2-Arylpyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones: novel agonist, partial agonist, and antagonist of benzodiazepines

Novel pyrazolothienopyridinones as potential GABAA receptor modulators

The synthesis of novel pyrazolothienopyridinone derivatives as potential GABAA receptor modulators was performed and is herein described. A crucial step of the synthesis involving handling unstable aminothiophenes was managed via two different synthetic strategies delivering a set of 8 target compounds.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00706-023-03063-6.

A review on the synthesis of heteroannulated quinolones and their biological activities

The quinoline scaffold has become an important construction motif for the development of new drugs. The quinolones and their heteroannulated derivatives have high importance due to their diverse spectrum of biological activities as antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antioxidant and diuretic activities. This review summarizes the various new, efficient and convenient synthetic approaches to synthesize diverse quinolone-based scaffolds and their biological activities. We also dealt with the important mechanism, the route and type of reactions of the obtained products. The biological activities of some heteroannulated quinolones were also discussed.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pyrroloindolines as Positive Allosteric Modulators of the α1β2γ2 GABAA Receptor

γ-Aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptors are key mediators of central inhibitory neurotransmission and have been implicated in several disorders of the central nervous system. Some positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of this receptor provide great therapeutic benefits to patients. However, adverse effects remain a challenge. Selective targeting of GABA_A receptors could mitigate this problem. Here, we describe the synthesis and functional evaluation of a novel series of pyrroloindolines that display significant modulation of the GABA_A receptor, acting as PAMs. We found that halogen incorporation at the C5 position greatly increased the PAM potency relative to the parent ligand, while substitutions at other positions generally decreased potency. Mutagenesis studies suggest that the binding site lies at the top of the transmembrane domain.

Exploiting the Indole Scaffold to Design Compounds Binding to Different Pharmacological Targets

Several indole derivatives have been disclosed by our research groups that have been collaborating for nearly 25 years. The results of our investigations led to a variety of molecules binding selectively to different pharmacological targets, specifically the type A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA_A) chloride channel, the translocator protein (TSPO), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein, the A_2B adenosine receptor (A_2B AR) and the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Herein, we describe how these works were conceived and carried out thanks to the versatility of indole nucleus to be exploited in the design and synthesis of drug-like molecules.

Allosteric GABAA Receptor Modulators-A Review on the Most Recent Heterocyclic Chemotypes and Their Synthetic Accessibility

GABAA receptor modulators are structurally almost as diverse as their target protein. A plethora of heterocyclic scaffolds has been described as modulating this extremely important receptor family. Some made it into clinical trials and, even on the market, some were dismissed. This review focuses on the synthetic accessibility and potential for library synthesis of GABAA receptor modulators containing at least one heterocyclic scaffold, which were disclosed within the last 10 years.

Variations on a scaffold - Novel GABAA receptor modulators

Allosteric ligands of GABA_A receptors exist in many different chemotypes owing to their great usefulness as therapeutics, with benzodiazepines being among the best known examples. Many allosteric binding sites have been described, among them a site at the extracellular interface between the alpha principal face and the beta complementary face (α+/β-). Pyrazoloquinolinones have been shown to bind at α+/β-binding sites of GABA_A receptors, exerting chiefly positive allosteric modulation at this location. In order to further explore molecular determinants of this type of allosteric modulation, we synthesized a library of ligands based on the PQ pharmacophore employing a ring-chain bioisosteric approach. In this study we analyzed the structure-activity-relationship (SAR) of these novel ligands based on an azo-biaryl structural motif in α1β3 GABA_A receptors, indicating interesting novel properties of the compound class.

Novel Pyrazolo[4, 3-c]Quinolin-3-One Derivatives as PDE5A Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

PDE5A is a phosphodiesterase which specifically hydrolyzes the cGMP to GMP. It takes part in several physiological and pathological pathways and is considered an important drug target. Currently, PDE5 inhibitors (ex; Sildenafil, Tadalafil) available in the market are not only being used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction but at the same time, they are also in clinical trials being investigated as anticancer agents.

