Discovery of the first potent and orally available agonist of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 52

J Med Chem. 2014 Jun 26;57(12):5226-37. doi: 10.1021/jm5002919. Epub 2014 Jun 12.

Abstract

G-protein-coupled receptor 52 (GPR52) is an orphan Gs-coupled G-protein-coupled receptor. GPR52 inhibits dopamine D2 receptor signaling and activates dopamine D1/N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors via intracellular cAMP accumulation, and therefore, GPR52 agonists may have potential as a novel class of antipsychotics. A series of GPR52 agonists with a bicyclic core was designed to fix the conformation of the phenethyl ether moiety of compounds 2a and 2b. 3-[2-(3-Chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-1-benzothiophen-7-yl]-N-(2-methoxyethyl)benzamide 7m showed potent activity (pEC50 = 7.53 ± 0.08) and good pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 7m significantly suppressed methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice after oral administration of 3 mg/kg without disturbance of motor function.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzamides / pharmacokinetics
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetulus
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methamphetamine / pharmacology
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Models, Molecular
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiophenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Thiophenes / pharmacokinetics
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • 3-(2-(3-chloro-5-fluorobenzyl)-1-benzothiophen-7-yl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)benzamide
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Thiophenes
  • Methamphetamine