1
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Bedini A, Boutin JA, Legros C, Zlotos DP, Spadoni G. Industrial and academic approaches to the search for alternative melatonin receptor ligands: An historical survey. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12953. [PMID: 38682544 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The search for melatonin receptor agonists formed the main part of melatonin medicinal chemistry programs for the last three decades. In this short review, we summarize the two main aspects of these programs: the development of all the necessary tools to characterize the newly synthesized ligands at the two melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2, and the medicinal chemist's approaches to find chemically diverse ligands at these receptors. Both strategies are described. It turns out that the main source of tools were industrial laboratories, while the medicinal chemistry was mainly carried out in academia. Such complete accounts are interesting, as they delineate the spirits in which the teams were working demonstrating their strength and innovative character. Most of the programs were focused on nonselective agonists and few of them reached the market. In contrast, discovery of MT1-selective agonists and melatonergic antagonists with proven in vivo activity and MT1 or MT2-selectivity is still in its infancy, despite the considerable interest that subtype selective compounds may bring in the domain, as the physiological respective roles of the two subtypes of melatonin receptors, is still poorly understood. Poly-pharmacology applications and multitarget ligands have also been considered.
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MESH Headings
- Ligands
- Humans
- Animals
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Melatonin/metabolism
- Receptors, Melatonin/agonists
- Melatonin/metabolism
- History, 20th Century
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalida Bedini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Jean A Boutin
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Endocrine and Germinal Differentiation and Communication (NorDiC), Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm, NorDiC, Rouen, France
| | | | - Darius P Zlotos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo City, Egypt
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
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2
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Feng Y, Jiang X, Liu W, Lu H. The location, physiology, pathology of hippocampus Melatonin MT 2 receptor and MT 2-selective modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115888. [PMID: 37866336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin, a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland and regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, is synthesized and directly released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the third ventricle (3rdv), where it undergoes rapid absorption by surrounding tissues to exert its physiological function. The hippocampus, a vital structure in the limbic system adjacent to the ventricles, plays a pivotal role in emotional response and memory formation. Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that primarily mediate melatonin's receptor-dependent effects. In comparison to the MT1 receptor, the widely expressed MT2 receptor is crucial for mediating melatonin's biological functions within the hippocampus. Specifically, MT2 receptor is implicated in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory processes, as well as neurogenesis and axogenesis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of MT2 receptors in the pathophysiology and pharmacology of Alzheimer's disease, depression, and epilepsy. This review focuses on the anatomical localization of MT2 receptor in the hippocampus, their physiological function in this region, and their signal transduction and pharmacological roles in neurological disorders. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive review of MT2 receptor ligands used in psychopharmacology and other MT2-selective ligands over recent years. Ultimately, we provide an outlook on future research for selective MT2 receptor drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqin Feng
- Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Xiaowen Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Wenwu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hongyuan Lu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, PR China.
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3
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2-Arylmelatonin analogues: Probing the 2-phenyl binding pocket of melatonin MT 1 and MT 2 receptors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114762. [PMID: 36150258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In crystal structures of melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors, a lipophilic subpocket has been characterized which accommodates the phenyl ring of the potent agonist 2-phenylmelatonin. This subpocket appears a key structural element to achieve high binding affinity and selectivity for the MT2 receptor. A series of 2-arylindole ligands was synthesized to probe the requirements for the optimal occupation and interaction with the 2-phenyl binding pocket. Thermodynamic integration simulations applied to MT1 and MT2 receptors in complex with the α-naphthyl derivative provided a rationale for the MT2-selectivity and investigation on the binding mode of a couple of atropisomers allowed to define the available space and arrangement of substituents inside the subpocket. Interestingly, more hydrophilic 2-aza-substituted compounds displayed high binding affinity and molecular dynamics simulations highlighted polar interaction with residues from the subpocket that could be responsible for their potency.
