New potent muscarinic receptor ligands bearing the 1,4-dioxane nucleus: Investigation on the nature of the substituent in position 2.

A new series of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) ligands obtained by inserting different substituents in position 2 of the potent 6,6-diphenyl-1,4-dioxane antagonists 4 and 5 was designed and synthesized to investigate the influence of steric bulk on the mAChR affinity. Specifically, the insertion of a 2-methyl group, affording compounds 6 and 9, resulted as the most favorable modification in terms of affinity for all muscarinic subtypes. As supported by computational studies performed on the hM1 receptor, this substituent may contribute to stabilize the ligand within the binding site by favoring the formation of stable interactions between the cationic head of the ligand and the residue D105. The increase of steric bulk, obtained by replacing the methyl group with an ethyl (7 and 10) and especially a phenyl substituent (8 and 11), caused a marked decrease of mAChR affinity, demonstrating the crucial role played by the steric bulk of the 2-substituent in the mAChR interaction. The most intriguing result was obtained with the tertiary amine 9, which, surprisingly, showed two different pKi values for all mAChRs, with preferential subpicomolar affinities for the M1, M3, and M4 subtypes. Interestingly, biphasic curves were also observed with both the eutomer (S)-(-)-9 and the distomer (R)-( + )-9.

Discovery of a Potent and Highly Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV and Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor as "Antidiabesity" Agents Based on Repurposing and Morphing of WB-4101.

The management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is shifting from cardio-centric to weight-centric or, even better, adipose-centric treatments. Considering the downsides of multidrug therapies and the relevance of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and carbonic anhydrases (CAs II and V) in T2DM and in the weight loss, we report a new class of multitarget ligands targeting the mentioned enzymes. We started from the known α1-AR inhibitor WB-4101, which was progressively modified through a tailored morphing strategy to optimize the potency of DPP IV and CAs while losing the adrenergic activity. The obtained compound 12 shows a satisfactory DPP IV inhibition with a good selectivity CA profile (DPP IV IC50: 0.0490 µM; CA II Ki 0.2615 µM; CA VA Ki 0.0941 µM; CA VB Ki 0.0428 µM). Furthermore, its DPP IV inhibitory activity in Caco-2 and its acceptable pre-ADME/Tox profile indicate it as a lead compound in this novel class of multitarget ligands.

Repositioning Dequalinium as Potent Muscarinic Allosteric Ligand by Combining Virtual Screening Campaigns and Experimental Binding Assays.

Structure-based virtual screening is a truly productive repurposing approach provided that reliable target structures are available. Recent progresses in the structural resolution of the G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) render these targets amenable for structure-based repurposing studies. Hence, the present study describes structure-based virtual screening campaigns with a view to repurposing known drugs as potential allosteric (and/or orthosteric) ligands for the hM2 muscarinic subtype which was indeed resolved in complex with an allosteric modulator thus allowing a precise identification of this binding cavity. First, a docking protocol was developed and optimized based on binding space concept and enrichment factor optimization algorithm (EFO) consensus approach by using a purposely collected database including known allosteric modulators. The so-developed consensus models were then utilized to virtually screen the DrugBank database. Based on the computational results, six promising molecules were selected and experimentally tested and four of them revealed interesting affinity data; in particular, dequalinium showed a very impressive allosteric modulation for hM2. Based on these results, a second campaign was focused on bis-cationic derivatives and allowed the identification of other two relevant hM2 ligands. Overall, the study enhances the understanding of the factors governing the hM2 allosteric modulation emphasizing the key role of ligand flexibility as well as of arrangement and delocalization of the positively charged moieties.

Carbachol dimers with primary carbamate groups as homobivalent modulators of muscarinic receptors.

