Novel sigma receptor ligands: synthesis and biological profile

J Med Chem. 2007 Mar 8;50(5):951-61. doi: 10.1021/jm0611197. Epub 2007 Feb 13.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological profile of new substituted 1-phenyl-2-cyclopropylmethylamines. High affinity for both sigma subtypes was achieved when 4-phenylpiperidin-4-ol (4a-e) and 4-benzylpiperidine moieties were present (5a-e). (1R,2S/1S,2R)-2-[4-Hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl]-1-(4-methylphenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate (4b) showed high affinity for the sigma1 sites (Ki = 1.5 nM) and the most favorable sigma1/sigma2 selectivity (Ki(sigma2)/Ki(sigma1) = 33.9). Binding affinity studies showed that 4b binding on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), dopaminergic (D1, D2, D3), muscarinic, histaminergic H1, adrenergic (alpha1, alpha2), serotoninergic (5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT6), DA (DAT), and 5-HT (SERT) transporters was not significant. Interestingly, sigma ligands differently induced the expression of tissue transglutaminase (TG-2) in primary astroglial cell cultures. We suggest that 4b may act as a sigma1/sigma2 agonist and that the sigma ligands may modulate TG-2 differently.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / enzymology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclopropanes / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclopropanes / chemistry
  • Cyclopropanes / pharmacology
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Guinea Pigs
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Ligands
  • Piperidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Piperidines / chemistry
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, sigma / agonists
  • Receptors, sigma / metabolism*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transglutaminases / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Cyclopropanes
  • Ligands
  • Piperidines
  • Receptors, sigma
  • methyl 2-((4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(4-methylphenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate
  • Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
  • Transglutaminases
  • Caspase 3
  • GTP-Binding Proteins