Design and Discovery of Functionally Selective Serotonin 2C (5-HT2C) Receptor Agonists

J Med Chem. 2016 Nov 10;59(21):9866-9880. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01194. Epub 2016 Oct 25.

Abstract

On the basis of the structural similarity of our previous 5-HT2C agonists with the melatonin receptor agonist tasimelteon and the putative biological cross-talk between serotonergic and melatonergic systems, a series of new (2,3-dihydro)benzofuran-based compounds were designed and synthesized. The compounds were evaluated for their selectivity toward 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors in the calcium flux assay with the ultimate goal to generate selective 5-HT2C agonists. Selected compounds were studied for their functional selectivity by comparing their transduction efficiency at the G protein signaling pathway versus β-arrestin recruitment. The most functionally selective compound (+)-7e produced weak β-arrestin recruitment and also demonstrated less receptor desensitization compared to serotonin in both calcium flux and phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis assays. We report for the first time that selective 5-HT2C agonists possessing weak β-arrestin recruitment can produce distinct receptor desensitization properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / metabolism*
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / chemical synthesis
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / chemistry
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists