Development of : A Potent, Highly Selective, and Systemically Active Orthosteric Antagonist of the M5 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtype 5 (M₅) represents a novel potential target for the treatment of multiple addictive disorders, including opioid use disorder. Through chemical optimization of several functional high-throughput screening hits, VU6019650 (27b) was identified as a novel M₅ orthosteric antagonist with high potency (human M₅ IC₅₀ = 36 nM), M₅ subtype selectivity (>100-fold selectivity against human M_1-4) and favorable physicochemical properties for systemic dosing in preclinical addiction models. In acute brain slice electrophysiology studies, 27b blocked the nonselective muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M-induced increases in neuronal firing rates of midbrain dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area, a part of the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward circuitry. Moreover, 27b also inhibited oxycodone self-administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats within a dose range that did not impair general motor output.

Pyrazine and Phenazine Heterocycles: Platforms for Total Synthesis and Drug Discovery

There are numerous pyrazine and phenazine compounds that demonstrate biological activities relevant to the treatment of disease. In this review, we discuss pyrazine and phenazine agents that have shown potential therapeutic value, including several clinically used agents. In addition, we cover some basic science related to pyrazine and phenazine heterocycles, which possess interesting reactivity profiles that have been on display in numerous cases of innovative total synthesis approaches, synthetic methodologies, drug discovery efforts, and medicinal chemistry programs. The majority of this review is focused on presenting instructive total synthesis and medicinal chemistry efforts of select pyrazine and phenazine compounds, and we believe these incredible heterocycles offer promise in medicine.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H/C-H cross-coupling of pyrazolo[1,5-a]azines with five-membered heteroarenes

The use of Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst and AgOAc as the oxidant enabled the direct regioselective oxidative C-H/C-H cross-coupling of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines or pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines with various five-membered heteroarenes without the need of pre-activation and/or directing groups. Successful coupling partners include thiophenes, benzothiophenes, thiazoles, furans, oxazoles, indoles and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.

Acute Negative Allosteric Modulation of M5 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Inhibits Oxycodone Self-Administration and Cue-Induced Reactivity with No Effect on Antinociception

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric condition characterized by compulsive opioid use, dependence, and repeated relapse after periods of abstinence. Given the high risk of developing OUD following prescription opioid use, the continued need for opioid-induced analgesia, and the limitations of current OUD treatments, it is necessary to develop novel, non-opioid-based treatments for OUD and decrease abuse potential of prescription opioids. Recent evidence suggests that negative allosteric modulation (NAM) of the M₅ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M₅ mAChR) may provide an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of OUD. Previous studies demonstrated localization of M₅ mAChR expression within the mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry and that the selective M₅ NAM ML375 attenuates both cocaine and alcohol self-administration in rats. In the present study, the effects of ML375 were evaluated in rats self-administering the μ-opioid agonists oxycodone or remifentanil on a progressive ratio (PR) schedule or on cue reactivity (a rodent model of relapse) in the absence of oxycodone following 72 h of abstinence. ML375 reduced the PR break point for oxycodone and remifentanil self-administration and attenuated cue-elicited responding. Importantly, ML375 did not affect sucrose pellet-maintained responding on a PR schedule or opioid-induced antinociception using the hot-plate and tail-flick assays. We also confirm expression of M₅ mAChR mRNA in the ventral tegmental area and show that this is primarily on dopamine (tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA-positive) neurons. Taken together, these findings suggest that selective functional antagonism of the M₅ mAChR may represent a novel, non-opioid-based treatment for OUD.

Total Synthesis of Hinduchelins A-D, Stereochemical Revision of Hinduchelin A, and Biological Evaluation of Natural and Unnatural Analogues

Here, we report the first total synthesis of hinduchelins A-D, a family of nontoxic catechol derivatives from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus, possessing a druglike chemotype and modest iron-chelating ability. A concise synthesis was developed employing methyl 5-methyloxazole-4-carboxylate as a single starting material to provide hinduchelins A-D (and unnatural analogues) in only four steps and 5-15% overall yields; moreover, the stereochemistry of hinduchelin A was reassigned from ( S) to ( R). Biological evaluation confirmed that natural and unnatural hinduchelins are weak iron chelators (siderophores).

