Identification of Isoform 2 Acid-Sensing Ion Channel Inhibitors as Tool Compounds for Target Validation Studies in CNS

ACS Med Chem Lett. 2019 Feb 7;10(4):627-632. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00591. eCollection 2019 Apr 11.

Abstract

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of ion channels permeable to cations and largely responsible for the onset of acid-evoked ion currents both in neurons and in different types of cancer cells, thus representing a potential target for drug discovery. Owing to the limited attention ASIC2 has received so far, an exploratory program was initiated to identify ASIC2 inhibitors using diminazene, a known pan-ASIC inhibitor, as a chemical starting point for structural elaboration. The performed exploration enabled the identification of a novel series of ASIC2 inhibitors. In particular, compound 2u is a brain penetrant ASIC2 inhibitor endowed with an optimal pharmacokinetic profile. This compound may represent a useful tool to validate in animal models in vivo the role of ASIC2 in different neurodegenerative central nervous system pathologies.