Molecular modeling study of 4-phenylpiperazine and 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives: a new step towards the design of high-affinity 5-HT1A ligands.

The main feature of many drugs having a 5-HT(1A) affinity is the presence of an arylpiperazine moiety. Indeed, the protonated nitrogen and the aromatic ring of the arylpiperazine compounds are considered crucial for the interaction with the receptor. However, the replacement of the piperazine moiety by a 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ring in 4-arylpiperazine-ethyl carboxamide derivatives was recently shown to be highly favourable for 5-HT(1A) affinity. In order to better understand the favourable effect of this chemical modification, we performed a conformational analysis of these compounds mainly based on the position of the phenyl ring relative to the piperazine and tetrahydropyridine moiety. In the piperazine compounds, the phenyl ring preferentially adopts a perpendicular orientation, whereas an almost planar orientation seems to be the most favourable conformation for the tetrahydropyridine compounds. Therefore, this conformational difference appears as a key for a better interaction with the receptor binding site. This result will serve for the designing high-affinity 5-HT(1A) ligands.

Iron-catalyzed selective oxidation of N-methyl amines: highly efficient synthesis of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.

Methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives were synthesized efficiently by iron-catalyzed oxidative reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and N,N-dimethylaniline. Bipyrazoles and substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine were obtained by the reactions of bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with hydrazines and ammonium acetate, respectively.

Vesicular monoamine transporter substrate/inhibitor activity of MPTP/MPP+ derivatives: a structure-activity study.

The active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), selectively destroys the dopaminergic neurons and induces the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I and/or the perturbation of dopamine metabolism through cellular and granular accumulation have been proposed as some of the major causes of neurotoxicity. In the present study we have synthesized and characterized a number of MPTP and MPP(+) derivatives that are suitable for the comparative neurotoxicity and complex I inhibition versus dopamine metabolism perturbation studies. Structure-activity studies with bovine chromaffin granule ghosts show that 3'-hydroxy-MPP(+) is one of the best known substrates for the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT). A series of compounds that combine the structural features of MPP(+) and a previously characterized VMAT inhibitor, 3-amino-2-phenyl-propene, have been identified as the most effective VMAT inhibitors. These derivatives have been used to define the structural requirements of the VMAT substrate and inhibitor activities.

4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, an excellent fragment to improve the potency of PARP-1 inhibitors.

We have shown that a 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine fragment plays an important role in improving inhibitory potency against poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Various benzamide analogues linked with this fragment via alkyl spacers have been prepared and evaluated. As a result, some of them have been found to be highly potent PARP-1 inhibitors.

Synthesis and MAO-B substrate properties of 1-methyl-4-heteroaryl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines.

The parkinsonian inducing drug 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is bioactivated in a reaction catalyzed by the flavoenzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) to form the corresponding dihydropyridinium and subsequently pyridinium metabolites. As part of our ongoing studies to characterize the structural features responsible for this unexpected biotransformation, we have examined the MAO-B substrate properties of a variety of MPTP analogues bearing various heteroaryl groups at the 4-position of the tetrahydropyridinyl ring. The newly synthesized analogues are 4-(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)-, 4-(3-methylfuran-2-yl)-, 4-(3-methylthien-2-yl)-, 4-(3,4-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl)-, 4-(3-methylpyrrol-2-yl)-, and 4-(1,3-dimethylpyrrol-2-yl)-1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Except for the 4-(1-methylimidazol-2-yl) analogue, all compounds displayed good to excellent substrate properties. The 1-methyl-4-(3-methylfuran-2-yl) analogue is the most active member of this series with a kcat/Km value greater than 8,500 min(-1)mM(-1). The results of these studies are discussed in terms of catalytic pathways proposed for MAO-B.

Synthesis and monoamine oxidase B substrate properties of 1-methyl-4-heteroaryl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines.

Six analogues of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine [MPTP, (1)] bearing various heteroaryl groups at C-4 were synthesized and examined for their monoamine oxidase B substrate properties. The C-4 substituents include the 1-ethylpyrrol-2-yl, 1-propylpyrrol-2-yl, 1-isopropylpyrrol-2-yl, 1-cyclopropylpyrrol-2-yl, 3-ethylfuran-2-yl and 3-ethylthien-2-yl groups. The results provide information concerning steric and polar interactions between the C-4 substituent and the active site of MAO-B that are transmitted to the position of oxidation at C-6 of the tetrahydropyridinyl moiety.