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4
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Ferlenghi F, Mari M, Gobbi G, Elisi GM, Mor M, Rivara S, Vacondio F, Bartolucci S, Bedini A, Fanini F, Spadoni G. N-(Anilinoethyl)amide Melatonergic Ligands with Improved Water Solubility and Metabolic Stability. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3071-3082. [PMID: 34213063 PMCID: PMC8518537 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The MT2 -selective melatonin receptor ligand UCM765 (N-(2-((3-methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)amino)ethyl)acetamide), showed interesting sleep inducing, analgesic and anxiolytic properties in rodents, but suffers from low water solubility and modest metabolic stability. To overcome these limitations, different strategies were investigated, including modification of metabolically liable sites, introduction of hydrophilic substituents and design of more basic derivatives. Thermodynamic solubility, microsomal stability and lipophilicity of new compounds were experimentally evaluated, together with their MT1 and MT2 binding affinities. Introduction of a m-hydroxymethyl substituent on the phenyl ring of UCM765 and replacement of the replacement of the N,N-diphenyl-amino scaffold with a N-methyl-N-phenyl-amino one led to highly soluble compounds with good microsomal stability and receptor binding affinity. Docking studies into the receptor crystal structure provided a rationale for their binding affinity. Pharmacokinetic characterization in rats highlighted higher plasma concentrations for the N-methyl-N-phenyl-amino derivative, consistent with its improved microsomal stability and makes this compound worthy of consideration for further pharmacological investigation.
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MESH Headings
- Acetamides/chemistry
- Acetamides/metabolism
- Acetamides/pharmacokinetics
- Aniline Compounds/chemistry
- Aniline Compounds/metabolism
- Aniline Compounds/pharmacokinetics
- Animals
- Humans
- Ligands
- Male
- Microsomes, Liver/chemistry
- Microsomes, Liver/metabolism
- Molecular Structure
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/metabolism
- Solubility
- Thermodynamics
- Water/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ferlenghi
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Michele Mari
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Department of PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontrealQCH3A1A1Canada
- McGill University Health CenterMontrealQCH31A1Canada
| | - Gian Marco Elisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
- Microbiome Research HubUniversity of Parma43124ParmaItaly
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del FarmacoUniversità degli Studi di ParmaParco Area delle Scienze 27/A43124ParmaItaly
| | - Silvia Bartolucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Annalida Bedini
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Fabiola Fanini
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
| | - Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di Urbino Carlo BoPiazza Rinascimento 661029UrbinoItaly
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5
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Boutin JA, Witt-Enderby PA, Sotriffer C, Zlotos DP. Melatonin receptor ligands: A pharmaco-chemical perspective. J Pineal Res 2020; 69:e12672. [PMID: 32531076 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptor ligands have been vigorously explored for the last 4 decades. Inspection of approximately 80 publications in the field revealed that most melatonergic ligands were structural analogues of melatonin combining three essential features of the parent compound: an aromatic ring bearing a methoxy group and an amide side chain in a relative arrangement similar to that present in melatonin. While several series of MT2 -selective agents-agonists, antagonists, or partial agonists-were reported, the field was lacking MT1 -selective agents. Herein, we describe various approaches toward the development of melatonergic ligands, keeping in mind that most of the molecules/pharmacophores obtained were essentially melatonin copies, even though diverse tri- or tetra-cyclic compounds were explored. In addition to lack of structural diversity, only few studies examined the activity of the reported melatonergic ligands in vivo. Moreover, an extensive pharmacological characterization including biopharmaceutical stability, pharmacokinetic properties, specificity toward other major receptors to name a few remained scarce. For example, many of the antagonists described were not stable in vivo, were not selective for the melatonin receptor subtype of interest, and were not fully characterized from a pharmacological standpoint. Indeed, virtual screening of large compound libraries has led to the recent discovery of potent and selective melatonin receptor agonists and partial agonists of new chemotypes. Having said this, the melatonergic field is still lacking subtype-selective melatonin receptor antagonists "active" in vivo, which are critical to our understanding of melatonin and melatonin receptors' role in basic physiology and disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Ligands
- Melatonin/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/chemistry
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/agonists
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean A Boutin
- Institut de Recherches Internationales SERVIER, Suresnes, France
| | - Paula A Witt-Enderby
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical, Administrative and Social Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburg, PA, USA
| | - Christoph Sotriffer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Darius P Zlotos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo City, Egypt
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6
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Jockers R, Delagrange P, Dubocovich ML, Markus RP, Renault N, Tosini G, Cecon E, Zlotos DP. Update on melatonin receptors: IUPHAR Review 20. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:2702-25. [PMID: 27314810 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin receptors are seven transmembrane-spanning proteins belonging to the GPCR superfamily. In mammals, two melatonin receptor subtypes exist - MT1 and MT2 - encoded by the MTNR1A and MTNR1B genes respectively. The current review provides an update on melatonin receptors by the corresponding subcommittee of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. We will highlight recent developments of melatonin receptor ligands, including radioligands, and give an update on the latest phenotyping results of melatonin receptor knockout mice. The current status and perspectives of the structure of melatonin receptor will be summarized. The physiological importance of melatonin receptor dimers and biologically important and type 2 diabetes-associated genetic variants of melatonin receptors will be discussed. The role of melatonin receptors in physiology and disease will be further exemplified by their functions in the immune system and the CNS. Finally, antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties of melatonin and its relation to melatonin receptors will be critically addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Jockers