Although agonists and antagonists of muscarinic receptors have been known for long time, there is renewed interest in compounds (such as allosteric or bitopic ligands, or biased agonists) able to differently and selectively modulate these receptors. As a continuation of our previous research, we designed a new series of dimers of the well-known cholinergic agonist carbachol. The new compounds were tested on the five cloned human muscarinic receptors (hM1-5) expressed in CHO cells by means of equilibrium binding experiments, showing a dependence of the binding affinity on the length and position of the linker connecting the two monomers. Kinetic binding studies revealed that some of the tested compounds were able to slow the rate of NMS dissociation, suggesting allosteric behavior, also supported by docking simulations. Assessment of ERK1/2 phosphorylation on hM1, hM2 and hM3 activation showed that the new compounds are endowed with muscarinic antagonist properties. At hM2 receptors, some compounds were able to stimulate GTPγS binding but not cAMP accumulation, suggesting a biased behavior. Classification, Molecular and cellular pharmacology.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 7-substituted 4-phenyl-6H-imidazo[1,5-a]thieno[3,2-f] [1,4]diazepines as safe anxiolytic agents.

A series of 4-phenyl-6H-imidazo[1,5-a]thieno[3,2-f][1,4]diazepine-7-carboxylate esters were synthesized and tested as central benzodiazepine receptor (CBR) ligands by the ability to displace [3H]flumazenil from rat cortical membranes. All the compounds showed high affinity with IC50 values ranging from 5.19 to 16.22 nM. In particular, compounds 12b (IC50 = 8.66 nM) and 12d (IC50 = 5.19 nM) appeared as the most effective ligands being their affinity values significantly lower than that of diazepam (IC50 = 18.52 nM). Compounds 12a-f were examined in vivo for their pharmacological effects in mice and five potential benzodiazepine (BDZ) actions were thus taken into consideration: anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, anti-amnesic, hypnotic, and locomotor activities. All the new synthesized compounds were able to induce a significant antianxiety effect and, among them, compound 12f protected pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in a dose-dependent manner reaching a 40% effect at 30 mg/kg. In addition, all the compounds were able to significantly prevent the memory impairment evoked by scopolamine, while none of them was able to interfere with pentobarbital-evoked sleep and influence motor coordination. Moreover, title compounds did not affect locomotor and exploratory activity at the same time and doses at which the anti-anxiety effect was observed. Finally, molecular docking simulations were carried out in order to assess the binding mode for compounds 12a-f. The obtained results demonstrated that these compounds bind the BDZ binding site in a similar fashion to flumazenil.

Novel Potent Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists: Investigation on the Nature of Lipophilic Substituents in the 5- and/or 6-Positions of the 1,4-Dioxane Nucleus.

A series of novel 1,4-dioxane analogues of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist 2 was synthesized and studied for their affinity at M1-M5 mAChRs. The 6-cyclohexyl-6-phenyl derivative 3b, with a cis configuration between the CH2N+(CH3)3 chain in the 2-position and the cyclohexyl moiety in the 6-position, showed pKi values for mAChRs higher than those of 2 and a selectivity profile analogous to that of the clinically approved drug oxybutynin. The study of the enantiomers of 3b and the corresponding tertiary amine 33b revealed that the eutomers are (2S,6S)-(-)-3b and (2S,6S)-(-)-33b, respectively. Docking simulations on the M3 mAChR-resolved structure rationalized the experimental observations. The quaternary ammonium function, which should prevent the crossing of the blood-brain barrier, and the high M3/M2 selectivity, which might limit cardiovascular side effects, make 3b a valuable starting point for the design of novel antagonists potentially useful in peripheral diseases in which M3 receptors are involved.

Discovery of ß-Adrenergic Receptors Blocker-Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor Hybrids for Multitargeted Antiglaucoma Therapy.

The combination of a ß-adrenergic receptors (AR) blocker and a carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitor in eye drops formulations is one of the most clinically used treatment for glaucoma. A novel approach consisting of single-molecule, multitargeted compounds for the treatment of glaucoma is proposed here by designing compounds which concomitantly interact with the ß-adrenergic and CA targets. Most derivatives of the two series of benzenesulfonamides incorporating 2-hydroxypropylamine moieties reported here exhibited striking efficacy against the target hCA II and XII, whereas a subset of compounds also showed significant modulation of ß1- and ß2-ARs. X-ray crystallography studies provided rationale for the observed hCA inhibition. The best dual-agents decreased IOP more effectively than clinically used dorzolamide, timolol, and the combination of them in an animal model of glaucoma. The reported evidence supports the proof-of-concept of ß-ARs blocker-CAI hybrids for antiglaucoma therapy with an innovative mechanism of action.

1-[3-(4-Butylpiperidin-1-yl)propyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-2-one (77-LH-28-1) as a Model for the Rational Design of a Novel Class of Brain Penetrant Ligands with High Affinity and Selectivity for Dopamine D4 Receptor.

In the present article, the M1 mAChR bitopic agonist 1-[3-(4-butylpiperidin-1-yl)propyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-2-one (77-LH-28-1, 1) has been demonstrated to show unexpected D4R selectivity over D2R and D3R and to behave as a D4R antagonist. To better understand the structural features required for the selective interaction with the D4R and to obtain compounds unable to activate mAChRs, the aliphatic butyl chain and the piperidine nucleus of 1 were modified, affording compounds 2-14. The 4-benzylpiperidine 9 and the 4-phenylpiperazine 12 showed high D4R affinity and selectivity not only over the other D2-like subtypes, but also over M1-M5 mAChRs. Derivative 12 was also highly selective over some selected off-targets. This compound showed biased behavior, potently and partially activating Gi protein and inhibiting ß-arrestin2 recruitment in functional studies. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that it was characterized by a relevant brain penetration. Therefore, 12 might be a useful tool to better clarify the role played by D4R in disorders in which this subtype is involved.

Late sodium current inhibitors to treat exercise-induced obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an in vitro study in human myocardium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In 30-40% of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, symptomatic left ventricular (LV) outflow gradients develop only during exercise due to catecholamine-induced LV hypercontractility (inducible obstruction). Negative inotropic pharmacological options are limited to ß-blockers or disopyramide, with low efficacy and tolerability. We assessed the potential of late sodium current (INaL )-inhibitors to treat inducible obstruction in HCM. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The electrophysiological and mechanical responses to ß-adrenoceptor stimulation were studied in human myocardium from HCM and control patients. Effects of INaL -inhibitors (ranolazine and GS-967) in HCM samples were investigated under conditions simulating rest and exercise. KEY RESULTS: In cardiomyocytes and trabeculae from 18 surgical septal samples of patients with obstruction, the selective INaL -inhibitor GS-967 (0.5 µM) hastened twitch kinetics, decreased diastolic [Ca2+ ] and shortened action potentials, matching the effects of ranolazine (10µM). Mechanical responses to isoprenaline (inotropic and lusitropic) were comparable in HCM and control myocardium. However, isoprenaline prolonged action potentials in HCM myocardium, while it shortened them in controls. Unlike disopyramide, neither GS-967 nor ranolazine reduced force at rest. However, in the presence of isoprenaline, they reduced Ca2+ -transient amplitude and twitch tension, while the acceleration of relaxation was maintained. INaL -inhibitors were more effective than disopyramide in reducing contractility during exercise. Finally, INaL -inhibitors abolished arrhythmias induced by isoprenaline. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Ranolazine and GS-967 reduced septal myocardium tension during simulated exercise in vitro and therefore have the potential to ameliorate symptoms caused by inducible obstruction in HCM patients, with some advantages over disopyramide and ß-blockers.

3-Iodothyroacetic acid (TA1), a by-product of thyroid hormone metabolism, reduces the hypnotic effect of ethanol without interacting at GABA-A receptors.

3-iodothyroacetic acid (TA1) is among the by-products of thyroid hormone metabolism suspected to mediate the non-genomic effects of the hormone (T3). We aim to investigate whether TA1 systemically administered to mice stimulated mice wakefulness, an effect already described for T3 and for another T3 metabolite (i.e. 3-iodothryonamine; T1AM), and whether TA1 interacted at GABA-A receptors (GABA-AR). Mice were pre-treated with either saline (vehicle) or TA1 (1.32, 4 and 11 µg/kg) and, after 10 min, they received ethanol (3.5 g/kg, i.p.). In another set of experiments, TA1 was administered 5 min after ethanol. The latency of sleep onset and the time of sleep duration were recorded. Voltage-clamp experiments to evaluate the effect of 1 µM TA1 on bicuculline-sensitive currents in acute rat hippocampal slice neurons and binding experiments evaluating the capacity of 1, 10, 100 µM TA1 to displace [3H]flumazenil from mice brain membranes were also performed. 4 µg/kg TA1 increases the latency of onset and at 1.32 and 4 µg/kg it reduces the duration of ethanol-induced sleep only if administered before ethanol. TA1 does not functionally interact at GABA-AR. Overall these results indicate a further similarity between the pharmacological profile of TA1 and that of T1AM.

