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Dwulet GE. Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel amino-phenylmethylene-imidazolone 5-HT 2A receptor antagonists. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:2508-2513. [PMID: 39026648 PMCID: PMC11253854 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00262h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Many drugs target the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor, including psychedelics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. This study investigates the 5-HT2A receptor-binding properties of a series of novel compounds with an amino-phenylmethylene-imidazolone (APMI) core structure. Two compounds (2a and 2c) demonstrated significant 5-HT2A receptor-binding affinity without agonistic activity, instead displaying antagonistic effects. Structurally, these compounds differ from previously reported phenethylamine-based antagonists. This work introduces APMIs as a novel pharmacophore for 5-HT2A receptor interaction and provides a foundation for developing new 5-HT2A receptor-targeting therapeutic agents.
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Kolaczynska KE, Luethi D, Trachsel D, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Receptor Interaction Profiles of 4-Alkoxy-3,5-Dimethoxy-Phenethylamines (Mescaline Derivatives) and Related Amphetamines. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:794254. [PMID: 35222010 PMCID: PMC8865417 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.794254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenethylamine (mescaline) is a psychedelic alkaloid found in peyote cactus. Related 4-alkoxy-3,5-dimethoxy-substituted phenethylamines (scalines) and amphetamines (3C-scalines) are reported to induce similarly potent psychedelic effects and are therefore potential novel therapeutics for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Herein, several pharmacologically uninvestigated scalines and 3C-scalines were examined at key monoamine targets in vitro. Binding affinity at human serotonergic 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C, adrenergic α1A and α2A, and dopaminergic D2 receptors, rat and mouse trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), and human monoamine transporters were assessed using target specific transfected cells. Furthermore, activation of human 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors, and TAAR1 was examined. Generally, scalines and 3C-scalines bound with weak to moderately high affinity to the 5-HT2A receptor (Ki = 150–12,000 nM). 3C-scalines showed a marginal preference for the 5-HT2A vs the 5-HT2C and 5-HT1A receptors whereas no preference was observed for the scalines. Extending the 4-alkoxy substituent increased 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors binding affinities, and enhanced activation potency and efficacy at the 5-HT2A but not at the 5-HT2B receptor. Introduction of fluorinated 4-alkoxy substituents generally increased 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors binding affinities and increased the activation potency and efficacy at the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors. Overall, no potent affinity was observed at non-serotonergic targets. As observed for other psychedelics, scalines and 3C-scalines interacted with the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors and bound with higher affinities (up to 63-fold and 34-fold increase, respectively) when compared to mescaline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina E Kolaczynska
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dino Luethi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Marius C Hoener
- Neuroscience Research, pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Pottie E, Stove CP. In vitro assays for the functional characterization of (psychedelic) substances at the serotonin receptor 5-HT 2A R. J Neurochem 2022; 162:39-59. [PMID: 34978711 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics are substances that induce alterations in mood, perception, and thought, and have the activation of serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptors (5-HT2A Rs) as a main pharmacological mechanism. Besides their appearance on the (illicit) drug market, e.g. as new psychoactive substances, their potential therapeutic application is increasingly explored. This group of substances demonstrates a broad structural variety, leading to insufficiently described structure-activity relationships, hence illustrating the need for better functional characterization. This review therefore elaborates on the in vitro molecular techniques that have been used the most abundantly for the characterization of (psychedelic) 5-HT2A R agonists. More specifically, this review covers assays to monitor the canonical G protein signaling pathway (e.g. measuring G protein recruitment/activation, inositol phosphate accumulation, or Ca2+ mobilization), assays to monitor non-canonical G protein signaling (such as arachidonic acid release), assays to monitor β-arrestin recruitment or signaling, and assays to monitor receptor conformational changes. In particular, focus lies on the mechanism behind the techniques, and the specific advantages and challenges that are associated with these. Additionally, several variables are discussed that one should consider when attempting to compare functional outcomes from different studies, both linked to the specific assay mechanism and linked to its specific execution, as these may heavily impact the assay outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Yempala T, Brea J, Loza MI, Matthies DJ, Zapata-Torres G, Cassels BK. Dibenzofuranylethylamines as 5-HT 2A/2C Receptor Agonists. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:2260-2266. [PMID: 32064387 PMCID: PMC7016908 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The human 5-HT2 receptor subtypes have high sequence identity in their orthosteric ligand-binding domain, and many agonists are poorly selective between the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C subtypes. Nevertheless, their activation is associated with different pharmacological outcomes. We synthesized five phenethylamine analogs in which the benzene ring is replaced by a bulky dibenzo[b,d]furan moiety and found a couple with >70-fold 5-HT2C selectivity. Molecular docking studies of the most potent compound (5) at both receptor subtypes revealed the likely structural basis of its selectivity. Although in both cases, some crucial interactions are conserved, the change of the Ala2225.46 residue in the 5-HT2C receptor to the larger Ser2425.46 in the 5-HT2A subtype, which is the only structural difference between the orthosteric binding pockets of both receptors, weakens a π-π stacking interaction between the dibenzofuran moiety and the important Phe6.52 residue and breaks a hydrogen bond between the dibenzofuran oxygen and Ser5.43, explaining the selectivity of compound 5 for the 5-HT2C receptor. We believe that this effect of the residue at position 5.46 merits further exploration in the search for selective 5-HT2C receptor agonists that are of considerable interest in the treatment of schizophrenia and substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumal Yempala
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University
of Chile, Santiago 7800003, Chile
| | - José Brea
- USEF,
CIMUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - María Isabel Loza
- USEF,
CIMUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Douglas J. Matthies
- Faculty
