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Mind the Gap—Deciphering GPCR Pharmacology Using 3D Pharmacophores and Artificial Intelligence. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15111304. [DOI: 10.3390/ph15111304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are amongst the most pharmaceutically relevant and well-studied protein targets, yet unanswered questions in the field leave significant gaps in our understanding of their nuanced structure and function. Three-dimensional pharmacophore models are powerful computational tools in in silico drug discovery, presenting myriad opportunities for the integration of GPCR structural biology and cheminformatics. This review highlights success stories in the application of 3D pharmacophore modeling to de novo drug design, the discovery of biased and allosteric ligands, scaffold hopping, QSAR analysis, hit-to-lead optimization, GPCR de-orphanization, mechanistic understanding of GPCR pharmacology and the elucidation of ligand–receptor interactions. Furthermore, advances in the incorporation of dynamics and machine learning are highlighted. The review will analyze challenges in the field of GPCR drug discovery, detailing how 3D pharmacophore modeling can be used to address them. Finally, we will present opportunities afforded by 3D pharmacophore modeling in the advancement of our understanding and targeting of GPCRs.
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2
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Spetea M, Schmidhammer H. Recent Chemical and Pharmacological Developments on 14-Oxygenated- N-methylmorphinan-6-ones. Molecules 2021; 26:5677. [PMID: 34577147 PMCID: PMC8464912 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adequate pain management, particularly chronic pain, remains a major challenge associated with modern-day medicine. Current pharmacotherapy offers unsatisfactory long-term solutions due to serious side effects related to the chronic administration of analgesic drugs. Morphine and structurally related derivatives (e.g., oxycodone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine) are highly effective opioid analgesics, mediating their effects via the activation of opioid receptors, with the mu-opioid receptor subtype as the primary molecular target. However, they also cause addiction and overdose deaths, which has led to a global opioid crisis in the last decades. Therefore, research efforts are needed to overcome the limitations of present pain therapies with the aim to improve treatment efficacy and to reduce complications. This review presents recent chemical and pharmacological advances on 14-oxygenated-N-methylmorphinan-6-ones, in the search of safer pain therapeutics. We focus on drug design strategies and structure-activity relationships on specific modifications in positions 5, 6, 14 and 17 on the morphinan skeleton, with the goal of aiding the discovery of opioid analgesics with more favorable pharmacological properties, potent analgesia and fewer undesirable effects. Targeted molecular modifications on the morphinan scaffold can afford novel opioids as bi- or multifunctional ligands targeting multiple opioid receptors, as attractive alternatives to mu-opioid receptor selective analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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3
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Kumar V, Polgar WE, Cami-Kobeci G, Thomas MP, Khroyan TV, Toll L, Husbands SM. Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and SAR Studies of 14β-phenylacetyl Substituted 17-cyclopropylmethyl-7, 8-dihydronoroxymorphinones Derivatives: Ligands With Mixed NOP and Opioid Receptor Profile. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:430. [PMID: 30283364 PMCID: PMC6156383 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of 14β-acyl substituted 17-cyclopropylmethyl-7,8-dihydronoroxymorphinone compounds has been synthesized and evaluated for affinity and efficacy for mu (MOP), kappa (KOP), and delta (DOP) opioid receptors and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors. The majority of the new ligands displayed high binding affinities for the three opioid receptors, and moderate affinity for NOP receptors. The affinities for NOP receptors are of particular interest as most classical opioid ligands do not bind to NOP receptors. The predominant activity in the [35S]GTPγS assay was partial agonism at each receptor. The results are consistent with our prediction that an appropriate 14β side chain would access a binding site within the NOP receptor and result in substantially higher affinity than displayed by the parent compound naltrexone. Molecular modeling studies, utilizing the recently reported structure of the NOP receptor, are also consistent with this interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | | | - Gerta Cami-Kobeci
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Mark P. Thomas
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Stephen M. Husbands
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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4
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Dumitrascuta M, Ben Haddou T, Guerrieri E, Noha SM, Schläfer L, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Synthesis, Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking Studies on 6-Desoxo-N-methylmorphinans as Potent μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9407-9412. [PMID: 29053268 PMCID: PMC5706069 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Position 6 of the morphinan skeleton plays a key role in the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity in vitro and in vivo. We describe the consequence of the 6-carbonyl group deletion in N-methylmorphinan-6-ones 1-4 on ligand-MOR interaction, signaling, and antinociception. While 6-desoxo compounds 1a, 2a, and 4a show similar profiles to their 6-keto counterparts, the 6-desoxo-14-benzyloxy substituted 3a displays significantly increased MOR binding and agonist potency and a distinct binding mode compared with its analogue 3.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics/pharmacology
- Animals
- CHO Cells
- Cell Membrane/physiology
- Cricetulus
- Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-/pharmacology
- Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/physiology
- Ligands
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Morphinans/chemical synthesis
- Morphinans/pharmacology
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elena Guerrieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefan M. Noha
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lea Schläfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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5
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Noha SM, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and Structure-Activity Relationship Explorations of 14-Oxygenated N-Methylmorphinan-6-ones as Potent μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1327-1337. [PMID: 28125215 PMCID: PMC5481819 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
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Among opioids, morphinans
are of major importance as the most effective
analgesic drugs acting primarily via μ-opioid receptor (μ-OR)
activation. Our long-standing efforts in the field of opioid analgesics
from the class of morphinans led to N-methylmorphinan-6-ones
differently substituted at positions 5 and 14 as μ-OR agonists
inducing potent analgesia and fewer undesirable effects. Herein we
present the first thorough molecular modeling study and structure–activity
relationship (SAR) explorations aided by docking and molecular dynamics
(MD) simulations of 14-oxygenated N-methylmorphinan-6-ones
to gain insights into their mode of binding to the μ-OR and
interaction mechanisms. The structure of activated μ-OR provides
an essential model for how ligand/μ-OR binding is encoded within
small chemical differences in otherwise structurally similar morphinans.
We reveal important molecular interactions that these μ-agonists
share and distinguish them. The molecular docking outcomes indicate
the crucial role of the relative orientation of the ligand in the
μ-OR binding site, influencing the propensity of critical non-covalent
interactions that are required to facilitate ligand/μ-OR interactions
and receptor activation. The MD simulations point out minor differences
in the tendency to form hydrogen bonds by the 4,5α-epoxy group,
along with the tendency to affect the 3–7 lock switch. The
emerged SARs reveal the subtle interplay between the substituents
at positions 5 and 14 in the morphinan scaffold by enabling the identification
of key structural elements that determine the distinct pharmacological
profiles. This study provides a significant structural basis for understanding
ligand binding and μ-OR activation by the 14-oxygenated N-methylmorphinan-6-ones, which should be useful for guiding
drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M. Noha
- Computer-Aided
Molecular Design (CAMD) Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck
(CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Opioid
Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute
of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Opioid
Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute
of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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6
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Kaserer T, Lantero A, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M, Schuster D. μ Opioid receptor: novel antagonists and structural modeling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21548. [PMID: 26888328 PMCID: PMC4757823 DOI: 10.1038/srep21548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The μ opioid receptor (MOR) is a prominent member of the G protein-coupled receptor family and the molecular target of morphine and other opioid drugs. Despite the long tradition of MOR-targeting drugs, still little is known about the ligand-receptor interactions and structure-function relationships underlying the distinct biological effects upon receptor activation or inhibition. With the resolved crystal structure of the β-funaltrexamine-MOR complex, we aimed at the discovery of novel agonists and antagonists using virtual screening tools, i.e. docking, pharmacophore- and shape-based modeling. We suggest important molecular interactions, which active molecules share and distinguish agonists and antagonists. These results allowed for the generation of theoretically validated in silico workflows that were employed for prospective virtual screening. Out of 18 virtual hits evaluated in in vitro pharmacological assays, three displayed antagonist activity and the most active compound significantly inhibited morphine-induced antinociception. The new identified chemotypes hold promise for further development into neurochemical tools for studying the MOR or as potential therapeutic lead candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kaserer
- Computer-Aided Molecular Design Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Aquilino Lantero
- Opioid Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Opioid Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Opioid Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Computer-Aided Molecular Design Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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7
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Ben Haddou T, Malfacini D, Calo G, Aceto MD, Harris LS, Traynor JR, Coop A, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Exploring pharmacological activities and signaling of morphinans substituted in position 6 as potent agonists interacting with the μ opioid receptor. Mol Pain 2014; 10:48. [PMID: 25059282 PMCID: PMC4121618 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-10-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid analgesics are the most effective drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, they also produce several adverse effects that can complicate pain management. The μ opioid (MOP) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor, is recognized as the opioid receptor type which primarily mediates the pharmacological actions of clinically used opioid agonists. The morphinan class of analgesics including morphine and oxycodone are of main importance as therapeutically valuable drugs. Though the natural alkaloid morphine contains a C-6-hydroxyl group and the semisynthetic derivative oxycodone has a 6-carbonyl function, chemical approaches have uncovered that functionalizing position 6 gives rise to a range of diverse activities. Hence, position 6 of N-methylmorphinans is one of the most manipulated sites, and is established to play a key role in ligand binding at the MOP receptor, efficacy, signaling, and analgesic potency. We have earlier reported on a chemically innovative modification in oxycodone resulting in novel morphinans with 6-acrylonitrile incorporated substructures. RESULTS This study describes in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities and signaling of new morphinans substituted in position 6 with acrylonitrile and amido functions as potent agonists and antinociceptive agents interacting with MOP receptors. We show that the presence of a 6-cyano group in N-methylmorphinans has a strong influence on the binding to the opioid receptors and post-receptor signaling. One 6-cyano-N-methylmorphinan of the series was identified as the highest affinity and most selective MOP agonist, and very potent in stimulating G protein coupling and intracellular calcium release through the MOP receptor. In vivo, this MOP agonist showed to be greatly effective against thermal and chemical nociception in mice with marked increased antinociceptive potency than the lead molecule oxycodone. CONCLUSION Development of such novel chemotypes by targeting position 6 provides valuable insights on ligand-receptor interaction and molecular mode of action, and may aid in identification of opioid therapeutics with enhanced analgesic properties and fewer undesirable effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanila Ben Haddou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara I-44121, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara I-44121, Italy
