Discovery of G Protein-Biased D2 Dopamine Receptor Partial Agonists

J Med Chem. 2016 Dec 8;59(23):10601-10618. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01208. Epub 2016 Nov 16.

Abstract

Biased ligands (also known as functionally selective ligands) of G protein-coupled receptors are valuable tools for dissecting the roles of G protein-dependent and independent signaling pathways in health and disease. Biased ligands have also been increasingly pursued by the biomedical community as promising therapeutics with improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared with unbiased ligands. We previously discovered first-in-class β-arrestin-biased agonists of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) by extensively exploring multiple regions of aripiprazole, a balanced D2R agonist. In our continuing efforts to identify biased agonists of D2R, we unexpectedly discovered a G protein-biased agonist of D2R, compound 1, which is the first G protein-biased D2R agonist from the aripiprazole scaffold. We designed and synthesized novel analogues to explore two regions of 1 and conducted structure-functional selectivity relationship (SFSR) studies. Here we report the discovery of 1, findings from our SFSR studies, and characterization of novel G protein-biased D2R agonists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aripiprazole / chemical synthesis
  • Aripiprazole / chemistry
  • Aripiprazole / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / agonists*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • DRD2 protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Aripiprazole
  • GTP-Binding Proteins