“Bitopic Fluorescent Antagonists of the A2A Adenosine Receptor Based on Pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine Functionalized Congeners”

A pyrazoloij4,3-e]ij1,2,4]triazoloij1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine antagonist of the A2A adenosine receptor (AR) was functionalized as amine congeners, fluorescent conjugates and a sulfonate, and the A2AAR binding modes were predicted computationally. The optimal n-butyl spacer was incorporated into the following A2AAR-selective (Ki , nM) conjugates: BODIPY630/650 derivative 11 (MRS7396, 24.6) and AlexaFluor488 derivative 12 (MRS7416, 30.3). Flow cytometry of 12 in hA2AAR-expressing HEK-293 cells displayed saturable binding (low nonspecific) and inhibition by known A2AAR antagonists. Water-soluble sulfonate 13 was a highly potent (Ki = 6.2 nM) and selective A2AAR antagonist based on binding and functional assays. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations predicted the regions of interaction of the distal portions of these chainextended ligands with the A2AAR. The BODIPY630/650 fluorophore of 11 was buried in a hydrophobic interhelical (TM1/TM7) region, while AlexaFluor488 of 12 associated with the hydrophilic extracellular loops. In conclusion, we have identified novel high affinity antagonist probes for A2AAR drug discovery and characterization

New Radioligands for Describing the Molecular Pharmacology of MT1 and MT2 Melatonin Receptors

International audienceMelatonin receptors have been studied for several decades. The low expression of the receptors in tissues led the scientific community to find a substitute for the natural hormone melatonin, the agonist 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin. Using the agonist, several hundreds of studies were conducted, including the discovery of agonists and antagonists for the receptors and minute details about their molecular behavior. Recently, we attempted to expand the panel of radioligands available for studying the melatonin receptors by using the newly discovered compounds SD6, DIV880, and S70254. These compounds were characterized for their affinities to the hMT1 and hMT2 recombinant receptors and their functionality in the classical GTPS system. SD6 is a full agonist, equilibrated between the receptor isoforms, whereas S70254 and DIV880 are only partial MT2 agonists, with Ki in the low nanomolar range while they have no affinity to MT1 receptors. These new tools will hopefully allow for additions to the current body of information on the native localization of the receptor isoforms in tissues.</p

Radiosynthesis and In Vivo Evaluation of Four Positron Emission Tomography Tracer Candidates for Imaging of Melatonin Receptors

Melatonin is a neurohormone that modulates several physiological functions in mammals through the activation of melatonin receptor type 1 and 2 (MT1 and MT2). The melatonergic system is an emerging therapeutic target for new pharmacological interventions in the treatment of sleep and mood disorders; thus, imaging tools to further investigate its role in the brain are highly sought-after. We aimed to develop selective radiotracers for in vivo imaging of both MT1 and MT2 by positron emission tomography (PET). We identified four previously reported MT ligands with picomolar affinities to the target based on different scaffolds which were also amenable for radiolabeling with either carbon-11 or fluorine-18. [11C]UCM765, [11C]UCM1014, [18F]3-fluoroagomelatine ([18F]3FAGM), and [18F]fluoroacetamidoagomelatine ([18F]FAAGM) have been synthesized in high radiochemical purity and evaluated in wild-type rats. All four tracers showed moderate to high brain permeability in rats with maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax of 2.53, 1.75, 3.25, and 4.47, respectively) achieved 1-2 min after tracer administration, followed by a rapid washout from the brain. Several melatonin ligands failed to block the binding of any of the PET tracer candidates, while in some cases, homologous blocking surprisingly resulted in increased brain retention. Two 18F-labeled agomelatine derivatives were brought forward to PET scans in non-human primates and autoradiography on human brain tissues. No specific binding has been detected in blocking studies. To further investigate pharmacokinetic properties of the putative tracers, microsomal stability, plasma protein binding, log D, and membrane bidirectional permeability assays have been conducted. Based on the results, we conclude that the fast first pass metabolism by the enzymes in liver microsomes is the likely reason of the failure of our PET tracer candidates. Nevertheless, we showed that PET imaging can serve as a valuable tool to investigate the brain permeability of new therapeutic compounds targeting the melatonergic system