The Structure-Activity Relationship of a Tetrahydroisoquinoline Class of N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Modulators that Potentiates GluN2B-Containing N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors

J Med Chem. 2017 Jul 13;60(13):5556-5585. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00239. Epub 2017 Jun 26.

Abstract

We have identified a series of positive allosteric NMDA receptor (NMDAR) modulators derived from a known class of GluN2C/D-selective tetrahydroisoquinoline analogues that includes CIQ. The prototypical compound of this series contains a single isopropoxy moiety in place of the two methoxy substituents present in CIQ. Modifications of this isopropoxy-containing scaffold led to the identification of analogues with enhanced activity at the GluN2B subunit. We identified molecules that potentiate the response of GluN2B/GluN2C/GluN2D, GluN2B/GluN2C, and GluN2C/GluN2D-containing NMDARs to maximally effective concentrations of agonist. Multiple compounds potentiate the response of NMDARs with submicromolar EC50 values. Analysis of enantiomeric pairs revealed that the S-(-) enantiomer is active at the GluN2B, GluN2C, and/or GluN2D subunits, whereas the R-(+) enantiomer is only active at GluN2C/D subunits. These results provide a starting point for the development of selective positive allosteric modulators for GluN2B-containing receptors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Microsomes, Liver / chemistry
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / administration & dosage
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / chemistry
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • NR2B NMDA receptor
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline