Lead Diversification at the Nanomole Scale Using Liver Microsomes and Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Application to Phosphodiesterase 2 Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2018 Apr 26;61(8):3626-3640. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00116. Epub 2018 Apr 9.

Abstract

In this report, we describe a method whereby lead molecules can be converted into several new analogues each using liver microsomes. Less than one micromole of substrate is incubated with liver microsomes (mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, dog, monkey, or human) to produce multiple products which are isolated and analyzed by quantitative cryomicroprobe NMR (qNMR) spectroscopy. The solutions from qNMR analysis were then used as stocks that were diluted into biochemical assays. Nine human phosphodiesterase-2 (PDE2) inhibitors yielded 36 new analogues. Products were tested for PDE2 inhibition, intrinsic clearance in human hepatocytes, and membrane permeability. Two of the products (2c and 4b) were 3-10× more potent than their respective parent compounds and also had improved metabolic stability. Others offered insights into structure-activity relationships. Overall, this process of using liver microsomes at a submicromole scale of substrate is a useful approach to rapid and cost-effective late-stage lead diversification.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Cricetinae
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2