title: MPZP: a novel small molecule corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1) antagonist.
abstract: The extrahypothalamic stress peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system is an important regulator of behavioral responses to stress. Dysregulation of CRF and the CRF type 1 receptor (CRF(1)) system is hypothesized to underlie many stress-related disorders. Modulation of the CRF(1) system by non-peptide antagonists currently is being explored as a therapeutic approach for anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence. Here, we describe a new, less hydrophilic (cLogP approximately 2.95), small molecule, non-peptide CRF(1) antagonist with high affinity (K(i)=4.9 nM) and specificity for CRF(1) receptors: N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7-amine (MPZP). The compound was systemically administered to adult male rats in two behavioral models dependent on the CRF(1) system: defensive burying (0, 5, 20 mg/kg, n=6-11 for each dose) and alcohol dependence (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg, n=8 for each self-administration group). Acute administration of MPZP reduced burying behavior in the defensive burying model of active anxiety-like behavior. MPZP also attenuated withdrawal-induced excessive drinking in the self-administration model of alcohol dependence without affecting nondependent alcohol drinking or water consumption. The present findings support the proposed significance of the CRF(1) system in anxiety and alcohol dependence and introduce a promising new compound for further development in the treatment of alcohol dependence and stress-related disorders.
authors.affiliation: Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, 92037 California, USA.
authors.forename: Heather N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fekete
authors.forename: Cindy K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wirsching
authors.forename: Kim D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Janda
authors.forename: Eric P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Zorrilla
authors.forename: George F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Koob
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012646:Self Administration; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; C101531:CRF receptor type 2; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D008024:Ligands; C528552:N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo(1,5-a)pyrimidin-7-amine; D011743:Pyrimidines; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000431:Ethanol; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1