title: trans-hexahydroindolo[4,3-ab]phenanthridines ("benzergolines"), the first structural class of potent and selective dopamine D1 receptor agonists lacking a catechol group.
abstract: In contrast to the many selective dopamine (DA) D2 receptor agonists known, only two prototypes of selective D1 receptor agonists have been described; both show preference for the periphery due to their catechol partial structures. Our search for non-catechol, selective D1 agonists was based on the hypothesis that D1 selectivity could be conferred upon ergolines by annulation with a phenyl ring. The target molecules, trans-4,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydroindolo-[4,3-ab]phenanthridi nes ("benzergolines"), were efficiently synthesized by using the Ninomiya enamide photocyclization reaction. These compounds were found to be as active as the most potent D1 agonists in the adenylate cyclase D1 receptor model, but showed no activity in the ACh release D2 receptor assay. The acquired subtype selectivity of the novel structures was accompanied by an enhanced potency and efficacy as compared to the corresponding ergolines. This points to a D1 affinity enhancing, D2 receptor discriminating role for the additional phenyl group and provides further support for the existence of a D1 receptor specific accessory aryl binding site. Thus the benzergolines represent the first structural class of potent and selective D1 agonists lacking a catechol group which should allow an efficient central nervous system penetration. On the basis of these results, the D1 agonist pharmacophore has to be revised in the sense that potent activity requires neither a catechol function nor an orthogonal conformation of the aromatic rings.
authors.affiliation: Sandoz Pharma Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hagenbach
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wüthrich
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Markstein
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007211:Indoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010617:Phenanthridines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D012160:Retina / Q000201:enzymology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007211:Indoles; D010617:Phenanthridines; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D000109:Acetylcholine