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.,University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | - Margarita L Dubocovich
- Department Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University at Buffalo (SUNY), Buffalo, USA
| | - Regina P Markus
- Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gianluca Tosini
- Neuroscience Institute and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Erika Cecon
- Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.,University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Darius P Zlotos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo City, Cairo, Egypt
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7
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Vujjini SK, Datla VKR, Badarla KR, Vetukuri VPR, Bandichhor R, Kagga M, Cherukupally P. Total synthesis of agomelatine via Friedel–Crafts acylation followed by Willgerodt–Kindler reaction. Tetrahedron Lett 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2014.03.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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8
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Zlotos DP, Jockers R, Cecon E, Rivara S, Witt-Enderby PA. MT1 and MT2 Melatonin Receptors: Ligands, Models, Oligomers, and Therapeutic Potential. J Med Chem 2013; 57:3161-85. [DOI: 10.1021/jm401343c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darius. P. Zlotos
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The German University in Cairo, New Cairo City, 11835 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ralf Jockers
- Inserm, U1016,
Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR
8104, Paris, France
- Univ. Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France
| | - Erika Cecon
- Department
of Physiology, Institute of Bioscience, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area
delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Paula A. Witt-Enderby
- Division
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, 421 Mellon Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
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9
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Pala D, Beuming T, Sherman W, Lodola A, Rivara S, Mor M. Structure-based virtual screening of MT2 melatonin receptor: influence of template choice and structural refinement. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 53:821-35. [PMID: 23541165 DOI: 10.1021/ci4000147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Developing GPCR homology models for structure-based virtual screening requires the choice of a suitable template and refinement of binding site residues. We explored this systematically for the MT2 melatonin receptor, with the aim to build a receptor homology model that is optimized for the enrichment of active melatoninergic ligands. A set of 12 MT2 melatonin receptor models was built using different GPCR X-ray structural templates and submitted to a virtual screening campaign on a set of compounds composed of 29 known melatonin receptor ligands and 2560 drug-like decoys. To evaluate the effect of including a priori information in receptor models, 12 representative melatonin receptor ligands were placed into the MT2 receptor models in poses consistent with known mutagenesis data and with assessed pharmacophore models. The receptor structures were then adapted to the ligands by induced-fit docking. Most of the 144 ligand-adapted MT2 receptor models showed significant improvements in screening enrichments compared to the unrefined homology models, with some template/refinement combinations giving excellent enrichment factors. The discriminating ability of the models was further tested on the 29 active ligands plus a set of 21 inactive or low-affinity compounds from the same chemical classes. Rotameric states of side chains for some residues, presumed to be involved in the binding process, were correlated with screening effectiveness, suggesting the existence of specific receptor conformations able to recognize active compounds. The top MT2 receptor model was able to identify 24 of 29 active ligands among the first 2% of the screened database. This work provides insights into the use of refined GPCR homology models for virtual screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Pala
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
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10
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Morellato L, Lefas-Le Gall M, Langlois M, Caignard DH, Renard P, Delagrange P, Mathé-Allainmat M. Synthesis of new N-(arylcyclopropyl)acetamides and N-(arylvinyl)acetamides as conformationally-restricted ligands for melatonin receptors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:430-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Revised: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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11
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Novel conformationally constrained analogues of agomelatine as new melatoninergic ligands. Molecules 2012; 18:154-66. [PMID: 23262445 PMCID: PMC6269769 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18010154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Revised: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel conformationally restricted analogues of agomelatine were synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated at MT1 and MT2 melatoninergic receptors. Replacement of the N-acetyl side chain of agomelatine by oxathiadiazole-2-oxide (compound 3), oxadiazole-5(4H)-one (compound 4), tetrazole (compound 5), oxazolidinone (compound 7a), pyrrolidinone (compound 7b), imidazolidinedione (compound 12), thiazole (compounds 13 and 14) and isoxazole moieties (compound 15) led to a decrease of the melatoninergic binding affinities, particularly at MT1. Compounds 7a and 7b exhibiting nanomolar affinity towards the MT2 receptors subtypes have shown the most interesting pharmacological results of this series with the appearance of a weak MT2-selectivity.
