Structure-Activity Relationships for a Series of (Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)sulfinyl Alkyl Alicyclic Amines at the Dopamine Transporter: Functionalizing the Terminal Nitrogen Affects Affinity, Selectivity, and Metabolic Stability

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Rachel D. Slack
  • Therese C. Ku
  • Jianjing Cao
  • Jo Lynn B. Giancola
  • Alessandro Bonifazi
  • Løland, Claus Juul
  • Alexandra Gadiano
  • Jenny Lam
  • Rana Rais
  • Barbara S. Slusher
  • Mark Coggiano
  • Gianluigi Tanda
  • Amy Hauck Newman

Atypical dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitors have shown therapeutic potential in preclinical models of psychostimulant abuse. In rats, 1-(4-(2-((bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)sulfinyl)ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol (3b) was effective in reducing the reinforcing effects of both cocaine and methamphetamine but did not exhibit psychostimulant behaviors itself. While further development of 3b is ongoing, diastereomeric separation, as well as improvements in potency and pharmacokinetics were desirable for discovering pipeline drug candidates. Thus, a series of bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)sulfinyl)alkyl alicyclic amines, where the piperazine-2-propanol scaffold was modified, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for binding affinities at DAT, as well as the serotonin transporter and σ1 receptors. Within the series, 14a showed improved DAT affinity (Ki = 23 nM) over 3b (Ki = 230 nM), moderate metabolic stability in human liver microsomes, and a hERG/DAT affinity ratio = 28. While 14a increased locomotor activity relative to vehicle, it was significantly lower than activity produced by cocaine. These results support further investigation of 14a as a potential treatment for psychostimulant use disorders.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume63
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)2343-2357
Number of pages15
ISSN0022-2623
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

ID: 236990803