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Models of atherosclerosis are used in preclinical studies but often fail to translate to humans. A model that better reflects human atherosclerosis is necessary. We recently engineered the ExeGen™ low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) miniswine, in which the LDL receptor gene is modified to drive hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and showed diet-related exacerbation of these phenotypes. Five groups of animals, either wild type (+/+) or heterozygous (+/−), were fed either a normal or high-fat diet for 6 months. One group of heterozygous pigs fed a high-fat diet was also administered atorvastatin at 3 mg/kg/day. Clinical chemistry and anatomic pathology parameters were measured biweekly and at termination. The high-fat diet resulted in increased adiposity and interspersion of adipocytes within the salivary glands. The heterozygous pigs on the high-fat diet gained more weight and had significant increases in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and LDL compared to wild-type animals or heterozygous animals fed a normal diet. Atorvastatin attenuated these parameters, indicating the statin had a beneficial effect, even in a high-fat diet scenario. Atorvastatin treatment also reduced the intensity of Oil Red O staining in pigs on high-fat diet. Atorvastatin-related amelioration of several indices of cardiovascular pathophysiology in this model underscores its utility for drug discovery.

Development of effective vaccines against emerging infectious diseases (EID) can take as much or more than a decade to progress from pathogen isolation/identification to clinical approval. As a result, conventional approaches fail to produce field-ready vaccines before the EID has spread extensively. Lassa is a prototypical emerging infectious disease endemic to West Africa for which no successful vaccine is available. We established the VaxCelerate Consortium to address the need for more rapid vaccine development by creating a platform capable of generating and pre-clinically testing a new vaccine against specific pathogen targets in less than 120 d A self-assembling vaccine is at the core of the approach. It consists of a fusion protein composed of the immunostimulatory Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (MtbHSP70) and the biotin binding protein, avidin. Mixing the resulting protein (MAV) with biotinylated pathogen-specific immunogenic peptides yields a self-assembled vaccine (SAV). To meet the time constraint imposed on this project, we used a distributed RD model involving experts in the fields of protein engineering and production, bioinformatics, peptide synthesis/design and GMP/GLP manufacturing and testing standards. SAV immunogenicity was first tested using H1N1 influenza specific peptides and the entire VaxCelerate process was then tested in a mock live-fire exercise targeting Lassa fever virus. We demonstrated that the Lassa fever vaccine induced significantly increased class II peptide specific interferon-γ CD4(+) T cell responses in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice compared to peptide or MAV alone controls. We thereby demonstrated that our SAV in combination with a distributed development model may facilitate accelerated regulatory review by using an identical design for each vaccine and by applying safety and efficacy assessment tools that are more relevant to human vaccine responses than current animal models.

The pharmaceutical industry is presently suffering difficult times due to low productivity of new molecular entities. As a major source of drug leads, high-throughput screening (HTS) has been often criticized for its ‘dead end’ lead compounds. However, the fruitful achievements resulting from HTS technology indicate that it remains a feasible way for drug innovation. Because of increasing considerations of earlier stage ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) in drug development, cell-based HTS is highly recommended in modern drug discovery for its ability to detect more biologically relevant characteristics of compounds in living systems. This review provides a systematic and practical description of vital points for conducting high quality cell-based HTS, from assay development to optimization, compound management, data analyses, hit validation as well as lead identification. Potential problems and solutions are also covered.

A series of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives were synthesized and profiled for their ability to act as glucocorticoid receptor selective modulators. Structure-activity relationships of the tetrahydroquinoline B-ring lead to the discovery of orally available GR-selective agonists with high in vivo activity.

Throughout the centuries, traditional Chinese medicine has been a rich resource in the development of new drugs. Modern drug discovery, which relies increasingly on automated high throughput screening and quick hit-to-lead development, however, is confronted with the challenges of the chemical complexity associated with natural products. New technologies for biological screening as well as library building are in great demand in order to meet the requirements. Here we review the developments in these techniques under the perspective of their applicability in natural product drug discovery. Methods in library building, component characterizing, biological evaluation, and other screening methods including NMR and X-ray diffraction are discussed.

Recent clinical trials with bisphosphonates and PTH have not supported the hypothesis that combination treatments with antiresorptive and anabolic agents would lead to synergistic activity. We hypothesized that combination treatment with a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), LGD-3303, and a bisphosphonate would be beneficial. In vitro competitive binding and transcriptional activity assays were used to characterize LGD-3303. LGD-3303 is a potent nonsteroidal androgen that shows little or no cross-reactivity with related nuclear receptors. Tissue selective activity of LGD-3303 was assessed in orchidectomized male rats orally administered LGD-3303 for 14 days. LGD-3303 increased the levator ani muscle weight above eugonadal levels but had greatly reduced activity on the prostate, never increasing the ventral prostate weight to >50% of eugonadal levels even at high doses. Ovariectomized female rats were treated with LGD-3303, alendronate, or combination treatment to study the effects on bone. DXA scans, histomorphometry, and biomechanics were performed. LGD-3303 increased muscle weight in females rats. In addition, LGD-3303 increased BMD and BMC at both cortical and cancellous bone sites. At cortical sites, the effects were caused in part by anabolic activity on the periosteal surface. At every measured site, combination treatment was as effective as either single agent and in some cases showed significant added benefit. LGD-3303 is a novel SARM with anabolic effects on muscle and cortical bone not observed with bisphosphonates. Combination therapy with LGD-3303 and alendronate had additive effects and may potentially be a useful therapy for osteoporosis and frailty.