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12
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New quinoxaline derivatives as potential MT₁ and MT₂ receptor ligands. Molecules 2012; 17:7737-57. [PMID: 22732886 PMCID: PMC6269071 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17077737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever since the idea arose that melatonin might promote sleep and resynchronize circadian rhythms, many research groups have centered their efforts on obtaining new melatonin receptor ligands whose pharmacophores include an aliphatic chain of variable length united to an N-alkylamide and a methoxy group (or a bioisostere), linked to a central ring. Substitution of the indole ring found in melatonin with a naphthalene or quinoline ring leads to compounds of similar affinity. The next step in this structural approximation is to introduce a quinoxaline ring (a bioisostere of the quinoline and naphthalene rings) as the central nucleus of future melatoninergic ligands.
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13
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Spadoni G, Bedini A, Rivara S, Mor M. Melatonin receptor agonists: new options for insomnia and depression treatment. CNS Neurosci Ther 2012; 17:733-41. [PMID: 21554566 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2010.00197.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian nature of melatonin (MLT) secretion, coupled with the localization of MLT receptors to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, has led to numerous studies of the role of MLT in modulation of the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms in humans. Although much more needs to be understood about the various functions exerted by MLT and its mechanisms of action, three therapeutic agents (ramelteon, prolonged-release MLT, and agomelatine) are already in use, and MLT receptor agonists are now appearing as new promising treatment options for sleep and circadian-rhythm related disorders. In this review, emphasis has been placed on medicinal chemistry strategies leading to MLT receptor agonists, and on the evidence supporting therapeutic efficacy of compounds undergoing clinical evaluation. A wide range of clinical trials demonstrated that ramelteon, prolonged-release MLT and tasimelteon have sleep-promoting effects, providing an important treatment option for insomnia and transient insomnia, even if the improvements of sleep maintenance appear moderate. Well-documented effects of agomelatine suggest that this MLT agonist offers an attractive alternative for the treatment of depression, combining efficacy with a favorable side effect profile. Despite a large number of high affinity nonselective MLT receptor agonists, only limited data on MT₁ or MT₂ subtype-selective compounds are available up to now. Administration of the MT₂-selective agonist IIK7 to rats has proved to decrease NREM sleep onset latency, suggesting that MT₂ receptor subtype is involved in the acute sleep-promoting action of MLT; rigorous clinical studies are needed to demonstrate this hypothesis. Further clinical candidates based on selective activation of MT₁ or MT₂ receptors are expected in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Spadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy.
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14
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Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new series of naphthalenic analogues as melatoninergic (MT1/MT2) and serotoninergic 5-HT2C dual ligands (I). Eur J Med Chem 2012; 49:310-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2011] [Revised: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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15
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Markl C, Clafshenkel WP, Attia MI, Sethi S, Witt-Enderby PA, Zlotos DP. N-Acetyl-5-arylalkoxytryptamine Analogs: Probing the Melatonin Receptors for MT1-Selectivity. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2011; 344:666-74. [DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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16
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Mésangeau C, Fraise M, Delagrange P, Caignard DH, Boutin JA, Berthelot P, Yous S. Preparation and pharmacological evaluation of a novel series of 2-(phenylthio)benzo[b]thiophenes as selective MT2 receptor ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2011; 46:1835-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2011.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2010] [Revised: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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17
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Jeanty M, Suzenet F, Delagrange P, Nosjean O, Boutin JA, Caignard DH, Guillaumet G. Design and synthesis of 1-(2-alkanamidoethyl)-6-methoxy-7-azaindole derivatives as potent melatonin agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2011; 21:2316-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.02.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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18
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Lipka E, Danel C, Yous S, Bonte JP, Vaccher C. Dual CD system in capillary electrophoresis for direct separation of the four stereoisomers of agonist and antagonist melatoninergic ligands. Electrophoresis 2010; 31:1529-32. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.200900661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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19
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Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-a]indole and 2-[(phenylmethylamino)methyl]-1H-indole analogues as novel melatoninergic ligands. Bioorg Med Chem 2009; 17:4583-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2009.04.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Revised: 04/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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20
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Durieux S, Chanu A, Bochu C, Audinot V, Coumailleau S, Boutin JA, Delagrange P, Caignard DH, Bennejean C, Renard P, Lesieur D, Berthelot P, Yous S. Design and synthesis of 3-phenyltetrahydronaphthalenic derivatives as new selective MT2 melatoninergic ligands. Part II. Bioorg Med Chem 2009; 17:2963-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2009.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2009] [Revised: 03/05/2009] [Accepted: 03/11/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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