Adenosine analogues modified at the 5'-position as uronamides and/or as N6-benzyl derivatives were synthesized. These derivatives were examined for affinity in radioligand binding assays at the newly discovered rat brain A3 adenosine receptor and at rat brain A1 and A2a receptors. 5'-Uronamide substituents favored A3 selectivity in the order N-methyl > N-ethyl approximately unsubstituted carboxamide > N-cyclopropyl. 5'-(N-Methylcarboxamido)-N6-benzyladenosine was 37-56-fold more selective for A3 receptors. Potency at A3 receptors was enhanced upon substitution of the benzyl substituent with nitro and other groups. 5'-N-Methyluronamides and N6-(3-substituted-benzyl)adenosines are optimal for potency and selectivity at A3 receptors. A series of 3-(halobenzyl)-5'-N-ethyluronamide derivatives showed the order of potency at A1 and A2a receptors of I approximately Br > Cl > F. At A3 receptors the 3-F derivative was weaker than the other halo derivatives. 5'-N-Methyl-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine displayed a Ki value of 1.1 nM at A3 receptors and selectivity versus A1 and A2a receptors of 50-fold. A series of methoxybenzyl derivatives showed that a 4-methoxy group best favored A3 selectivity. A 4-sulfobenzyl derivative was a specific ligand at A3 receptors of moderate potency. An aryl amino derivative was prepared as a probe for radioiodination and receptor cross-linking.

A new series of 1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-1-deoxy-N-ethyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamide++ +-b earing N-arylureas or N-arylcarboxamido groups at the purine 6 position and N-arylureas combined with halogens or alkynyl chains at the 2 position have been synthesized and tested for affinity at A1 and A2A adenosine receptors in rat brain membranes and at cloned rat A3 receptors expressed in CHO cells. The derivatives contained the 5' substituent found in the potent, nonselective agonist 1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-1-deoxy-N-ethyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamide++ + (NECA). While the carboxamido derivatives (9-13) showed affinity for A1 receptors, the urea derivatives (30-45) showed different degrees of affinity and selectivity for the A3 adenosine receptor subtype. In particular the derivative bearing a p-sulfonamidophenyl-urea at the 6 position, 31 showed a high affinity (Ki = 9 nM) and selectivity for the A3 receptors compared to that of the reference compound 1-[6-[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-be ta-D-ribofuranuronamide (IB-MECA). Furthermore, the importance of the stereochemistry in the interaction of these ligands at the rat A3 adenosine receptors has been evaluated by introducing a chiral chain at the 6 position. The introduction of halogens or alkynyl chains at the purine 2 position of selected ureas did not give the expected enhancement of potency at A2A and/or A3 receptors but rather showed a dramatic reduction of A2A affinity, resulting in compounds with good A2A/A3 selectivity. For example, the 2-(3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-1-propyn-1-yl)-6-(4-methoxyphenylurea) derivative 61 showed the capability to bind simultaneously to A1 and A3 receptor subtypes, excluding the A2A receptor. Compound 31 was shown to be an agonist, 9-fold more potent than NECA, at A3 receptors in rat RBL-2H3 mast cell membranes through stimulation of binding of [35S]GTP-gamma-S.

A series of N 6 -(p-sulfophenyl)alkyl and N 6 sulfoalkyl derivatives of adenosine was synthesized, revealing that N 6 -(p-sulfophenyl)adenosine (10b) is a moderately potent (K i vs [ 3 H]PIA in rat cortical membranes was 74 nM) and A 1 -selective (120-fold) adenosine agonist, of exceptional aqueous solubility of >1.5 g/mL (≈3 M). Compound 10b was very potent in inhibiting synaptic potentials in gerbil hippocampal slices with an IC 50 of 63 nM. At a dose of 0.1 mg/kg ip in rats, 10b inhibited lipolysis (a peripheral A 1 effect) by 85% after 1 h. This in vivo effect was reversed using the peripherally selective A 1 -antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-[p-(carboxyethynyl)phenyl]xanthine (BW1433). The same dose of 10b in NIH Swiss mice (ip) was nearly inactive in locomotor depression, an effect that has been shown to be centrally mediated when elicited by lower doses of other potent adenosine agonists, such as N 6 -cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) (Nikodijevic et al. FEBS Lett. 1990, 261, 67). HPLC studies of biodistribution of a closely related and less potent homologue, N 6 -[4-(p-sulfophenyl)butyl]adenosine indicated that a 25 mg/kg ip dose in mice resulted in a plasma concentration after 30 min of 0.46 μg/mL and no detectable drug in the brain (detection limit <0.1% of plasma level). Although 10b at doses >0.1 mg/kg in mice depressed locomotor activity, this depression was unlike the effects of CHA and was reversible by BW1433. These data suggest that 10b is a potent adenosine agonist in vivo and shows poor CNS penetration.