Structure-activity relationship studies centered around 3'-substituted (Z)-5-(2'-(thienylmethylidene))1,2-dihydro-9-hydroxy-10-methoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-5H-chromeno[3,4-f]quinolines are described. A series of highly potent and efficacious selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators were identified with in vitro activity comparable to dexamethasone. In vivo evaluation of these compounds utilizing a 28 day mouse tumor xenograft model demonstrated efficacy equal to dexamethasone in the reduction of tumor volume.

The design and synthesis of the dual peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) alpha/gamma agonist (S)-2-methyl-3-[4-[2-(5-methyl-2-thiophen-2-yl-oxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl]-2-phenoxypropionic acid (2) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated dyslipidemia are described. 2 possesses a potent dual hPPAR alpha/gamma agonist profile (IC(50) = 28 and 10 nM; EC(50) = 9 and 4 nM, respectively, for hPPARalpha and hPPARgamma). In preclinical models, 2 substantially improves insulin sensitivity and potently reverses diabetic hyperglycemia while significantly improving overall lipid homeostasis.

A series of 1,2-dihydrochromeno[3,4-f]quinoline derivatives was synthesized and tested in biological assays to evaluate the nonsteroidal progesterone receptor modulator pharmacophore (4) as antiprogestins. A number of potent analogues were identified by modification of the substituents at the D-ring.

Small animal models of atherosclerosis are commonly used in drug studies; however, the results often fail to translate into the clinic. A large animal model that more accurately reflects the human disease is needed. We recently developed a transgenic Yucatan pig model in which the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene is knocked out. Five groups of Yucatan pigs (N=4 per group), either wild type (LDLR+/+) or heterozygote (LDLR+/-) were fed a normal diet or a high fat diet for a six month period. One of the heterozygote/high fat diet groups in addition received a daily dose of a statin (atorvastatin) at 3 mg/kg. Every two weeks during the study a variety of clinical chemistry parameters were measured. At study termination, select arteries were collected, stained for lipid deposits and quantitated. In addition, sections of these arteries were prepared for immunohistochemistry to detect selected markers of macrophage infiltration into the atherosclerotic plaques. As expected, pigs fed a high fat diet gained significantly more weight at six months whether they were wild type or LDLR+/-. Atorvastatin appeared to attenuate this weight gain. There were significant increases in total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in pigs fed the high fat diet compared to their corresponding control group. The group receiving the atorvastatin had reduced values of these parameters compared to controls showing that a statin had a beneficial effect on lipid levels even in a high fat diet scenario. VLDL levels were not affected but there were triglyceride changes across the groups. Liver function was unchanged based on total bilirubin and AST while ALT measurements were altered in some of the groups. Immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry was performed on some arteries. Atorvastatin-induced amelioration of hypercholesterolemia in this model underscores its translational utility.

Human estrogen receptor-alpha (hERalpha) or -beta (hERbeta) transfected into Hep G2 or COS1 cells each responded to estrogen to increase transcription from an estrogen-responsive element (ERE)-driven reporter vector with similar fold induction through a classical mechanism involving direct receptor binding to DNA. ER antagonists inhibited this estrogen induction through both hERalpha and hERbeta, although raloxifene was more potent through ERalpha than ERbeta, and tamoxifen was more potent via ERbeta than ERalpha. We have shown previously that estrogen stimulated the human retinoic acid receptor-alpha-1 (hRARalpha-1) promoter through nonclassical EREs by a mechanism that was ERalpha dependent, but that did not involve direct receptor binding to DNA. We show here that in contrast to hERalpha, hERbeta did not induce reporter activity driven by the hRARalpha-1 promoter in the presence of estrogen. While hERbeta did not confer estrogen responsiveness on this promoter, it did elicit transcriptional activation in the presence of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OH-Tam). Additionally, this 4-OH-Tam agonist activity via ERbeta was completely blocked by estrogen. Like ERalpha, transcriptional activation of this promoter by ERbeta was not mediated by direct receptor binding to DNA. While hERalpha was shown to act through two estrogen-responsive sequences within the promoter, hERbeta acted only at the 3'-region, through two Sp1 sites, in response to 4-OH-Tam. Other ER antagonists including raloxifene, ICI-164,384 and ICI-182,780 also acted as agonists through ERbeta via the hRARalpha-1 promoter. Through the use of mutant and chimeric receptors, it was shown that the 4-OH-Tam activity via ERbeta from the hRARalpha-1 promoter in Hep G2 cells required the amino-terminal region of ERbeta, a region that was not necessary for estrogen-induced ERbeta activity from an ERE in Hep G2 cells. Additionally, the progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist RU486 acted as a weak (IC501 microM) antagonist via hERalpha and as a fairly potent (IC50 approximately 200 nM) antagonist via hERbeta from an ERE-driven reporter in cells that do not express PR. Although RU486 bound only weakly to ERalpha or ERbeta in vitro, it did bind to ERbeta in whole-cell binding assays, and therefore, it is likely metabolized to an ERbeta-interacting compound in the cell. Interestingly, RU486 acted as an agonist through ERbeta to stimulate the hRARalpha-1 promoter in Hep G2 cells. These findings may have ramifications in breast cancer treatment regimens utilizing tamoxifen or other ER antagonists and may explain some of the known estrogenic or antiestrogenic biological actions of RU486.

