Conformationally restrained carbamoylcholine homologues. Synthesis, pharmacology at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and biostructural considerations

Eur J Med Chem. 2015 Sep 18:102:352-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.07.029. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

Abstract

Exploration of small selective ligands for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) based on acetylcholine (ACh) has led to the development of potent agonists with clear preference for the α4β2 nAChR, the most prevalent nAChR subtype in the central nervous system. In this work we present the continuation of these efforts aimed at increasing this subtype selectivity by introduction of conformational restriction in the carbamoylcholine homologue, 3-(dimethylaminobutyl) dimethylcarbamate (DMABC). Our results highlight the importance of the N-carbamoyl substitution in α4β2-subtype selectivity. Moreover, we have confirmed the non-linear conformation of DMABC bound to nAChRs suggested by recent crystal structures of the compound in complex with the Lymnaea stagnalis ACh binding protein.

Keywords: Acetylcholine; Agonist; Conformational restriction; Docking; Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbachol / chemical synthesis
  • Carbachol / chemistry*
  • Carbachol / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nicotinic Agonists / chemical synthesis*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / chemistry
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • nicotinic receptor alpha4beta2
  • Carbachol