Preparation of 1,5-Dihydropyrazolo[3',4':5,6]pyrano[3,4- b]pyridines via a Microwave-Assisted, Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective C-H Heteroarylation of Electron-Rich Pyrazoles

Here we report the first synthesis of a family of novel heterocyclic compounds based on a 5-dihydropyrazolo[3',4':5,6]pyrano[3,4- b]pyridine core. In the course of our drug discovery programs, we had need to access the previously unknown 5-dihydropyrazolo[3',4':5,6]pyrano[3,4- b]pyridine core. Initial attempts required long reaction times, which led to degradation and side products. Reaction optimization identified a Pd-catalyzed, microwave-assisted C-H heteroarylation protocol for the rapid, general, and high yielding synthesis of this tricyclic core (as well as related analogs) suitable to drive optimization efforts.

Recent Progress in Natural-Product-Inspired Programs Aimed To Address Antibiotic Resistance and Tolerance

Bacteria utilize multiple mechanisms that enable them to gain or acquire resistance to antibiotic therapies during the treatment of infections. In addition, bacteria form biofilms which are surface-attached communities of enriched populations containing persister cells encased within a protective extracellular matrix of biomolecules, leading to chronic and recurring antibiotic-tolerant infections. Antibiotic resistance and tolerance are major global problems that require innovative therapeutic strategies to address the challenges associated with pathogenic bacteria. Historically, natural products have played a critical role in bringing new therapies to the clinic to treat life-threatening bacterial infections. This Perspective provides an overview of antibiotic resistance and tolerance and highlights recent advances (chemistry, biology, drug discovery, and development) from various research programs involved in the discovery of new antibacterial agents inspired by a diverse series of natural product antibiotics.

The Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor M5: Therapeutic Implications and Allosteric Modulation

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtype 5 (M₅) was the most recent mAChR to be cloned and has since emerged as a potential therapeutic target for a number of indications. Early studies with knockout animals have provided clues to the receptor's role in physiological processes related to Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and addiction, and until recently, useful subtype-selective tools to further probe the pharmacology of M₅ have remained elusive. Small-molecule allosteric modulators have since gained traction as a means by which to selectively examine muscarinic pharmacology. This review highlights the discovery and optimization of M₅ positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and negative allosteric modulators (NAMs).

An Efficient Buchwald-Hartwig/Reductive Cyclization for the Scaffold Diversification of Halogenated Phenazines: Potent Antibacterial Targeting, Biofilm Eradication, and Prodrug Exploration

Bacterial biofilms are surface-attached communities comprised of nonreplicating persister cells housed within a protective extracellular matrix. Biofilms display tolerance toward conventional antibiotics, occur in ∼80% of infections, and lead to >500000 deaths annually. We recently identified halogenated phenazine (HP) analogues which demonstrate biofilm-eradicating activities against priority pathogens; however, the synthesis of phenazines presents limitations. Herein, we report a refined HP synthesis which expedited the identification of improved biofilm-eradicating agents. 1-Methoxyphenazine scaffolds were generated through a Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling (70% average yield) and subsequent reductive cyclization (68% average yield), expediting the discovery of potent biofilm-eradicating HPs (e.g., 61: MRSA BAA-1707 MBEC = 4.69 μM). We also developed bacterial-selective prodrugs (reductively activated quinone-alkyloxycarbonyloxymethyl moiety) to afford HP 87, which demonstrated excellent antibacterial and biofilm eradication activities against MRSA BAA-1707 (MIC = 0.15 μM, MBEC = 12.5 μM). Furthermore, active HPs herein exhibit negligible cytotoxic or hemolytic effects, highlighting their potential to target biofilms.

