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Conformational analysis using molecular mechanics calculations (MM2(87)) has been performed for four different types of benzamides which display high affinity for the dopamine D-2 receptor. In order to elucidate the conformation of the receptor-bound molecules, a previously described dopamine D-2 receptor-interaction model has been employed. We conclude that all four types of benzamides accommodated in the proposed receptor-interaction model are in low-energy conformations. An acyclic amide side chain is concluded to adopt an extended conformation in the receptor-bound benzamide. A phenylpyrrole analogue of the benzamides could similarly be fitted to the model. Using the receptor-interaction model, the enantioselectivity of benzamides with an N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinylmethyl side chain could be rationalized in terms of different conformational energies of the receptor-bound enantiomers. Two different receptor sites for N-alkyl substituents are suggested.

The molecular electrostatic potentials for a selective dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist, 7-chloro-8-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-methylbenzazepine (SCH 23390 (1], and a selective dopamine D-1 receptor agonist, 7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (SK&F 38393 (2], have been calculated in order to obtain an understanding of the nature of the interactions between the phenyl ring and the receptor. Analogues of 1 with conformationally constrained phenyl rings have also been studied. Based on this study, the conclusion is drawn that an important part of the interaction between the phenyl ring in the benzazepines and the receptor is due to electrostatic forces, and that the phenyl ring interacts with the same receptor site as the oxygen atom of the 8-hydroxy group.

Comprehensive conformational analysis using molecular mechanics calculations (MM2(85)) has been carried out for the potent and selective dopamine D-1 receptor agonist 7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (1; SK&F 38393), the antagonist 7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine (8; SCH 23390), and several analogues, including conformationally constrained ones. Calculated conformational energies have been related to pharmacological and biochemical data in an attempt to identify the biologically active conformations of 1 and 8. It is concluded that the most probable receptor-bound conformation in both cases is a chair conformation with an equatorial phenyl ring and for 8 an equatorial N-methyl group. It is suggested that the orientation of the phenyl ring in the receptor-bound molecule does not deviate in terms of dihedral angles by more than about 30 degrees from the preferred phenyl group rotamer in which the planes of two aromatic rings are essentially orthogonal.

Pre- and postsynaptic dopaminergic activities of a series of indolizidine and quinolizidine analogues of 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(n-propyl)piperidine (3-PPP) have been studied. The pharmacological data have been interpreted in terms of a previously reported model for interactions with dopamine pre- and postsynaptic D2-receptors and molecular mechanics (MM2(85] calculated geometries and conformational energies. The model has been further developed with respect to the receptor topography in the vicinity of the nitrogen binding site. In particular, a novel spatial orientation of the important "propyl cleft" has been proposed. This cleft is suggested to be located mainly above a plane through the receptor-bound substrate. The biologically active agonist and antagonist conformations of the enantiomers of 3-PPP have been reinvestigated.

Molecular mechanics (MMP2) calculated geometries and conformational energies have been employed in an attempt to elucidate the molecular basis for presynaptic dopamine receptor selectivity of centrally acting agonists of the phenylpiperidine series. A receptor interaction model based on the McDermed receptor concept, on superimpositions of calculated structures, and on conformational analysis is presented. The model focuses on the interaction between N-alkyl substituents and the receptor. From comparisons with rigid structures having either agonistic or antagonistic properties it is concluded that the presynaptically selective compound (S)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine [S)-3PPP) is acting as an agonist in one rotameric form and as an antagonist in another one. The selectivity of (S)-3PPP and the nonselectivity of its enantiomer are suggested to be due to differences in the interactions between N-alkyl substituents and the receptor. The receptor model presented led to the hypothesis that the piperidine ring in the compounds studied should be equivalent to a N-methyl group in its receptor interactions. Examples are given in support of this idea. Presynaptic selectivity was predicted for an aminotetralin derivative and was also observed in subsequent testing.

A series of apomorphine congeners has been studied with respect to their ability to mimic the structural requirements of the dopamine pharmacophore in the potent and stereoselective dopamine receptor agonist (R)-apomorphine. Conformational energies of the mimicking structures calculated by molecular mechanics (MMP2) correlate well with the observed biological activities.

Conformational analysis with molecular mechanics (MM2(85] and molecular superimposition studies of (1R,3S)-(+)- and (1S,3R)-(-)-4-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)indan-1-yl]-1- piperazineethanol (tefludazine) and (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-octoclothepin have been employed to identify biologically active conformations of these compounds with respect to dopamine receptor antagonism and amine-uptake inhibition. In contrast to what is commonly assumed, these studies indicate that the conformation of (S)-(+)-octoclothepin responsible for the dopamine receptor antagonism is different from the one observed in the crystal. From least-squares molecular superimpositions with the potent and stereoselective dopamine receptor antagonist (1R,3S)-tefludazine, biologically active conformations for the two compounds on the dopamine receptor have been deduced. This analysis also rationalizes the enantioselectivity of octoclothepin on the dopamine receptor. The X-ray structure of (S)-(+)-octoclothepin is shown to correspond structurally to the 1S,3R enantiomer of tefludazine, which is an amine-uptake inhibitor. This correspondence provides a structural basis for the norepinephrine (NE) uptake blocking properties of octoclothepin. It is predicted that the enantioselectivity of the NE-uptake inhibition of octoclothepin should be low with the S-(+) enantiomer as the more active optical isomer. A comparison of the deduced biologically active conformation of (S)-(+)-octoclothepin with (+)-dexclamol is also discussed on the basis of earlier derived superimposition studies with (+)-dexclamol.