Further Optimization and Evaluation of Bioavailable, Mixed-Efficacy μ-Opioid Receptor (MOR) Agonists/δ-Opioid Receptor (DOR) Antagonists: Balancing MOR and DOR Affinities

J Med Chem. 2015 Nov 25;58(22):8952-69. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01270. Epub 2015 Nov 13.

Abstract

In a previously described peptidomimetic series, we reported the development of bifunctional μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist and δ-opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist ligands with a lead compound that produced antinociception for 1 h after intraperitoneal administration in mice. In this paper, we expand on our original series by presenting two modifications, both of which were designed with the following objectives: (1) probing bioavailability and improving metabolic stability, (2) balancing affinities between MOR and DOR while reducing affinity and efficacy at the κ-opioid receptor (KOR), and (3) improving in vivo efficacy. Here, we establish that, through N-acetylation of our original peptidomimetic series, we are able to improve DOR affinity and increase selectivity relative to KOR while maintaining the desired MOR agonist/DOR antagonist profile. From initial in vivo studies, one compound (14a) was found to produce dose-dependent antinociception after peripheral administration with an improved duration of action of longer than 3 h.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Analgesics / chemical synthesis*
  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / chemistry
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / chemistry
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Receptors, Opioid, delta
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)