Eradicating Bacterial Biofilms with Natural Products and Their Inspired Analogues that Operate Through Unique Mechanisms

Bacterial biofilms are surface-attached communities of slow- or non-replicating bacterial cells that display high levels of tolerance toward conventional antibiotic therapies. It is important to know that our entire arsenal of conventional antibiotics originated from screens used to identify inhibitors of bacterial growth, so it should be little surprise that our arsenal of growth-inhibiting agents have little effect on persistent biofilms. Despite this current state, a diverse collection of natural products and their related or inspired synthetic analogues are emerging that have the ability to kill persistent bacterial biofilms and persister cells in stationary cultures. Unlike conventional antibiotics that hit bacterial targets critical for rapidly-dividing bacteria (i.e., cell wall machinery, bacterial ribosomes), biofilm-eradicating agents operate through unique growth-independent mechanisms. These naturally occurring agents continue to inspire discovery efforts aimed at effectively treating chronic and recurring bacterial infections due to persistent bacterial biofilms.

Microwave-enhanced Friedländer synthesis for the rapid assembly of halogenated quinolines with antibacterial and biofilm eradication activities against drug resistant and tolerant bacteria

Herein, we disclose the development of a catalyst- and protecting-group-free microwave-enhanced Friedländer synthesis which permits the single-step, convergent assembly of diverse 8-hydroxyquinolines with greatly improved reaction yields over traditional oil bath heating (increased from 34% to 72%). This rapid synthesis permitted the discovery of novel biofilm-eradicating halogenated quinolines (MBECs = 1.0-23.5 μM) active against MRSA, MRSE, and VRE. These small molecules exhibit activity through mechanisms independent of membrane lysis, further demonstrating their potential as a clinically useful treatment option against persistent biofilm-associated infections.

Structure-Activity Relationships of a Diverse Class of Halogenated Phenazines That Targets Persistent, Antibiotic-Tolerant Bacterial Biofilms and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Persistent bacteria, including persister cells within surface-attached biofilms and slow-growing pathogens lead to chronic infections that are tolerant to antibiotics. Here, we describe the structure-activity relationships of a series of halogenated phenazines (HP) inspired by 2-bromo-1-hydroxyphenazine 1. Using multiple synthetic pathways, we probed diverse substitutions of the HP scaffold in the 2-, 4-, 7-, and 8-positions, providing critical information regarding their antibacterial and bacterial eradication profiles. Halogenated phenazine 14 proved to be the most potent biofilm-eradicating agent (≥99.9% persister cell killing) against MRSA (MBEC < 10 μM), MRSE (MBEC = 2.35 μM), and VRE (MBEC = 0.20 μM) biofilms while 11 and 12 demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 3.13 μM). Unlike antimicrobial peptide mimics that eradicate biofilms through the general lysing of membranes, HPs do not lyse red blood cells. HPs are promising agents that effectively target persistent bacteria while demonstrating negligible toxicity against mammalian cells.

Halogenated Phenazines that Potently Eradicate Biofilms, MRSA Persister Cells in Non-Biofilm Cultures, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Conventional antibiotics are ineffective against non-replicating bacteria (for example, bacteria within biofilms). We report a series of halogenated phenazines (HP), inspired by marine antibiotic 1, that targets persistent bacteria. HP 14 demonstrated the most potent biofilm eradication activities to date against MRSA, MRSE, and VRE biofilms (MBEC = 0.2-12.5 μM), as well as the effective killing of MRSA persister cells in non-biofilm cultures. Frontline MRSA treatments, vancomycin and daptomycin, were unable to eradicate MRSA biofilms or non-biofilm persisters alongside 14. HP 13 displayed potent antibacterial activity against slow-growing M. tuberculosis (MIC = 3.13 μM), the leading cause of death by bacterial infection around the world. HP analogues effectively target persistent bacteria through a mechanism that is non-toxic to mammalian cells and could have a significant impact on treatments for chronic bacterial infections.

Bromophenazine derivatives with potent inhibition, dispersion and eradication activities against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

Bacterial biofilms are surface-attached communities of bacteria that are: (1) highly prevalent in human infections, and (2) resistant to conventional antibiotic treatments and host immune responses.