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SAR studies around a series of N-(tetrahydroisoquinolinyl)-2-methoxybenzamides, identified by high-throughput screening at the novel SB-204269 binding site, have provided compounds such as 13, 29-33 with high affinity and excellent anticonvulsant activity in animal models.

A series of N-(tetrahydroisoquinolinyl)-2-methoxybenzamides was identified by high-throughput screening at the novel SB-204269 binding site. SAR studies have provided compounds 4 and 14 with high affinity and good anticonvulsant activity in animal models.

Loss of cholinergic function is believed to be implicated in the cognitive decline associated with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). The disease is characterized by progressive loss of muscarinic receptors located on nerve terminals while postsynaptic muscarinic M1 receptors appear to remain largely intact. Muscarinic agonists acting directly on postsynaptic receptors offer the prospect of countering the cholinergic deficit in SDAT. This study describes a novel series of azabicyclic muscarinic agonists, which incorporate an oxime ether or modified oxime ether group as an ester bioisostere. Modification of the oxime ether function by the introduction of electron withdrawing groups led to the finding that the (Z)-N-methoxy imidoyl nitrile group serves as a stable methyl ester bioisostere. This culminated in the discovery of the quinuclidinyl N-methoxy imidoyl nitrile R-(+)-(Z)-5g which is a functionally selective muscarinic M1 partial agonist currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of SDAT. The selective profile of R-(+)-(Z)-5g can be rationalized in terms of the relative affinity of the compound at muscarinic receptor subtypes, the degree of agonist efficacy, and brain penetrancy.

The finding that ascending cholinergic systems are severely degenerated in Alzheimer's disease has driven the search for a cholinomimetic therapy. Adverse effects observed with cholinesterase inhibitors and high-efficacy muscarinic agonists led us to design compounds with an improved profile. SB 202026 (R-(Z)-(+)-alpha-(methoxyimino)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2] octane-3-acetonitrile) displaced [3H]-oxotremorine-M from muscarinic receptors in the rat brain with high affinity (IC50 = 14 nM), a potency similar to that of oxotremorine-M itself (IC50 = 13 nM), but exhibited low affinity for cholinergic nicotinic receptors and other neuroreceptors. In studies using cloned human muscarinic receptors, SB 202026 possessed approximately equal affinity in displacing [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate from all muscarinic receptor subtypes. In functional models in vitro, SB 202026 caused maximal depolarization of the rat superior cervical ganglion at low concentrations (300 nM) (M1-mediated effect), while producing a lower maximal effect than the high-efficacy agonists oxotremorine-M and carbachol on M2-mediated release of ACh and M3-mediated smooth muscle contraction (guinea pig ileum), respectively. The functional selectivity and partial agonist profile seen in vitro were reflected in vivo through potent cognition-related activity (M1-induced increase in hippocampal EEG power) combined with low efficacy, compared with arecoline or oxotremorine, on induction of bradycardia (M2-mediated response), hypotension (via M3-mediated vasorelaxation) and tremor (thought to be mediated by M3 receptors). The foregoing profile of SB 202026 predicted that cognition-enhancing activity would be achieved at doses below those that initiate undesirable side effects, and this has subsequently been demonstrated in rodents, marmosets and humans.

The effect of variation of the 1-azabicyclic substituent on the novel 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-, 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl, tetrazol-5-yl-, and tetrazol-2-yl-based muscarinic receptor ligands has been studied, and the exo-azabicyclic[2.2.1]hept-3-yl substituent was found to give the most potent and efficacious compounds. In addition, variation of the second substituent on 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl- and tetrazol-2-yl-based muscarinic receptor ligands has yielded a series of novel compounds with high potencies and efficacies, ranging from full agonists to antagonists. Small lipophilic electron withdrawing substituents give potent but low efficacy compounds, while small polar electron donating substituents give potent and efficacious compounds. The activity of these compounds is described in terms of a model of the receptor involving lipophilic and hydrogen bonding interactions. These compounds provide muscarinic ligands with high potency and a range of efficacies suitable for testing as candidate drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The synthesis of 15 methyl or unsubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, 1,2,4-triazoles, and tetrazoles additionally substituted with a 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-yl group is described. The potency and efficacy of these compounds as muscarinic ligands were determined in radioligand binding assays using [3H]oxotremorine and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. Potency and efficacy were found in compounds in which the azole moiety was attached to the azabicyclic ring either through a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom. Electrostatic potential maps of both the C-linked and the novel N-linked series of compounds were calculated. A relationship between position and depth of the electrostatic minima relative to the azabicyclic ring and the potency and efficacy of the compounds was determined.

The link between the cognitive deficit associated with Alzheimer type dementia and the loss of cholinergic function in the disease provides a basis for examining muscarinic agonists as potential therapeutic agents. This paper describes the design and synthesis of novel azabicyclic methyl esters as ligands for the muscarinic receptor. Replacement of the methyl ester by a 3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole ring produces potent metabolically more stable muscarinic agonists capable of penetrating the central nervous system. These compounds generally show improved affinity relative to the corresponding methyl esters. 3-Methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole 7b has an affinity 4 times that of acetylcholine. Receptor affinity is discussed in relation to the size and geometry of the azabicyclic ring and the electronic properties of the heteroaromatic ring.

The kinetics of the inactivation of beta-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus 569 by preparations of 6 alpha-bromopenicillanic acid showed unexpected features. These can be quantitatively accounted for on the basis of the inactivator being the epimer, 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid. At pH 9.2, the rate-determining step in the inactivation is the formation of the inactivator. When pure 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid is used to inactivate beta-lactamase I, simple second-order kinetics are observed. The inactivated enzyme has a new absorption peak at 326 nm. The rate constant for inactivation has the same value as the rate constant for appearance of absorption at 326 nm; the rate-determining step may thus be fission of the beta-lactam ring of 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid. Inactivation is slower in the presence of substrate, and the observed kinetics can be quantitatively accounted for on a simple competitive model. The results strongly suggest that inactivation is a consequence of reaction at the active site.

The inactivation of beta-lactamase I by preparations of 6alpha-bromopenicillanic acid showed unexpected kinetic features that indicated that the active species was the 6beta-epimer. Samples containing 6beta-bromopenicillanic acid have been synthesized and shown to inactivate the enzyme in a rapid stoicheiometric reaction.