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | - Gerald Zapata-Torres
- Faculty
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | - Bruce K. Cassels
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University
of Chile, Santiago 7800003, Chile
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Luethi D, Widmer R, Trachsel D, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Monoamine receptor interaction profiles of 4-aryl-substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines (2C-BI derivatives). Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 855:103-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Meanwell NA. Fluorine and Fluorinated Motifs in the Design and Application of Bioisosteres for Drug Design. J Med Chem 2018; 61:5822-5880. [PMID: 29400967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1311] [Impact Index Per Article: 218.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The electronic properties and relatively small size of fluorine endow it with considerable versatility as a bioisostere and it has found application as a substitute for lone pairs of electrons, the hydrogen atom, and the methyl group while also acting as a functional mimetic of the carbonyl, carbinol, and nitrile moieties. In this context, fluorine substitution can influence the potency, conformation, metabolism, membrane permeability, and P-gp recognition of a molecule and temper inhibition of the hERG channel by basic amines. However, as a consequence of the unique properties of fluorine, it features prominently in the design of higher order structural metaphors that are more esoteric in their conception and which reflect a more sophisticated molecular construction that broadens biological mimesis. In this Perspective, applications of fluorine in the construction of bioisosteric elements designed to enhance the in vitro and in vivo properties of a molecule are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Meanwell
- Discovery Chemistry and Molecular Technologies Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development P.O. Box 4000, Princeton , New Jersey 08543-4000 , United States
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Abstract
This chapter will summarize structure-activity relationships (SAR) that are known for the classic serotonergic hallucinogens (aka psychedelics), focusing on the three chemical types: tryptamines, ergolines, and phenethylamines. In the brain, the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor plays a key role in regulation of cortical function and cognition, and also appears to be the principal target for hallucinogenic/psychedelic drugs such as LSD. It is one of the most extensively studied of the 14 known types of serotonin receptors. Important structural features will be identified for activity and, where possible, those that the psychedelics have in common will be discussed. Because activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is the principal mechanism of action for psychedelics, compounds with 5-HT2A agonist activity generally are quickly discarded by the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, most of the research on psychedelics can be related to activation of 5-HT2A receptors. Therefore, much of the discussion will include not only clinical or anecdotal studies, but also will consider data from animal models as well as a certain amount of molecular pharmacology where it is known.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Nichols
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
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Grisafi D, Pozzobon M, Dedja A, Vanzo V, Tomanin R, Porzionato A, Macchi V, Salmaso R, Scarpa M, Cozzi E, Fassina A, Navaglia F, Maran C, Onisto M, Caenazzo L, De Coppi P, De Caro R, Chiandetti L, Zaramella P. Human amniotic fluid stem cells protect rat lungs exposed to moderate hyperoxia. Pediatr Pulmonol 2013; 48:1070-80. [PMID: 23533160 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.22791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains as yet an unmet clinical need and recently stem cells have been proposed as a therapeutic tool in animal models. We investigated the role of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFS) in an adult rat model of hyperoxia lung injury. METHODS Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were, at birth, randomly exposed to moderate hyperoxia or room air for 14 days and a single dose of human amniotic fluid stem (hAFS) or human Fibroblasts (hF), cells was delivered intratracheally (P21). At P42 animals were euthanized and lung tissue examined using histology, immunohistochemistry, PCR, and ELISA. hAFS cells characterization and homing were studied by immunofluorescence. RESULTS In rats treated with hAFS and hF cells 16S human rRNA fragment was detected. Despite a low level of pulmonary hAFS cell retention (1.43 ± 0.2% anti-human-mitochondria-positive cells), the lungs of the treated animals revealed higher secondary crest numbers and lower mean linear intercept and alveolar size, than those exposed to hyperoxia, those left untreated or treated with hF cells. Except for those treated with hAFS cells, moderate hyperoxia induced an increase in protein content of IL-6, IL-1β, as well as IF-γ and TGF-1β in lung tissues. High VEGF expression and arrangement of capillary architecture in hAFS cell group were also detected. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with hAFS cells has a reparative potential through active involvement of cells in alveolarization and angiogenesis. A downstream paracrine action was also taken into account, in order to understand the immunodulatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Grisafi
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Women's and Children's Health Department, University Padova Hospital, Padova, Italy; Gene Therapy Laboratory, Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Jensen AA, Plath N, Pedersen MHF, Isberg V, Krall J, Wellendorph P, Stensbøl TB, Gloriam DE, Krogsgaard-Larsen P, Frølund B. Design, synthesis, and pharmacological characterization of N- and O-substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-isoxazolo[4,5-d]azepin-3-ol analogues: novel 5-HT(2A)/5-HT(2C) receptor agonists with pro-cognitive properties. J Med Chem 2013; 56:1211-27. [PMID: 23301527 DOI: 10.1021/jm301656h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The isoxazol-3-one tautomer of the bicyclic isoxazole, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-isoxazolo[4,5-d]azepin-3-ol (THAZ), has previously been shown to be a weak GABA(A) and glycine receptor antagonist. In the present study, the potential in this scaffold has been explored through the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a series of N- and O-substituted THAZ analogues. The analogues N-Bn-THAZ (3d) and O-Bn-THAZ (4d) were found to be potent agonists of the human 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors. Judging from an elaborate pharmacological profiling at numerous other CNS targets, the 3d analogue appears to be selective for the two receptors. Administration of 3d substantially improved the cognitive performance of mice in a place recognition Y-maze model, an effect fully reversible by coadministration of the selective 5-HT(2C) antagonist SB242084. In conclusion, as novel bioavailable cognitive enhancers that most likely mediate their effects through 5-HT(2A) and/or 5-HT(2C) receptors, the isoxazoles 3d and 4d constitute interesting leads for further medicinal chemistry development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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