MATERIALS & METHODS

In this work, we have examined pyrazolo [4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones as PDE5A inhibitors. Pyrazolo [4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones are the class of tricyclic heterocyclic derivatives having a variety of therapeutically interesting drug candidates known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-anxiety and anti-cancer activity. Therefore, synthetic methods providing access to pyrazolo [4, 3-c] quinolin-3-ones are immensely valuable. Here, we are reporting a simple but efficient route for the synthesis of novel 8-morpholino-2-aryl - 2, 5-dihydro-3H-pyrazolo [4, 3-c] quinolin-3-one derivatives.

RESULTS

Further, molecular docking studies of synthesized compounds with human PDE5A protein showed that all the compounds exhibited good docking score in comparison with known inhibitors. In addition, all the synthesized molecules were evaluated against HCT116 cell lines for their antitumor activity.

CONCLUSION

Among all the synthesized compounds, compound 5a, 5d, and 6e showed better cytotoxicity. Thus, these derivatives can be studied as potential inhibitors of PDE5A.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Deuterated Ligands Functionally Selective for the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor (GABAAR) α6 Subtype with Improved Metabolic Stability and Enhanced Bioavailability

Recent reports indicate that α6β2/3γ2 GABA_AR selective ligands may be important for the treatment of trigeminal activation-related pain and neuropsychiatric disorders with sensori-motor gating deficits. Based on 3 functionally α6β2/3γ2 GABA_AR selective pyrazoloquinolinones, 42 novel analogs were synthesized, and their in vitro metabolic stability and cytotoxicity as well as their in vivo pharmacokinetics, basic behavioral pharmacology, and effects on locomotion were investigated. Incorporation of deuterium into the methoxy substituents of the ligands increased their duration of action via improved metabolic stability and bioavailability, while their selectivity for the GABA_AR α6 subtype was retained. 8b was identified as the lead compound with a substantially improved pharmacokinetic profile. The ligands allosterically modulated diazepam insensitive α6β2/3γ2 GABA_ARs and were functionally silent at diazepam sensitive α1β2/3γ2 GABA_ARs, thus no sedation was detected. In addition, these analogs were not cytotoxic, which render them interesting candidates for treatment of CNS disorders mediated by GABA_AR α6β2/3γ2 subtypes.

Towards functional selectivity for α6β3γ2 GABAA receptors: a series of novel pyrazoloquinolinones

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The GABAA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, which play an important role in neurotransmission. Their variety of binding sites serves as an appealing target for many clinically relevant drugs. Here, we explored the functional selectivity of modulatory effects at specific extracellular α+/β- interfaces, using a systematically varied series of pyrazoloquinolinones.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Recombinant GABAA receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and modulatory effects on GABA-elicited currents by the newly synthesized and reference compounds were investigated by the two-electrode voltage clamp method.

KEY RESULTS

We identified a new compound which, to the best of our knowledge, shows the highest functional selectivity for positive modulation at α6β3γ2 GABAA receptors with nearly no residual activity at the other αxβ3γ2 (x = 1-5) subtypes. This modulation was independent of affinity for α+/γ- interfaces. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time a compound that elicits a negative modulation at specific extracellular α+/β- interfaces.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These results constitute a major step towards a potential selective positive modulation of certain α6-containing GABAA receptors, which might be useful to elicit their physiological role. Furthermore, these studies pave the way towards insights into molecular principles that drive positive versus negative allosteric modulation of specific GABAA receptor isoforms.

