Designing bifunctional NOP receptor–mu opioid receptor ligands from NOP receptor-selective scaffolds. Part I.

The nociceptin receptor (NOP) and its endogenous agonist, nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), members of the opioid receptor and peptide families respectively, modulate the pharmacological effects of classical opioids, particularly opioid-induced reward and nociception. We hypothesized that compounds containing both NOP and opioid receptor activity in a single molecule may have useful pharmacological profiles as non-addicting analgesics or as drug abuse medications. We report here our forays into the structure–activity relationships for discovering ‘bifunctional’ NOP–mu opioid receptor (MOP) ligands, starting from our NOP-selective scaffolds. This initial SAR suggests pharmacophoric elements that may be modified to modulate/increase opioid affinity, while maintaining high affinity for the NOP receptor, to result in potent bifunctional small-molecule NOP/MOP ligands.     

Antinociceptive effects of morphine and naloxone in mu-opioid receptor knockout mice transfected with the MORS196A gene

Background  

Opioid analgesics such as morphine and meperidine have been used to control moderate to severe pain for many years. However, these opioids have many side effects, including the development of tolerance and dependence after long-term use, which has limited their clinical use. We previously reported that mutations in the mu-opioid receptors (MOR) S196L and S196A rendered them responsive to the opioid antagonist naloxone without altering the agonist phenotype. In MORS196A knock-in mice, naloxone and naltrexone were antinociceptive but did not cause tolerance or physical dependence. In this study we delivery this mutated MOR gene into pain related pathway to confirm the possibility of in vivo transfecting MORS196A gene and using naloxone as a new analgesic agent.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of thiadiazole-derivatives as potent and orally active peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha/delta dual agonists

Replacement of the methyl-thiazole moiety of GW501516 (a PPARdelta selective agonist) with [1,2,4]thiadiazole gave compound 21 which unexpectedly displayed submicromolar potency as a partial agonist at PPARalpha in addition to the high potency at PPARdelta. A structure-activity relationships study of 21 resulted in the identification of 40 as a potent and selective PPARalpha/delta dual agonist. Compound 40 and its close analogs represent a new series of PPARalpha/delta dual agonists. The high potency, high selectivity, significant gene induction, excellent PK profiles, low P450 inhibition or induction, and good in vivo efficacy in four animal models support 40 being selected as a pre-clinical study candidate, and may render 40 as a valuable pharmacological tool in elucidating the complex roles of PPARalpha/delta dual agonists, and the potential usage for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.     

Unique spirocyclopiperazinium salt III: further investigation of monospirocyclopiperazinium (MSPZ) salts as potential analgesics

Two novel classes of monospirocyclopiperazinium salts were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vivo analgesic activities. Some interesting structure-activity relationships are revealed: (1) Spirocyclopiperazinium moiety is favorable to improve the analgesic activity; (2) The size and conformation of spirocyclopiperazinium moiety significantly affects the analgesic activity; (3) Phenylethyl group of 3d is a crucial pharmacophore. Among the compounds synthesized, 3d exhibited the most potent activity with low toxicity. Further antinociceptive mechanism studies of 3d showed that these compounds will be a new kind of analgesics.     

The TIPP opioid peptide family: development of delta antagonists, delta agonists, and mixed mu agonist/delta antagonists

The discovery of the prototype delta opioid antagonists TIPP (H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH) and TIP (H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-OH) in 1992 was followed by extensive structure-activity relationship studies, leading to the development of analogues that are of interest as pharmacological tools or as potential therapeutic agents. Stable TIPP-derived delta opioid antagonists with subnanomolar delta receptor binding affinity and extraordinary delta receptor selectivity include TIPP[Psi] (H-Tyr-TicPsi[CH(2)NH]Phe-Phe-OH] and TICP[Psi] (H-Tyr-TicPsi[CH(2)NH]Cha-Phe-OH); Cha: cyclohexylalanine), which are widely used in opioid research. Theoretical conformational analyses in conjunction with the pharmacological characterization of conformationally constrained TIPP analogues led to a definitive model of the receptor-bound conformation of H-Tyr-Tic-(Phe-Phe)-OH-related delta opioid antagonists, which is characterized by all-trans peptide bonds. Further structure-activity studies revealed that the delta antagonist vs delta agonist behavior of TIP(P)-derived compounds depended on very subtle structural differences in diverse locations of the molecule and suggested a delta receptor model involving a number of different inactive receptor conformations. A further outcome of these studies was the identification of a new class of potent and very selective dipeptide delta agonists of the general formula H-Tyr-Tic-NH-X (X = arylalkyl), which are of interest for drug development because of their low molecular weight and lipophilic character. Most interestingly, TIPP analogues containing a C-terminal carboxamide group displayed a mixed mu agonist/delta antagonist profile, and thus were expected to be analgesics with a low propensity to produce tolerance and physical dependence. This turned out to be the case with the TIPP-derived mu agonist/delta antagonist DIPP-NH(2)[Psi] (H-Dmt-TicPsi[CH(2)NH]Phe-Phe-NH(2)); Dmt: 2',6'- dimethyltyrosine).     