| | - Mario D Aceto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Louis S Harris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 MSRB III, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5632, USA
| | - Andrew Coop
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria
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8
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Ben Haddou T, Béni S, Hosztafi S, Malfacini D, Calo G, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Pharmacological investigations of N-substituent variation in morphine and oxymorphone: opioid receptor binding, signaling and antinociceptive activity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99231. [PMID: 24919067 PMCID: PMC4053365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine and structurally related derivatives are highly effective analgesics, and the mainstay in the medical management of moderate to severe pain. Pharmacological actions of opioid analgesics are primarily mediated through agonism at the µ opioid peptide (MOP) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor. Position 17 in morphine has been one of the most manipulated sites on the scaffold and intensive research has focused on replacements of the 17-methyl group with other substituents. Structural variations at the N-17 of the morphinan skeleton led to a diversity of molecules appraised as valuable and potential therapeutics and important research probes. Discovery of therapeutically useful morphine-like drugs has also targeted the C-6 hydroxyl group, with oxymorphone as one of the clinically relevant opioid analgesics, where a carbonyl instead of a hydroxyl group is present at position 6. Herein, we describe the effect of N-substituent variation in morphine and oxymorphone on in vitro and in vivo biological properties and the emerging structure-activity relationships. We show that the presence of a N-phenethyl group in position 17 is highly favorable in terms of improved affinity and selectivity at the MOP receptor, potent agonism and antinociceptive efficacy. The N-phenethyl derivatives of morphine and oxymorphone were very potent in stimulating G protein coupling and intracellular calcium release through the MOP receptor. In vivo, they were highly effective against acute thermal nociception in mice with marked increased antinociceptive potency compared to the lead molecules. It was also demonstrated that a carbonyl group at position 6 is preferable to a hydroxyl function in these N-phenethyl derivatives, enhancing MOP receptor affinity and agonist potency in vitro and in vivo. These results expand the understanding of the impact of different moieties at the morphinan nitrogen on ligand-receptor interaction, molecular mode of action and signaling, and may be instrumental to the development of new opioid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanila Ben Haddou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Szabolcs Béni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hosztafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail:
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9
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Endoma-Arias MAA, Cox DP, Hudlicky T. General Method of Synthesis for Naloxone, Naltrexone, Nalbuphone, and Nalbuphine by the Reaction of Grignard Reagents with an Oxazolidine Derived from Oxymorphone. Adv Synth Catal 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201300284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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10
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An efficient synthesis of 3-OBn-6β,14-epoxy-bridged opiates from naltrexone and identification of a related dual MOR inverse agonist/KOR agonist. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:6801-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.06.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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11
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Development of 5-Substituted N-Methylmorphinan-6-ones as Potent Opioid Analgesics with Improved Side-Effect Profile. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2012; 2012:208039. [PMID: 25954525 PMCID: PMC4412049 DOI: 10.1155/2012/208039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important functions of the opioid system is the control of pain. Among the three main opioid receptor classes (μ, δ, κ), the μ (MOR) is the main type targeted for pharmacotherapy of pain. Opioid analgesics such as morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl are agonists at the MOR and are the mainstay for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain. However, adverse effects related to opioid use are severe and often lead to early discontinuation and inadequate analgesia. The development of more effective and safer medications for the management of pain still remains a major direction in pharmaceutical research. Chemical approaches towards the identification of novel MOR analgesics with reduced side effects include structural modifications of 14-alkoxy-N-methylmorphinan-6-ones in key positions that are important for binding, selectivity, potency, and efficacy at opioid receptors. This paper describes a representative strategy to improve the therapeutic usefulness of opioid analgesics from the morphinan class of drugs by targeting position 5. The focus is on chemical and biological studies and structure-activity relationships of this series of ligands. We report on 14-alkoxymorphinan-6-ones having a methyl and benzyl group at position 5 as strong opioid antinociceptive agents with reduced propensity to cause undesired effects compared to morphine although interacting selectively with MORs.