A series of nonsteroidal human progesterone receptor (hPR) agonists, 5-alkyl 1,2-dihydrochromeno[3,4-f]quinolines, was synthesized and evaluated in cotransfection and competitive receptor binding assays. The 5-alkyl substitution was shown to be responsible for the agonist activity and substitution at C9 dramatically enhanced the potency. A number of analogues in this series showed activities similar to or better than progesterone in the cotransfection and binding assays and analogue 15 exhibited similar in vivo activity as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in murine uterine wet weight/mammary gland morphology assays.

A novel series of oxazolecarboxamide-substituted omega-phenyl-omega-(3-pyridyl)alkenoic acid derivatives was discovered as potent dual-acting agents to block the TXA2 receptor and to inhibit the thromboxane synthase (TRA/TSI). Synthesis, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of this series of compounds are described. Modification of the series revolved around the oxazole moiety to increase the hydrophilicity of the compounds and to correlate the biological activity with lipophilicity of the compounds. The most potent in the series was (E)-7-[4-[4-[[(4-cyclohexylbutyl)amino]carbonyl]-2-oxazolyl] phenyl]-7 -(3-pyridyl)hept-6-enoic acid (14) with Kd = 9.9 +/- 0.4 nM for the thromboxane receptor antagonism and IC50 = 55.0 +/- 17.9 nM for thromboxane synthase inhibition. The compound 14 was a selective TRA/TSI which exhibited desirable characteristics for oral activity, "shunt" effect to elevate PGI2 level, and absence of agonist activity.

Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptors belong to the class of G-protein-coupled receptors. Knowledge of the relationship of structure to function for TxA2 receptors is limited because of their low levels of expression, lengthy purification procedures and poor recoveries. A C-terminal hexahistidine-tag (C-His) was ligated to the alpha-isoform of TxA2 receptors and expressed in COS-7 and Chinese hamster ovary cells. The C-His-TxA2 receptors bound the radioligands 125I-7-[(1R,2S,3S,5R)-6, 6-dimethyl-3-(4-benzenesulfonylamino)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-yl]-5(Z)-heptenoic acid, an antagonist, and 125I-[1S-1alpha, 2beta(5Z),3alpha(1E,3S*), 4alpha]-7-[3[(3-hydroxy-4-(4'-phenoxy)-1butenyl)-7-oxabicycl o-[2.2. 1]heptan-2-yl]-5-heptanoic acid, an agonist, with affinities not significantly different from those of the wild type (wt)-TxA2 receptors. LipofectAMINE transfection of the cDNAs resulted in high levels of expression (Bmax = 95 +/- 6 pmol/mg) of the C-His-TxA2 receptors. In competition binding studies the IC50 values of five different ligands were not significantly different between C-His-TxA2 and wt-TxA2 receptors. Agonist-induced stimulation of cAMP and total inositol phosphate formation were not significantly different between the two receptors. Purification on a Ni2+-NTA column resulted in a rapid (within 4 h) purification with a 36 +/- 2% recovery and a 30 +/- 6-fold purification (n = 5). The partially purified receptors were resolved on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane, dissolved in acetone/trifluoroacetic acid/hexafluoroisopropanol/sinapinic acid, and successfully subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis. The results suggest that the combination of a high level of expression of C-His-TxA2 receptors and a rapid purification procedure followed by SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis may provide a useful approach for mass-spectrometry based structure-function and other studies of TxA2 receptors.

Utilizing the co-transfection assay as a guide to determining structure activity relationships, we have been pursuing the discovery of non-steroidal hPR modulators. Small molecule, non-steroidal lead structures have been identified. Optimization of these structures has yielded more potent hPR modulators. Improved cross-reactivity profiles with other intracellular receptors are a feature of these compounds owing to their non-steroidal nature.