Chemical modification of the naphthoyl 3-position of JWH-015: in search of a fluorescent probe to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor

In silico modelling was used to guide the positioning of the fluorescent dye NBD-F on the cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist JWH-015. While the ultimate fluorescent conjugate lost extensive binding affinity to the cannabinoid CB2 receptor, affinity and efficacy studies on the naphthoyl 3-position modified precursor molecules have provided new insight into structure-activity relationships associated with this position.     

Principal component regression analysis applied in structure-activity relationships. 2. flexible opioids with unusually high safety margin

Multicollinearities among chemical regressor variables in structure-activity relationships can be avoided using the principal component regression analysis. An example adapted from drug design (conformationally flexible opioids) shows the working technique.     

Structure-activity relationship in the series of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists: three types of agonist-receptor complexes

A new procedure has been applied to analyze the data available in literature on the structure-activity relationships for agonists of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. The agonists were subdivided into three groups, each containing the compounds with the specific structural element. The binding constant logarithms, characterizing the agonist association with the receptor, increase linearly with the increase in the partition coefficient logarithms describing the distribution in the water-octanol system. The performed analysis suggests the existence of three different types of agonist-receptor complexes.     

2-Aminothiazoles: a new class of agonist allosteric enhancers of A(1) adenosine receptors

This report describes the synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a new class of A(1) adenosine receptor agonist allosteric enhancers, 2-aminothiazolium salts. The EC(50) of compounds 6a, 6b, 7, and 8 were 0.3, 4.5, 3.8, and 1.2 microM, substantially lower than that of the 'Gold Standard' 2-amino-3-benzoyl thiophene (PD 81,723), which has an EC(50) of 38 microM.     

Structural and conformational modifications of alpha-MSH/ACTH4-10 provide melanotropin analogues with highly potent behavioral activities

Previous studies have identified the (4-10) heptapeptide sequence as the central core of alpha-MSH/ACTH peptides required for mediation of important biological activities. In the present study, the structure-activity relationships of Nle4-substituted and Cys4,Cys10-bridged cyclic alpha-MSH analogues, which were previously shown to exhibit a wide range of melanotropic potencies from weak agonism to super potency, were examined for grooming behavioral activity in the rat following intracerebroventricular injections. The results showed that stepwise C-terminal elongation of the linear Nle4-substituted Ac-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2 increased grooming potencies of the peptides in a manner similar to their actions on melanocytes. The most interesting finding was the observation that cyclization of the inactive linear "central (4-10) core" of alpha-MSH (Ac-alpha-MSH4-10) to form Ac-[Cys4,Cys10]-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2 resulted in a super potent agonist in the grooming assay. However, while cyclization of the (4-10) heptapeptide produced potent agonists on grooming behavior, the structure-activity relationships were different than the frog skin bioassay. These findings support the hypothesis that appropriate structural and confirmational modifications of alpha-MSH-related peptides can produce profound effects on the bioactivities of the peptides, and suggest that different structural-conformational requirements exist for alpha-MSH interactions with its various receptors.     

Opioids and efflux transporters. Part 3: P-glycoprotein substrate activity of 3-hydroxyl addition to meperidine analogs

Numerous studies have shown that many clinically employed opioid analgesics are substrates for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), suggesting that up-regulation of P-gp may contribute to the development of central tolerance to opioids. The studies herein focus on the development of SAR for P-gp substrate activity in the meperidine series of opioids. Addition of a 3-OH to meperidine and the ketone analog of meperidine yielding bemidone and ketobemidone, respectively, significantly increased P-gp substrate affinity. The results of this study have implications in the development of novel analgesics to be utilized as tools to study the contribution of P-gp on the development of central tolerance to opioids.     

