1
|
Roth HG, Das M, Sulima A, Luo D, Kaska S, Prisinzano TE, Kerr AT, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. Functional Activity of Enantiomeric Oximes and Diastereomeric Amines and Cyano Substituents at C9 in 3-Hydroxy- N-phenethyl-5-phenylmorphans. Molecules 2024; 29:1926. [PMID: 38731416 PMCID: PMC11085448 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of stereochemically pure oximes, amines, saturated and unsaturated cyanomethyl compounds, and methylaminomethyl compounds at the C9 position in 3-hydroxy-N-phenethyl-5-phenylmorphans provided μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists with varied efficacy and potency. One of the most interesting compounds, (2-((1S,5R,9R)-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenethyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-yl)acetonitrile), was found to be a potent partial MOR agonist (EC50 = 2.5 nM, %Emax = 89.6%), as determined in the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay. Others ranged in potency and efficacy at the MOR, from nanomolar potency with a C9 cyanomethyl compound (EC50 = 0.85 nM) to its totally inactive diastereomer, and three compounds exhibited weak MOR antagonist activity (the primary amine 3, the secondary amine 8, and the cyanomethyl compound 41). Many of the compounds were fully efficacious; their efficacy and potency were affected by both the stereochemistry of the molecule and the specific C9 substituent. Most of the MOR agonists were selective in their receptor interactions, and only a few had δ-opioid receptor (DOR) or κ-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist activity. Only one compound, a C9-methylaminomethyl-substituted phenylmorphan, was moderately potent and fully efficacious as a KOR agonist (KOR EC50 = 18 nM (% Emax = 103%)).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hudson G. Roth
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA; (H.G.R.); (M.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Madhurima Das
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA; (H.G.R.); (M.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA; (H.G.R.); (M.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (S.K.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Sophia Kaska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (S.K.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Thomas E. Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (S.K.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Andrew T. Kerr
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-0001, USA;
| | - Arthur E. Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA; (H.G.R.); (M.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA; (H.G.R.); (M.D.); (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Das M, Ward GW, Sulima A, Luo D, Prisinzano TE, Imler GH, Kerr AT, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. Potent MOR Agonists from 2'-Hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl- N-phenethyl Substituted-6,7-benzomorphans and from C8-Hydroxy, Methylene and Methyl Derivatives of N-Phenethylnormetazocine. Molecules 2023; 28:7709. [PMID: 38067439 PMCID: PMC10708259 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
(-)-5,9-Dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan (normetazocine) derivatives with a para-OH or ortho-F substituent in the aromatic ring of the N-phenethyl moiety were synthesized and found to have subnanomolar potency at MOR, and both were fully efficacious in vitro. These new compounds, (1R,5R,9R)-6,11-dimethyl-3-(2-fluorophenethyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methanobenzo[d]azocin-8-ol and (1R,5R,9R)-6,11-dimethyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methanobenzo[d]azocin-8-ol, were more potent than the unsubstituted compound N-phenethylnormetazocine and about 30 or 40 times more potent than morphine, respectively. A variety of substituents in the ortho, meta, or para position in the aromatic ring of the N-phenethyl moiety were synthesized, 25 of these compounds, and found to have varying effects on potency and efficacy as determined by the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay. The N-phenethyl moiety was also modified by increasing chain length to form a N-phenylpropyl side chain with and without a para-nitro moiety, and by an N-cinnamyl side chain. Also, an indole ethylamine normetazocine was synthesized to replace the N-phenethylamine side chain in normetazocine. The phenylpropylamine, propenylamine (cinnamyl) and the para-nitropropylamine had little or no MOR potency. The indole-ethylamine on the normetazocine nucleus, however, had moderate potency (MOR EC50 = 12 nM), and was fully efficacious (%Emax = 102%) in the cAMP assay. Retention of the N-phenethyl moiety and the addition of alkyl and alkenyl moieties on C8 in (-)-N-phenethylnormetazocine gave a C8-methylene derivative that had subnanomolar potency at MOR and a C8-methyl analog that had nanomolar potency. Five C8-substituted compounds were synthesized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Das
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - George W. Ward
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Thomas Edward Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Gregory H. Imler
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (G.H.I.); (A.T.K.)
| | - Andrew T. Kerr
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (G.H.I.); (A.T.K.)
