Synthesis of a Novel Series of Benzocycloalkene Derivatives as Melatonin Receptor Agonists

Citations Over Time

Abstract

We synthesized a novel series of benzocycloalkene derivatives and evaluated their binding affinities to melatonin receptors. To control the spatial position of the amide group, one of the important pharmacophores, we incorporated an endo double bond, an exo double bond (E- and Z-configurations), and a chiral center (R- and S-configurations) at position 1. The indan derivatives with the S-configuration at position 1 were the most promising in terms of potency and selectivity for the human melatonin receptor (MT(1) site), while compounds with the R-configuration showed little potential. Our next attempt was to investigate the most favorable conformation of the methoxy group, the other important pharmacophore for binding to the MT(1) receptor. The introduction of a methyl group at position 5 of the indene ring conserved affinity; however, at position 7, it caused a decrease in affinity. These results suggested that the substitution at position 7 forced the methoxy group to adopt an unfavorable orientation. The optimization of the condensed ring size and substituents led to (S)-8d [(S)-N-[2-(2,3-dihydro-6-methoxy-1H-inden-1-yl)ethyl]propionamide], which had high affinity for the human MT(1) receptor (K(i) = 0.041 nM) but no significant affinity for the hamster MT(3)receptor (K(i) = 3570 nM). In addition, a practical synthetic method of chiral N-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)ethyl]alkanamides employing asymmetric hydrogenation with (S)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl-Ru has been established.

Related Papers

• → Melatonin receptor structures shed new light on melatonin research(2019)59 cited
• → Melatonin-mediated regulation of human MT1 melatonin receptors expressed in mammalian cells(2004)79 cited
• → Expression of melatonin receptor (MT1) and interaction between melatonin and estrogen in endometrial cancer cell line(2008)21 cited
• → Melatonin receptors and signal transduction in melatonin-sensitive and melatonin-insensitive populations of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)(1990)69 cited
• → Melatonin receptor genes(1998)26 cited