Tetrahydrobenzothiophenone derivatives as a novel class of adenosine receptor antagonists

A novel class of non-nitrogen-containing heterocycles, the tetrahydrobenzothiophenones, was found to bind to adenosine receptors as antagonists in the micromolar range. Affinity was determined in radioligand-binding assays at rat brain A1 and A2a receptors. A structure-activity analysis indicated that a 3-thioether group is favored and affinity at A2a, but not at A1, receptors is highly dependent on this thioether substituent. A carboxylic acid-derived substituent is required at the 1-position of the thiophene ring, with esters being more potent in binding at A1 receptors than the corresponding carboxyl hydrazide or carboxylic acid derivatives. The methyl (15) and ethyl (16) esters are about equipotent at A1 but not at A2a receptors. A 4-keto group on the saturated ring is favored for receptor affinity. Dimethyl substitution at the 6-position of the saturated ring is allowed. One of the most potent derivatives was the nonselective compound ethyl 3-(benzylthio)-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[c] thiophene-1-carboxylate (BTH4, 7; Figure 1), which antagonized adenosine agonist-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in rat adipocyte membranes with a KB value of 1.62 +/- 0.73 microM and adenosine agonist-induced stimulation of adenylyl cyclase in pheochromocytoma cell membranes with a KB value of 9.19 +/- 0.98 microM. Displacement of radioligand binding by BTH4 (7) at cloned human A3 receptors was negligible but one slightly A3 selective compound (11, 3.9-fold over A1 and >7.5-fold over A2a) was found. A 1-methylpropyl thioether (17) was 29-fold selective for A1 and A2a receptors. BTH4 (7) alone, at 10 mg/kg, stimulated locomotor activity in mice but paradoxically acted, under certain circumstances, synergistically with an A1 selective agonist to depress locomotor activity. A pharmacophore model relating structural features of xanthine and non-xanthine adenosine antagonists to BTH4 (7) suggests a high degree of similarity in electrostatic surfaces, assuming that the thiophene ring superimposes the region of the uracil ring of xanthines.

Comparative molecular field analysis of selective A3 adenosine receptor agonists

A series of 48 N6-benzyladenosine 5'-uronamide derivatives has been described recently as moderately selective A3 adenosine receptor agonists of nanomolar potency (Gallo-Rodriguez, C. et al. J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 636). Quantitative structure activity relationships in this series, including some novel derivatives, have been investigated using a Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA), with emphasis on the N6-substituent. The resulting three dimensional pharmacophore model defines the steric and electronic factors which modulate in vitro affinities in binding to rat brain A3 adenosine receptors. The model indicates a positive correlation of affinity with the steric characteristics of the compounds (major factor), particularly toward the 3-position of the benzyl ring of N6-benzyl NECA, and a weak correlation with the electrostatic effects of the N6-substituent. A comparison of active and inactive compounds using volume maps showed that bulk at the 3-position of the benzyl ring of the molecule is conducive to high affinity at A3 receptors, while steric bulk at other positions of the benzyl ring leads to poor binding. t-Boc-amino acid conjugates of a 3-aminobenzyl derivative were synthesized to probe the steric and hydrophobic limitations at that position. We have discovered a subregion of the N6-benzyl binding pocket occupied by a 3-(L-prolylamino) group that is sterically disallowed at A3 receptors and allowed in A1 and A2a receptors. 6-N-Phenylhydrazino and 6-O-phenylhydroxylamino derivatives, incorporating major changes in electrostatic character of the ligand proximal to the purine, were predicted by the CoMFA model to have high A3 affinity. Such analogs were synthesized and found to be well tolerated at the A3 receptor binding site.

Structure-activity relationships of 9-alkyladenine and ribose-modified adenosine derivatives at rat A3 adenosine receptors