Synthesis and preliminary structure-activity relationship study of 2-aryl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones as potential checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitors

The serine-threonine checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) plays a critical role in the cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage. In the last decade, Chk1 inhibitors have emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy to potentiate the anti-tumour efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. In the search for new Chk1 inhibitors, a congeneric series of 2-aryl-2 H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-one (PQ) was evaluated by in-vitro and in-silico approaches for the first time. A total of 30 PQ structures were synthesised in good to excellent yields using conventional or microwave heating, highlighting that 14 of them are new chemical entities. Noteworthy, in this preliminary study two compounds 4e₂ and 4h₂ have shown a modest but significant reduction in the basal activity of the Chk1 kinase. Starting from these preliminary results, we have designed the second generation of analogous in this class and further studies are in progress in our laboratories.

(Z)-4,6-Dichloro-N-(4-chlorophenyl)quinoline-3-carbimidoyl chloride

The title imidoyl chloride, C16H8Cl4N2, has formed accidentally as a side product during the synthesis of a quinolin-3-one derivative. The molecule is not flat [the dihedral angle between the 4,6-dichloroquinoline and the imidoyl chloride planes is 53.43 (5)°], preventing π-conjugation over the complete entity. In the crystal, C—H...N hydrogen bonding between a chlorophenyl C—H group and the quinoline N atom, as well as π–π stacking between neighbouring quinoline rings, consolidate the packing.

Base promoted direct C4-arylation of 4-substituted-pyrazolin-5-ones with diaryliodonium salts

A metal-free approach for the C4-arylation of 4-substituted-pyrazolin-5-ones with diaryliodonium salts was developed.

A novel GABA(A) receptor pharmacology: drugs interacting with the α(+) β(-) interface

GABA(A) receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels composed of five subunits that can belong to different subunit classes. The existence of 19 different subunits gives rise to a multiplicity of GABA(A) receptor subtypes with distinct subunit composition; regional, cellular and subcellular distribution; and pharmacology. Most of these receptors are composed of two α, two β and one γ2 subunits. GABA(A) receptors are the site of action of a variety of pharmacologically and clinically important drugs, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, neuroactive steroids, anaesthetics and convulsants. Whereas GABA acts at the two extracellular β(+) α(-) interfaces of GABA(A) receptors, the allosteric modulatory benzodiazepines interact with the extracellular α(+) γ2(-) interface. In contrast, barbiturates, neuroactive steroids and anaesthetics seem to interact with solvent accessible pockets in the transmembrane domain. Several benzodiazepine site ligands have been identified that selectively interact with GABA(A) receptor subtypes containing α2βγ2, α3βγ2 or α5βγ2 subunits. This indicates that the different α subunit types present in these receptors convey sufficient structural differences to the benzodiazepine binding site to allow specific interaction with certain benzodiazepine site ligands. Recently, a novel drug binding site was identified at the α(+) β(-) interface. This binding site is homologous to the benzodiazepine binding site at the α(+) γ2(-) interface and is thus also strongly influenced by the type of α subunit present in the receptor. Drugs interacting with this binding site cannot directly activate but only allosterically modulate GABA(A) receptors. The possible importance of such drugs addressing a spectrum of receptor subtypes completely different from that of benzodiazepines is discussed.

The GABAA receptor alpha+beta- interface: a novel target for subtype selective drugs

GABA(A) receptors mediate the action of many clinically important drugs interacting with different binding sites. For some potential binding sites, no interacting drugs have yet been identified. Here, we established a steric hindrance procedure for the identification of drugs acting at the extracellular α1+β3- interface, which is homologous to the benzodiazepine binding site at the α1+γ2- interface. On screening of >100 benzodiazepine site ligands, the anxiolytic pyrazoloquinoline 2-p-methoxyphenylpyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-one (CGS 9895) was able to enhance GABA-induced currents at α1β3 receptors from rat. CGS 9895 acts as an antagonist at the benzodiazepine binding site at nanomolar concentrations, but enhances GABA-induced currents via a different site present at α1β3γ2 and α1β3 receptors. By mutating pocket-forming amino acid residues at the α1+ and the β3- side to cysteines, we demonstrated that covalent labeling of these cysteines by the methanethiosulfonate ethylamine reagent MTSEA-biotin was able to inhibit the effect of CGS 9895. The inhibition was not caused by a general inactivation of GABA(A) receptors, because the GABA-enhancing effect of ROD 188 or the steroid α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone was not influenced by MTSEA-biotin. Other experiments indicated that the CGS 9895 effect was dependent on the α and β subunit types forming the interface. CGS 9895 thus represents the first prototype of drugs mediating benzodiazepine-like modulatory effects via the α+β- interface of GABA(A) receptors. Since such binding sites are present at αβ, αβγ, and αβδ receptors, such drugs will have a much broader action than benzodiazepines and might become clinical important for the treatment of epilepsy.