Deuterium isotope effect studies on the MAO-B catalyzed oxidation of 4-benzyl-1-cyclopropyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

Previous studies have established that 1-cyclopropyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine is an efficient time- and concentration-dependent inhibitor of the flavin-containing enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). This behavior is consistent with a proposed mechanism-based inactivation pathway which proceeds via an initial single electron transfer step to generate an unstable cyclopropylaminyl radical cation intermediate that alkylates an active site functionality via the ring opened primary carbon centered radical. More recently we have found that, in addition to being an inhibitor, the corresponding 1-cyclopropyl-4-benzyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine species is an excellent MAO-B substrate, behavior which may not be consistent with the obligatory formation of a cyclopropylaminyl radical cation intermediate. In an attempt to gain further insight into the mechanism associated with the MAO catalyzed oxidation of 1,4-disubstituted tetrahydropyridines, we have undertaken deuterium isotope effect studies on the substrate and inhibitor properties of this 4-benzyl-1-cyclopropyltetrahydropyridine derivative. A normal isotope effect was observed on kcat/KM. Although the good substrate properties of this compound prevented an accurate estimate of k(inact) and K1, we did observe a very modest inverse isotope effect on the rate of inactivation of 0.1 microM MAO-B by 500 microM inactivator. The results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms for the MAO-B catalyzed oxidation of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines.

Identification, characterization and pharmacological profile of three metabolites of (R)-(+)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-phenyl-1-[(3-phenylcyclohexen-1- yl)methyl]pyridine (CI-1007), a dopamine autoreceptor agonist and potential antipsychotic agent.

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis of plasma taken from cynomolgus monkeys dosed orally with (R)-(+)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-phenyl-1-[(3-phenylcyclohexen-1- yl)methyl]pyridine (1), a dopamine (DA) autoreceptor agonist and potential antipsychotic agent, revealed several metabolites. The molecular masses of three major metabolites suggested that they were mono- and dihydroxylated derivatives of 1. We synthesized compounds 2 and 3, the two possible mono-p-hydroxyphenyl derivatives of 1, along with the bis-p-hydroxyphenyl derivative 4. These compounds coeluted by HPLC with the three hydroxylated metabolites of 1. Compounds 2-4 all had high affinities for DA D2 and D3 receptors and moderate affinities for D4 receptors. Like 1, compound 2 decreased DA synthesis and neuronal firing in rat brain, indicative of DA autoreceptor activation. Compound 2 inhibited exploratory locomotor activity in rodents and was active in the Sidman avoidance test in squirrel monkeys, predictive of antipsychotic activity in humans. Compounds 3 and 4 showed weak activity in all these tests. After squirrel monkeys were dosed with 1 orally at the ED100 dose of the Sidman avoidance test, the plasma concentration of 2 was below the limit of quantitation. Therefore, these metabolites are unlikely to contribute greatly to the potent activity seen with 1 in the Sidman avoidance test.

Studies on the monoamine oxidase (MAO)-catalyzed oxidation of phenyl-substituted 1-methyl-4-phenoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives: factors contributing to MAO-A and MAO-B selectivity.

The structural parameters responsible for the substrate and inhibitor selectivities of the monoamine oxidases (MAO) A and B remain poorly understood. This situation has improved somewhat with structure-activity studies that have been performed on nuclear-substituted pargyline derivatives and 4-substituted 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives. The results of these studies suggest that the active site of MAO-A is sterically more accommodating than the active site of MAO-B. In the present work we have undertaken a more systematic structure-substrate activity analysis with the aid of a series of 4-phenoxytetrahydropyridine analogs substituted at the para, meta, and ortho positions of the phenyl ring with chloro, methoxy, methyl, nitro, and phenyl groups. All of the compounds proved to be good substrates for both MAO-A and MAO-B, and all were better MAO-A substrates than MAO-B substrates. The best defined structural parameter relating to selectivity again was the relatively better MAO-A substrate properties of tetrahydropyridine derivatives bearing bulky C-4 substituents. Attempts to identify stereoelectronic effects related to substrate properties and selectivity with this series of compounds were not successful. Although some structural correlates with substrate activity can be made, overall the present state of knowledge is inadequate to provide good descriptors of structural features that characterize MAO-A and MAO-B substrates.

