Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Thyronamine Analogues as Novel Potent Mouse Trace Amine Associated Receptor 1 (m TAAR1) Agonists

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00526

Trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed in brain and periphery activated by a wide spectrum of agonists that include, but are not limited to, trace amines (TAs), amphetamine-like psychostimulants, and end

Full text of DOI:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00526

Article
pubs.acs.org/jmc
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Thyronamine Analogues as
Novel Potent Mouse Trace Amine Associated Receptor 1 (mTAAR1)
Agonists
Grazia Chiellini,*,† Giulia Nesi,‡ Maria Digiacomo,‡ Rossella Malvasi,‡ Stefano Espinoza,§
Martina Sabatini,† Sabina Frascarelli,† Annunziatina Laurino,∥ Elena Cichero,⊥ Marco Macchia,‡
Raul R. Gainetdinov,#,¶ Paola Fossa,⊥ Laura Raimondi,∥ Riccardo Zucchi,† and Simona Rapposelli*,‡
†Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
‡Deptartment of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56100 Pisa, Italy
§Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
∥Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, 50121 Firenze, Italy
⊥Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
#Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
¶Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), Skolkovo, Moscow region, 143025, Russia
S
* Supporting Information
ABSTRACT: Trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed in brain and
periphery activated by a wide spectrum of agonists that include, but are not limited to, trace amines (TAs), amphetamine-like
psychostimulants, and endogenous thyronamines such as thyronamine (T0AM) and 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM). Such
polypharmacology has made it challenging to understand the role and the biology of TAAR1. In an effort to understand the
molecular basis of TAAR1 activation, we rationally designed and synthesized a small family of thyronamine derivatives. Among
them, compounds 2 and 3 appeared to be a good mimic of the parent endogenous thyronamine, T0AM and T1AM, respectively,
both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these compounds offer suitable tools for studying the physiological roles of mouse TAAR1 and
could represent the starting point for the development of more potent and selective TAAR1 ligands.
pmol/g. The pathway responsible for T1AM biosynthesis is still
unclear. In human patients subjected to thyroidectomy and
undergoing replacement therapy with oral thyroxine, plasma
T1AM levels were reported to be normal, suggesting peripheral
conversion of T4 to T1AM.3 However, T1AM decreased in rat
liver after treatment with perchlorate and methimazole, but
liver concentration was not normalized after ip treatment with
exogenous T4, suggesting that T1AM is produced by the
thyroid gland and is not an extra-thyroidal metabolite of T4.4 A
INTRODUCTION
■
Thyronamines (TAMs) are naturally occurring signaling
compounds, originally postulated to derive from thyroid
hormone (T4) throughout deiodination and decarboxylation.1
Although these compounds were first described almost seven
decades ago, their importance was not recognized until 2004,
when Scanlan’s group identified them as potential ligands of the
trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1).1 So far, two
representatives of TAMs, namely 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM)
and thyronamine (T0AM) (Figure 1), have been detected in
vivo, with T1AM being the most abundant.1,2
T1AM has been detected in human blood and virtually in
every tissue in rodents at concentrations on the order of a few
Received: April 2, 2015
© XXXX American Chemical Society
A
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administration in mice elicited pro-learning and antiamnestic
effects.18 Intracerebral injection also produced hormonal
changes, i.e., stimulation of glucagon and inhibition of insulin
secretion19−21 and modifications of alimentary behavior.22
Although its physiological function remains elusive, T1AM
has already revealed promising therapeutic potential. It is
noteworthy that the structural similarities between thyroxine,
T1AM, and monoamine neurotransmitters suggest an intrigu-
ing role for T1AM as both a neuromodulator and a hormone-
like molecule that may constitute a part of thyroid hormone
action.
All these findings convey that this molecule may have great
potential for a wide variety of therapeutic applications, such as
obesity, weight loss, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cancer.
Unfortunately, thyronamines are rapidly metabolized by
different enzyme systems such as amino-oxidase (MAO,
SSAO), deiodinases (DIO3), sulfotransferases (SULT1A1 and
SULT1A3), N-acetyltransferases, and glucuronidases23,24 and
that can obviously constitute a limit to their therapeutic use.
Consequently, the great therapeutic potential as well as the
lack of new tools to elucidate T1AM physiological function
urge the development of novel synthetic analogues of T1AM.
Herein, we describe the synthesis and properties of a small
series (1−10) of new synthetic analogues of thyronamines
(Figure 1). These compounds were screened in vitro for
TAAR1 activation, and selected compounds were evaluated in
vivo to characterize their functional and metabolic effects.
Furthermore, to rationalize the pharmacological results and to
support and guide the synthetic efforts, in silico docking studies
on compounds T1AM and 1−10 were also performed in order
to simulate the interaction of the synthesized compounds with
the putative receptor-binding site. Given the absence of
crystallographic data for the TAAR1 receptor, a theoretical
model of the mTAAR1 receptor was built to carry out the
docking studies.
Figure 1. Structures of endogenous thyronamines and new synthetic
analogues.
preliminary evidence on the T4 conversion into T1AM on an
everted gut sac model has been recently reported.5
Following a multidisciplinary approach, we identified two
compounds, namely 2 and 3, that are equipotent to
endogenous thyronamines, and could represent suitable tools
for studying the physiological roles of TAAR1 receptor using in
vitro and/or in vivo models.
