Exploring distal regions of the A3 adenosine receptor binding site: sterically constrained N6-(2-phenylethyl)adenosine derivatives as potent ligands.

We synthesized phenyl ring-substituted analogues of N(6)-(1S,2R)-(2-phenyl-1-cyclopropyl)adenosine, which is highly potent in binding to the human A(3)AR with a Ki value of 0.63 nM. The effects of these structural changes on affinity at human and rat adenosine receptors and on intrinsic efficacy at the hA(3)AR were measured. A 3-nitrophenyl analogue was resolved chromatographically into pure diastereomers, which displayed 10-fold stereoselectivity in A(3)AR binding in favor of the 1S,2R isomer. A molecular model defined a hydrophobic region (Phe168) in the putative A(3)AR binding site around the phenyl moiety. A heteroaromatic group (3-thienyl) could substitute for the phenyl moiety with retention of high affinity of A(3)AR binding. Other related N(6)-substituted adenosine derivatives were included for comparison. Although the N(6)-(2-phenyl-1-cyclopropyl) derivatives were full A(3)AR agonists, several other derivatives had greatly reduced efficacy. N(6)-Cyclopropyladenosine was an A(3)AR antagonist, and adding either one or two phenyl rings at the 2-position of the cyclopropyl moiety restored efficacy. N(6)-(2,2-Diphenylethyl)adenosine was an A(3)AR antagonist, and either adding a bond between the two phenyl rings (N(6)-9-fluorenylmethyl) or shortening the ethyl moiety (N(6)-diphenylmethyl) restored efficacy. A QSAR study of the N(6) region provided a model that was complementary to the putative A(3)AR binding site in a rhodopsin-based homology model. Thus, a new series of high-affinity A(3)AR agonists and related nucleoside antagonists was explored through both empirical and theoretical approaches.

Structural determinants of efficacy at A3 adenosine receptors: modification of the ribose moiety.

We have found previously that structural features of adenosine derivatives, particularly at the N6- and 2-positions of adenine, determine the intrinsic efficacy as A3 adenosine receptor (AR) agonists. Here, we have probed this phenomenon with respect to the ribose moiety using a series of ribose-modified adenosine derivatives, examining binding affinity and activation of the human A3 AR expressed in CHO cells. Both 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups in the ribose moiety contribute to A3 AR binding and activation, with 2'-OH being more essential. Thus, the 2'-fluoro substitution eliminated both binding and activation, while a 3'-fluoro substitution led to only a partial reduction of potency and efficacy at the A3 AR. A 5'-uronamide group, known to restore full efficacy in other derivatives, failed to fully overcome the diminished efficacy of 3'-fluoro derivatives. The 4'-thio substitution, which generally enhanced A3 AR potency and selectivity, resulted in 5'-CH2OH analogues (10 and 12) which were partial agonists of the A3 AR. Interestingly, the shifting of the N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenine moiety from the 1'- to 4'-position had a minor influence on A3 AR selectivity, but transformed 15 into a potent antagonist (16) (Ki = 4.3 nM). Compound 16 antagonized human A3 AR agonist-induced inhibition of cyclic AMP with a K(B) value of 3.0 nM. A novel apio analogue (20) of neplanocin A, was a full A3 AR agonist. The affinities of selected, novel analogues at rat ARs were examined, revealing species differences. In summary, critical structural determinants for human A3 AR activation have been identified, which should prove useful for further understanding the mechanism of receptor activation and development of more potent and selective full agonists, partial agonists and antagonists for A3 ARs.

Structure-activity relationships of thiazole and thiadiazole derivatives as potent and selective human adenosine A3 receptor antagonists.

