SAR studies on tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives: the role of flexibility and bioisosterism to raise potency and selectivity toward P-glycoprotein

J Med Chem. 2014 Dec 11;57(23):9983-94. doi: 10.1021/jm501640e. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Abstract

The development of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) ligands remains of considerable interest, mostly for investigating the protein's structure and transport mechanism. In recent years, many different generations of ligands have been tested for their ability to modulate P-gp activity. The aim of the present work is to perform SAR studies on tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in order to design potent and selective P-gp ligands. For this purpose, the effect of bioisosteric replacement and the role of flexibility have been investigated, and four series of tetrahydroisoquinoline ligands have been developed: (a) 2-aryloxazole bioisosteres, (b) elongated analogues, (c) 2H-chromene, and (d) 2-biphenyl derivatives. The results showed that both 2-biphenyl derivative 20b and elongated derivative 6g behaved as strong P-gp substrates. In conclusion, important aspects for developing potent and selective P-gp ligands have been highlighted, providing a solid starting point for further optimization.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / chemistry*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Dogs
  • Fluoresceins / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Mice
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / chemical synthesis*
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / chemistry

Substances

  • 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(4-methoxybiphenyl-4-yl-methyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Fluoresceins
  • Ligands
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • calcein AM
  • diphenyl
  • multidrug resistance-associated protein 1