title: The active analog approach applied to the pharmacophore identification of benzodiazepine receptor ligands.
abstract: Applied to seven potent benzodiazepine-receptor ligands belonging to chemically different classes, the active analog approach allowed the stepwise identification of the pharmacophoric pattern associated with the recognition by the benzodiazepine receptor. A unique pharmacophore model was derived which involves six critical zones: (a) a pi-electron rich aromatic (PAR) zone; (b) two electron-rich zones delta 1 and delta 2 placed at 5.0 and 4.5 A respectively from the reference centroid in the PAR zone; (c) a freely rotating aromatic ring (FRA) region; (d) an out-of-plane region (OPR), strongly associated with agonist properties; and (e) an additional hydrophobic region (AHR). The model accommodates all presently known ligands of the benzodiazepine receptor, identifies sensitivity to steric hindrance close to the delta 1 zone, accounts for R and S differential affinities and distinguishes requirements for agonist versus non-agonist activity profiles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacochemistry, CNRS et Unité 44 de l'INSERM, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tebib
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bourguignon
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Wermuth
mesh_terms: D002243:Carbolines; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007094:Imides; D008024:Ligands; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011724:Pyridazines; D011725:Pyridines; D011758:Pyrroles; D011804:Quinolines; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D007094:Imides; D008024:Ligands; D011724:Pyridazines; D011725:Pyridines; D011758:Pyrroles; D011804:Quinolines; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A