A novel class of nonsteroidal progesterone receptor antagonists has been synthesized and was shown to exhibit moderate binding affinity for hPR-A, the ability to inhibit the transcriptional activity of human progesterone receptor (hPR) in cell-based assays, and anti-progestational activity in a murine model. Cyclocymopol monomethyl ether, a component of the marine alga Cymopolia barbata was weakly active in random screening against PR. Investigations into the SAR surrounding the core of this natural product lead structure resulted in improved in vitro activity. In contrast to the cross-reactivity profiles observed with known steroidal anti-progestins, compounds of the general structural class described display a high degree of selectivity for the progesterone receptor and no functional activity on the glucocorticoid receptor.

Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) active retinoids have proven therapeutically useful for treating certain cancers and dermatological diseases. Herein, we describe the discovery of two new RAR active trienoic acid retinoids, (2E,4E,6E)-7-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-methylocta-2, 4,6-trienoic acid (10a, ALRT1550) and (2E,4E,6Z)-7-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-methylocta-2, 4,6-trienoic acid (10b, LG100567). ALRT1550 is a RAR selective retinoid which exhibits exceptional potency in both competitive binding and cotransfection assays. Moreover, it is the most potent antiproliferative retinoid described to date and thus has implications for the treatment of certain cancers. LG100567 is a potent panagonist which activates both RARs and retinoid X receptors.

[ 3 H]RU38486 (RU486) was synthesized from its penultimate precursor, desmethyl RU486, by substitution of the secondary amine with tritiated methyl iodide ; specific activity 85 Ci/mmol. Ligand binding studies confirm that RU486 binds with high affinity to human progesterone receptor type A (PR-A) and progesterone receptor type B (PR-B).

Structural modifications of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective compound 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl)ethenyl]benzoic acid (LGD1069), which is currently in phase I/IIA clinical trials for cancer and dermatological indications, have resulted in the identification of increasingly potent retinoids with > 1000-fold selectivity for the RXRs. This paper describes the design and preparation of a series of RXR selective retinoids as well as the biological data obtained from cotransfection and competitive binding assays which were used to evaluate their potency and selectivity. The most potent and selective of the analogs is 6-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2- yl)cyclopropyl]nicotinic acid (12d; LG100268). This compound has proven useful for investigating RXR dependent biological pathways including the induction of programmed cell death (PCD) and transglutaminase (TGase) activity. Our studies indicate that the induction of PCD and TGase in human leukemic myeloid cells is dependent upon activation of RXR-mediated pathways.

LGD1069, 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethenyl] benzoic acid, is the first retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective retinoid to enter clinical trials for treatment of dermatological diseases and cancer. In order to examine biological properties such as receptor binding, metabolism and bioavailability, [ 13 C]-[ 14 C]-, and [ 3 H]-labeled LCD1069 is required. Herein, we describe synthetic methods for preparing isotopically labeled homologs of LGD 1069 as well as comparative competition binding data for [6,7- 3 H]-LCD1069 and [ 3 H]-9-cis retinoic acid with RXR active retinoids. The final radiolabeled products, [6,7- 3 H]-LGD 1069 and 3-[ 14 C]-LGD1069 have specific activities of 56 Ci/mmol and 49 mCi/mmol, respectively. Radiochemical purities are 99.5% for [6,7- 3 H]-LGD1069 and 99.0% for 3-[ 14 C]-LGD1069. The chemical purity is 99.0% for 3-[ 13 CD 3 ]-LGD1069. Competition binding studies with known retinoids show similar Kd values when either [6,7- 3 H]-LCD1069 or [ 3 H]-9-cis retinoic acid is used as the radioligand