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-aminothiazole and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-aminothiadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated as selective antagonists for human adenosine A3 receptors. A methoxy group in the 4-position of the phenyl ring and N-acetyl or propionyl substitutions of the aminothiazole and aminothiadiazole templates displayed great increases of binding affinity and selectivity for human adenosine A3 receptors. The most potent A3 antagonist of the present series, N-[3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-[1,2,4]thiadiazol-5-yl]-acetamide (39) exhibiting a Ki value of 0.79 nM at human adenosine A3 receptors, showed antagonistic property in a functional assay of cAMP biosynthesis involved in one of the signal transduction pathways of adenosine A3 receptors. Molecular modeling study of conformation search and receptor docking experiments to investigate the dramatic differences of binding affinities between two regioisomers of thiadiazole analogues, (39) and (42), suggested possible binding mechanisms in the binding pockets of adenosine receptors.

N6-substituted D-4'-thioadenosine-5'-methyluronamides: potent and selective agonists at the human A3 adenosine receptor.

4'-Thio analogues 3-5 of Cl-IB-MECA (2) (K(i) = 1.0 +/- 0.2 nM at the human A(3) adenosine receptor) were synthesized from d-gulono-gamma-lactone via 4-thioribosyl acetate 14 as the key intermediate. All synthesized 4'-thionucleosides exhibited higher binding affinity to the human A(3) adenosine receptor than Cl-IB-MECA, among which 4 showed the most potent binding affinity (K(i) = 0.28 +/- 0.09 nM). 4 was also selective for A(3) vs human A(1) and human A(2A) receptors by 4800- and 36000-fold, respectively.

N6-Substituted adenosine derivatives: selectivity, efficacy, and species differences at A3 adenosine receptors.

The activation of the human A(3) adenosine receptor (AR) by a wide range of N(6)-substituted adenosine derivatives was studied in intact CHO cells stably expressing this receptor. Selectivity of binding at rat and human ARs was also determined. Among N(6)-alkyl substitutions, small N(6)-alkyl groups were associated with selectivity for human A(3)ARs vs. rat A(3)ARs, and multiple points of branching were associated with decreased hA(3)AR efficacy. N(6)-Cycloalkyl-substituted adenosines were full (/=6 carbons) hA(3)AR agonists. N(6)-(endo-Norbornyl)adenosine 13 was the most selective for both rat and human A(1)ARs. Numerous N(6)-arylmethyl analogues, including substituted benzyl, tended to be more potent in binding to A(1) and A(3) vs. A(2A)ARs (with variable degrees of partial to full A(3)AR agonisms). A chloro substituent decreased the efficacy depending on its position on the benzyl ring. The A(3)AR affinity and efficacy of N(6)-arylethyl adenosines depended highly on stereochemistry, steric bulk, and ring constraints. Stereoselectivity of binding was demonstrated for N(6)-(R-1-phenylethyl)adenosine vs. N(6)-(S-1-phenylethyl)adenosine, as well as for the N(6)-(1-phenyl-2-pentyl)adenosine, at the rat, but not human A(3)AR. Interestingly, DPMA, a potent agonist for the A(2A)AR (K(i)=4nM), was demonstrated to be a moderately potent antagonist for the human A(3)AR (K(i)=106nM). N(6)-[(1S,2R)-2-Phenyl-1-cyclopropyl]adenosine 48 was 1100-fold more potent in binding to human (K(i)=0.63nM) than rat A(3)ARs. Dual acting A(1)/A(3) agonists (N(6)-3-chlorobenzyl- 29, N(6)-(S-1-phenylethyl)- 39, and 2-chloro-N(6)-(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine 53) might be useful for cardioprotection.

Design, synthesis and binding affinity of 3'-fluoro analogues of Cl-IB-MECA as adenosine A3 receptor ligands.

Several 3'-fluoro analogues, 1a, 1b, and 1c of selective and potent adenosine A(3) receptor agonist, Cl-IB-MECA were synthesized from D-xylose via highly regioselective opening of lyxo-epoxides, 8a and 8b with fluoride anion. Compared to the high binding affinity of Cl-IB-MECA to the A(3) adenosine receptor, the corresponding 3'-fluoro derivative showed remarkably decreased binding affinity, indicating that 3'-hydroxyl group acts as hydrogen bonding acceptor, not hydrogen bonding donor like fluorine atom in binding to the A(3) adenosine receptor.