| | - Arthur E. Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bodnar RJ. Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2022. Peptides 2023; 169:171095. [PMID: 37704079 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper is the forty-fifth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2022 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chambers DR, Sulima A, Luo D, Prisinzano TE, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. A MOR Antagonist with High Potency and Antagonist Efficacy among Diastereomeric C9-Alkyl-Substituted N-Phenethyl-5-(3-hydroxy)phenylmorphans. Molecules 2023; 28:5411. [PMID: 37513283 PMCID: PMC10386414 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5-(3-hydroxy)phenylmorphan structural class of compounds are unlike the classical morphinans, 4,5-epoxymorphinans, and 6,7-benzomorphans, in that they have an equatorially oriented aromatic ring rather than the axial orientation of that ring found in the classical opioids. This modified and simplified opioid-like structure has been shown to retain antinociceptive activity, depending on its stereochemistry and substituents, and some of them have been found to be much more potent than morphine. A simple C9-hydroxy-5-(3-hydroxy)phenylmorphan enantiomer was found to be about 500 times more potent than morphine in vivo. We have previously examined C9-alkenyl and hydroxyalkyl substituents in the N-phenethyl-5-(3-hydroxy)phenylmorphan class of compounds. Comparable C9-alkyl (methyl through butyl) substituents, with their sets of diastereomers, have not been explored. All these compounds have now been synthesized to determine the effect chain-length and stereochemistry at the C9 position in the molecule might have on their interaction with opioid receptors. We now report the synthesis and in vitro activity of 16 compounds, the C9-methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl diastereomers, using the inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay. Several potent (sub-nanomolar and nanomolar) MOR compounds were found to be selective agonists with varying efficacy. Of greatest interest, a selective MOR antagonist was discovered; it did not display any DOR or KOR agonist activity in vitro, was three times more potent than naltrexone, and was found to antagonize the EC90 of fentanyl at MOR to a greater extent than naltrexone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana R Chambers
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Arthur E Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lutz JA, Sulima A, Gutman ES, Bow EW, Luo D, Kaska S, Prisinzano TE, Paronis CA, Bergman J, Imler GH, Kerr AT, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. Discovery of a Potent Highly Biased MOR Partial Agonist among Diastereomeric C9-Hydroxyalkyl-5-phenylmorphans. Molecules 2023; 28:4795. [PMID: 37375350 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
All possible diastereomeric C9-hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, and hydroxypropyl-substituted 5-phenylmorphans were synthesized to explore the three-dimensional space around the C9 substituent in our search for potent MOR partial agonists. These compounds were designed to lessen the lipophilicity observed with their C9-alkenyl substituted relatives. Many of the 12 diastereomers that were obtained were found to have nanomolar or subnanomolar potency in the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay. Almost all these potent compounds were fully efficacious, and three of those chosen for in vivo evaluation, 15, 21, and 36, were all extremely G-protein biased; none of the three compounds recruited beta-arrestin2. Only one of the 12 diastereomers, 21 (3-((1S,5R,9R)-9-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-phenethyl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-5-yl)phenol), was a MOR partial agonist with good, but not full, efficacy (Emax = 85%) and subnanomolar potency (EC50 = 0.91 nM) in the cAMP assay. It did not have any KOR agonist activity. This compound was unlike morphine in that it had a limited ventilatory effect in vivo. The activity of 21 could be related to one or more of three well-known theories that attempt to predict a dissociation of the desired analgesia from the undesirable opioid-like side-effects associated with clinically used opioids. In accordance with the theories, 21 was a potent MOR partial agonist, it was highly G-protein biased and did not attract beta-arrestin2, and it was found to have both MOR and DOR agonist activity. All the other diastereomers that were synthesized were either much less potent than 21 or had either too little or too much efficacy for our purposes. It was also noted that a C9-methoxymethyl compound with 1R,5S,9R stereochemistry (41) was more potent than the comparable C9-hydroxymethyl compound 11 (EC50 = 0.65 nM for 41 vs. 2.05 nM for 11). Both 41 and 11 were fully efficacious.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Lutz
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Eugene S Gutman
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Eric W Bow
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Sophia Kaska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Carol A Paronis
- McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Jack Bergman
- McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Gregory H Imler
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-0001, USA
| | - Andrew T Kerr
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-0001, USA
| | - Arthur E Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3373, USA
| |
Collapse
|