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12
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Stavitskaya L, Coop A. Most recent developments and modifications of 14-alkylamino and 14-alkoxy-4,5-epoxymorphinan derivatives. Mini Rev Med Chem 2012; 11:1002-8. [PMID: 21861811 DOI: 10.2174/138955711797247752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2011] [Revised: 04/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The 14-position of natural opiates (e.g. morphine) are unsubstituted, however synthetic approaches have uncovered that functionalizing position 14 gives rise to a wide range of diverse activities. This review focuses on SAR of the position, with the aim of aiding in the search for opioid analgesics with improved clinical profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Stavitskaya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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13
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Guerrieri E, Follia V, Garczarczyk D, Rief SB, Fink M, Asim MF, Spetea M, Schmidhammer H. Biological, pharmacological and immunological activities of novel 6-amino-acid-substituted 14-alkoxy-N-methylmorphinans. BMC Pharmacol 2011. [PMCID: PMC3194285 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2210-11-s2-a5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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14
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Follia V, Aceto MD, Harris LS, Coop A, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Introduction of a 6-cyano group in 14-oxygenated N-methylmorphinans influences in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities. BMC Pharmacol 2011. [PMCID: PMC3194259 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2210-11-s2-a26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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15
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Asim MF, Bohotin CR, Constantin CE, Schmidhammer H, Kress M, Spetea M. Efficacy of systemic HS-198, an analogue of oxymorphone, on cancer pain-related behaviour in mice. BMC Pharmacol 2011. [PMCID: PMC3194274 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2210-11-s2-a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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16
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Spetea M, Windisch P, Guo Y, Bileviciute-Ljungar I, Schütz J, Asim MF, Berzetei-Gurske IP, Riba P, Kiraly K, Fürst S, Al-Khrasani M, Schmidhammer H. Synthesis and pharmacological activities of 6-glycine substituted 14-phenylpropoxymorphinans, a novel class of opioids with high opioid receptor affinities and antinociceptive potencies. J Med Chem 2011; 54:980-8. [PMID: 21235243 PMCID: PMC3041239 DOI: 10.1021/jm101211p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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The synthesis and the effect of a combination of 6-glycine and 14-phenylpropoxy substitutions in N-methyl- and N-cycloproplymethylmorphinans on biological activities are described. Binding studies revealed that all new 14-phenylpropoxymorphinans (11−18) displayed high affinity to opioid receptors. Replacement of the 14-methoxy group with a phenylpropoxy group led to an enhancement in affinity to all three opioid receptor types, with most pronounced increases in δ and κ activities, hence resulting in a loss of μ receptor selectivity. All compounds (11−18) showed potent and long-lasting antinociceptive effects in the tail-flick test in rats after subcutaneous administration. For the N-methyl derivatives 13 and 14, analgesic potencies were in the range of their 14-methoxy analogues 9 and 10, respectively. Even derivatives 15−18 with an N-cyclopropylmethyl substituent acted as potent antinociceptive agents, being several fold more potent than morphine. Subcutaneous administration of compounds 13 and 14 produced significant and prolonged antinociceptive effects mediated through peripheral opioid mechanisms in carrageenan-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52a, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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