T1AM should be regarded as a chemical messenger because
it interacts with specific receptors and produces significant
functional effects. T1AM is not a ligand for nuclear thyroid
hormone receptors (TRs), instead it stimulates with nanomolar
affinity TAAR1, which is the best characterized TAAR member,
found in specific areas of the central nervous system as well as
in certain peripheral tissues.6−10 Recent evidence gained by
using transgenic animals and newly developed pharmacological
tools indicates that targeting TAAR1 may provide new
therapeutic approach for a range of neuropsychiatric and
metabolic disorders6 T1AM binding to TAAR1 engages Gαs-
type G proteins that activate adenylyl cyclases,1 but notably,
this compound also interacts with amine transporters, with
mitochondrial proteins, and binds with high affinity to
apoB100.11 Recently, an inverse agonistic action at TAAR5
has also been described.12 Administration of exogenous T1AM
to rodents caused transient decrease in body temperature and
reduction of cardiac inotropic and chronotropic state.1,13,14
While these effects occurred at micromolar concentration,
metabolic and neurological effects were observed at lower
dosages, which increased endogenous tissue concentration by
about 1 order of magnitude.15
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
■
Rational Design of New Compounds. The recent
discovery that endogenous thyronamines (i.e., T0AM and
T1AM) potently activate rat TAAR1 (rTAAR1) and mouse
TAAR1 (mTAAR1) heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells,
with T1AM being the most effective, spurred the discovery of
the first rationally designed “superagonist” and antagonist
compounds that target TAAR1.25 In general, structural−activity
relationship studies have led to the following conclusions: a
basic amino group at Cα is required for activity, and
monomethylation of the amine can be beneficial; an iodide
or methyl substituent at the 3-position of the thyronamine
scaffold is optimal for activity; the 4′-OH of thyronamine is not
necessary for activity but its removal may render the remaining
compound difficult to metabolize and possibly result in
impaired clearance.
With the aim of enriching the number of selective ligands for
TAAR1 and providing new tools to facilitate the understanding
of TAAR1 physiological functions and therapeutic potential, in
the present work we designed and synthesized a novel class of
thyronamine analogues that are more synthetically accessible
T1AM favors fatty acid oxidation over carbohydrate
oxidation,16,17 and chronic treatment with exogenous T1AM
in obese mice produced a significant reduction in body weight
in the absence of changes in food consumption.17 T1AM has
also been reported to have neuromodulatory effects because icv
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Figure 2. Medicinal chemistry strategies pursued in the design of new thyronamine analogues.
a
Scheme 1
a
Reagents and conditions: (a) KHF2, MeOH/H2O, rt, 30 °C; (b) 4-nitrobenzyl bromide, PdCl2 dppf, Cs2CO3, H2O/dioxane, 95 °C, 24 h; (c)
SOCl2, CHCl3, rt, 2 h; (d) NaCN, H2O/CH3CN, mw; (e) LiAlH4, AlCl3, THF, reflux, 12 h; (f) H2SO4 50%, reflux, 30 °C; (g) hydrazine hydrate,
carbon, FeCl3, MeOH, reflux, 12 h.
than traditional thyronamines and have potentially useful
receptor activation and functional properties.
bioisostere group, such as the 4′-NH2, which retains the same
H-bonding donor and acceptor capabilities of the OH group
while also improving the pharmacokinetic properties of the
molecule (i.e., solubility, hydrophilicity). Following this
approach, we obtained the first oxygen free biaryl-methane
thyronamine analogue 1 (Figure 2).
In addition, given the pharmacological survey by Bunzow et
al.8 showing that TAAR1 could be activated by aminergic G
protein coupled receptor (GPCR) drugs with structurally
diverse ethylamine segments, and knowing that the ethylamine
side chain of thyronamines is exposed to rapid metabolic
degradation by MAO,23 we decided to synthesize new
It is well-known that biaryl-ether-forming reactions represent
a significant problem in organic synthesis, and the biaryl-ether
linkage in thyronamines requires the construction of both the
appropriate boronic acid and phenol fragments throughout a
multistep process.26 Thus, taking advantage of our knowledge
in the synthesis of analogues of thyroid hormones,27 we first
simplified the chemical synthesis of thyronamine analogues by
replacing the oxygen bridging the aromatic rings with a
methylene linkage. Subsequently, we examined the possibility
of replacing the 4′-OH substituent of thyronamines with a
C
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a
Scheme 2
a
Reagents and conditions: (a) 4-nitrobenzyl bromide, K2CO3, PdCl2, acetone/H2O, rt, 72 h; (b) BBr3, DCM, 0 °C, 1 h; (c) BrCH2CN, DMF,
Cs2CO3, rt, 30 °C; (d) BrCH2COOEt, DMF, Cs2CO3, rt, 30 °C; (e) LiAlH4, AlCl3, THF, reflux, 12 h; (f) H2, Pd/C, AcOH, EtOH, rt, 12 h; (g)
NaNO2, H2SO4, H2O, 100 °C, 1 h; (h) NaOH 10%, MeOH, reflux, 1 h; (i) hydrazine hydrate, Carbon, FeCl3, MeOH, reflux, 12 h.