New insights in the metabolism of oxybutynin: evidence of N-oxidation of propargylamine moiety and rearrangement to enaminoketone.

1. Oxybutynin hydrochloride is an antimuscarinic agent prescribed to patients with an overactive bladder (OAB) and symptoms of urinary urge incontinence. Oxybutynin undergoes pre-systemic metabolism, and the N-desethyloxybutynin (Oxy-DE), is reported to have similar anticholinergic effects. 2. We revisited the oxidative metabolic fate of oxybutynin by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of incubations with rat and human liver fractions, and by measuring plasma and urine samples collected after oral administration of oxybutynin in rats. This investigation highlighted that not only N-deethylation but also N-oxidation participates in the clearance of oxybutynin after oral administration. 3. A new metabolic scheme for oxybutynin was delineated, identifying three distinct oxidative metabolic pathways: N-deethylation (Oxy-DE) followed by the oxidation of the secondary amine function to form the hydroxylamine (Oxy-HA), N-oxidation (Oxy-NO) followed by rearrangement of the tertiary propargylamine N-oxide moiety (Oxy-EK), and hydroxylation on the cyclohexyl ring. 4. The functional activity of Oxy-EK was investigated on the muscarinic receptors (M1-3) demonstrating its lack of antimuscarinic activity. 5. Despite the presence of the α,ß-unsaturated function, Oxy-EK does not react with glutathione indicating that in the clearance of oxybutynin no reactive and potentially toxic metabolites were formed.

Young Human Cholinergic Neurons Respond to Physiological Regulators and Improve Cognitive Symptoms in an Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

The degeneration of cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) in the basal forebrain (BF) is associated to the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. To date no resolutive therapies exist. Cell-based replacement therapy is a strategy currently under consideration, although the mechanisms underlying the generation of stem cell-derived NBM cholinergic neurons able of functional integration remain to be clarified. Since fetal brain is an optimal source of neuronal cells committed towards a specific phenotype, this study is aimed at isolating cholinergic neurons from the human fetal NBM (hfNBMs) in order to study their phenotypic, maturational and functional properties. Extensive characterization confirmed the cholinergic identity of hfNBMs, including positivity for specific markers (such as choline acetyltransferase) and acetylcholine (Ach) release. Electrophysiological measurements provided the functional validation of hfNBM cells, which exhibited the activation of peculiar sodium (INa) and potassium (IK) currents, as well as the presence of functional cholinergic receptors. Accordingly, hfNBMs express both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, which were activated by Ach. The hfNBMs cholinergic phenotype was regulated by the nerve growth factor (NGF), through the activation of the high-affinity NGF receptor TrkA, as well as by 17-ß-estradiol through a peculiar recruitment of its own receptors. When intravenously administered in NBM-lesioned rats, hfNBMs determined a significant improvement in memory functions. Histological examination of brain sections showed that hfNBMs (labeled with PKH26 fluorescent dye prior to administration) reached the damaged brain areas. The study provides a useful model to study the ontogenetic mechanisms regulating the development and maintenance of the human brain cholinergic system and to assess new lines of research, including disease modeling, drug discovery and cell-based therapy for AD.

Novel muscarinic acetylcholine receptor hybrid ligands embedding quinuclidine and 1,4-dioxane fragments.

To obtain novel muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonists, the enantiomers of the hybrid compounds 3-5, in which the quinuclidin-3-yloxy fragment of solifenacin and the 6,6-diphenyl-1,4-dioxane-2-yl moiety of 2 linked by an ester or ether spacer were embedded in the same chemical entity, were prepared and evaluated for their affinity at the five mAChR subtypes (M1-M5). Stereochemistry and the nature of the linker between the quinuclidine moiety and the 1,4-dioxane nucleus play an important role on the affinities of the compounds. The presence of an ether bridge confers higher affinities for all mAChR subtypes to the ligand. Interestingly, the ether enantiomer (R,S)-5 shows the highest affinity at all mAChR subtypes with pKi values similar to that of solifenacin at M3 and higher at the other subtypes. Unlike solifenacin, it shows a preference for M1 mAChR subtype with respect to the other subtypes. This compound, lacking a permanent positive charge on the nitrogen atom, can be a useful tool for the pharmacological study of mAChRs in the central nervous system.