A series of arylsulfonamido-substituted ω-phenyl-(ω-(3-pyridyl)alkenoic acids were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their ability to act as both a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist (TRA) and thromboxane synthase inhibitor (TSI). Variations of alkenoic acid chain length, olefin geometry, substituent effect on the benzenesulfonamido group, and conformational flexibility of the substituted arylsulfonamido group were examined. Among the various substituents, iodo-substitution gave the most potent compound. Conformational flexibility between the arylsulfonamido group and the phenyl ring attached to the alkenoic acid side chain significantly enhanced the dual activities. The compound (E)-21c was identified as the most potent TRA/TSI (TRA: Kd = 53 nM; TSI: IC50 = 23 nM) in the series studied. The compounds 9c and 10c have indicated that these series of compounds are orally active and are specific TSIs as exhibited by the so-called ‘shunt’ effect on prostacyclin synthesis in vitro.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) induce platelet aggregation and are potent vasoconstrictors, and they have been implicated in coronary vasospasm and myocardial infarction. The TXA2 mimetic [1S-(1α, 2β (5Z), 3α (1E, 3S*), 4α)]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-(4′-iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl)-7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid (IBOP) was used to characterize binding to microsomal membrane preparations from saline-perfused guinea pig atria (GPA) and ventricles (GPV). [125I]IBOP bound to GPA and GPV in a protein-dependent and saturable manner, although total binding was two-fold greater and non-specific binding was proportionately less in GPA compared to GPV. Analysis of equilibrium binding data indicated one class of binding sites in both GPA and GPV with Kd values of 333 ± 117 and 645 ± 187 pM, respectively, which were in close agreement with kinetically determined Kd values of 226 and 882 pM, respectively. Bmax values of GPA and GPV of 57 ± 5.6 and 24 ± 4.3 fmol/mg protein were significantly different (P I-PTA-OH > PGF2α = PGE2. In GPV, the rank order was U46619 = SQ29548 > PGF2α = I-PTA-OH = PGE2. [125I]IBOP binding to GPA and GPV was completely displaced by the TXA2/PGH2 agonist U46619 and by the TXA2/PGH2 antagonist SQ29548. In contrast, prostaglandins PGF2α and PGE2 were 12.5-480 times less potent than U46619 and SQ29548, and they failed to displace completely [125I]IBOP in either GPA or GPV. [125I]IBOP binding in GPV was likely to a cell type other than ventricular myocyte as no specific binding could be detected in guinea pig isolated cardiomyocyte preparations. In paced guinea pig left atria. 1 μM U46619, 10 nM IBOP and 10 nM isoproterenol each elicited an approximate 35% increase in force of contraction. Responses to IBOP were blocked by 10 μM SQ29548, suggesting that the contractile effects were mediated by TXA2, receptors. Although determination of cell type(s) remains to be identified, these results indicate that specific binding with the TXA2/PGH2 mimetic [125I]IBOP may be quantified in microsomal membrane preparations from guinea pig atria and ventricles, and that these sites may represent the TXA2/PGH2 receptor.

Human platelets have been employed as an assay system to evaluate the pharmacological activity of a group of stable, arene-fused prostacyclin analogs. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a highly active member of the eicosanoid family and is relatively unstable under physiological conditions. Prostacyclin's best characterized activities are those of inhibition of platelet aggregation and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. These activities are mediated in large part via elevation of intracellular levels of cyclic AMP subsequent to receptor occupation and activation of adenylate cyclase. We previously described the synthesis of a series of arene-fused prostacyclin analogs with stability in aqueous media at physiological pH. Several of these compounds have prostacyclin-like activities, i.e., competitive binding at the platelet prostacyclin receptor, elevation of intraplatelet cyclic AMP levels and inhibition of human platelet aggregation. One compound in particular (11a) demonstrated these activities with potency similar to PGI2, i.e., Kd at platelet receptor of 3.7 nM and IC50 for inhibition of collagen-induced human platelet aggregation in plasma of 2.9 nM.

Thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) and its precursor prostaglandin H 2 (PGH 2 ) stimulate platelet activation through interaction with TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptors. We and others have shown that these receptors undergo homologous desensitization upon prolonged exposure to thromboxane A 2 mimetics. Phosphorylation of receptors has previously been reported to be an important mechanism for receptor desensitization. In the present study we examined the possibility that homologous desensitization of human platelet TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptors may involve phosphorylation. The ATP pool of human platelets was metabolically prelabeled with 32 P i and the labeled platelets were subsequently exposed for 1 and 10 min to the stable TXA 2 /PGH 2 mimetic, U46619 (1 μM). TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptors were purified approx. 2000-fold by affinity and wheatgerm lectin chromatography and subjected to SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography. A phosphorylated plasma membrane glycoprotein ( M r = 50–57 kDa) was detected with characteristics similar to the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor. This glycoprotein was found to be phosphorylated in the unstimulated state but phosphorylation was increased by exposure to U46619. Phosphorylation occurred rapidly and was inhibited when platelets were preincubated with the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor antagonist, SQ29548 (5 μM), before being stimulated with U46619. These results suggest that human platelet TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptors are phosphoproteins and that the level of phosphorylation is increased during homologous desensitization.

