title: Characterization of novel cannabinoid based T-type calcium channel blockers with analgesic effects.
abstract: Low-voltage-activated (T-type) calcium channels are important regulators of the transmission of nociceptive information in the primary afferent pathway and finding ligands that modulate these channels is a key focus of the drug discovery field. Recently, we characterized a set of novel compounds with mixed cannabinoid receptor/T-type channel blocking activity and examined their analgesic effects in animal models of pain. Here, we have built on these previous findings and synthesized a new series of small organic compounds. We then screened them using whole-cell voltage clamp techniques to identify the most potent T-type calcium channel inhibitors. The two most potent blockers (compounds 9 and 10) were then characterized using radioligand binding assays to determine their affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. The structure-activity relationship and optimization studies have led to the discovery of a new T-type calcium channel blocker, compound 9. Compound 9 was efficacious in mediating analgesia in mouse models of acute inflammatory pain and in reducing tactile allodynia in the partial nerve ligation model. This compound was shown to be ineffective in Cav3.2 T-type calcium channel null mice at therapeutically relevant concentrations, and it caused no significant motor deficits in open field tests. Taken together, our data reveal a novel class of compounds whose physiological and therapeutic actions are mediated through block of Cav3.2 calcium channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bladen
authors.forename: Steven W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: Vinicius M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Gadotti
authors.forename: Ravil R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Petrov
authors.forename: N Daniel
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Gerald W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Zamponi
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D014110:Touch
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; C479952:CACNA1H protein, human; C504883:Cacna1h protein, mouse; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
keywords: T-type calcium channel; carbazole scaffold; electrophysiology; hCav 3.2; inflammatory pain; neuropathic pain