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Introduction: A radioligand for measuring the density of corticotropin-releasing factor subtype-1 receptors (CRF1 receptors) in living animal and human brain with positron emission tomography (PET) would be a useful tool for neuropsychiatric investigations and the development of drugs intended to interact with this target. This study was aimed at discovery of such a radioligand from a group of CRF1 receptor ligands based on a core 3-(phenylamino)-pyrazin-2(1H)-one scaffold., Methods: CRF1 receptor ligands were selected for development as possible PET radioligands based on their binding potency at CRF1 receptors (displacement of [(125)I]CRF from rat cortical membranes), measured lipophilicity, autoradiographic binding profile in rat and rhesus monkey brain sections, rat biodistribution, and suitability for radiolabeling with carbon-11 or fluorine-18. Two identified candidates (BMS-721313 and BMS-732098) were labeled with fluorine-18. A third candidate (BMS-709460) was labeled with carbon-11 and all three radioligands were evaluated in PET experiments in rhesus monkey. CRF1 receptor density (Bmax) was assessed in rhesus brain cortical and cerebellum membranes with the CRF1 receptor ligand, [(3)H]BMS-728300., Results: The three ligands selected for development showed high binding affinity (IC50 values, 0.3-8nM) at CRF1 receptors and moderate lipophilicity (LogD, 2.8-4.4). [(3)H]BMS-728300 and the two (18)F-labeled ligands showed region-specific binding in rat and rhesus monkey brain autoradiography, namely higher binding density in the frontal and limbic cortex, and cerebellum than in thalamus and brainstem. CRF1 receptor Bmax in rhesus brain was found to be 50-120 fmol/mg protein across cortical regions and cerebellum. PET experiments in rhesus monkey showed that the radioligands [(18)F]BMS-721313, [(18)F]BMS-732098 and [(11)C]BMS-709460 gave acceptably high brain radioactivity uptake but no indication of the specific binding as seen in vitro., Conclusions: Candidate CRF1 receptor PET radioligands were identified but none proved to be effective for imaging monkey brain CRF1 receptors. Higher affinity radioligands are likely required for successful PET imaging of CRF1 receptors., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Racemic 5-(trans-2-aminomethylcyclopropyl)indoles, 5-(trans-2-aminomethylcyclopentyl) indoles, and 5-(cis-2-aminomethylcyclopentyl)indoles were synthesized and evaluated as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These analogs followed SAR trends similar to those previously reported for 3-cycloalkyl substituted indoles. The most potent analogs exhibited single digit nanomolar inhibition at the human serotonin transporter but were 10-fold less active than the previously reported compounds., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Based on a favorable balance between CRF-R1 affinity, lipophilicity and metabolic stability, compound 10 was evaluated for potential development as PET radioligand. Compound [(18)F]10 was prepared with high radiochemical purity and showed promising binding properties in rat brain imaging experiments., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A series of conformationally restricted homotryptamines has been synthesized and shown to be potent inhibitors of hSERT. Conformational restriction of the homotryptamine side chain was attained by the insertion of a cyclopentyl ring, with the indole ring and the terminal dialkylamino group occupying the 1- and 3-positions, respectively. Nitrile and fluoro substitutions at the indole 5-position gave highest hSERT potency. Preferred cyclopentane ring stereochemistry in both series was cis (1S,3R for 5-CN compound 8a, 1R,3S for 5-F compound 9a). High hSERT binding affinity was observed for 8a and 9a (0.22 and 0.63 nM, respectively). The corresponding trans isomers were 4-9 times less potent. 8a, dosed at 1 and 3 mg/kg po, produced a robust, dose-dependent increase in extracellular serotonin in the frontal cortex of rats, similar to that induced by paroxetine at 5 mg/kg, po. By contrast, 9a did not produce a significant increase in extracellular serotonin in rat frontal cortex at 3 mg/kg po due to relatively low brain and plasma levels.

Detailed metabolic characterization of 8, an earlier lead pyrazinone-based corticotropin-releasing factor-1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonist, revealed that this compound formed significant levels of reactive metabolites, as measured by in vivo and in vitro biotransformation studies. This was of particular concern due to the body of evidence suggesting that reactive metabolites may be involved in idiosyncratic drug reactions. Further optimization of the structure-activity relationships and in vivo properties of pyrazinone-based CRF(1) receptor antagonists and studies to assess the formation of reactive metabolites led to the discovery of 19e, a high affinity CRF(1) receptor antagonist (IC(50) = 0.86 nM) wherein GSH adducts were estimated to be only 0.1% of the total amount of drug-related material excreted through bile and urine, indicating low levels of reactive metabolite formation in vivo. A novel 6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,5-dimethylpyridin-3-amine group in 19e contributed to the potency and improved in vivo properties of this compound and related analogues. 19e had excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rats and dogs and showed efficacy in the defensive withdrawal model of anxiety in rats. The lowest efficacious dose was 1.8 mg/kg. The results of a two-week rat safety study with 19e indicated that this compound was well-tolerated.

A series of racemic 3-(trans-2-aminomethylcyclopentyl)indoles was synthesized and found to have potent binding to the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). The most active analog was synthesized stereospecifically and the active enantiomer was shown to have high affinity binding to hSERT.

