Jean-François Liégeois

N‐Methyl‐bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolinium) analogues derived from AG525 (1,1′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)‐bis‐(6,7‐dimethoxy‐2‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline)) stereoisomers and tetrandrine, a rigid bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline) analogue with an S,S configuration, were synthesized and tested for their affinity for small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel (SK/K_Ca2) subtypes using radioligand binding assays. A significant increase in affinity was observed for the quaternized analogues over the parent 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds. Interestingly, the impact of stereochemistry was not the same in the two groups of compounds. For quaternized analogues, affinities of S,S and R,R isomers for SK2 and SK3 channels were similar and in both cases higher than that of the meso derivative. Among the bis‐tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds, the S,S isomers exhibited high affinity, while the R,R and meso isomers had similarly lower affinities. Furthermore, the SK2/SK3 selectivity ratio was slightly increased for quaternized analogues. Bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolinium) represents a new scaffold for the development of high‐affinity ligands for SK channel subtypes.

An electrostatic interaction related to a favorable position of the distal phenyl ring and a phenylalanine residue in the binding pocket would explain the higher 5-HT_1A affinity of a 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (THP) analogue compared to the corresponding 4-phenylpiperazine analogue. To explore a possible reinforcement of this interaction to increase the affinity for 5-HT_1A receptors, different 4-substituted-phenyl analogues were synthesized and tested. The most important increase of affinity is obtained with two electron-donating methyl groups in positions 3 and 5.

A series of new pyridobenzoxazepine derivatives with various heterocyclic amine side chains were synthesized to explore two main parameters related to the distal basic nitrogen. These compounds were tested for their affinity for dopamine D_2L and D₄, serotonin 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A, and adrenergic α_2A receptors in comparison with 5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-8-chloro-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]benzoxazepine, JL13 (1), and other diarylazepine derivatives. In terms of multireceptor target strategy, 2 and 5 present the most promising in vitro binding profile. Bulky, polar, and more flexible side chains are not favorable in this context. Compounds 2 and 5 were tested in adult rats to evaluate their long-term effects on dopamine and serotonin receptors density in different brain areas. Similar to 1 and other second-generation antipsychotic drugs, repeated treatment with 2 significantly increased D₁ and D₄ receptors in nucleus accumbens and caudate putamen and D₂ receptors in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, while 5 significantly increased D₂ and D₄ receptors in nucleus accumbens. In addition, 2 increased 5-HT_1A and decreased 5-HT_2A receptors in cerebral cortex. In contrast, 5 did not alter levels of any 5-HT receptor subtype in any brain region examined. These results encourage further development of 2 as a novel second-generation antipsychotic agent.

The interaction of diazepine analogues like clozapine or olanzapine with D2 receptor was greatly affected by a mixture of HRP/H₂O₂ known to induce the formation of nitrenium ion. Unlike diazepine derivatives, the oxidative mixture had low impact on the affinity of oxa- and thiazepine derivatives such as loxapine, clothiapine or JL13 for the D2 receptor. Molecular docking simulations revealed a huge difference between the mode of interaction of clozapine nitrenium ion and the parent drug. Electronic and geometric changes of the tricyclic ring system caused by the oxidation appeared to prevent the compound finding the correct binding mode and could therefore explain the difference observed in binding affinities.

A series of substituted 4-aryl-piperazine-ethyl heteroarylcarboxamides were prepared and tested in in vitro radioligand binding studies. The presence of a quinoxaline has a favourable impact in terms of serotonin 5-HT1A versus dopamine D4.2 receptor selectivity. Compounds with a 3-CF3 group at the distal phenyl ring are the most effective in terms of affinity and selectivity for 5-HT1A versus D4.2 receptors. A 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in place of the corresponding 4-phenyl-piperazine side chain is also favourable not only for the affinity for 5-HT1A and D4.2 receptors but also in some cases for α2A-adrenoceptors.

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels are found in many types of neurons as well as in some other cell types. These channels are selective for K+ and open when intracellular Ca2+ rises to ∼ 500 nM. In neurons, this occurs during and after an action potential. Activation of SK channels hyperpolarizes the membrane, thus reducing cell excitability for several tens or hundreds of milliseconds. This phenomenon is called a afterhyperpolarization (AHP). Three subtypes of SK channels (SK1, SK2, SK3) have been cloned and exhibit a differential localization in the brain. SK channels may play a role in physiological and pathological conditions. They may be involved in the control of memory and cognition. Moreover, they are heavily expressed in the basal ganglia (in particular in the substantia nigra, pars compacta) and in the limbic system, suggesting that they may modulate motricity and emotional behaviour. Based on these facts, SK channel subtypes may be a suitable target for developing novel therapeutic agents, but more work is needed to validate these targets. Hence, there is a great need for selective ligands. Moreover, although the risk of peripheral side-effects for SK channel modulators appears to be low, some questions remain to be investigated. Currently, different molecules are known as SK channel modulators. Apamin is a very potent peptidic agent, it produces a strong blockade of these targets which is only very slowly reversible and it has limited selectivity. Dequalinium was found to be an effective blocker. Different chemical modulations on the dequalinium structure led to the discovery of highly potent bis-quinolinium derivatives such as UCL 1684. Other bis-(2- amino-benzimidazole) derivatives are in development. On the other hand, quaternary salts of bicuculline were reported to be effective in inhibiting AHPs. More recent developments on structurally-related molecules revealed that methyl-laudanosine is a new interesting tool for exploring SK channel pharmacology. Finally, a family of compounds has been shown to facilitate SK channel opening. Such compounds may be useful in treating disorders involving neuronal hyperexcitability.

A series of new pyridobenzodiazepines with variation of the basic side chain were synthesized and evaluated for their binding to D_4.2, D_2L, and 5-HT_2A receptors in comparison with clozapine, haloperidol, and two parent compounds previously described, 8-chloro-6-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-11H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepine (8) and 8-methyl-6-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-11H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepine (9). In the piperazine series, replacing the N-methyl group by a N-phenyl moiety (15−17, 30−32) provided a dramatic decrease of affinity for all receptors (K_i > 1000 nM). A N-cyclohexyl group (20, 35) restored some affinity. Compounds with a N-benzyl (18, 33) or N-phenethyl side chain (19, 34) had significant affinities at D_4.2 and 5-HT_2A receptors. Homologation of the piperazine nucleus (29, 44) led to a significant decrease of the affinity at all receptors investigated. In the 4-aminopiperidine series, N-methyl derivatives (21, 36) possessed less affinity in comparison with the N-methylpiperazine analogues (8, 9) while the N-benzyl congeners (22, 37) showed similar affinities. The rigidification of piperidine nucleus as obtained in azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives (23, 38) involved a slight reduction of the affinity at D_4.2 and 5-HT_2A receptors while the affinity at D_2L receptors was dramatically increased. The introduction of N-substituted aminoalkylamines to replace N-methylpiperazine generally led to a significant decrease in the affinity for D_4.2 receptors but some of these molecules (24, 25, 41) presented a significant 5-HT_2A binding affinity. The presence of a more flexible side chain induced an increased conformational freedom. Consequently, the preferential position of the distal nitrogen or its basicity in piperazine derivatives was greatly modified. 19 with a high D_4.2 and 5-HT_2A affinity (K_i = 40 and 103 nM, respectively) did not induce cataleptic phenomenon in the paw test in rats but significantly reduced the immobility time in Porsolt's test in mice suggesting antidepressant properties.