No abstract

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Molecular biology has revealed the presence of four high-affinity GABA transporters in the brain, GAT-1, GAT-2, GAT-3, and BGT-1, the latter transporting both GABA and the osmolyte Betaine. We have shown that known GABA uptake inhibitors such as SK&F 89976-A, CI-966, and Tiagabine exhibit high affinity and selectivity for GAT-1. In the present paper we describe the design and synthesis of a novel series of triarylnipecotic acid derivatives for evaluation as GABA uptake inhibitors. The design lead for this series of compounds was the nonselective GABA uptake inhibitor EGYT-3886, [(-)-2-phenyl-2-[(dimethylamino)ethoxy]-(1R)- 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane]. From this series of compounds (S)-1-[2-[tris(4-methoxyphenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-3-piperidinecarboxylic+ ++ (S)-1-[2-[tris(4-methoxyphenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-3-piperidinecarboxylic+ ++ acid, 4(S) was identified as a novel ligand with selectivity for GAT-3. 4(S) displayed an IC50 of 5 microM at GAT-3, 21 microM at GAT-2, > 200 microM at GAT-1, and 140 microM at BGT-1. This compound will be an important tool for evaluating the role of GAT-3 in neural function.

Dihydropyrimidinones such as compound 12 exhibited high binding affinity and subtype selectivity for the cloned human alpha(1a) receptor. Systematic modifications of 12 led to identification of highly potent and subtype-selective compounds such as (+)-30 and (+)-103, with high binding affinity (K(i) = 0.2 nM) for alpha(1a) receptor and greater than 1500-fold selectivity over alpha(1b) and alpha(1d) adrenoceptors. The compounds were found to be functional antagonists in human, rat, and dog prostate tissues. Compound (+)-103 exhibited excellent selectively to inhibit intraurethral pressure (IUP) as compared to lowering diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in mongrel dogs (K(b)(DBP)/K(b)(IUP) = 40) suggesting uroselectivity for alpha(1a)-selective compounds.

The alpha 1A-AR represents the major subtype in the smooth muscle of rat, monkey and human urinary systems. Selective alpha 1A-AR agents are therefore potentially useful in the treatment of multiple urinary smooth muscle related disorders.