Octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole negative allosteric modulators of mGlu1.

Development of SAR in an octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole series of negative allosteric modulators of mGlu1 using a functional cell-based assay is described in this Letter. The octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole scaffold was chosen as an isosteric replacement for the piperazine ring found in the initial hit compound. Characterization of selected compounds in protein binding assays was used to identify the most promising analogs, which were then profiled in P450 inhibition assays in order to further assess the potential for drug-likeness within this series of compounds.

Discovery of VU0409106: A negative allosteric modulator of mGlu5 with activity in a mouse model of anxiety.

Development of SAR in an aryl ether series of mGlu5 NAMs leading to the identification of tool compound VU0409106 is described in this Letter. VU0409106 is a potent and selective negative allosteric modulator of mGlu5 that binds at the known allosteric binding site and demonstrates good CNS exposure following intraperitoneal dosing in mice. VU0409106 also proved efficacious in a mouse marble burying model of anxiety, an assay known to be sensitive to mGlu5 antagonists as well as clinically efficacious anxiolytics.

Optimization of an ether series of mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators: molecular determinants of MPEP-site interaction crossover.

We report the optimization of a series of non-MPEP site metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu(5)) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) based on a simple acyclic ether series. Modifications led to a gain of MPEP site interaction through incorporation of a chiral amide in conjunction with a nicotinamide core. A highly potent PAM, 8v (VU0404251), was shown to be efficacious in a rodent model of psychosis. These studies suggest that potent PAMs within topologically similar chemotypes can be developed to preferentially interact or not interact with the MPEP allosteric binding site.

Synthesis and SAR of centrally active mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators based on an aryl acetylenic bicyclic lactam scaffold.

This Letter describes the hit-to-lead progression and SAR of a series of biphenyl acetylene compounds derived from an HTS screening campaign targeting the mGlu(5) receptor. 'Molecular switches' were identified that modulated modes of pharmacology, and several compounds within this series were shown to be efficacious in reversal of amphetamine induced hyperlocomotion in rats after ip dosing, a preclinical model that shows similar positive effects with known antipsychotic agents.

Tetrahydronaphthyridine and dihydronaphthyridinone ethers as positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5).

Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of schizophrenia. Starting from an acetylene-based lead from high throughput screening, an evolved bicyclic dihydronaphthyridinone was identified. We describe further refinements leading to both dihydronaphthyridinone and tetrahydronaphthyridine mGlu5 PAMs containing an alkoxy-based linkage as an acetylene replacement. Exploration of several structural features including western pyridine ring isomers, positional amides, linker connectivity/position, and combinations thereof, reveal that these bicyclic modulators generally exhibit steep SAR and within specific subseries display a propensity for pharmacological mode switching at mGlu5 as well as antagonist activity at mGlu3. Structure-activity relationships within a dihydronaphthyridinone subseries uncovered 12c (VU0405372), a selective mGlu5 PAM with good in vitro potency, low glutamate fold-shift, acceptable DMPK properties, and in vivo efficacy in an amphetamine-based model of psychosis.

Unique signaling profiles of positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 determine differences in in vivo activity.

BACKGROUND: Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) activators have emerged as a novel approach to the treatment of schizophrenia. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu5 have generated tremendous excitement and fueled major drug discovery efforts. Although mGlu5 PAMs have robust efficacy in preclinical models of schizophrenia, preliminary reports suggest that these compounds may induce seizure activity. Prototypical mGlu5 PAMs do not activate mGlu5 directly but selectively potentiate activation of mGlu5 by glutamate. This mechanism may be critical to maintaining normal activity-dependence of mGlu5 activation and achieving optimal in vivo effects. METHODS: Using specially engineered mGlu5 cell lines incorporating point mutations within the allosteric and orthosteric binding sites, as well as brain slice electrophysiology and in vivo electroencephalography and behavioral pharmacology, we found that some mGlu5 PAMs have intrinsic allosteric agonist activity in the absence of glutamate. RESULTS: Both in vitro mutagenesis and in vivo pharmacology studies demonstrate that VU0422465 is an agonist PAM that induces epileptiform activity and behavioral convulsions in rodents. In contrast, VU0361747, an mGlu5 PAMs optimized to eliminate allosteric agonist activity, has robust in vivo efficacy and does not induce adverse effects at doses that yield high brain concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of the absolute dependence of mGlu5 PAMs on glutamate release for their activity can lead to severe adverse effects. The finding that closely related mGlu5 PAMs can differ in their intrinsic agonist activity provides critical new insights that is essential for advancing these molecules through clinical development for treatment of schizophrenia.

Discovery of N-Aryl Piperazines as Selective mGlu(5) Potentiators with Efficacy in a Rodent Model Predictive of Anti-Psychotic Activity.

This Letter describes the discovery, SAR and in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of a novel non-MPEP derived mGlu(5) positive allosteric modulator (PAM) based upon an N-aryl piperazine chemotype. This mGlu(5) chemotype exhibits the ability to act as either a non-competitive antagonist/negative allosteric modulator (NAM) or potentiator of the glutamate response depending on the identity of the amide substituent, i.e., a 'molecular switch'. A rapidly optimized PAM, 10e (VU0364289), was shown to be potent and specific for the rat mGlu(5) receptor and subsequently demonstrated to be efficacious in a clinically relevant rodent model predictive of anti-psychotic activity, thus providing the first example of a centrally active mGluR(5) PAM optimized from an HTS-derived mGluR5 competitive antagonist.

Azo group-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitutions in haloarene derivatives: preparation of substituted 1-iodo-2,6-bispropylthiobenzenes.

Aryldiazo substituents were used in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions of halogens. The Ph-N=N- group activates ortho fluorine atoms toward alkylthiolation under mild conditions. In contrast, the Me(2)N-C(6)H(4)-N=N- group has virtually no activation effect in nucleophilic aromatic substitution, and serves as a "neutral" mask for the amino group. The Ph-N=N- group was efficiently introduced by diazo coupling of aryllithium with dry PhN(2)(+)BF(4)(-) salt.

Synthesis of polyfunctionalized biphenyls as intermediates for a new class of liquid crystals.

A series of hexa- and octasubstituted biphenyls containing halogen, amino, nitro, and propylthio substituents were prepared by metal-mediated convergent synthesis from halobenzene precursors. The Pd-assisted C-C coupling methods were ineffective in the formation of the Ar-Ar bond except for the synthesis of 1b. All tetra-ortho-substituted biphenyls were prepared via Ullmann coupling reactions. The halogens were introduced after formation of the biphenyl by utilizing the directing properties of the amino group(s). In the case of 3b, a polyhalogenated benzene substrate was used for biphenyl formation via Ullmann coupling.