We have developed a high specific activity radioiodinated ligand for the biochemical evaluation and autoradiographic localization of 5HT3 receptors in the brain. [ 125 I ]-(S)- iodozacopride was synthesized by radioiodination of deschloro-(S)-zacopride using chloramine-T, and the product was purified by HPLC. The equilibrium kinetics and pharmacology of the binding of this radioligand were studied in homogenates of rat cerebral cortex, while the distribution of binding was examined by quantitative autoradiography. [ 125 I ]-(S)- iodozacopride bound to a single, saturable, specific binding site (Kd = 192 ± 9 pM, Bmax = 1.2 ± 0.2 fmol/mg protein). The binding had the pharmacological properties of a 5HT3 receptor, being potently inhibited by a variety of 5HT3 agonists and antagonists including (S)-zacopride (Ki = 0.032 nM), Quipazine (Ki = 0.45 nM), LY278584 (Ki = 0.5 nM), (1-m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide (Ki = 0.6 nM) and ICS 205–930 (Ki = 1.0 nM). Autoradiographic studies were undertaken by incubating sections with 400 pM [ 125 I ]-(S)- iodozacopride and exposing them to film for 3–7 days to obtain suitable autoradiograms. Specific binding of [ 125 I ]-(S)- iodozacopride was found at various amounts in a variety of brain regions. The highest levels of binding were found in the brainstem, principally the nucleus of the solitary tract with somewhat lower levels in the area postrema, substantia gelatinosa of the trigeminal nucleus and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. In the rat forebrain, moderate levels of specific binding were found in the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus and various subnuclei of the amygdala. Lower levels of binding were seen in the superficial laminae of the parietal cerebral cortex and diffusely distributed throughout the hippocampal formation. In conclusion, [ 125 I ]-(S)- iodozacopride binds to a receptor site with the pharmacological properties and distribution that is consistent with the 5HT3 receptor. [ 125 I ]-(S)- iodozacopride represents a significant improvement in autoradiographic studies of the 5HT3 receptor by reducing the required exposure time for producing autoradiograms from the 3–6 months required for [3H]-labeled ligands to 3–7 days.

Continuing studies based on dihydroquinoline glucocorticoid receptor agonists lead to the discovery of a series of C4-oxime analogs. Representative compounds exhibited potent transrepression activity with minimal transactivation of phosphoenolpyruvate caboxykinase (PEPCK), a key protein in the gluconeogenesis pathway. These compounds represent promising leads in identifying GR agonists with high anti-inflammatory activity and attenuated potential for glucose elevation.

Continuing studies on tetrahydroquinoline glucocorticoid receptor anti-inflammatory agents lead to the identification of several tetrahydroquinolin-3-yl carbamates that exhibited steroid-like activity in in vitro transrepression assays with reduced transactivation of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a key enzyme in the gluconeogenesis pathway.

The development of a novel class of nonsteroidal human progesterone receptor (hPR) agonists, 5-aryl-1,2-dihydro-5H-chromeno[3,4-f]quinolines 2, is described. The introduction of a 5-aryl group into the 1,2-dihydrocoumarino[3,4-f]quinoline core 1 is the key for progestational activities. The structure−activity relationship (SAR) studies of the 5-aryl substituents generated a series of potent hPR agonists, which exhibited similar biological activity (EC50 = 8−30 nM) to the natural hormone progesterone (EC50 = 2.9 nM) in cell-based assays with efficacies ranging from 28% to 96%. Most of the analogues displayed similar or greater binding affinity (Ki = 0.41−3.6 nM) than progesterone (Ki = 3.5 nM). Three representative analogues (13, 15, and 24) demonstrated in vivo activities in mammary gland morphology/uterine wet weight assay in ovariectomized rats.

Several 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2-dihydro-5H-chromeno[3,4-f]quinolines were prepared to determine the effects of substitution at C(8) and C(9) on the progestational activity of this pharmacophore. In combination with a halogen (F or Cl) at C(9), replacement of the C(5) aryl group with variously substituted aryl groups resulted in optimization of the progestational activity, affording compounds with in vitro activity greater than that of progesterone as measured by a cotransfection assay using human progesterone receptor subtype-B (hPR-B). Binding affinities (Ki) to hPR-A were subnanomolar in many cases. These in vitro effects were verified in vivo using a rodent model. Compound 10 (LG120794, 9-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-5H-chromeno[3,4-f]quinoline) was more potent than medroxyprogesterone acetate at counterpoising the effects of estradiol benzoate in the uterine wet weight assay using immature rats.

The syntheses of two labeled homologues of (2E,4E,6E)-7-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-methylocta-2,4,6-trienoic acid (ALRT1550, 2), [13CD3]ALRT1550 (3) and [3H]ALRT1550 (4), are described in this report. ALRT1550 is an exceptionally potent antiproliferative agent which is currently in phase I/II clinical trials for acute chemotherapy. Both homologues were prepared from commercially available 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoic acid. Homologue [13CD3]ALRT1550 was labeled at the 7-position of the trienoic acid chain via addition of [13CD3]MgI to a Weinreb amide precursor. The preparation of [3H]ALRT1550 utilized novel methodology to synthesize a sterically hindered and site-specific tritium-labeled tert-butyl group. Saturation binding and Scatchard analysis of this ligand at the retinoic acid receptors are also described, along with competition binding (Ki) values for a series of known retinoids using [3H]ALRT1550 or [3H]ATRA as the labeled probes.

