Structure-functional selectivity relationship studies of β-arrestin-biased dopamine D₂ receptor agonists

J Med Chem. 2012 Aug 23;55(16):7141-53. doi: 10.1021/jm300603y. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

Functionally selective G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligands, which differentially modulate canonical and noncanonical signaling, are extremely useful for elucidating key signal transduction pathways essential for both the therapeutic actions and side effects of drugs. However, few such ligands have been created, and very little purposeful attention has been devoted to studying what we term: "structure-functional selectivity relationships" (SFSR). We recently disclosed the first β-arrestin-biased dopamine D(2) receptor (D(2)R) agonists UNC9975 (44) and UNC9994 (36), which have robust in vivo antipsychotic drug-like activities. Here we report the first comprehensive SFSR studies focused on exploring four regions of the aripiprazole scaffold, which resulted in the discovery of these β-arrestin-biased D(2)R agonists. These studies provide a successful proof-of-concept for how functionally selective ligands can be discovered.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / chemistry
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Aripiprazole
  • Arrestins / genetics
  • Arrestins / metabolism*
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Cyclic AMP / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hyperkinesis / chemically induced
  • Hyperkinesis / drug therapy
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phencyclidine
  • Piperazines / chemical synthesis*
  • Piperazines / chemistry
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Quinolones / chemical synthesis*
  • Quinolones / chemistry
  • Quinolones / pharmacology
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / agonists*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • beta-Arrestins

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Arrestins
  • Ligands
  • Piperazines
  • Quinolones
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • beta-Arrestins
  • Aripiprazole
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Phencyclidine