Synthesis, Pharmacology, and Structure−Activity Relationships of Novel Imidazolones and Pyrrolones as Modulators of GABAA Receptors

New series of imidazolones and pyrrolones were synthesized. The compounds were tested regarding their anxiolytic properties due to modulation of the GABAA receptor response. Several derivatives exhibit considerable pharmacological activity while lacking the typical side effects of benzodiazepine receptor agonists. 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-morpholin-1-yl-1,5-dihydro-imidazol-2-one (2) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-piperidin-1-yl-1,5-dihydro-imidazol-2-one (3) were protective in the pentylenetetrazole test in rats with oral ED50 of 27.4 and 12.8 mg/kg and TD50 (rotarod) of >500 and 265 mg/kg, respectively. The minimum effective dose in the Vogel conflict test was 3 mg/kg for both compounds. Common structure-activity relationship and comparative molecular field analysis models of the various series of derivatives could be established which are in accordance with a GABAA mediated pharmacological action. The findings fit well into an established pharmacophore model. This model is refined by an additional steric restriction feature.

Novel anellated pyrazoloquinolin-3-ones: synthesis and in vitro BZR activity

A series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-3-one derivatives 6, 7a-c, 8a,b, 9a,b and 10-12 were synthesized as modified pyrazoloquinolinone analogs (PQs) and evaluated for their ability to inhibit radioligand to central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (BZRs) and their effect on GABA(A) alpha1beta2gamma2L receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Multistep synthesis starting from 5-nitroindole, via the Gould-Jacobs reaction to the quinoline nucleus, yielded key intermediates 9-chloro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-8-carboxylates. The reaction of the latter with methyl-hydrazine and various phenyl-hydrazines furnished the final compounds. In order to confirm the expected tetracyclic 2-substituted-2H-pyrazolopyrroloquinolin-3-one structure, IR spectrophotometric, mono-1H and 13C and bi-dimensional spectrometric and HRMS analyses were carried out: all compounds were found to be 2-substituted 3-keto tautomers; compound 6 only differed because it turned out to be 1-methyl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-3-olo. The results of this work are consistent with those previously reported for PQs: 7-9 show high potency in displacing specific [3H]flunitrazepam from its receptor site; no compound was active in inhibiting the binding of [3H]PK 11195. They all act as antagonists at central BZR.

Synthesis and benzodiazepine receptor affinity of derivatives of the new tricyclic heteroaromatic system pyrido[3',2':5,6]thiopyrano[4,3-c]pyridazin-3(2H,5H)-one

Derivatives 7-13 of a new tricyclic heteroaromatic system, pyrido[3',2':5,6]thiopyrano[4,3-c]pyridazin-3(2H,5H)-one, were prepared as potential ligands at the benzodiazepine receptor, in view of their structural analogy with potent ligands such as the pyrazoloquinolines of the CGS series II, and especially with the benzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyridazinones VI. They were obtained starting from the versatile ketones 2,3-dihydrothiopyrano[2,3-b]pyridin-4(4H)-one 1 and the corresponding 7-methyl derivative 2, via condensation with glyoxylic acid, and reaction of the intermediate acid mixtures with hydrazine or substituted phenylhydrazines. When evaluated for their binding affinity at the benzo diazepine receptor in bovine cortical membranes, the target compounds 8-13 displayed an affinity in the micromolar/submicromolar order. A hypothesis is presented to rationalize these results.