Evidence suggests that corticotropin-releasing factor-1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonists may offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases associated with elevated levels of CRF such as anxiety and depression. A pyrazinone-based chemotype of CRF(1) receptor antagonists was discovered. Structure-activity relationship studies led to the identification of numerous potent analogues including 12p, a highly potent and selective CRF(1) receptor antagonist with an IC(50) value of 0.26 nM. The pharmacokinetic properties of 12p were assessed in rats and Cynomolgus monkeys. Compound 12p was efficacious in the defensive withdrawal test (an animal model of anxiety) in rats. The synthesis, structure-activity relationships and in vivo properties of compounds within the pyrazinone chemotype are described.

A series of pyrazinone-based heterocycles was identified as potent and orally active corticotropin-releasing factor-1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonists. Selected compounds proved efficacious in an anxiety model in rats; however, pharmacokinetic properties were not optimal. In this article, we describe an in vitro intrinsic clearance-based approach to the optimization of pyrazinone-based CRF(1) receptor antagonists wherein sites of metabolism were identified by incubation with human liver microsomes. It was found that the rate of metabolism could be decreased by incorporation of appropriate substituents at the primary sites of metabolism. This led to the discovery of compound 12x, a highly potent (IC(50) = 1.0 nM) and selective CRF(1) receptor antagonist with good oral bioavailability (F = 52%) in rats and efficacy in the defensive withdrawal anxiety test in rats.

A series of hybrid molecules containing the cyclopropylmethylamino side chain found in homotryptamine (1S,2S)-2c and an isosteric heteroaryl or naphthyl core were prepared and their binding affinities for the human serotonin transporter determined. The most potent isosteres were CN-substituted naphthalenes. These results demonstrate that isosteric aromatic cores which lack an H-bond donor site may be substituted for the indole nucleus without substantial loss in hSERT binding.

A series of indole tetrahydropyridine and indole cyclohexenylamines was prepared, and their binding affinities at the human serotonin transporter (SERT) were determined. In particular, a nitrile substituent at the C5 position of the indole ring gave potent SERT activity. The stereochemistry of the N,N-dimethylamine substituent was determined for the most potent indole cyclohexenylamine, 6a. The enantiomers of 6a were energy minimized and compared to other conformationally restricted SSRIs. Compound 6a was found to give a dose-response similar to the SSRI fluoxetine in microdialysis studies in rats.

A series of indole cyclopropylmethylamines were found to be potent serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Nitrile substituents at the 5 and 7 positions of the indole ring gave high affinity for hSERT, and the preferred cyclopropane stereochemistry was determined to be (1S,2S)-trans. The cis-cyclopropanes had 20- to 30-fold less affinity than the trans, and the preferred cis stereochemistry was (1R,2S)-cis. Substitution of the indole N-1 position with methyl or ethyl groups gave a 10- to 30-fold decrease in affinity for hSERT, suggesting either a hydrogen-bonding interaction or limited steric tolerance in the region of the indole nitrogen. Compound (+)-12a demonstrated potent hSERT binding (Ki = 0.18 nM) in vitro and was more than 1000-fold less potent at hDAT, hNET, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT6. In vivo, (+)-12a produced robust, dose-dependent increases in extracellular serotonin in rat frontal cortex typical of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The maximal response produced by (+)-12a was similar to that of fluoxetine but at an approximately 10-fold lower dose.

A series of fluoren-9-yl ethyl amides (2) were synthesized and evaluated for human melatonin MT(1) and MT(2) receptor binding. N-[2-(2,7-dimethoxyfluoren-9-yl)ethyl]propanamide (2b) was selected and evaluated in functional assays measuring intrinsic activity at the human MT(1) and MT(2) receptors and demonstrated full agonism at both receptors. The chronobiotic properties of 2b were demonstrated in both acute and chronic rat models where 2b produced an acute phase advance of 32 min at 1mg/kg and chronically entrained free-running rats with a mean effective dose of 0.23 mg/kg. Compound 2b is significantly less efficacious than melatonin in constricting human coronary artery.

The present studies have identified a series of aminotriazines as novel 5-HT(7) receptor antagonists. Compounds 10 and 17 have high affinity for the 5-HT(7) receptor and do not bind to either the 5-HT(2C) or 5-HT(6) receptors. These compounds produce no agonist effects by themselves, and shift the dose-response curve of 5-CT to the right in the manner of an antagonist.

The present studies have identified a series of diaminopyrimidines and diaminopyridines as novel 5-HT(7) receptor ligands. Three regiosiomeric classes of pyrimidines and four regioisomeric classes of pyridines were synthesized and analyzed for binding to the 5-HT(7) receptor. The 5-HT(7) binding affinities of different regioisomers show clearly the structure-activity relationship with position of ring nitrogens.

A series of benzoxazole derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as melatoninergic ligands. The binding affinity of these compounds for human MT(1) and MT(2) receptors was determined using 2-[(125)I]-iodomelatonin as the radioligand. From this series of benzoxazole derivatives, compounds 14 and 17 were identified as melatonin receptor agonists.

A series of 4-substituted anilides with human melatonergic affinity is reported. Butyramides 26, 39, 42, 52, 57, and 58 all demonstrated subnanomolar MT(2) binding affinity and MT(2) selectivity of at least 70-fold over the MT(1) receptor. Compound 26 demonstrated full agonism at the MT(2) receptor.

A series of chiral heterocyclic aminopyrrolidine derivatives was synthesized as novel melatoninergic ligands. Binding affinity assays were performed on cloned human MT(1) and MT(2) receptors, stably expressed in NIH3T3 cells. Compound 16 was identified as an orally bioavailable agonist at MT(1) and MT(2) melatonin receptors with low vasoconstrictive activity.