Automatic formation of hypotheses on the relationships between structure of naphthalene analogs and bioluminescence response of bioreporter <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> HK44

Seven hypotheses on relationships between the structure of naphthalene analogs and bioluminescence response of bioreporter Pseudomonas fluorescens were formulated using GUHA (General Unary Hypotheses Automaton) on a training set of 37 compounds. Prediction of bioluminescence response of 12 new naphthalene analogs was successful in 69 % cases and resulted in rejection of single hypothesis. The results demonstrate applicability of GUHA in structure-activity research, especially for qualitative data.     

Synthesis and in vitro pharmacological studies of C(4) modified salvinorin A analogues

Salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring opioid agonist with a high selectivity and affinity for kappa-opioid receptor. To explore its structure-activity relationships, modifications at the C(4) position have been studied and a series of salvinorin A derivatives were prepared. These C(4)-modified salvinorin A analogues were screened for binding and functional activities at the human kappa-opioid receptor and several potent new agonists have been identified.     

Direct assessment of CXCR4 mutant conformations reveals complex link between receptor structure and G(alpha)(i) activation

Ligand binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is thought to induce changes in receptor conformation that translate into activation of downstream effectors. The link between receptor conformation and activity is still insufficiently understood, as current models of GPCR activation fail to take an increasing amount of experimental data into account. To elucidate structure-function relationships in GPCR activation, we used bioluminescence resonance energy transfer to directly assess the conformation of mutants of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. We analyzed substitutions in the arginine cage DRY motif and in the conserved asparagine N(3.35)119, which are pivotal molecular switches for receptor conformation and activation. G(alpha)(i) activation of the mutants was either similar to wild-type CXCR4 (D133N, Y135A, and N119D) or resulted in loss of activity (R134A and N119K). Mutant N119S was constitutively active but further activated by agonist. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer analysis suggested no simple correlation between conformational changes in response to ligand binding and activation of G(alpha)(i) by the mutants. Different conformations of active receptors were detected (for wild-type CXCR4, D133N, and N119S), suggesting that different receptor conformations are able to trigger G(alpha)(i) activity. Several conformations were also found for inactive mutants. These data provide biophysical evidence for different receptor conformations being active with respect to a single readout. They support models of GPCR structure-activity relationships that take this conformational flexibility of active receptors into account.     

Symmetry in prostaglandins

Observations of the agonist activity of prostaglandins on the guinea-pig ileum are analysed. The structure-activity relationships are interpreted in relation to the approximate diad axis of symmetry in the molecules. It is suggested that some receptors for prostaglandins may have a perfect diad axis of symmetry between identical protein subunits.     

Trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles as ligands for the ghrelin receptor: on the significance of the orientation and substitution at position 3

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships concerning 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles as ghrelin receptor ligands are described. The importance of the starting aminoacid material as well as its configuration was explored and the (D) Trp residue was found to lead to the best agonist or antagonist compounds.     

N-isoquinolin-5-yl-N'-aralkyl-urea and -amide antagonists of human vanilloid receptor 1

Starting from a low micromolar agonist lead identified by high-throughput screening, series of N-isoquinolin-5-yl-N'-aralkyl ureas and analogous amides were developed as potent antagonists of human vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1). The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the series are described.     

Structures and functions of the gut microbial lipidome

Microbial lipids provide signals that are responsible for maintaining host health and controlling disease. The differences in the structures of microbial lipids have been shown to alter receptor selectivity and agonist/antagonist activity. Advanced lipidomics is an emerging field that helps to elucidate the complex bacterial lipid diversity. The use of cutting-edge technologies is expected to lead to the discovery of new functional metabolites involved in host homeostasis. This review aims to describe recent updates on functional lipid metabolites derived from gut microbiota, their structure-activity relationships, and advanced lipidomics technologies.     

5-Sulfonyl-benzimidazoles as selective CB2 agonists

A novel series of benzimidazole CB2-receptor agonists was synthesized and the structure-activity relationship explored. The results showed agonistic activities with an EC(50) up to 0.5 nM and excellent selectivity (>4000-fold) over the CB1 receptor. The size of the substituent on the 2-position determined the level of agonism, ranging from inverse agonism to partial agonism to full agonism, which was more pronounced for the rat CB2 receptor. A wide variation of sulfonyl substituents at the benzimidazole 5-position was tolerated, which was used to optimize the drug-like properties. This resulted into lead compound 14j that can be used to investigate the potential of a selective, peripherically acting CB2 agonist. The in vitro profile of key compounds is displayed using pie bar charts (VlaaiVis).