9-Alkyladenine derivatives and ribose-modified N6-benzyladenosine derivatives were synthesized in an effort to identify selective ligands for the rat A3 adenosine receptor and leads for the development of antagonists. The derivatives contained structural features previously determined to be important for A3 selectivity in adenosine derivatives, such as an N6-(3-iodobenzyl) moiety, and were further substituted at the 2-position with halo, amino, or thio groups. Affinity was determined in radioligand binding assays at rat brain A3 receptors stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, using [125I]AB-MECA (N6-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-(N-methyluronamide)), and at rat brain A1 and A2a receptors using [3H]-N6-PIA ((R)-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine) and [3H]CGS 21680 (2-[[[4-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenyl]ethyl]amino]-5'- (N-ethylcarbamoyl)adenosine), respectively. A series of N6-(3-iodobenzyl) 2-amino derivatives indicated that a small 2-alkylamino group, e.g., methylamino, was favored at A3 receptors. N6-(3-Iodobenzyl)-9-methyl-2-(methylthio)adenine was 61-fold more potent than the corresponding 2-methoxy ether at A3 receptors and of comparable affinity at A1 and A2a receptors, resulting in a 3-6-fold selectivity for A3 receptors. A pair of chiral N6-(3-iodobenzyl) 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) derivatives showed stereoselectivity, with the R-enantiomer favored at A3 receptors by 5.7-fold. 2-Chloro-9-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenine had a Ki value at A3 receptors of 0.28 microM. 2-Chloro-9-[2-amino-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-5-(methylcarbamoyl)- arabinofuranosyl]-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenine was moderately selective for A1 and A3 vs A2a receptors. A 3'-deoxy analogue of a highly A3-selective adenosine derivative retained selectivity in binding and was a full agonist in the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase mediated via cloned rat A3 receptors expressed in CHO cells. The 3'-OH and 4'-CH2OH groups of adenosine are not required for activation at A3 receptors. A number of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosines and 9-acyclic-substituted adenines appear to inhibit adenylyl cyclase at the allosteric "P" site.

Search for new purine- and ribose-modified adenosine analogues as selective agonists and antagonists at adenosine receptors

The binding affinities at rat A1, A2a, and A3 adenosine receptors of a wide range of derivatives of adenosine have been determined. Sites of modification include the purine moiety (1-, 3-, and 7-deaza; halo, alkyne, and amino substitutions at the 2- and 8-positions; and N6-CH2-ring, -hydrazino, and -hydroxylamino) and the ribose moiety (2'-, 3'-, and 5'-deoxy; 2'- and 3'- O-methyl; 2'-deoxy 2'-fluoro; 6'-thio; 5'-uronamide; carbocyclic; 4'- or 3'-methyl; and inversion of configuration). (-)- and (+)-5'-Noraristeromycin were 48- and 21-fold selective, respectively, for A2a vs A1 receptors. 2-Chloro-6'-thioadenosine displayed a Ki value of 20 nM at A2a receptors (15-fold selective vs A1). 2-Chloroadenin-9-yl(beta-L-2'-deoxy-6'- thiolyxofuranoside) displayed a Ki value of 8 microM at A1 receptors and appeared to be an antagonist, on the basis of the absence of a GTP-induced shift in binding vs a radiolabeled antagonist (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropyl-xanthine). 2-Chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine and 2-chloroadenin-9-yl(beta-D-6'-thioarabinoside) were putative partial agonists at A1 receptors, with Ki values of 7.4 and 5.4 microM, respectively. The A2a selective agonist 2-(1-hexynyl)-5'-(N-ethylcarbamoyl)adenosine displayed a Ki value of 26 nM at A3 receptors. The 4'-methyl substitution of adenosine was poorly tolerated, yet when combined with other favorable modifications, potency was restored. Thus, N6-benzyl-4'-methyladenosine-5'-(N-methyluronamide) displayed a Ki value of 604 nM at A3 receptors and was 103- and 88-fold selective vs A1 and A2a receptors, respectively. This compound was a full agonist in the A3-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in transfected CHO cells. The carbocyclic analogue of N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-(N-methyluronamide) was 2-fold selective for A3 vs A1 receptors and was nearly inactive at A2a receptors.

3-deaza- and 7-deaza-5'-noraristeromycin and their antiviral properties

An enantiospecific synthesis of 3-deaza-5'-noraristeromycin as its dihydrochloride ((-)-6) has been accomplished in six steps beginning with the reaction of (+)-(1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl acetate with 4-chloro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine. The preparation of 7-deaza-5'-noraristeromycin ((-)-7) was described previously. Compounds (-)-6 and (-)-7 were evaluated for antiviral activity against a large number of viruses. Compound (-)-6 produced an antiviral activity pattern similar to 5'-noraristeromycin but was less potent. Compound (-)-6 inhibited CEM cell proliferation at a 50% inhibitory concentration of 27 micrograms/mL but proved not inhibitory to HEL cell proliferation and not toxic to E6SM, HeLa, Vero, and MDCK cells at concentrations up to 200 micrograms/mL. While (-)-6 showed inhibition of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase, it was less inhibitory than 5'-noraristeromycin. Compound (-)-7 displayed no antiviral properties or inhibitory effects toward AdoHcy hydrolase.