thyronamine analogues by replacing the ethylamine side chain
with an aminoethoxy group. Thus, three new aminoethoxy
analogues of our scaffold compound 1 were designed (Figure
2), with 2 and 4 being a close mimic of thyronamine (T0AM),
whereas compound 3, which has a methyl group at position 3,
could be considered a new halogen-free 3-iodothyronamine
(T1AM) analogue.
crucial component to our synthetic route, and allowed efficient
production of the key biaryl methane intermediates 12 and
15a,b in only one to two steps. As shown in Scheme 1, starting
from intermediate 12, easily obtained by palladium(0)-
catalyzed Suzuki−Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of the
trifluoroborate salt 11 with 4-nitrobenzyl bromide,28 the
reaction with SOCl2 followed by the nucleophilic substitution
with NaCN gave the nitrile derivative 14. The reduction of 14
with LiAlH4 in the presence of a Lewis’s acid afforded the
diamine 1, while its hydrolysis with H2SO4 50% provided the
carboxylic acid 6. The reduction of 6 with hydrazine hydrate in
the presence of FeCl3 and carbon provided the corresponding
4-(4-aminobenzyl)phenylacetic acid 5.
Palladium(0)-catalyzed Suzuki−Miyaura cross-coupling re-
action between the p-nitrobenzyl bromide and the appropriate
4-methoxyboronic acid provided the compound 15a,b (Scheme
2A). The resulting adduct was treated with boron tribromide to
obtain the phenolic derivative 16a,b, which was then alkylated
using bromoacetonitrile or ethyl bromoacetate, affording
compound 17a,b or 18a,b, respectively. The final products 2
and 3 were obtained by reduction with LiAlH4/AlCl3 of 17a
and 17b, respectively (Scheme 2B). The catalytic hydro-
genation of 17a followed by the reaction with NaNO2 in
H2SO4 gave the phenol 20a, which was reduced with LiAlH4/
AlCl3 to provide the desired product 4. Finally, the cleavage of
ethyl ester 18a,b afforded the final products 8 and 10, which
were submitted to reduction with hydrazine hydrate in the
presence of FeCl3 and carbon to afford the amines 7 and 9.
Oxidative deamination followed by aldehyde oxidation by
ubiquitous enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase is a major and
rapid pathway of T1AM and T0AM metabolism, resulting in
the production of the corresponding thyroacetic acids, namely
23
TA1 and TA0 (Figure 1). This conversion could be
significantly inhibited by treatment with the monamine oxidase
(MAO) and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO)
inhibitor, iproniazid.23 Recent findings suggested that gen-
eration of TA1 by deamination might contribute, at least in part,
to the acute effects of T1AM in vivo and showed that oxidative
deamination had a marked effect on T1AM pharmacokinetics.20
Thus, to expand our SAR analysis on 4′-NH2-biaryl-methane
thyronamine analogues, we synthesized the corresponding
deamination product of compounds 1−3, namely 5, 7, and 9, as
well as their 4′-NO2 analogues, namely 6, 8, and 10 (Figure 1).
Synthesis. Utilizing a divergent synthetic route, we
synthesized the entire panel of new thyronamine analogues
(1−10) from commercially available starting materials.
Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki−Miyaura coupling of p-nitro-
benzyl bromide with selected phenyl boronic acid derivatives,
either commercially available or easily generated in situ, was a
D
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Figure 3. cAMP variations induced by the tested compounds in cells coexpressing mTAAR1 and EPAC. Cells were treated with the compounds at
different concentrations and plotted as a dose−response experiment. Curve was fitted using a nonlinear regression and one site specific binding with
GraphPad Prism5. Data are plotted as SEM of 4−5 independent experiments.
The newly designed compounds were then tested on the
basis of the pharmacological responses originally described for
T0AM and T1AM, namely cAMP production in HEK-293 cells
expressing mTAAR1, induction of negative inotropic effect
(reduced cardiac output) in isolated working rat heart
preparations, and modulation of plasma glucose level in CD-1
mice.
As shown in Figure 3, compounds 1−4 are effective TAAR1
agonists in HEK-293 cells transfected with mTAAR1, and
compound 3, which shares a close similarity to T1AM, was
found to be the most potent (3: EC50 = 240 nM; T1AM EC50 =
189 nM). It is noteworthy that, even though 1 resulted to be
less potent than 3 (EC50 = 800 nM), it shows the highest
efficacy (Emax = 100%).
Receptor Activation. As previously reported, both
rTAAR1 and mTAAR1 are coupled to stimulatory G proteins
and thus induce cAMP production in HEK293 stable cell lines
upon agonist exposure.8 We measured the activity of the new
compounds using BRET-based assay29 in which HEK293 cells
were transfected with mTAAR1, or empty vector as control,
and the cAMP BRET biosensor.30 As reference compound, we
used the standard TAAR1 agonist β-PEA that in our tests also
increased cAMP through TAAR1 activation (EC50 = 138 nM).
In the initial screening phase, all the compounds were tested at
10 μM either for agonistic or antagonistic activity. For the
compounds that were found to be active, a dose response was
then performed to calculate their corresponding EC50 values.
