Synthesis of specific bivalent probes that functionally interact with 5-HT(4) receptor dimers

J Med Chem. 2007 Sep 6;50(18):4482-92. doi: 10.1021/jm070552t. Epub 2007 Aug 3.

Abstract

G-protein-coupled receptor dimerization directs the design of new drugs that specifically bind to receptor dimers. Here, we generated a targeted series of homobivalent ligands for serotonin 5-HT(4) receptor (5-HT(4)R) dimers composed of two 5-HT(4)R-specific ML10302 units linked by a spacer. The design of spacers was assisted by molecular modeling using our previously described 5-HT(4)R dimer model. Their syntheses were based on Sonogashira-Linstrumelle coupling methods. All compounds retained high-affinity binding to 5-HT(4)R but lost the agonistic character of the monomeric ML10302 compound. Direct evidence for the functional interaction of both pharmacophores of bivalent ligands with the 5-HT(4)R was obtained using a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) based assay that monitors conformational changes within 5-HT(4) dimers. Whereas the monovalent ML10302 was inactive in this assay, several bivalent derivatives dose-dependently increased the BRET signal, indicating that both pharmacophores functionally interact with the 5-HT(4) dimer. These bivalent ligands may serve as a new basis for the synthesis of potential drugs for 5-HT(4)-associated disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminobenzoates / chemical synthesis*
  • Aminobenzoates / chemistry
  • Aminobenzoates / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Cyclic AMP / biosynthesis
  • Dimerization
  • Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Luminescence
  • Models, Molecular
  • Piperidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Piperidines / chemistry
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4 / chemistry
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4 / drug effects*
  • Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Agonists
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • para-Aminobenzoates

Substances

  • 2-piperidinoethyl 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate
  • Aminobenzoates
  • Ligands
  • Piperidines
  • Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Agonists
  • para-Aminobenzoates
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4
  • Cyclic AMP