Structure-Based Scaffold Repurposing for G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Transformation of Adenosine Derivatives into 5HT2B/5HT2C Serotonin Receptor Antagonists

J Med Chem. 2016 Dec 22;59(24):11006-11026. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01183. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

Abstract

Adenosine derivatives developed to activate adenosine receptors (ARs) revealed micromolar activity at serotonin 5HT2B and 5HT2C receptors (5HTRs). We explored the structure-activity relationship at 5HT2Rs and modeled receptor interactions in order to optimize affinity and simultaneously reduce AR affinity. Depending on N6 substitution, small 5'-alkylamide modification maintained 5HT2BR affinity, which was enhanced upon ribose substitution with rigid bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane (North (N)-methanocarba), e.g., N6-dicyclopropylmethyl 4'-CH2OH derivative 14 (Ki 11 nM). 5'-Methylamide 23 was 170-fold selective as antagonist for 5HT2BR vs 5HT2CR. 5'-Methyl 25 and ethyl 26 esters potently antagonized 5HT2Rs with moderate selectivity in comparison to ARs; related 6-N,N-dimethylamino analogue 30 was 5HT2R-selective. 5' position flexibility of substitution was indicated in 5HT2BR docking. Both 5'-ester and 5'-amide derivatives displayed in vivo t1/2 of 3-4 h. Thus, we used G protein-coupled receptor modeling to repurpose nucleoside scaffolds in favor of binding at nonpurine receptors as novel 5HT2R antagonists, with potential for cardioprotection, liver protection, or central nervous system activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / chemical synthesis
  • Adenosine / chemistry
  • Adenosine / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / chemical synthesis
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / chemistry
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists
  • serotonin 5 receptor
  • Adenosine