After the initial phase, only the four biaryl-methane thyron-
amine analogues 1−4 were found to potently activate TAAR1.
Heart Perfusion Experiments. It is already known that
endogenous thyronamines (i.e., T0AM and T1AM) produced a
reversible, dose-dependent negative inotropic effect in the
isolated working rat heart preparations, and recent studies have
shown the expression of mRNA coding for at least five different
TAAR subtypes in rat heart, namely TAAR1−4 and TAAR8a,
with the latter being quantitatively preponderant.13,14 The
T1AM corresponding synthetic analogue 3, which has emerged
from the TAAR1 activation study as the most potent derivative,
and the T0AM relative synthetic compound 2, were also
examined in heart perfusion experiments. Freshly isolated adult
rat hearts were perfused with buffer containing escalating doses
of 2 or 3, while the hemodynamic variables were monitored. 3
doses between 20 and 40 μM led to an immediate reduction in
cardiac output (Figure 4).
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Figure 5. Effect of 2 and 3 on plasma glycaemia in comparison to
T0AM and T1AM, respectively. *P < 0.05 vs vehicle. **P < 0.001 vs
vehicle.
Figure 4. Dose−response curves for the effects of 2 (red) and 3 (blue)
on cardiac output. Data points are values measured after 30 min of
perfusion, expressed as percentage of baseline values. Bars are mean
SE of 3−7 hearts per group. Results were analyzed by nonlinear
regression using a sigmoidal dose response model to calculate the
reported IC50’s values.
eceptor as template, following the procedure we previously
applied for the development of the human TAAR1 model33
Similarly, the mTAAR1 model was built and refined in the
presence of T1AM properly placed into the 3PDS β2-
adrenoreceptor binding site by docking procedures. In this
way, we can safely assume that we were able to build a much
better mTAAR1 binding site for the in silico analysis of the new
derivatives than using standard homology modeling protocols.
More specifically, starting from the derived β2-adrenoreceptor/
agonist complex, the mTAAR1 model was derived by aligning
the mTAAR1 (Q923Y8) fast a sequence onto the 3PDS X-ray
coordinates using the Blosum62 matrix implemented in MOE
software (Figure 6a).
The reliability of the alignment was verified by the high value
of the pairwise percentage residue identity (PPRI = 33%).
Accordingly, a consistent number of mTAAR1 residues resulted
to be conserved in comparison with those of the β2-
adrenoreceptor TM helices: (i) M29, L31, L34, G39, V43,
I47, S30, I32, A35, N40, I44, F50, and L53 in TM1; (ii) T57,
N58, S63, A65, D68, G72, and P77 in TM2; (iii) C95, T99,
S100, D102, A108, S109, I110, L113, I116, D119, R120, and
Y121 in TM3 (the DRY motif; 119−121 residues); (iv) V141,
I143, L144, W147, F155, and I157 in TM4; (v) A193, S197,
F198, Y199, P201, M205, F207, V208, Y209, R211, A216, and
K217 in TM5; (vi) K242, E243, K245, A246, K248, T249,
L250, G251, I252, G255, F257, C260, W261, P263, F264, and
F265 in TM6 (CWXP motif; 260−263 residues); (vii) L286,
W288, G290, Y291, N293, S294, N297, P298, and Y301 in
TM7.
The derived backbone conformation was inspected by
Ramachandran plot (showing absence of outliers) and
superimposed to the coordinates of the template structure
(RMSD = 0.459 Å; Figure 6b).
Subsequently, we used our mTAAR1 model to perform
docking studies on the reference compound T1AM and on 1−
10 derivatives.
On the basis of our calculations, T1AM proved to be highly
stabilized into the receptor binding site by two H-bonds
between the protonated amine group and the D102 and Y291
side chains and also by one H-bond between the phenolic
hydroxyl group and the R82 backbone carbonyl moiety.
Furthermore, the T1AM protonated amine group is able to
establish additional cation−π contacts with Y287 and with the
aforementioned Y291. Notably, the central ether oxygen seems
not to be involved in any significant amino acid interaction
(Figure 6c).
Within 10 min of receiving the highest 3 dose (40 μM),
cardiac output dropped by 60%, as compared with controls, and
remained at this rate for the duration of the experiment (1 h).
The IC50 averaged 30 μM for the effect on cardiac output being
almost comparable to previously observed T1AM IC50 value
(i.e IC50 = 27 μM), while only minor effects were observed on
heart rate. In isolated rat hearts with reduced inotropic drive
resulting from pretreatment with 3, administration of
isoproterenol increased cardiac output (data not shown).
This normalizing response to isoproterenol shows that β-
adrenergic signaling is conserved in the presence of 3, thus
suggesting that the regulation of cardiac function is under the
control of signaling pathways modulated by norepinephrine-
sensitive and thyronamine-sensitive G protein coupled
receptors (GPCRs). 2 treatment also resulted in a rapid
reduction in cardiac output with no observable effect on heart
rate, suggesting that also 2 is a negative inotropic agent with an
IC50 of 34 μM, as compared with 30 μM for 3 (Figure 4).
Rat hearts were also perfused with buffer containing
escalating doses (1−100 μM) of 7 and 9, which represent
the potential deamination product of 2 and 3, respectively, but
no effects on cardiac function were observed (data not shown).