The replacement of the 2-methoxy substituent of N-((6,6-diphenyl-1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethan-1-amine improves the selectivity for 5-HT1A receptor over α1-adrenoceptor and D2-like receptor subtypes.

N-((6,6-diphenyl-1,4-dioxan-2-yl)methyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethan-1-amine (3) is a potent 5-HT1A receptor and α1d-adrenoceptor (α1d-AR) ligand. Analogues 5-10 were rationally designed and prepared to evaluate whether electronic and/or lipophilic properties of substituents in the ortho position of its phenoxy moiety exert any favorable effects on the affinity/activity at 5-HT1A receptor and improve selectivity over α1-ARs. To rationalize the experimental observations and derive information about receptor-ligand interactions of the reported ligands, docking studies, using 5-HT1A and α1d-AR models generated by homology techniques, and a retrospective computational study were performed. The results highlighted that proper substituents in position 2 of the phenoxy moiety of 3 selectively address the ligands toward 5-HT1A receptor with respect to α1-ARs and D2-like receptor subtypes. Methoxymethylenoxy derivative 9 showed the best 5-HT1A selectivity profile and the highest potency at 5-HT1A receptor, behaving as a partial agonist. Finally, 9, tested in light/dark exploration test in mice, significantly reduced anxiety-linked behaviors. Therefore, it may be considered a lead for the design of partial agonists potentially useful in the treatment of disorders in which 5-HT1A receptor is involved.

3-iodothyronamine (T1AM), a novel antagonist of muscarinic receptors.

3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) is a trace amine suspected to derive from thyroid hormone metabolism. T1AM was described as a ligand of G-protein coupled monoaminergic receptors, including trace amine associated receptors, suggesting the amine may exert a modulatory role on the monoaminergic transmission. Nothing is known on the possibility that T1AM could also modulate the cholinergic transmission interacting with muscarinic receptors. We evaluated whether T1AM (10nM-100µM) was able to i) displace [3H]-NMS (0.20nM) binding to membrane preparations from CHO cells stably transfected with human muscarinic receptor subtypes (M1-M5); ii) modify basal or acetylcholine induced pERK1/2 levels in CHO expressing the human muscarinic type 3 receptor subtype by Western blot iii) modify basal and carbachol-induced contraction of isolated rat urinary bladder. T1AM fitting within rat muscarinic type 3 receptor was simulated by Docking studies. T1AM recognized all muscarinic receptor subtypes (pKi values in the micromolar range). Interacting at type 3, T1AM reduced acetylcholine-increased pERK1/2 levels. T1AM reduced carbachol-induced contraction of the rat urinary bladder. The fenoxyl residue and the iodide ion were found essential for establishing contacts with the active site of the rat muscarinic type 3 receptor subtype. Our results indicate that T1AM binds at muscarinic receptors behaving as a weak, not selective, antagonist. This finding adds knowledge on the pharmacodynamics features of T1AM and it may prompt investigation on novel pharmacological effects of T1AM at conditions of hyper-activation of the muscarinic tone including the overactive urinary bladder.

Carbachol dimers as homobivalent modulators of muscarinic receptors.

A series of homodimers of the well-known cholinergic agonist carbachol have been synthesized, showing the two agonist units symmetrically connected through a methylene chain of variable length. The new compounds have been tested on the five cloned muscarinic receptors (hM1-5) expressed in CHO cells by means of equilibrium binding studies, showing an increase in affinity by rising the number of methylene units up to 7 and 9. Functional experiments on guinea-pig ileum and assessment of ERK1/2 phosphorylation on hM1, hM2 and hM3 on CHO cells have shown that the new compounds are endowed with muscarinic antagonistic properties. Kinetic binding studies have revealed that some of the tested compounds are able to slow the rate of dissociation of NMS, suggesting a bitopic behavior. Docking simulations, performed on the hM1 and hM2 receptors, give a sound rationalization of the experimental data revealing how these compounds are able to interact with both orthosteric and allosteric binding sites depending on the length of their connecting chain.

Understanding Oxadiazolothiazinone Biological Properties: Negative Inotropic Activity versus Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolism.

