Novel (4-piperazin-1-ylquinolin-6-yl) arylsulfonamides with high affinity and selectivity for the 5-HT(6) receptor.

The discovery of (4-piperazin-1-ylquinolin-6-yl) arylsulfonamides and their binding affinities for a selection of 5-HT and dopamine subreceptors is described. Many compounds show high affinity (pK(i)>8) for the 5-HT(6) receptor and >100-fold selectivity against a range of other receptors. Structure-activity relationships of these compounds are discussed.

Phenyl benzenesulfonamides are novel and selective 5-HT6 antagonists: identification of N-(2,5-dibromo-3-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-ylbenzenesulfonamide (SB-357134).

Substituted N-phenyl-4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-ylbenzenesulfonamides and conformationally restricted analogues have been identified as high affinity and selective 5-HT6 antagonists. Compounds from this series had a range of pharmacokinetic profiles in rat and in general there was a correlation between clearance and CNS penetration. Based on its overall biological profile 2 (SB-357134) was selected for further pre-clinical evaluation.

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of prodrugs of 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethoxy]adenine.

A number of esters and amides of the anti-HIV nucleotide analogue 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)-ethoxy]adenine (1) have been synthesized as potential prodrugs and evaluated for oral bioavailability in mice. Dialkyl esters 17-20 were prepared via a Mitsunobu coupling of alcohols 8-11 with 9-hydroxypurine 12 whereas (acyloxy)alkyl esters 25-33 and bis-[(alkoxycarbonyl)methyl] and bis(amidomethyl) esters 34-39 were obtained by reaction of 1 with a suitable alkylating agent. Phosphonodichloridate chemistry was employed for the preparation of dialkyl and diaryl esters 42-65, and bis(phosphonoamidates) 66 and 67. Following oral administration to mice, most of the dialkyl esters 17-20 were well-absorbed and then converted to the corresponding monoesters, but minimal further metabolism to 1 occurred. Bis[(pivaloyloxy)methyl] ester 25 displayed an oral bioavailability of 30% that was 15-fold higher than the bioavailability observed after dosing of 1. Methyl substitution at the alpha carbon of the bis[(pivaloyloxy)methyl] ester 25 (33) increased the oral bioavailability of 1 to 74%. Some of the diaryl esters also showed improved absorption properties in comparison with that of 1. In particular, the crystalline hydrochloride salt of diphenyl ester 55 was well-absorbed and efficiently converted to the parent compound with an oral bioavailability of 50%. On the basis of these results as well as the physicochemical properties of the prodrugs and their stability in mouse duodenal contents, the hydrochloride salt of diphenyl ester 55 was identified as the preferred prodrug of 1.

Analogue inhibitor of 2-5A action: effect on the interferon-mediated inhibition of encephalomyocarditis virus replication.

Chemically synthesised CH3Sp(A2'p)2A2'pp3'OCH3 has been used to assess the importance of the ppp(A2'p)nA (n greater than or equal to 2: 2-5A) system in the antiviral action of interferon against encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC). It inhibits activation of the 2-5A-dependent RNase by 2-5A in intact mouse L929 cells and cell-free systems. In interferon-treated, EMC-infected L929 cells it inhibits 2-5A-mediated rRNA cleavage and partially restores EMC RNA synthesis and virus yield. Activation of the 2-5A-dependent RNase must, therefore, play some part in interferon action against the growth of EMC virus in such cells.