Modulation of Plasma Glucose Level. T1AM has been
reported to induce glucagon secretion and determine insulin
secretion. These effects were observed with icv administration
of T1AM dosages at low as 1.3 μg/kg,19,20 but evidence for a
peripheral action has also been reported at higher dosages.21,31
Consequently, the effects induced by 2 and 3 derivatives on
plasma glucose level were also assessed. Figure 5 shows that a
single low dose of 2 (1.32 μg/kg, ip) or 3 (4.0 μg/kg, ip)
increases plasma glycaemia with a potency comparable to that
of T0AM and T1AM, respectively.
Molecular Modeling. To explore the mTAAR1 binding
site features, a homology model was built using the ligand-
based homology modeling strategy proposed by Moro.32
Briefly, the ligand-based homology modeling is performed by
the proper handling of insertions and deletions of any selected
extra-atoms during the energy tests and minimization stages of
the modeling procedure. This computational option is very
useful when one wishes to build a homology model in the
presence of a ligand docked into the primary template and has
been widely and fruitfully used by us to build GPCR as well as
various enzyme models.33,34 More specifically, in this work, the
GPCR 3D structure was generated using 3PDS β2-adrenor-
The 2, 3 and 1, 4 derivatives partially shared the T1AM
docking mode, described above. In particular, 3 (being the most
active of this series) displayed: (i) two H-bonds between the
F
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Figure 6. (a) The superimposition of the final mTAAR1 model (backbone colored by rainbow) on the 3PDS coordinates (backbone in gray) is
depicted. The T1AM structure is also reported in stick (colored by atom type; C atom, cyan). (b) Sequence alignment of the mTAAR1 on the basis
of the human β2-adrenoreceptor (PDB 3PDS) coordinated. (c) Docking mode of the T1AM and of thyronamine analogue 3 into the putative
mTAAR1 binding site. The ligands are reported in stick, colored by atom type (C atom, pink and cyan, respectively).
protonated amine group and the D102 and Y291 side chains,
(ii) cation−π interactions between the same group and Y291,
and (iii) π−π stacking between the 4-(2-aminoethyloxy)phenyl
group of the molecule and Y287 (Figure 6c). In addition, the
aniline portion projects toward the R86 side chain, establishing
cation−π interactions, while no H-bonds with the R82
backbone oxygen atom were detected. Notably, it could be
hypothesized that the presence of an oxygen atom (amino-
ethoxy portion) switched the ligand conformer toward the T99
side chain, causing a slightly different docking mode in
comparison with that observed for T1AM.
approximately equipotent to T0AM and T1AM, respectively.
When administered to mice at a single dose of 1.32 and 3.4 μg/
kg, both compounds increased plasma glycaemia with a potency
comparable to that of the corresponding parent compound. In
addition, 2 and 3 revealed to be both potent negative inotropic
agents, with 3 being only slightly more potent than 2.
EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
■
Chemistry. General Material and Methods. Melting points were
determined on a Kofler hot-stage apparatus and are uncorrected.
Chemical shifts (δ) are reported in parts per million downfield from
tetramethylsilane and referenced from solvent references; coupling
constants J are reported in hertz. 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of all
compounds were obtained with a Varian Gemini 200 MHz or with a
Bruker TopSpin 3.2 400 MHz spectrometer. 13C NMR spectra were
fully decoupled. The following abbreviations are used: singlet (s),
doublet (d), triplet (t), double−doublet (dd), and multiplet (m). The
elemental compositions of the compounds agreed to within 0.4% of
the calculated values. Chromatographic separation was performed on
silica gel columns by flash (Kieselgel 40, 0.040−0.063 mm; Merck) or
gravity column (Kieselgel 60, 0.063−0.200 mm; Merck) chromatog-
raphy. The ≥95% purity of the tested compounds was confirmed by
combustion analysis. Reactions were followed by thin-layer chroma-
tography (TLC) on Merck aluminum silica gel (60 F254) sheets that
were visualized under a UV lamp. The microwave-assisted procedures
were carried out with a CEM Discover LabMate microwave.
Evaporation was performed in vacuo (rotating evaporator). Sodium
sulfate was always used as the drying agent. Commercially available
chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich.
CONCLUSIONS
■
Our efforts to identify potent and selective TAAR1 agonists
synthetically more accessible than traditional thyronamines led
to the identification of a family of diphenylmethane derivatives.
By changing the biaryl-ether linkage present in thyronamines to
a methylene linkage, we were able to use an efficient C−C bond
forming reaction in the key biaryl-coupling step. This process is
amenable of extensive customization, suggesting that a great
variety of thyronamine structural variants will be accessible
through this synthetic strategy. Analysis of the in vitro TAAR1
activity data reported herein showed that the following
structural modifications are well tolerated by mTAAR1: (i)
replacement of the phenol hydroxyl with an amino group, (ii)
increase of the distance between the charged amine and the
aromatic ring by inserting an oxygen bridge, and (iii)
replacement of the 3-iodo substituent with an alkyl group
(i.e., CH3). Compounds 2 and 3 were found to be
4-(4-(2-Aminoethyl)benzyl)aniline (1). To a suspension of LiAlH4
(115.4 mg, 3.04 mmol) in THF was added dropwise a solution of
AlCl3 (405 mg, 3.04 mmol) in THF (200 mL), and the mixture was
G
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stirred for 5 min at rt. A solution of 14 (85.0 mg, 0.34 mmol) in THF
was added dropwise, and the mixture was heated at reflux for 12 h.