A series of nonsteroidal human progesterone receptor (hPR) agonists, 5-alkyl 1,2-dihydrochromeno[3,4-f]quinolines, was synthesized and evaluated in cotransfection and competitive receptor binding assays. The 5-alkyl substitution was shown to be responsible for the agonist activity and substitution at C9 dramatically enhanced the potency. A number of analogues in this series showed activities similar to or better than progesterone in the cotransfection and binding assays and analogue 15 exhibited similar in vivo activity as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in murine uterine wet weight/mammary gland morphology assays.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 6-thiophene 1,2-dihydro or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives resulted in a number of potent nonsteroidal antiprogestins.

Novel 6-aryl benzimidazolones and benzothiazolones were prepared and examined as bioisosteres of the recently reported 6-aryl dihydroquinolines (1) for progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist activities. PR antagonist activities increased when compounds 9c-f possessed a more lipophilic group at position-1 and pendent aryl moiety para to NH moiety. Furthermore, conversion of carbonyl moiety of 9e,f to the thio-carbonyl led to benzoimidazolethiones 15a,b with significantly improved potency and binding affinity.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) are potent proaggregatory and vasoconstrictor lipids acting through a receptor referred to as the TXA2/PGH2 receptor. The receptor was purified using a modification of a previously described method from human platelet membranes solubilized using the detergent (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonate (CHAPS) and a combination of affinity chromatography and wheat germ lectin chromatography. This procedure resulted in a 1075 +/- 375-fold purification and a specific activity of 1.45 +/- 0.55 nmol/mg protein (n = 5). Repeating these chromatography steps on this partially purified receptor resulted in a preparation with a specific activity of 21 +/- 3 nmol/mg protein (n = 5). This represents the theoretical specific activity if one assumes a molecular weight of 50,000 for the receptor. The fold purification was 11,750 +/- 1250 based on crude membranes and an overall yield of 24%. To further the characterization of this receptor, we synthesized a new radioiodinated photoaffinity probe, 7-[(1R,2S,3S,5R)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(4-azido-3-iodobenzenesulfonylamino++ + )- bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-yl]-5(Z)-heptenoic acid (I-SAP-N3). [125I]l-SAP-N3 irreversibly incorporated into the purified receptor yielding a single band by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) autoradiography and indicated a molecular weight for the receptor of 50-51 kDa. The incorporation of the ligand could be inhibited by a variety of TXA2/PGH2 analogues. In addition, photoaffinity labelling was inhibited in a stereoselective manner as demonstrated by the pair of enantiomers (d)- and (l)-S145. Digestion of photoaffinity labelled receptor with N-glycosidase F demonstrated the presence of at least two N-linked glycosylation sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Selective antagonists of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) are desirable for the treatment of hypercortisolemia associated with Cushing’s syndrome, psychic depression, obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and glaucoma. NC3327, a non-steroidal small molecule with potent binding affinity to GR (Ki = 13.2 nM), was identified in a high-throughput screening effort. As a full GR antagonist, NC3327 greatly inhibits the dexamethasone (Dex) induction of marker genes involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis, but has a minimal effect on matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), a GR responsive pro-inflammatory gene. Interestingly, the compound recruits neither coactivators nor corepressors to the GR complex but competes with glucocorticoids for the interaction between GR and a coactivator peptide. Moreover, NC3327 does not trigger GR nuclear translocation, but significantly blocks Dex-induced GR transportation to the nucleus, and thus appears to be a ‘competitive’ GR antagonist. Therefore, the non-steroidal compound, NC3327, may represent a new class of GR antagonists as potential therapeutics for a variety of cortisol-related endocrine disorders.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and its precursor prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) induce platelet aggregation and vascular contraction through shared cell surface receptors commonly referred to as TXA2 or TXA2/PGH2 receptors. Whether different subclasses of TXA2/PGH2 receptors exist in platelets and vascular smooth muscle cells is controversial. In this study, TXA2 receptors on washed rat and human platelets and cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC) were characterized using radioligand competition binding assays with the 125I-labeled TXA2/PGH2 receptor agonist [1S-(1α,2β(5Z),3α(1E,3R∗), 4α)]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-(4'-iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl)-7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]-heptan-2-yl] -5-heptenoic acid (I-BOP) and various agonists and antagonists. Scatchard analyses of equilibrium binding data revealed Kd values of 205 ± 68 pM (N = 6), 2.2 ± 0.3 nM (N = 9) and 310 ± 60 pM (N = 7) and Bmax values of 1.3 ± 0.45 fmol/106 platelets. 2.8 ± 0.2 fmol/106 platelets and 20.9 ± 2.2 fmol/106 cells for rat and human platelets and RASMC, respectively. Concentration-dependent increases in intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations induced by I-BOP were observed in RASMC loaded with the calcium sensitive dye fura-2. The ic50 values for various TXA2/PGH2 analogues in competition binding assays with 125I-BOP were determined. Based on their ic50 values, the rank orders were I-BOP < L657925 < ONO11113 ⩽ SQ29548 < PTA-TPO < PTA-NO ⩽ L657926 ⩽ I-PTA-OH < PTA-OH[2] = meta-I-PTA-PO ⩽ ONO11120[2] = ONO11120[1] < PTA-OH[1] in rat platelets. I-BOP < SQ29548 < PTA-TPO = L657925 ⩽ ONO11113 < I-PTA-OH < PTA-NO ⩽ meta-I-PTA-PO ⩽ PTA-OH[2] < ONO11120[2] ⩽ ONO11120[1] < L657926 ⩽ PTA-OH[1] in human platelets, and I-BOP < L657925 < ONO11113 ⩽ SQ29548 < ONO11120[2] ⩽ L657926 ⩽ PTA-OH[2] < PTA-TPO < ONO11120[1] < I-PTA-OH < meta-I-PTA-PO < PTA-NO < PTA-OH[1] in RASMC. For the structurally dissimilar compounds I-BOP. SQ29548. ONO-11113. L657925 and L657926, there were no significant differences in the rank order potencies between the three tissues. In contrast, the rank order potencies for the 13-azapinane TXA2 analogs were significantly different in rat platelets compared to RASMC. and human platelets compared to RASMC. but not significantly different between rat and human platelets. The ratios of ic50 values for the two sets of epimeric pairs of 13-azapinane TXA2 analogs (ONO11120[1] and [2] and PTA-OH[1] and [2]) were significantly different (P < 0.05) for rat and human platelets compared to RASMC but not different between rat and human platelets. The results are consistent with the notion that TXA2/PGH2 receptors on platelets are different from those on RASMC. and 13-azapinane TXA2 analogs may be useful compounds for discriminating between the two classes of TXA2/PGH2 receptors.