We present a series of oxadiazolothiazinones, selective inotropic agents on isolated cardiac tissues, devoid of chronotropy and vasorelaxant activity. Functional and binding data for the precursor of the series (compound 1) let us hypothesize LTCC blocking activity and the existence of a recognition site specific for this scaffold. We synthesized and tested 22 new derivatives: introducing a para-methoxyphenyl at C-8 led to compound 12 (EC50 = 0.022 µM), twice as potent as its para-bromo analogue (1). For 10 analogues, we extended the characterization of the biological properties by including the assessment of metabolic stability in human liver microsomes and cytochrome P450 inhibition potential. We observed that the methoxy group led to active compounds with low metabolic stability and high CYP inhibition, whereas the protective effect of bromine resulted in enhanced metabolic stability and reduced CYP inhibition. Thus, we identified two para-bromo benzothiazino-analogues as candidates for further studies.

Muscarine-like compounds derived from a pyrolysis product of cellulose.

Cellulose represents a key component of a renewable biomass source, from which chiral compounds with a high added value in the application for the synthesis of potentially bioactive molecules can be obtained. The anhydrosugar (1R,5S)-1-hydroxy-3,6-dioxa-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-2-one (LAC), produced on the gram-scale by catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose, was used as a building block in the synthesis of five new enantiomerically pure muscarine-like products. The structures of the target compounds 4-8 showed different substituents at the C-2 and C-4 positions, but each of them had the same (2S,4R) configuration as the natural (+)-muscarine. A renewed interest in new muscarinic analogues is due to the design and synthesis of molecules exhibiting a higher selectivity for a specific muscarinic receptor and due to the development of effective agents in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders. In this context, products 4-8 were investigated with respect to their binding affinity to human M1-M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The data indicated that compound 8, emerging as the most active in the series with values comparable to natural (+)-muscarine and a moderate selectivity in favor of the hM2 subtype receptor, also exhibited the highest stability during the interaction with the hM2 (3UON) subtype muscarinic receptor by using a docking calculation.

Antagonism/Agonism modulation to build novel antihypertensives selectively triggering i1-imidazoline receptor activation.

Pharmacological studies have suggested that I1-imidazoline receptors are involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function and that selective I1-agonists, devoid of the side effects associated with the common hypotensive α2-adrenoreceptor agonists, might be considered as a second generation of centrally acting antihypertensives. Therefore, in the present study, inspired by the antihypertensive behavior of our selective I1-agonist 4, we designed, prepared, and studied the novel analogues 5-9. A selective I1-profile, associated with significant hemodinamic effects, was displayed by 5, 8, and 9. Interestingly, the highest potency and longest lasting activity displayed by 8 (carbomethyline) suggested that van der Waals interactions, promoted by the ortho methyl decoration of its aromatic moiety, are particularly advantageous. In addition, in analogy to what was noted for (S)-(+)-4, the observation that only (S)-(+)-8 displayed significant hemodynamic effects unequivocally confirmed the stereospecific nature of the I1 proteins.

Playing with opening and closing of heterocycles: using the cusmano-ruccia reaction to develop a novel class of oxadiazolothiazinones, active as calcium channel modulators and P-glycoprotein inhibitors.

As a result of the ring-into-ring conversion of nitrosoimidazole derivatives, we obtained a molecular scaffold that, when properly decorated, is able to decrease inotropy by blocking L-type calcium channels. Previously, we used this scaffold to develop a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model, and we used the most potent oxadiazolothiazinone as a template for ligand-based virtual screening. Here, we enlarge the diversity of chemical decorations, present the synthesis and in vitro data for 11 new derivatives, and develop a new 3D-QSAR model with recent in silico techniques. We observed a key role played by the oxadiazolone moiety: given the presence of positively charged calcium ions in the transmembrane channel protein, we hypothesize the formation of a ternary complex between the oxadiazolothiazinone, the Ca2+ ion and the protein. We have supported this hypothesis by means of pharmacophore generation and through the docking of the pharmacophore into a homology model of the protein. We also studied with docking experiments the interaction with a homology model of P-glycoprotein, which is inhibited by this series of molecules, and provided further evidence toward the relevance of this scaffold in biological interactions.