The mixture was cooled to 0 °C with an ice bath and added dropwise
with water and then with 10% aqueous HCl. The mixture was
extracted with diethyl ether, and the aqueous layer was made alkaline
with 2N aqueous NaOH and extracted with CHCl3. The organic phase
was separated, washed with brine, dried, filtered, and concentrated.
The crude product was purified by conversion to the corresponding
hydrochloride salt. White solid; mp 165−167 °C (70% yield). 1H
NMR (CD3OD): δ 2.93 (t, 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, CH2), 3.15 (t, 2H, J = 7.8
Hz, CH2), 4.02 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.25−7.20 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.33 (d, 2H, J =
8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.38 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar) ppm. 13C NMR (CD3OD): δ
142.83, 139.53, 134.58, 130.20, 129.12, 128.67, 128.50, 122.71, 40.54,
40.30, 32.75 ppm. Anal. (C15H18N2) C, H, N % Calcd: 79.61 (C), 8.02
(H), 12.38 (N). % Found: 79.45 (C), 8.18 (H), 12.77 (N).
2-(4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenyl)acetic Acid (6). A solution of 14 (51.6
mg, 0.20 mmol) in 50% H2SO4 (0.2 mL) was placed under stirring at
reflux for 30 min. After cooling, the water was added and the solid
precipitate was collected to give 6. Yellow solid; mp 175−177 °C (79%
1
yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.58 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.09 (s, 2H, CH2),
7.19 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, Ar), 7.37−7.27 (m, 4H, Ar), 8.17 (d, 2H, J =
7.6 Hz, Ar) ppm. 13C NMR (CDCl3): δ 173.69, 148.41, 146.52,
138.46, 133.08, 129.77, 129.59, 129.51, 129.08, 123.75, 123.69, 42.65,
41.25 ppm. Anal. (C15H13NO4) C, H, N % Calcd: 66.41 (C), 4.83
(H), 5.16 (N). % Found: 66.44 (C), 4.55 (H), 5.28 (N).
2-(4-(4-Aminobenzyl)phenoxy)acetic Acid (7). Compound 7 was
synthesized from 8 (184.0 mg, 0.64 mmol), hydrazine monohydrate
(6.71 mmol), carbon (33.7 mg), and FeCl3 (7 mg) in MeOH (50 mL)
following the same procedure described above for the preparation of 5.
The residue was dissolved in AcOEt and washed with water. The
organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. White
solid; mp 153−155 °C (70% yield). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.82 (s, 2H,
CH2), 4.54 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.62 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 6.81 (d, 2H, J =
8.4 Hz, Ar), 6.95 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.11 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz Ar)
ppm. 13C NMR (CDCl3): δ 168.76, 155.34, 144.52, 135.92, 131.22,
130.04, 129.65, 115.34, 114.49, 67.09, 40.14 ppm. Anal. (C15H15NO3)
C, H, N % Calcd: 70.02 (C), 5.88 (H), 5.44 (N). % Found: 70.39 (C),
5.93 (H), 5.59 (N).
2-(4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenoxy)acetic Acid (8). To a solution of the
ester 18a (179.7 mg, 0.57 mmol) in MeOH was added dropwise an
aqueous solution of NaOH 10% (0.2 mL), the resulting solution was
refluxed for 30 min, then, after cooling, the solvent was evaporated.
The residue was acidified to pH 3 with HCl 1N, and the precipitate
was filtered off, washed with H2O, and dried. White solid; mp 162−
164 °C (87% yield). 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.02 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.66 (s,
2H, CH2), 6.88 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.11 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar),
7.31 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 8.14 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz Ar) ppm. 13C
NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 158.60, 146.30, 130.22, 129.56, 128.00,
123.79, 123.15, 115.03, 77.35, 64.89, 29.70 ppm. Anal. (C15H13NO5)
C, H, N % Calcd: 62.72 (C), 4.56 (H), 4.88 (N). % Found: 62.91 (C),
4.23 (H), 4.59 (N).
2-(4-(4-Aminobenzyl)-3-methylphenoxy)acetic Acid (9). Com-
pound 9 was synthesized from 10 (192.8 mg, 0.64 mmol), hydrazine
monohydrate (6.71 mmol), carbon (33.7 mg), and FeCl3 (7 mg) in
MeOH (50 mL) following the same procedure described above for the
preparation of 5. The residue was dissolved in AcOEt and washed with
water. The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced
pressure. The crude was purified by conversion in the corresponding
hydrochloride salt. White solid; mp 175−177 °C (65% yield). 1H
NMR (CD3OD): δ 2.16 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.77 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.36 (s, 2H,
CH2), 6.57−6.80 (m, 4H, Ar), 6.81−6.89 (m, 2H, Ar) 6.92−7.01 (m,
2H, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C16H17NO3) C, H, N % Calcd 70.83 (C), 6.32
(H), 5.16 (N). % Found. 70.90 (C), 6.37 (H), 5.29 (N).