High Affinity Central Benzodiazepine Receptor Ligands: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Series of Phenyltriazolobenzotriazindione Derivatives

A series of 2-phenyl[1,2,3]triazolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]benzotriazin-1,5(6H)-diones (PTBTs), VII, were prepared and tested at the central benzodiazepine receptor (BzR). The skeleton of these compounds was designed by formally combining the N-C=O moieties of the known BzR ligands, triazoloquinoxalines (IV) and triazinobenzimidazoles (ATBIs) (VI). Most of the PTBTs displayed submicromolar/nanomolar potency at the BzR. The 9-chloro derivatives (45-49) were generally found to be more potent than their 9-unsubstituted counterparts (37-44). Compound 45 turned out to be the most potent of the PTBTs (K(i) 2.8 nM). A subset of compounds (37, 42, 45, 49), when tested for their affinity on recombinant rat alpha1beta2gamma2, alpha2beta2gamma2, and alpha5beta3gamma2 GABA(A)/Bz receptor subtypes, showed enhanced affinities for the alpha1beta2gamma2 isoform, with compounds 45 and 49 exhibiting the highest selectivity. Moreover, compounds 45 and 49 were found to display a full agonist efficacy profile at alpha1 and alpha2 receptor subtypes, and an antagonist efficacy at alpha5-containing receptors.

Synthesis and pharmacological assessment of derivatives of isoxazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine

A series of new 5-alkyl and 5-arylisoxazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidinones (5a-g, 6-8) were prepared from 4-amino-3-oxo-isoxazolidine-5-carboxylic acid amide. Some of the aryl derivatives of isoxazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine were tested pharmacologically in comparison with Diazepam. Compounds 5b-d and 7 demonstrated interesting anxiolytic activity.

High affinity central benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Part 3: insights into the pharmacophore and pattern recognition study of intrinsic activities of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones

Novel 2-phenyl-2,5-dihydropyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-(3H)-ones (PQs) endowed with high affinity for central benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) were synthesized. In particular, 9-fluoro-2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-one (2(2)) showed binding affinity in the subnanomolar concentration range and proved to be in vitro a potent antagonist. This finding allowed the nature of the hydrogen bonding receptor site H(2) to be established, as located between the N-1 nitrogen of the PQ nucleus and the ortho position of the N-2-aryl group. [35S]tert-Butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding assays and electrophysiological measurements of the effects on GABA-evoked Cl(-) currents at recombinant human alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2)(L) GABA(A) receptors, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, were used to assess the intrinsic activities of a large series of PQs. With the aim of extracting discriminant information and distinguishing BzR ligands with different profiles of efficacy, 51 PQ derivatives, including full and partial agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists, were analyzed in a multidimensional chemical descriptor space, defined by the lipophilicity parameter CLOG P and 3-D molecular WHIM descriptors, by means of principal component analysis, k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) method, and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The classification methods were applied to subsets of pairs of efficacy classes, and lipophilicity and 3-D size descriptors were detected as the discriminant variables by a stepwise linear discriminant analysis. LDA proved to be superior to k-NN, especially in classifying PQ ligands (60-84% of success in prediction ability) into categories of efficacies which were contiguous and quite overlapped in the hyperspace of variables.

[3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reactions of 4-Alkyl-3-hydroxy-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]iso- quinolinium Inner Salts

Heating dipolarophiles with 4-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinolinium hydroxide inner salts results in [3 + 2] cycloaddition across positions 3a and 5 of the aromatic system to give the [3 + 2] cycloadducts in good yield. When the 4-alkyl substituent is a 2-acetate ester and the methylene group can be deprotonated, a second mode of [3 + 2] cycloaddition becomes available for the resulting anion (across the side chain methine group and position 5 of the aromatic system) and occurs under basic conditions, allowing either of two modes of [3 + 2] cycloaddition to be selected by appropriate choice of reaction conditions.