Differential allosteric modulation by amiloride analogues of agonist and antagonist binding at A(1) and A(3) adenosine receptors.

The diuretic drug amiloride and its analogues were found previously to be allosteric modulators of antagonist binding to A(2A) adenosine receptors. In this study, the possibility of the allosteric modulation by amiloride analogues of antagonist binding at A(1) and A(3) receptors, as well as agonist binding at A(1), A(2A), and A(3) receptors, was explored. Amiloride analogues increased the dissociation rates of two antagonist radioligands, [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine ([3H]DPCPX) and [3H]8-ethyl-4-methyl-2-phenyl-(8R)-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-one ([3H]PSB-11), from A(1) and A(3) receptors, respectively. Amiloride and 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride (DMA) were more potent at A(1) receptors than at A(3) receptors, while 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) was more potent at A(3) receptors. Thus, amiloride analogues are allosteric inhibitors of antagonist binding at A(1), A(2A), and A(3) adenosine receptor subtypes. In contrast to their effects on antagonist-occupied receptors, amiloride analogues did not affect the dissociation rates of the A(1) agonist [3H]N(6)-[(R)-phenylisopropyl]adenosine ([3H]R-PIA) from A(1) receptors or the A(2A) agonist [3H]2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenyl-ethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine ([3H]CGS21680) from A(2A) receptors. The dissociation rate of the A(3) agonist radioligand [125I]N(6)-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide ([125I]I-AB-MECA) from A(3) receptors was decreased significantly by amiloride analogues. The binding modes of amiloride analogues at agonist-occupied and antagonist-occupied receptors differed markedly, which was demonstrated in all three subtypes of adenosine receptors tested in this study. The effects of the amiloride analogues on the action of the A(3) receptor agonist were explored further using a cyclic AMP functional assay in intact CHO cells expressing the human A(3) receptor. Both binding and functional assays support the allosteric interactions of amiloride analogues with A(3) receptors.

Quinazolines as adenosine receptor antagonists: SAR and selectivity for A2B receptors.

We have recently reported the discovery of numerous new compounds that are selective inhibitors of all of the subtypes of the adenosine receptor family via a pharmacophore database searching and screening strategy. During the course of this work we made the unexpected discovery of a potent A(2B) receptor antagonist, 4-methyl-7-methoxyquinazolyl-2-(2'-amino-4'-imidazolinone) (38, CMB 6446), which showed selectivity for this receptor and functioned as an antagonist, with a binding K(i) value of 112 nM. We explored the effects of both substituent- and ring-structural variations on the receptor affinity in this series of derivatives, which were found to be mostly non-selective adenosine receptor ligands with K(i) values in the micromolar range. Since no enhancement of A(2B) receptor affinity of 38 was achieved, the previously reported pharmacophore-based searching strategy yielded the most potent and selective structurally-related hit in the database originally searched.

Selective allosteric enhancement of agonist binding and function at human A3 adenosine receptors by a series of imidazoquinoline derivatives.

We have identified a series of 1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolines as selective allosteric enhancers of human A3 adenosine receptors. Several of these compounds potentiated both the potency and maximal efficacy of agonist-induced responses and selectively decreased the dissociation of the agonist N6-(4-amino-3-[125I]iodobenzyl)-5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine from human A3 adenosine receptors. There was no effect on the dissociation of the antagonist [3H]8-ethyl-4-methyl-2-phenyl-(8R)-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[2.1-i]purin-5-one (PSB-11) from the A3 receptors, as well as [3H]N6-[(R)-phenylisopropyl]adenosine from rat brain A1 receptors and [3H]2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenyl-ethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine from rat striatal A2A receptors, suggesting the selective enhancement of agonist binding at A3 receptors. The analogs were tested as antagonists of competitive binding at human A3 receptors, and K(i) values ranging from 120 nM to 101 microM were observed; as for many allosteric modulators of G protein-coupled receptors, an orthosteric effect was also present. The most promising leads from the present set of analogs seem to be the 2-cyclopentyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline derivatives, of which the 4-phenylamino analog DU124183 had the most favorable degree of allosteric modulation versus receptor antagonism. The inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells that express human A3 receptors was employed as a functional index of A3 receptor activation. The enhancer DU124183 caused a marked leftward shift of the concentration-response curve of the A3 receptor agonists in the presence of antagonist and, surprisingly, a potentiation of the maximum agonist efficacy by approximately 30%. Thus, we have identified a novel structural lead for developing allosteric enhancers of A3 adenosine receptors; such enhancers may be useful for treating brain ischemia and other hypoxic conditions.

Structure-activity relationships at human and rat A2B adenosine receptors of xanthine derivatives substituted at the 1-, 3-, 7-, and 8-positions.

In the search for improved selective antagonist ligands of the A2B adenosine receptor, which have the potential as antiasthmatic or antidiabetic drugs, we have synthesized and screened a variety of alkylxanthine derivatives substituted at the 1-, 3-, 7-, and 8-positions. Competition for 125I-ABOPX (125I-3-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl)-8-(phenyl-4-oxyacetate)-1-propylxanthine) binding in membranes of stably transfected HEK-293 cells revealed uniformly higher affinity (<10-fold) of these xanthines for human than for rat A2B adenosine receptors. Binding to rat brain membranes expressing A1 and A2A adenosine receptors revealed greater A2B selectivity over A2A than A1 receptors. Substitution at the 1-position with 2-phenylethyl (or alkyl/olefinic groups) and at N-3 with hydrogen or methyl favored A2B selectivity. Relative to enprofylline 2b, pentoxifylline 35 was equipotent and 1-propylxanthine 3 was >13-fold more potent at human A2B receptors. Most N-7 substituents did not enhance affinity over hydrogen, except for 7-(2-chloroethyl), which enhanced the affinity of theophylline by 6.5-fold to 800 nM. The A2B receptor affinity-enhancing effects of 7-(2-chloroethyl) vs 7-methyl were comparable to the known enhancement produced by an 8-aryl substitution. Among 8-phenyl analogues, a larger alkyl group at the 1-position than at the 3-position favored affinity at the human A2B receptor, as indicated by 1-allyl-3-methyl-8-phenylxanthine, with a K(i) value of 37 nM. Substitution on the 8-phenyl ring indicated that an electron-rich ring was preferred for A2B receptor binding. In conclusion, new leads for the design of xanthines substituted in the 1-, 3-, 7-, and 8-positions as A2B receptor-selective antagonists have been identified.

Acyl-Hydrazide Derivatives of a Xanthine Carboxylic Congener (XCC) as Selective Antagonists at Human A2B Adenosine Receptors.

The structure-activity relationships (SAR) of 8-phenyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine derivatives in binding to recombinant human A2B adenosine receptors were explored, in order to identify selective antagonists. Based on the finding of receptor selectivity in MRS 1204, containing an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester attached through the p-position of the 8-phenyl substituent [Jacobson et al. (1999): Drug Dev. Res., 47:45-53], a hydrazide and its more stable imide derivatives were synthesized. The hydrazide of XCC (8-[4-[[[carboxy]methyl]oxy]phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine) was acylated with a variety of mono- and dicarboxylic acids. Ki values were determined in the adenosine receptor binding assays. At recombinant human A2B receptors expressed in membranes of HEK-293 cells, antagonist radioligands used were the xanthine 125I-ABOPX (125I-3-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl)-8-oxyacetate-1-propyl-xanthine) and the nonxanthine antagonist [3H]ZM 241385 ([3H]4-(2-[7-amino-2-{furyl}{1,2,4}triazolo{2,3-a}{1,3,5}triazin-5-ylamino-ethyl)phenol). The initial screening utilized rat A1/A2A receptors and human A3 receptors, and selected compounds were examined at the human A1/A2A subtypes. A 1,2-dimethylmaleimide derivative, 14 (MRS 1595), bound to human A2B receptors with a Ki of 19 nM and proved to be selective vs. human A1/A2A/A3 receptors by 160-, 100-, and 35-fold, respectively. Enprofylline (3-propylxanthine) is slightly selective for A2B receptors, suggesting removal of the 1-propyl group; however, combination of the 1-H-3-Pr and 8-phenyl substituents eliminated the selectivity. Other potent and moderately selective A2B antagonists were a tetrahydrophthaloyl derivative 18b (MRS 1614, Ki value 10 nM) and amino acid conjugates of the XCC-hydrazide, i.e., the glutarimide 24b (MRS 1626, Ki value 13 nM), and protected dipeptide 27 (MRS 1615, Ki value 11 nM). Drug Dev. Res. 47:178-188, 1999.

