Defined concatenated α6α1β3γ2 GABAA receptor constructs reveal dual action of pyrazoloquinolinone allosteric modulators

Pyrazoloquinolinones (PQs) have been extensively studied as modulators of GABA_A receptors with different subunit composition, exerting modulatory effects by binding at α+/β- interfaces of GABA_A receptors. PQs with a substituent in position R7 have been reported to preferentially modulate α6- subunit containing GABA_A receptors which are mostly expressed in the cerebellum but were also found in the olfactory bulb, in the cochlear nucleus, in the hippocampus and in the trigeminal sensory pathway. They are considered potentially interesting in the context of sensori-motor gating deficits, depressive-like behavior, migraine and orofacial pain. Here we explored the option to modify the lead ligands’ R7 position. In the compound series we observed two different patterns of allosteric modulation in recombinantly expressed α6β3γ2 receptors, namely monophasic and biphasic positive modulation. In the latter case the additional phase occurred in the nanomolar range, while all compounds displayed robust modulation in the micromolar range. Nanomolar, near silent binding has been reported to occur at benzodiazepine binding sites, but was not investigated at the diazepam insensitive α6+/γ2- interface. To clarify the mechanism underlying the biphasic effect we tested one of the compounds in concatenated receptors. In these constructs the subunits are covalently linked, allowing to form either the α6+/γ2- interface, or the α6+/β3- interface, to study the resulting modulation. With this approach we were able to ascribe the nanomolar modulation to the α6+/γ2- interface. While not all compounds display the nanomolar phase, the strong modulation at the α6+/β3 interface proved to be tolerant for all tested R7 groups. This provides the future option to introduce e.g. isotope labelled or fluorescent moieties or substituents that enhance solubility and bioavailability.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolinones as high affinity GABAA-R ligands and potential anxiolytics

The synthesis, in vitro ligand binding study and in vivo Elevated Plus Maze test (EPM) of a series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones (PQs) are reported. Multistep synthesis of PQs started from anilines and diethyl 2-(ethoxymethylene)malonate to give the quinolin-4-one nucleus, via the Gould-Jacobs reaction. These quinolinones were transformed to 4-chloroquinolines, which react with aryl-hydrazines affording the final compounds. PQs exhibited different potency in displacing specific [³H]Flunitrazepam binding from the benzodiazepine binding site at the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA_A-R) depending on the substitution of the pyrazoloquinolone nucleus. PCA helped determine how different substituents contributed to the differential behavior of the PQs studied. Compounds with high affinity for the GABA_A-R were tested regarding their anxiolytic properties in Wistar adult male rats using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Thus, PQs with a p-methoxy phenyl group at N-1 (7b-ii and 7c-ii) displayed a remarkable anxiolytic activity at low doses (0.5–1.0?mg/kg). Meanwhile, PQs featuring an unsubstituted phenyl (7b-i) or p-fluoro phenyl group (7b-iii) at the N-1 showed anxiogenic effects in the EPM test.