Hydrazinonaphthalene and azonaphthalene thrombopoietin mimics are nonpeptidyl promoters of megakaryocytopoiesis.

High-throughput screening for the induction of a luciferase reporter gene in a thrombopoietin (TPO)-responsive cell line resulted in the identification of 4-diazo-3-hydroxy-1-naphthalenesulfonic acids as TPO mimics. Modification of the core structure and adjustment of unwanted functionality resulted in the development of (5-oxo-1,5-dihydropyrazol-4-ylidene)hydrazines which exhibited efficacies equivalent to those of TPO in several cell-based assays designed to measure thrombopoietic activity. Furthermore, these compounds elicited biochemical responses in TPO-receptor-expressing cells similar to those in TPO itself, including kinase activation and protein phosphorylation. Potencies for the best compounds were high for such low molecular weight compounds (MW < 500) with EC(50) values in the region of 1-20 nM.

Reversible inhibitors of the gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase. 4. Identification of an inhibitor with an intermediate duration of action.

3-Acyl-4-(arylamino)quinolines were previously identified as gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase inhibitors, and clinical efficacy has been demonstrated for compound 3 (SK&F 96067). In the present study the further structure-activity relationship of this series is developed. Only a limited range of substituents are tolerated on the N-aryl ring or the 6- and 7-positions of the quinoline, and although hydroxylated derivatives were identified possessing markedly greater affinity for the enzyme, none of these proved to have adequate potency after oral dosing. In contrast, the 8-position of the quinoline ring proved suitable for a wide variety of substituents, allowing modification of physicochemical properties while retaining primary activity. This led to the identification of compound 4 (SK&F 97574), which combines good oral potency with a somewhat longer duration of action than 3 (though much shorter than covalent inhibitors such as omeprazole). This compound was selected for further development and evaluation in man.

Reversible inhibitors of the gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase. 3. 3-substituted-4-(phenylamino)quinolines.

Previously, gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase inhibitors such as 2 have been prepared as analogues of 1a on the presumption that the 3-carbethoxy substituent plays a key role in establishing the orientation of the 4-arylamino group. In this paper we explore further the contribution made to activity by the quinoline 3-substituent. We show that, for compounds bearing such a substituent, only a particular combination of properties provides high activity, both in vitro and as inhibitors of gastric acid secretion in vivo. The ability of the substituent to affect activity by restricting rotation about the Cquin-N bond through a combination of both a pi-electron withdrawal and hydrogen bonding is supported by the current study. However, high activity is only achieved if the effect of this group on the quinoline pK(a) is kept to a minimum. 3-Acyl substituents provide an optimum combination of electronic properties. From this series, compound 17c (SK&F 96067) was shown to be a potent inhibitor of histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion after oral dosing in the Heidenhain pouch dog and was selected for further development and evaluation in man.

Reversible inhibitors of the gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase. 2. 1-Arylpyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines: effect of the 4-substituent.

Further work on compounds 1 has identified the 4-position as a site where substantial modifications are tolerated, leading to analogues which are more potent and less toxic than those described previously. The best compound in the series is 13a (SK&F 96356), which is a potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion in both the pentagastrin-stimulated rat and the histamine-stimulated dog. This compound shows reversible, K(+)-competitive binding to the enzyme. Because of its fluorescent properties, it is also proving useful in vitro as a probe of the structure and function of the (H+/K+)-ATPase.

Reversible inhibitors of the gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase. 1. 1-Aryl-4-methylpyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines as conformationally restrained analogues of 4-(arylamino)quinolines.

The 4-(arylamino)quinoline 4, previously described as an antiulcer compound, is shown to be an inhibitor of the gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase. It is postulated that 1-arylpyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines 6 act as conformationally restrained analogues of 4. A series of derivatives of 6 has been prepared and shown to be potent inhibitors of the target enzyme in vitro. Substitution in the ortho position of the aryl ring is important for activity. Unsaturation in the 5-membered ring makes little difference, but introduction of heteroatoms into the same ring markedly reduces activity. In more detailed kinetic experiments, 15c and 4 both show reversible, K(+)-competitive binding to the enzyme, with submicromolar Ki values. The compounds appear to act at the lumenal face of the enzyme and to require protonation for activity. Several compounds in the series are shown to be potent inhibitors of pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion in the rat.