Pyran Template Approach to the Design of Novel A3 Adenosine Receptor Antagonists.

[Table: see text] A3 adenosine receptor antagonists have potential as anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, and anti-ischemic agents. We previously reported the preparation of chemical libraries of 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) and pyridine derivatives and identification of members having high affinity at A3 adenosine receptors. These derivatives were synthesized through standard three-component condensation/oxidation reactions, which permitted versatile ring substitution at five positions, i.e., the central ring served as a molecular scaffold for structurally diverse substituents. We extended this template approach from the DHP series to chemically stable pyran derivatives, in which the ring NH is replaced by O and which is similarly derived from a stepwise reaction of three components. Since the orientation of substituent groups may be conformationally similar to the 1,4-DHPs, a direct comparison between the structure activity relationships of key derivatives in binding to adenosine receptors was carried out. Affinity at human A3 receptors expressed in CHO cells was determined vs. binding of [125I]AB-MECA (N6-(4-amino-3-iodobenzyl)-5'-N-methyl-carbamoyladenosine). There was no potency-enhancing effect, as was observed for DHPs, of 4-styryl, 4-phenylethynyl, or 6-phenyl substitutions. The most potent ligands in this group in binding to human A3 receptors were 6-methyl and 6-phenyl analogs, 3a (MRS 1704) and 4a (MRS 1705), respectively, of 3,5-diethyl 2-methyl-4-phenyl-4H-pyran-3,5-dicarboxylate, which had Ki values of 381 and 583 nM, respectively. These two derivatives were selective for human A3 receptors vs. rat brain A1 receptors by 57-fold and 24-fold, respectively. These derivatives were inactive in binding at rat brain A2A receptors, and at recombinant human A2B receptors displayed Ki values of 17.3 and 23.2 µM, respectively. The selectivity, but not affinity, of the pyran derivatives in binding to the A3 receptor subtype was generally enhanced vs. the corresponding DHP derivatives.

NEW BASE-ALTERED ADENOSINE ANALOGUES: SYNTHESIS AND AFFINITY AT ADENOSINE A1 and A2A RECEPTORS.

N6-Substituted adenosine analogues containing cyclic hydrazines or chiral hydroxy (ar)alkyl groups, designed to interact with the S2 and S3 receptor subregions, have been synthesized and their binding to the adenosine A1 and A2A receptors have been investigated. Examples of both types of compounds were found to exhibit highly selective binding (Ki in low nM range) to the rat A1 receptor.

A SURVEY OF NONXANTHINE DERIVATIVES AS ADENOSINE RECEPTOR LIGANDS.

The binding affinities at rat A1, A2a, and A3 adenosine receptors of a wide range of heterocyclic derivatives have been determined. Mono-, bi-, tricyclic and macrocyclic compounds were screened in binding assays, using either [3H]PIA or [3H]CGS 21680 in rat brain membranes or [125I]AB-MECA in CHO cells stably transfected with rat A3 receptors. Several new classes of adenosine antagonists (e.g. 5-oxoimidazopyrimidines and a pyrazoloquinazoline) were identified. Various sulfonylpiperazines, 11-hydroxytetrahydrocarbazolenine, 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinone, folic acid, and cytochalasin H and J bound to A3 receptors selectively. Moreover, cytochalasin A, which bound to A1 adenosine receptors with Ki value of 1.9 µM, inhibited adenylyl cyclase in rat adipocytes, but not via reversible A1 receptor binding.