a highly predictive power and could be useful for the future design of high affinity α(1D)-AR ligands.

New pyrimido[5,4-b]indoles and [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines: high affinity ligands for the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes.

A number of new pyrimido[5,4-b]indole and [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their binding and functional properties at alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1)-AR) subtypes. They behaved as potent alpha(1)-AR antagonists. In binding experiments, some of them (RC24 and RC23) showed very high affinity for the alpha(1D)-AR subtype.

New 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-one derivatives: analogues of HEAT as ligands for the alpha1-adrenergic receptor subtypes.

With the aim to develop new ligands able to discriminate among the three subtypes of alpha1-adrenergic receptors (alpha1A-AR, alpha1B-AR, and alpha1D-AR), a series of new 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ones bearing a 3-[[[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]methyl] or a 3-[[4-(2-substitutedphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl] side chain were synthesized. The general structure of the new compounds is reminiscent of HEAT and RN5, two potent alpha1-AR antagonists which show high affinities for all three alpha1-AR subtypes. Some derivatives in which one ring of the tetrahydrocarbazolone system was opened were also prepared. Compounds were tested in radioligand binding assays on human cloned alpha1A-AR, alpha1B-AR, and alpha1D-AR subtypes stably expressed in HEK293 cells. They showed moderate to good affinities, although their selectivity among the receptor subtypes hardly reached one order of magnitude.

3-Arylpiperazinylethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H,7H)-dione derivatives as novel, high-affinity and selective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligands.

The discovery of a new series of selective and high-affinity alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) ligands, characterized by a 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidine-2,4(3H,7H)-dione system, is described in this paper. Some synthesized compounds, including 20, 22, and 30, displayed affinity in the nanomolar range for alpha(1)-ARs and substantial selectivity with respect to 5-HT(1A) and dopaminergic D(1) and D(2) receptors. Functional assays, performed on selected derivatives, showed antagonistic properties.

Novel (E)-alpha-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylene]benzeneacetic acids as endothelin receptor ligands.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a peptide of 21 amino acid residues, is the most potent vasoconstrictor substance known and now it is understood to be one of a family of three mammalian vasoactive peptides that also includes ET-2 and ET-3. The endothelins (ETs) affect multiple organ systems and seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerosis, apoptosis inhibition and angiogenesis. The ETs exert their effects via activation of two distinct G-protein coupled receptor subtypes termed ET(A) and ET(B). To date a number of ET receptor ligands with good affinity and selectivity is known, nevertheless these compounds belong only to few chemical classes. The aim of this work was the identification of a "hit compound" with novel chemical structure, endowed with reasonable ET affinity and selectivity. Accordingly, a new class of (E)-alpha-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylene]benzeneacetic acid derivatives (1-23) was synthesized for evaluation of their binding profiles.

A facile synthesis of new 2-carboxamido-3-carboxythiophene and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-carboxamido-3-carboxythieno[2,3-c]pyridine derivatives as potential endothelin receptors ligands.

Endothelins (ETs) are the most ubiquitous, highly potent and unusually long-lasting peptidic constrictors of human vessels known. Elevated levels of the plasma concentration of ETs were observed in several diseases such as hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, and atherosclerosis. ETs exert their activities via specific seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptors. To date two receptor subtypes, endothelin A (ET(A)) and endothelin B (ET(B)), have been identified and cloned. A literature survey revealed that a number of compounds that bind ET receptors with affinity and selectivity are known, nevertheless these compounds belong only to few chemical classes. The aim of this work is the identification of an "hit compound" with novel chemical structure endowed with reasonable ET affinity and selectivity. Accordingly, new variously substituted 2-carboxamido-3-carboxythiophene derivatives (29-52) were synthesized. These compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit ETs binding in radioligand binding assay using CHO cells stably expressing human ET(A) and ET(B) receptors.

Synthesis and binding properties of novel selective 5-HT3 receptor ligands.

This work reports on the synthesis and affinities for the 5-HT(3) versus the 5-HT(4) receptor of new piperazinyl-substituted thienopyrimidine derivatives 20-45 with a view to identify potent and selective ligands for the 5-HT(3) receptor. Some of the new compounds show good affinity for the 5-HT(3) receptor and, notably, do not display any affinity for the 5-HT(4) receptor. 4-(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-methylthio-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine 31 exhibits the highest affinity for the 5-HT(3) receptor (Ki = 33 nM) and behaves as noncompetitive antagonist.

New pyrimido[5,4-b]indoles as ligands for alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes.

A new series of compounds were designed as structural analogues of the alpha(1)-AR ligand RN5 (4), characterized by a tricyclic 5H-pyrimido[5,4-b]indole-(1H,3H)2,4-dione system connected through an alkyl chain to a phenylpiperazine (PP) moiety. These compounds were synthesized and tested in binding assays on human alpha(1A)-AR, alpha(1B)-AR, and alpha(1D)-AR subtypes expressed in HEK293 cells. Several structural modifications were performed on the PP moiety, the tricyclic system, and the connecting alkyl chain. Many of the new molecules showed a preferential affinity for the alpha(1D)-AR subtype. Some compounds, including 39 and 40, displayed substantial alpha(1D)-AR selectivity with respect to alpha(1A)-AR, alpha(1B)-AR, serotonergic 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(2A), and dopaminergic D(1) and D(2) receptors. Two conformationally rigid analogues of 4, useful for studying the architecture of the receptor/ligand complex, were also prepared and tested. A subset of the new compounds was then used to evolve a preliminary pharmacophore model for alpha(1D)-AR antagonists, based on a more generalized model we had developed for alpha(1)-AR antagonists. This new model rationalized the relationships between structural properties and biological data of the pyrimido[5,4-b]indole compounds, as well as other compounds.