Development and Characterization of Novel Selective, Non-Basic Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Schizophrenia.

Stępnicki P, Wośko S, Bartyzel A, Zięba A, Bartuzi D, Szałaj K, Wróbel TM, Fornal E, Carlsson J, Kędzierska E, Poleszak E, Castro M, Kaczor AA

Molecules 28 (10) - [2023-05-20; online 2023-05-20]

The dopamine D2 receptor, which belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), is an important and well-validated drug target in the field of medicinal chemistry due to its wide distribution, particularly in the central nervous system, and involvement in the pathomechanism of many disorders thereof. Schizophrenia is one of the most frequent diseases associated with disorders in dopaminergic neurotransmission, and in which the D2 receptor is the main target for the drugs used. In this work, we aimed at discovering new selective D2 receptor antagonists with potential antipsychotic activity. Twenty-three compounds were synthesized, based on the scaffold represented by the D2AAK2 compound, which was discovered by our group. This compound is an interesting example of a D2 receptor ligand because of its non-classical binding to this target. Radioligand binding assays and SAR analysis indicated structural modifications of D2AAK2 that are possible to maintain its activity. These findings were further rationalized using molecular modeling. Three active derivatives were identified as D2 receptor antagonists in cAMP signaling assays, and the selected most active compound 17 was subjected to X-ray studies to investigate its stable conformation in the solid state. Finally, effects of 17 assessed in animal models confirmed its antipsychotic activity in vivo.

Jens Carlsson

SciLifeLab Fellow

PubMed 37241951

DOI 10.3390/molecules28104211

Crossref 10.3390/molecules28104211

pmc: PMC10223470
pii: molecules28104211


Publications 9.5.0