Homoazanicotine: a structure-affinity study for nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor binding

J Med Chem. 2002 Oct 10;45(21):4724-31. doi: 10.1021/jm020188s.

Abstract

We have recently identified 3-[(1-methyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl]pyridine (homoazanicotine, 8) as a novel nicotinic acetylcholinergic (nACh) receptor ligand. In the present investigation, after we determined that 8 binds selectively at nicotinic (K(i) = 7.8 nM) vs muscarinic (K(i) > 10,000 nM) acetylcholinergic receptors, we examined its structure-affinity relationships for nACh receptor binding. The features investigated included the influence of (i) the composition of connector that separates the two rings, (ii) the N-methyl group, (iii) the ring opening of the imidazoline ring, (iv) the pyridine nitrogen atom, and (v) the aromatization of the imidazoline ring on nACh receptor affinity. As with nicotine, the parent structure seems optimal and most structural changes reduce nACh receptor affinity. Also, as with nicotine analogues, alteration of the spacer group influences affinity in a manner that is somewhat different than that seen with the parent structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Acetamides / chemistry
  • Acetamides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Nicotine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Nicotine / chemical synthesis*
  • Nicotine / chemistry
  • Nicotine / pharmacology
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • Imidazoles
  • Ligands
  • N-ethyl-N-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)acetamide
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • homoazanicotine
  • Nicotine