6,7-Dihydro-2-benzothiophen-4(5H)-ones: a novel class of GABA-A alpha5 receptor inverse agonists

Nonselective inverse agonists at the benzodiazepine binding site on the GABA-A chloride ion channel enhance cognitive performance in animals but cannot be used in the treatment of cognitive disorders because of anxiogenic and convulsant side effects. We have identified a novel series of GABA-A alpha5 receptor ligands during our search for alpha5 receptor inverse agonists as potential cognition enhancers. In particular, 6,6-dimethyl-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)thio-1-(thiazol-2-yl)-6,7-dihydro-2-benzothiophen-4(5H)-one (26) has been identified as a functionally selective GABA-A alpha5 inverse agonist.

Novel N-(arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides targeted as ligands of the benzodiazepine receptor: synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling analysis of the structure-activity relationships

A series of N-(arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides (4-8) was synthesized as ligands of the benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) and tested for their ability to displace [(3)H]flumazenil from bovine brain membranes. The new compounds, bearing a branched (4) or a geometrically constrained benzyl/phenylethyl amide side chain (5-8), represent the continuation of our research on N-benzylindol-3-ylglyoxylylamides 1 (Da Settimo et al., 1996), N'-phenylindol-3-ylglyoxylohydrazides 2 (Da Settimo et al., 1998), and N-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)alanine derivatives 3 (Primofiore et al., 1989). A few indoles belonging to the previously investigated benzylamides 1 and phenylhydrazides 2 were synthesized and tested to enrich the SARs in these two series. The affinities and the GABA ratios of selected compounds for clonal mammalian alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2), alpha(3)beta(2)gamma(2), and alpha(5)beta(3)gamma(2) BzR subtypes were also determined. It was hypothesized that the reduced flexibility of indoles 4-8 would both facilitate the mapping of the BzR binding cleft and increase the chances of conferring selectivity for the considered receptor subtypes. In the series of indoles 4, the introduction of a methyl group on the benzylic carbon with the R configuration improved affinity of the 5-substituted (5-Cl and 5-NO(2)) derivatives, whereas it was detrimental for their 5-unsubtituted (5-H) counterparts. All S enantiomers were less potent than the R ones. Replacement of the methyl with hydrophilic substituents on the benzylic carbon lowered affinity. The isoindolinylamide side chain was tolerated if the 5-position was unsubstituted (K(i) of 5a = 123 nM), otherwise affinity was abolished (5b, c). All the 2-indanylamides 6 and (S)-1-indanylamides 8 were devoid of any appreciable affinity. The 5-Cl and 5-NO(2) (R)-1-indanylamides 7b (K(i) 80 nM) and 7c (K(i) 28 nM) were the most potent among the indoles 5-8 geometrically constrained about the side chain. The 5-H (R)-1-indanylamide 7a displayed a lower affinity (K(i) 675 nM). The SARs developed from the new compounds, together with those collected from our previous studies, confirmed the hypothesis of different binding modes for 5-substituted and 5-unsubstituted indoles, suggesting that the shape of the lipophilic pocket L(1) (notation in accordance with Cook's BzR topological model) is asymmetric and highlighted the stereoelectronic and conformational properties of the amide side chain required for high potency. Several of the new indoles showed selectivity for the alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2) subtype compared with the alpha(3)beta(2)gamma(2) and alpha(5)beta(3)gamma(2) subtypes (e.g.: 4t and 7c bind to these three BzR isoforms with K(i) values of 14 nM, 283 nM, 239 nM, and 9 nM, 1960 nM, 95 nM, respectively). The GABA ratios close to unity exhibited by all the tested compounds on each BzR subtype were predictive of an efficacy profile typical of antagonists.