2-Substitution of N6-benzyladenosine-5'-uronamides enhances selectivity for A3 adenosine receptors

Adenosine derivatives bearing an N6-(3-iodobenzyl) group, reported to enhance the affinity of adenosine-5'-uronamide analogues as agonists at A3 adenosine receptors (J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 636-646), were synthesized starting from methyl beta-D-ribofuranoside in 10 steps. Binding affinities at A1 and A2a receptors in rat brain membranes and at cloned rat A3 receptors from stably transfected CHO cells were compared. N6-(3-Iodobenzyl)adenosine was 2-fold selective for A3 vs A1 or A2a receptors; thus it is the first monosubstituted adenosine analogue having any A3 selectivity. The effects of 2-substitution in combination with modifications at the N6- and 5'-positions were explored. 2-Chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine had a Ki value of 1.4 nM and moderate selectivity for A3 receptors. 2-Chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine- 5'-N-methyluronamide, which displayed a Ki value of 0.33 nM, was selective for A3 vs A1 and A2a receptors by 2500- and 1400-fold, respectively. It was 46,000-fold selective for A3 receptors vs the Na(+)-independent adenosine transporter, as indicated in displacement of [3H]N6-(4- nitrobenzyl)-thioinosine binding in rat brain membranes. In a functional assay in CHO cells, it inhibited adenylate cyclase via rat A3 receptors with an IC50 of 67 nM. 2-(Methylthio)-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide and 2-(methylamino)-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide were less potent, but nearly as selective for A3 receptors. Thus, 2-substitution (both small and sterically bulky) is well-tolerated at A3 receptors, and its A3 affinity-enhancing effects are additive with effects of uronamides at the 5'-position and a 3-iodobenzyl group at the N6-position.

An epimer of 5'-noraristeromycin and its antiviral properties

A derivative of 5'-noraristeromycin epimeric at the 5'-nor center ((-)-3) has been prepared enantiospecifically in three steps from (+)-((1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten- 1-yl acetate. Compound (-)-3 was evaluated for antiviral activity against a large number of viruses and found to display marked activity against varicella-zoster virus, vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, parainfluenza virus, reovirus, and cytomegalovirus. A similar antiviral activity spectrum was shown by the S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitors neplanocin A and carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine. While equally potent as neplanocin A against most of the viruses tested, compound (-)-3 was significantly less cytotoxic. The results of this study suggest that (-)-3 should be pursued for the treatment of those virus infections [that is, pox (VV), rhabdo (VSV), paramyxo (parainfluenza), and reo] that appear to be exquisitively sensitive to the compound.

Antiviral enantiomeric preference for 5'-noraristeromycin

In order to determine if the potent antiviral properties of (+/-)-5'-noraristeromycin reside in one of its enantiomers, an analysis of each enantiomer has been carried out. A five-step route to the (+)-stereoisomer is described from (+)-(1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl acetate, whereas the synthesis of the (-)-enantiomer had been reported previously from the same starting material. The (-)-2 and (+)-2 enantiomers were evaluated for antiviral activity against a large number of viruses and found to display an antiviral activity spectrum characteristic of (S)-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase inhibitors. The (-)-enantiomer retained the significant anticytomegalovirus properties previously reported for the racemic 2 and was, on the average, 10-fold more potent than (+)-2 in inhibiting virus replication, tumor cell growth, and (S)-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase activity.

Synthesis and antiviral properties of carbocyclic 3'-oxa-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine and its 7-deazaguanosine analogue

To evaluate analogues of the antiviral agent (R)-9-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)guanine in which the side-chain C-3 hydroxyl oxygen is part of a five-membered ring, carbocyclic 3'-oxa-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (4) and carbocyclic 3'-oxa-2',3'-dideoxy-7-deazaguanosine (5) have been synthesized in 17 and 14 steps, respectively, from 5-O-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranose. Compounds 4 and 5 and their 6-chloro precursors were evaluated against a wide variety of DNA and RNA viruses. Only 4 showed any marginal activity and this was limited to HSV-1 and HSV-2. Even though 4 was less potent towards these latter two viruses than acyclovir, its mechanism and target of action is proposed to resemble that of acyclovir. The only toxicity observed for these compounds was observed in the cell growth assay with human embryonic lung cells.