4-(4-(2-Aminoethoxy)benzyl)aniline (2). Compound 2 was synthe-
sized from 17a (96.3 mg, 0.34 mmol), LiAlH4 (3.04 mmol), and AlCl3
(405 mg, 3.04 mmol) in THF (200 mL) following the same procedure
described above for the preparation of 1. The crude was purified by
conversion in the corresponding hydrochloride salt. White solid; mp
1
137−135 °C (70% yield). H NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.35 (t, 2H, J = 5.0
Hz, CH2), 3.93 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.20 (t, 2H, J = 5.0 Hz, CH2NH2), 6.94
(d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar), 7.16 (d, 2H, J = 8.3, Hz, Ar), 7.15 (d, 2H, J =
8.6 Hz, Ar), 7.26 (d, 2H, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar), ppm. 13C NMR (CD3OD): δ
158.13, 141.85, 135.52, 133.72, 131.24, 131.02, 122.40, 115.81, 65.32,
41.21, 40.39 ppm. Anal. (C16H21ClN2O) C, H, N % Calcd: 65.63 (C),
7.23 (H), 9.57 (N). % Found: 65.61 (C), 7.52 (H), 9.73 (N).
4-(4-(2-Aminoethoxy)-2-methylbenzyl)aniline (3). Compound 3
was synthesized from 17b (101 mg, 0.34 mmol), LiAlH4 (3.04 mmol),
and AlCl3 (405 mg, 3.04 mmol) in THF (200 mL) following the same
procedure described above for the preparation of 1. The crude was
purified by conversion in the corresponding hydrochloride salt. White
1
solid; mp 156−158 °C (75% yield). H NMR (CD3OD): δ 2.18 (s,
3H, CH3), 3.36 (t, 2H, J = 4.0 Hz, CH2), 4.00 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.21 (t,
2H, J = 4.0 Hz, CH2NH2), 6.79−6.88 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.11 (d, 1H, J = 8.0
Hz, Ar), 7.28−7.34 (m, 4H, Ar) ppm. 13C NMR (CD3OD): δ 158.32,
143.87, 139.32, 132.78, 132.22, 131.27, 129.71, 124.01, 117.86, 113.05,
65.23, 40.41, 38.89, 19.93 ppm. Anal. (C15H19ClN2O) C, H, N %
Calcd: 64.63 (C), 6.87 (H), 10.05 (N). % Found: 64.74 (C), 7.02 (H),
9.95 (N).
4-(4-(2-Aminoethoxy)benzyl)phenol (4). Compound 4 was
synthesized from 20a (32.3 mg, 0.13 mmol), LiAlH4 (1.21 mmol),
and AlCl3 (161 mg, 1.21 mmol) in THF (200 mL) following the same
procedure described above for the preparation of 1. The crude product
was purified by conversion to the corresponding hydrochloride salt.
White solid; mp 175−177 °C (50% yield). 1H NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.34
(t, 2H, J = 4.8 Hz, CH2), 3.80 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.20 (t, 2H, J = 4.8 Hz,
CH2NH2), 6.68 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 6.91 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz, Ar),
6.97 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.11 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz Ar) ppm. 13C
NMR (CD3OD): δ 156.62, 136.83, 133.80, 130.88, 130.71, 116.15,
115.61, 65.30, 41.07, 40.40 ppm. Anal. (C15H17NO2) C, H, N %
Calcd: 74.05 (C), 7.04 (H), 5.76 (N). % Found: 74.31 (C), 7.22 (H),
5.73 (N).
2-(4-(4-Aminobenzyl)phenyl)acetic Acid (5). To a solution of 6
(167 mg, 0.64 mmol) in MeOH (50 mL) was added carbon (33.7 mg)
and FeCl3 (7 mg). The reaction mixture was warmed to 60 °C, then
hydrazine monohydrate was added dropwise (0.33 mL, 6.71 mmol).
The mixture was refluxed overnight then filtered on a Celite pad and
the solvent removed. The residue was dissolved in AcOEt and washed
with water. The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced
pressure. The crude was purified by conversion in the corresponding
hydrochloride salt. White solid; mp 154−156 °C (72% yield). 1H
NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.61 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.01 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.19 (d, 2H,
J = 8.0 Hz, Ar), 7.26 (d, 2H, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar), 7.31 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz,
Ar), 7.37 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar) ppm. 13C NMR (CD3OD): δ 175.61,
144.37, 144.32, 140.46, 134.15, 131.60, 130.65, 130.60, 130.03, 129.98,
129.80, 129.37, 124.04, 41.69, 41.42 ppm. Anal. (C15H13NO4·HCl) C,
H, N % Calcd: 64.87 (C), 5.81 (H), 5.04 (N). % Found: 64.72 (C),
5.92 (H), 5.09 (N).
