Nanomolar-Potency 1,2,4-Triazoloquinoxaline Inhibitors of the Kidney Urea Transporter UT-A1

J Med Chem. 2018 Apr 12;61(7):3209-3217. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00343. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Abstract

Urea transporter A (UT-A) isoforms encoded by the Slc14a2 gene are expressed in kidney tubule epithelial cells, where they facilitate urinary concentration. UT-A1 inhibition is predicted to produce a unique salt-sparing diuretic action in edema and hyponatremia. Here we report the discovery of 1,2,4-triazoloquinoxalines and the analysis of 37 synthesized analogues. The most potent compound, 8ay, containing 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3- a]quinoxaline-substituted benzenesulfonamide linked by an aryl ether, rapidly and reversibly inhibited UT-A1 urea transport by a noncompetitive mechanism with IC50 ≈ 150 nM; the IC50 was ∼2 μM for the related urea transporter UT-B encoded by the Slc14a1 gene. Molecular modeling suggested a putative binding site on the UT-A1 cytoplasmic domain. In vitro metabolism showing quinoxaline ring oxidation prompted the synthesis of metabolically stable 7,8-difluoroquinoxaline analogue 8bl, which when administered to rats produced marked diuresis and reduced urinary osmolality. 8bl has substantially improved UT-A1 inhibition potency and metabolic stability compared with prior compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diuresis / drug effects
  • Diuretics / chemical synthesis
  • Diuretics / pharmacology
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / drug effects*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Quinoxalines / chemical synthesis*
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacokinetics
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Urea / metabolism
  • Urea Transporters

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Quinoxalines
  • Urea