As part of our ongoing interest in identifying novel agonists acting at metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 2/3 receptors, we have explored the effect of structural modifications of 1S,2S,5R,6S-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylate (LY354740), a potent and pharmacologically balanced mGlu2/3 receptor agonist. Incorporation of relatively small substituents (e.g., F, O) at the C4 position of this molecule resulted in additional highly potent mGlu2/3 agonists that demonstrate excellent selectivity over the other mGlu receptor subtypes, while addition of larger C4-substituents (e.g., SPh) led to a loss of agonist potency and/or the appearance of weak mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist activity. Further characterization of the α-fluoro-substituted analogue (LY459477) in vivo revealed that this molecule possesses good oral bioavailability in rats and effectively suppresses phencyclidine-evoked locomotor activity at doses that do not impair neuromuscular coordination. This molecule therefore represents a valuable new addition to the arsenal of pharmacological tools competent to investigate mGlu2/3 receptor function both in vitro and in vivo.

Group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor agonists, including (1S,2S,5R,6S)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylate monohydrate (LY354740) and (–)-2-oxa-4-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylate (LY379268), have demonstrated efficacy in animal models of anxiety and schizophrenia, and LY354740 decreased anxiety in human subjects. Herein, we report the in vitro pharmacological profile and pharmacokinetic properties of another potent, selective, and structurally novel mGlu2/3 receptor agonist, (–)-(1R,4S,5S,6S)-4-amino-2-sulfonylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY404039) and provide comparisons with LY354740. Similar to LY354740, LY404039 is a nanomolar potent agonist at recombinant human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors (Ki = 149 and 92, respectively) and in rat neurons expressing native mGlu2/3 receptors (Ki = 88). LY404039 is highly selective for mGlu2/3 receptors, showing more than 100-fold selectivity for these receptors, versus ionotropic glutamate receptors, glutamate transporters, and other receptors targeted by known anxiolytic and antipsychotic medications. Functionally, LY404039 potently inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in cells expressing human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors. Electrophysiological studies indicated that LY404039 suppressed electrically evoked excitatory activity in the striatum, and serotonin-induced l-glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex; effects reversed by LY341495. These characteristics suggest LY404039 modulates glutamatergic activity in limbic and forebrain areas relevant to psychiatric disorders; and that, similar to LY354740, it works through a mechanism that may be devoid of negative side effects associated with current antipsychotics and anxiolytics. Interestingly, despite the slightly lower potency (∼2–5-fold) of LY404039 versus LY354740 in binding, functional, and electrophysiological assays, LY404039 demonstrated higher plasma exposure and better oral bioavailability in pharmacokinetic experiments. Collectively, the current data indicate that LY404039 may be valuable in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety and psychosis.

(-)-4-Amino-2-thiabicyclo-[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylate (LY389795, (-)-3) is a highly potent and selective agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors 2 (mGlu2) and 3 (mGlu3). As part of our ongoing research program, we have prepared S-oxidized variants of (-)-3, compounds (-)-10, (+)-11 (LY404040), and (-)-12 (LY404039). Each of these chiral heterobicyclic amino acids displaced specific binding of the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist 3H-2S-2-amino-2-(1S,2S-2-carboxycycloprop-1-yl)-3-(xanth-9-yl)propanoic acid (3H-LY341495) from membranes expressing recombinant human mGlu2 or mGlu3 and acted as potent agonists in cells expressing these receptor subtypes. Docking of the most potent of these derivatives, (+)-11, to mGlu2 revealed the possibility of an additional H-bond interaction between the sulfoxide oxygen of (+)-11 with tyrosine residue Y236. Pharmacokinetic analysis of mGlu active enantiomers (+)-11 and (-)-12 in rats showed each to be well absorbed following oral administration. Consistent with their mGlu2/3 agonist potency and pharmacokinetic properties, both (+)-11 and (-)-12 blocked phencyclidine-evoked ambulations in a dose-dependent manner, indicating their potential as nonclassical antipsychotic agents.

