Essential structure of opioid κ receptor agonist nalfurafine for binding to κ receptor 1: synthesis of decahydroisoquinoline derivatives and their pharmacologies

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2012;60(8):945-8. doi: 10.1248/cpb.c12-00336.

Abstract

On the basis of the three-dimensional pharmacophore model of opioid κ agonists, we simplified the structure of nalfurafine (selective κ agonist) to find the essential structural moieties for binding the opioid receptors, especially κ receptor type. As a result, we found that the trans-fused decahydroisoquinoline derivatives without a phenol ring bound the opioid receptor in micromolar order and that both the amide side chain and the nitrogen substituted by the cyclopropylmethyl group were indispensable moieties for eliciting the κ selectivity. The simple decahydroisoquinoline without amide side chain also bound the opioid receptor without receptor type selectivity, suggesting that the message-address concept would be applicable to even these simple derivatives. These findings that the simple decahydroisoquinoline derivatives showed the affinities for the opioid receptors, especially some of the compounds showed κ selectivity, are the first example in the opioid field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis*
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Morphinans / chemistry*
  • Morphinans / metabolism
  • Morphinans / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / metabolism
  • Spiro Compounds / chemistry*
  • Spiro Compounds / metabolism
  • Spiro Compounds / pharmacology

Substances

  • Isoquinolines
  • Morphinans
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Spiro Compounds
  • TRK 820