Discovery of BAY-298 and BAY-899: Tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-Based, Potent, and Selective Antagonists of the Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Which Reduce Sex Hormone Levels in Vivo

J Med Chem. 2019 Nov 27;62(22):10321-10341. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01382. Epub 2019 Nov 13.

Abstract

The human luteinizing hormone receptor (hLH-R) is a member of the glycoprotein hormone family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), activated by luteinizing hormone (hLH) and essentially involved in the regulation of sex hormone production. Thus, hLH-R represents a valid target for the treatment of sex hormone-dependent cancers and diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, endometriosis) as well as contraception. Screening of the Bayer compound library led to the discovery of tetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives as novel, small-molecule (SMOL) hLH-R inhibitors and to the development of BAY-298, the first nanomolar hLH-R antagonist reducing sex hormone levels in vivo. Further optimization of physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and safety parameters led to the identification of BAY-899 with an improved in vitro profile and proven efficacy in vivo. BAY-298 and BAY-899 serve as valuable tool compounds to study hLH-R signaling in vitro and to interfere with the production of sex hormones in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel / metabolism
  • Estradiol / blood*
  • Female
  • Granulosa Cells / drug effects
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Naphthyridines / chemistry*
  • Ovulation / drug effects
  • Ovulation / genetics
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, FSH / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, LH / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, LH / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridine
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel
  • KCNH2 protein, human
  • Naphthyridines
  • Receptors, FSH
  • Receptors, LH
  • Testosterone
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol