title: Enkephalin analogues with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-2-ylmethyl)propionamide derivatives: Synthesis and biological evaluations.
abstract: N-Phenyl-N-(piperidin-2-ylmethyl)propionamide based bivalent ligands are unexplored for the design of opioid based ligands. Two series of hybrid molecules bearing N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-2-ylmethyl)propionamide derived small molecules conjugated with an enkephalin analogues with and without a linker (β-alanine) were designed and synthesized. Both bivalent ligand series exhibited remarkable binding affinities from nanomolar to subnanomolar range at both μ and δ opioid receptors and displayed potent agonist activities as well. The replacement of Tyr with Dmt and introduction of a linker between the small molecule and enkephalin analogue resulted in highly potent ligands. Both series of ligands showed excellent binding affinities at both μ (0.6-0.9nM) and δ (0.2-1.2nM) opioid receptors respectively. Similarly, these bivalent ligands exhibited potent agonist activities in both MVD and GPI assays. Ligand 17 was evaluated for in vivo antinociceptive activity in non-injured rats following spinal administration. Ligand 17 was not significantly effective in alleviating acute pain. The most likely explanations for this low intrinsic efficacy in vivo despite high in vitro binding affinity, moderate in vitro activity are (i) low potency suggesting that higher doses are needed; (ii) differences in experimental design (i.e. non-neuronal, high receptor density for in vitro preparations versus CNS site of action in vitro); (iii) pharmacodynamics (i.e. engaging signalling pathways); (iv) pharmacokinetics (i.e. metabolic stability). In summary, our data suggest that further optimisation of this compound 17 is required to enhance intrinsic antinociceptive efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deekonda
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Sydney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sunna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rankin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Tally M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Largent-Milnes
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Peg
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Neemah M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: BassiriRad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Todd W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Vanderah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Porecca
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States. Electronic address: hruby@email.arizona.edu.
authors.forename: Victor J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hruby
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017465:Receptors, Opioid, delta / Q000819:agonists*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000819:agonists*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000700:Analgesics; D004745:Enkephalins; D008024:Ligands; D010880:Piperidines; D017465:Receptors, Opioid, delta; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; C034666:propionamide
keywords: Enkephalin; Opioid receptors; Opioids; Pain