We have described an efficient synthesis of an 125 -labeled photoaffinity probe of high affinity for human platelet TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptors. The high affinity of this probe and its irreversible incorporation into the TXA 2 receptor should make it a useful tool for the study of this receptor. This synthesis was accomplished via an exchange of the 127 I isotope with a trimethyltin group in the presence of an azide group followed by an electrophilic destannylation using [ 125 I]ICl generated with chloramine-T

Radioiodination of methyl-7-[(2R, 2S, 3S, 5R)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(4-trimethylstannylbenzenesulfonylamino) bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-yl]-5(Z)-heptenoate with [125I] Na using a modification of the chloramine-T method in organic solvent is simple with high yields and site specific. The product, following hydrolysis of the ester, 7-[(2R, 2S, 3S, 5R)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(4-[125I]-iodobenzenesulfonylamino) bicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-yl]-5(Z)-heptenoic acid ([125I]-ISAP), was purified by HPLC. The high specific activity and specific binding will make the ligand a useful tool for the characterization of thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors.

Several sulfonamide derivatives related to S-145 were synthesized and tested as thromboxane receptor antagonists. The results reveal the importance of the orientation between the sulfonamide moiety and the caboxyclic acid group of the alpha-side chain in order to obtain high affinity interaction with TXA2 receptors.

A series of nonsteroidal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands based on a 6-indole-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline scaffold are reported. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the pendent indole group identified compound 20 exhibiting good GR binding affinity (K(i)=1.5nM) and 100- to 1000-fold selectivity over MR, PR, and AR while showing activity in an E-selectin repression assay.

A series of nonsteroidal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands based on a 6-indole-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline scaffold are reported. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the pendent indole group identified compound 20 exhibiting good GR binding affinity (K(i)=1.5nM) and 100- to 1000-fold selectivity over MR, PR, and AR while showing activity in an E-selectin repression assay.

The progesterone receptor plays an important role in the female reproductive system. Here we describe the discovery of a new selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM). In rats, the lead compound, 7,9-difluoro-5-(3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl)-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydrochromeno[3,4- f]quinoline ( 5c), inhibited ovulation and showed full efficacy in uterine and vaginal tissue but was a mixed partial agonist/antagonist in breast tissue. The compound also suppressed ovulation in monkeys, but in contrast to currently approved steroidal PR agonists, it did not suppress estradiol levels.

Recent interest in orally available androgens has fueled the search for new androgens for use in hormone replacement therapy and as anabolic agents. In pursuit of this, we have discovered a series of novel androgen receptor modulators derived from 7H-[1,4]oxazino[3,2-g]quinolin-7-ones. These compounds were synthesized and evaluated in competitive binding assays and an androgen receptor transcriptional activation assay. A number of compounds from the series demonstrated single-digit nanomolar agonist activity in vitro. In addition, lead compound (R)-16e was orally active in established rodent models that measure androgenic and anabolic properties of these agents. In this assay, (R)-16e demonstrated full efficacy in muscle and only partially stimulated the prostate at 100 mg/kg. These data suggest that these compounds may be utilized as selective androgen receptor modulators or SARMs. This series represents a novel class of compounds for use in androgen replacement therapy.