Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Triazine Derivatives as Positive Allosteric Modulators of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

J Med Chem. 2021 Aug 26;64(16):12379-12396. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01058. Epub 2021 Aug 10.

Abstract

Enhancing neuronal α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) function can alleviate cognitive deficits. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of N-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine derivatives 8-10 as a series of novel α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). The representative compound 10e functions as a type I PAM with an EC50 of 3.0 μM and approximately 38-fold enhancement of α7 current in the presence of agonist acetylcholine (100 μM). It specifically enhances α7 current with high selectivity. Compound 10e shows good pharmacokinetic property in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of 10e (3 mg/kg) exhibits sufficient blood-brain barrier penetration in mice. Furthermore, 10e can also rescue the auditory gating deficit in mice with schizophrenia-like behavior. Molecular docking of 10e with homopentameric α7 nAChR reveals a new mode of action. These results support the potential of 10e for treatment for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Nicotinic Agonists / chemical synthesis
  • Nicotinic Agonists / metabolism
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Nicotinic Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Schizophrenia / chemically induced
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Sensory Gating / drug effects
  • Triazines / chemical synthesis
  • Triazines / metabolism
  • Triazines / pharmacokinetics
  • Triazines / therapeutic use*
  • Xenopus laevis
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / agonists*
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / metabolism

Substances

  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Triazines
  • alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
  • Dizocilpine Maleate