4,8-Dimethylcoumarin Inhibitors of Intestinal Anion Exchanger slc26a3 (Downregulated in Adenoma) for Anti-Absorptive Therapy of Constipation

J Med Chem. 2019 Sep 12;62(17):8330-8337. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01192. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Abstract

The chloride/bicarbonate exchanger SLC26A3 (downregulated in adenoma) is expressed mainly in colonic epithelium, where it dehydrates the stool by facilitating the final step of chloride and fluid absorption. SLC26A3 inhibition has predicted efficacy in various types of constipation including that associated with cystic fibrosis. We previously identified, by high-throughput screening, 4,8-dimethylcoumarin inhibitors of murine slc26a3 with IC50 down to ∼150 nM. Here, we synthesized a focused library of forty-three 4,8-dimethylcoumarin analogues. Structure-activity studies revealed the requirement of 4,8-dimethylcoumarin-3-acetic acid for activity. The most potent inhibitors were produced by replacements at C7, including 3-iodo- (4az) and 3-trifluoromethyl- (4be), with IC50 of 40 and 25 nM, respectively. Pharmacokinetics in mice showed predicted therapeutic concentrations of 4az for >72 h following a single 10 mg/kg oral dose. 4az at 10 mg/kg fully normalized stool water content in a loperamide-induced mouse model of constipation. The favorable inhibition potency, selectivity within the SLC26 family, and pharmacological properties of 4az support its further preclinical development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiporters / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Antiporters / chemical synthesis
  • Antiporters / chemistry
  • Antiporters / pharmacology*
  • Constipation / chemically induced
  • Constipation / drug therapy*
  • Coumarins / chemical synthesis
  • Coumarins / chemistry
  • Coumarins / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Loperamide
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfate Transporters / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • 4,8-dimethylcoumarin
  • Antiporters
  • Coumarins
  • Slc26a3 protein, mouse
  • Sulfate Transporters
  • Loperamide