Group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor agonists, including LY354740 and LY379268, have demonstrated efficacy in animal models of anxiety and schizophrenia, and LY354740 decreased anxiety in human subjects. Herein, we report the in vitro pharmacological profile and pharmacokinetic properties of another potent, selective, structurally-novel mGlu2/3 receptor agonist (-)-(1R,4S,5S,6S)-4amino-2-sulfonylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY404039) and provide comparisons with LY354740. Similar to LY354740, LY404039 is a nanomolar potent agonist at recombinant human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors (Ki = 149 and 92, respectively) and in rat neurons expressing native mGlu2/3 receptors (Ki = 88). LY404039 is highly selective for mGlu2/3 receptors, showing more than 100-fold selectivity for these receptors, versus ionotropic glutamate receptors, glutamate transporters, and other receptors targeted by known anxiolytic and antipsychotic medications. Functionally, LY404039 potently inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in cells expressing human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors. Electrophysiological studies indicated that LY404039 suppressed electrically-evoked excitatory activity in the striatum, and serotonin-induced L-glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex; effects reversed by LY341495. These characteristics suggest LY404039 modulates glutamatergic activity in limbic and forebrain areas relevant to psychiatric disorders; and that, similar to LY354740, it works through a mechanism which may be devoid of negative side effects associated with current antipsychotics and anxiolytics. Interestingly, despite the slightly lower potency (~2-5-fold) of LY404039 versus LY354740 in binding, functional and electrophysiological assays, LY404039 demonstrated higher plasma exposure and better oral bioavailability in pharmacokinetic experiments. Collectively, the current data indicate that LY404039 may be valuable in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety and psychosis. This article has not been copyedited and formatted. The final version may differ from this version. JPET Fast Forward. Published on January 4, 2007 as DOI: 10.1124/jpet.106.110809 at A PE T Jornals on O cber 6, 2017 jpet.asjournals.org D ow nladed from

(+)-2-Aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (1), also known as LY354740, is a highly potent and selective agonist for group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu receptors 2 and 3) tested in clinical trials. It has been shown to block anxiety in the fear-potentiated startle model. Its relatively low bioavailability in different animal species drove the need for an effective prodrug form that would produce a therapeutic response at lower doses for the treatment of anxiety disorders. We have investigated the increase of intestinal absorption of this compound by targeting the human peptide transporter hPepT1 for active transport of di- and tripeptides derived from 1. We have found that oral administration of an N dipeptide derivative of 1 (12a) in rats shows up to an 8-fold increase in drug absorption and a 300-fold increase in potency in the fear-potentiated startle model in rats when compared with the parent drug 1.

In this paper we describe the synthesis of a series of alpha-substituted analogues of the potent and selective group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,1'S,2'S)-carboxycyclopropylglycine (2, L-CCG 1). Incorporation of a substitutent on the amino acid carbon converted the agonist 2 into an antagonist. All of the compounds were prepared and tested as a series of four isomers, i.e., two racemic diastereomers. On the basis of the improvement in affinity realized for the alpha-phenylethyl analogue 3, in this paper we explored the effects of substitution on the aromatic ring as a strategy to increase the affinity to these compounds for group II mGluRs. Affinity for group II mGluRs was measured using [3H]glutamic acid (Glu) binding in rat forebrain membranes. Antagonist activity was confirmed for these compounds by measuring their ability to antagonize (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid-induced inhibition of forskolin stimulated cyclic-AMP in RGT cells transfected with human mGluR2 and mGluR3. Meta substitution on the aromatic ring of 3 with a variety of substituents, both electron donating (e.g., methyl, hydroxy, amino, methoxy, phenyl, phenoxy) and electron withdrawing (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, carboxy, trifluoromethyl) gave from 1.5- to 4.5-fold increases in affinity. Substitution with p-fluorine, as in 97 (IC50 = 0.022 +/- 0.002), was the exception. Here, a greater increase in affinity was realized than for either the ortho- or meta-substituted analogues; 97 was the most potent compound resulting from monosubstitution of the aromatic. At best, only modest increases in affinity were realized for certain compounds bearing either two chlorines or two fluorines, and two methoxy groups gave no improvement in affinity (all examined in a variety of substitution patterns). Three amino acids, 4, 5, and 104, were resolved into their four constituent isomers, and affinity and functional activity for group II mGluRs was found to reside solely in the S,S,S-isomers of each, consistent with 1. With an IC50 = 2.9 +/- 0.6 nM, the resolved xanthylmethyl compound 168 was the most potent compound from this SAR. Amino acid 168 demonstrated high plasma levels following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration and readily penetrated into the brain. This compound, however, had only limited (approximately 5%) oral bioavailability. Systemic administration of 168 protected mice from limbic seizures produced by the mGluR agonist 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine, with an ED50 = 31 mg/kg (i.p., 60 min preinjection). Thus, 168 represents a valuable tool to study the role of group II mGluRs in disease.