Design and synthesis of 18F-labeled neurotoxic analogs of MPTP.

We report on the synthesis of two fluorine-18 labeled analogs of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). A piperidyl triazene was fluorinated to produce [18F]-1-methyl-4-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (2'-F-MPTP, 12) in very low yield, and 1-methyl-4-[2-(fluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (2'-FCH2-MPTP, 11) was labeled with 18F by nucleophilic displacement of the corresponding chloride in 60% yield. The biodistribution in mice of the latter radiotracer and its oxidation to 1-methyl-4-[2-(fluoromethyl)phenyl]pyridinium (2'-FCH2-MPP+, 6) is also reported. The kinetics of oxidation of 2'-FCH2-MPTP and its solvolysis products (the corresponding 2'-hydroxymethyl and 2'-chloromethyl analogs) by rat liver monoamine oxidase were investigated. 2'-FCH2-MPTP accumulated to a useful degree in the brain, was oxidized by monoamine oxidase in vitro, was converted to the oxidation product in brain in vivo, and had a neurotoxic potency similar to that of MPTP. We feel it may be useful as an 18F-labeled radiopharmaceutical for positron tomographic studies of the mechanisms of MPTP toxicity.

Synthesis of novel MPTP analogs as potential monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors.

The nigrostriatal toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetahydropyridine (MPTP) is an excellent substrate and a weak inactivator of the flavoenzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). In an attempt to develop novel mechanism-based inactivators of MAO-B, we have synthesized analogs of MPTP bearing a variety of functional groups at either the N or the C(4) position and have examined their interactions with a purified MAO-B preparation isolated from beef liver. The substituents selected include allyl, propargyl, ethenyl, ethynyl, and cyclobutyl, that is, functionalities which were considered potential sources of enzyme generated electrophilic or radical intermediates that might alkylate and inactivate the enzyme. None of the C(4)-substituted compounds displayed significant enzyme inhibitor properties although some proved to be good substrates. In the N-substituted MPTP series only the 4-phenyl-1-propargyl analog was a good inhibitor. The time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of MAO-B displayed by this compound is consistent with a mechanism-based inactivation pathway and the catalytic mechanism currently held for monoamine oxidases. The results of these studies provide additional insights into the steric features of the active site of MAO-B and predict that the area in which the C(4) substituent of the tetrahydropyridine ring resides lacks a reactive nucleophilic group.

Studies on 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives as potential monoamine oxidase inactivators.

The Parkinsonian-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and close structural analogs are the only known cyclic tertiary amines with good monoamine oxidase substrate properties. In addition to its excellent substrate properties, MPTP is a mechanism-based inactivator of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). In an attempt to exploit the special interactions between this cyclic tertiary allylamine and MAO-B, we have initiated studies to evaluate the enzymatic and biological properties of MPTP analogs bearing functional groups which are known to mediate the metabolism-dependent inactivation of this enzyme. This paper describes the synthesis, enzyme substrate/inhibitor properties, and neurotoxic/neuroprotective properties of 1-cyclopropyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, the corresponding acyclic secondary amine (E)-4-cyclopropyl-2-phenyl-2-butene, and 4-cyclopropyl-1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

Stylbasole analogues of MPTP as monoamine oxidase (MAO) substrates.

Stylbasole analogs of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were studied as monoamine oxidase (MAO) substrates. Dehydrogenation of these compounds was shown to be catalyzed by both serotonine specifical and benzylamine specifical MAO activities. Markedly high affinity of stylbasoles to B type of MAO was found. Influence of substrate structure on its biotransformation effectiveness is realized by the principle--"better binding-worse catalysis". MAO inactivation during the reaction is appeared to be realized as result of product inhibition and perhaps of substrate inhibition.