2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)quinazoline Derivatives: A New Class of Direct Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) Agonists

J Med Chem. 2016 May 26;59(10):4601-10. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01891. Epub 2016 May 12.

Abstract

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is a key regulator of xenobiotic and endobiotic metabolism. Together with pregnane X (PXR) and aryl hydrocarbon (AHR) receptors, it is referred to as "xenobiotic receptor". The unique properties of human CAR, such as its high constitutive activity, both direct (ligand-binding domain-dependent) and indirect activation have hindered the discovery of direct selective human CAR ligands. Herein, we report a novel class of direct human CAR agonists in a group of 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)quinazoline derivatives. The compounds are even more potent activators of human CAR than is prototype 6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime (CITCO). The three most potent ligands are at the same time extremely potent activators of the other xenobiotic or hormonal receptors, namely PXR, AHR, and vitamin D receptor, which regulate major xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters. Thus, the novel CAR ligands can be also considered as constituting the first class of potent pan-xenobiotic receptor ligands that can serve as potential antidotes boosting overall metabolic elimination of xenobiotic or toxic compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Constitutive Androstane Receptor
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Quinazolines / chemical synthesis
  • Quinazolines / chemistry
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / agonists*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Constitutive Androstane Receptor
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System