2-(3-Methyl-4-(4-nitrobenzyl)phenoxy)acetic Acid (10). Com-
pound 10 was synthesized from 18b (187.7 mg, 0.57 mmol) and an
aqueous solution of NaOH 10% (0.2 mL) in MeOH following the
same procedure described above for the preparation of 8. The residue
was acidified to pH 3 with HCl 1N, and the precipitate was filtered off,
washed with H2O, and dried. White solid; mp 166−168 °C (90%
1
yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.17 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.02 (s, 2H, CH2),
4.68 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.70−6.80 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.03 (d, 1H, J = 8.2 Hz,
Ar), 7.24 (d, 2H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar), 8.12 (d, 2H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar) ppm. 13C
NMR (CDCl3) δ: 156.46, 148.56, 138.54, 131.33, 131.10, 130.88,
129.42, 123.84, 117.27, 112.04, 77.80, 64.93, 38.73, 20.06 ppm. Anal.
(C16H15NO5) C, H, N % Calcd: 63.78 (C), 5.02 (H), 4.65 (N). %
Found: 63.87 (C), 5.21 (H), 4.51 (N).
Potassium Trifluoro(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)borate (11). To a
round-bottomed flask containing the 4-(hydroxymethyl)-
phenylboronic acid (1.3 g, 8.55 mmol) in MeOH was added a
solution of KHF2 (2.7 g, 34.2 mmol) in distilled water at 0 °C. The
mixture was stirred for 2 h, at rt, and then the solvent was completely
removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by
1
crystallization from iPrOH to give 11. White solid (63% yield). H
NMR (CD3OD): δ 4.53 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.18 (d, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, Ar),
H
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00526
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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Article
7.48 (d, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C7H7BF3KO) C, H, N %
Calcd: 39.28 (C), 3.30 (H). % Found: 39.55 (C), 3.43 (H).
Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C13H11NO3) C, H, N % Calcd: 68.11 (C), 4.84
(H), 6.11 (N). % Found: 68.29 (C), 4.96 (H), 6.29 (N).
(4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenyl)methanol (12). To a solution of
trifluoroborane salt 11 (509 mg, 2.38 mmol) in dioxane/H2O 9:1 (4
mL) was added, under nitrogen atmosphere, p-nitrobenzyl bromide
(513 mg, 2.38 mmol), cesium carbonate (2.30 g, 7.1 mmol), and
PdCl2(dppf) (34.8 mg, 0.05 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred
at 95 °C for 24 h in a sealed vial. The crude mixture was evaporated
and then diluted with water and extracted with DCM. The organic
phase was dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed. The
crude product was chromatographed on a silica gel column, eluting
with n-hexane/AcOEt (70:30). White oil (32% yield). 1H NMR
(CDCl3): δ 4.08 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.68 (s, 2H, CH2OH), 7.17 (d, 2H, J =
8.0 Hz Ar), 7.34−7.32 (m, 4H, Ar), 8.14 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar) ppm.
Anal. (C14H13NO3) C, H, N. % Calcd: 69.12 (C), 5.39 (H), 5.76 (N)
% Found: 69.03 (C), 5.63 (H), 5.58 (N).
3-Methyl-4-(4-nitrobenzyl)phenol (16b). Pale-yellow oil (64%
yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.13 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.00 (s, 2H, CH2),
1
6.65−6.59 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.96 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.24 (d, 2H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar),
8.11 (d, 2H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C14H13NO3) C, H, N %
Calcd: 69.12 (C), 5.39 (H), 5.76 (N). % Found: 69.33 (C), 5.51 (H),
5.82 (N).
General Procedure for Synthesis of Compounds 17a,b. To a
mixture of cesium carbonate (725 mg, 2.22 mmol) and phenol 16a,b
(0.44 mmol) in 50 mL of DMF was added BrCH2CN (0.03 mL, 0.44
mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at rt, poured into
100 mL of cold HCl 1N, and extracted with AcOEt. The organic phase
was dried and evaporated.
2-(4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenoxy)acetonitrile (17a). The crude prod-
uct was purified by chromatography eluting with n-hexane/AcOEt
1
1-(Chloromethyl)-4-(4-nitrobenzyl)benzene (13). To a solution of
12 (86.4 mg, 0.35 mmoli) in CHCl3 at 0 °C was added SOCl2 (3.50
mmol, 0.25 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at room
temperature, then the solvent was evaporated. The residue was
dissolved in H2O and alkalized with NaOH 1N, and the aqueous layer
was extracted with DCM. The organic phase was dried and the solvent
was evaporated to give 13, which was used without further purification.
(70:30). White oil (96% yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.05 (s, 2H,
CH2), 4.76 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.94 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar), 7.15 (d, 2H, J =
8.6 Hz, Ar), 7.31 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar), 8.14 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar)
ppm. Anal. (C15H12N2O3) C, H, N. % Calcd: 67.16 (C), 4.51 (H),
10.44 (N). % Found: 67.24 (C), 4.72 (H), 10.62 (N).
2-(3-Methyl-4-(4-nitrobenzyl)phenoxy)acetonitrile (17b). The
crude product was purified by chromatography eluting with n-
1
1
Yellow oil (83% yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.08 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.57
hexane/AcOEt (70:30). White oil (98% yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ
(s, 2H, CH2), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar), 7.35−7.32 (m, 4H, Ar),
8.15 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz Ar) ppm. Anal. (C14H12ClNO2) C, H, N. %
Calcd: 64.25 (C), 4.62 (H), 5.35 (N). % Found: 63.96 (C), 4.46 (H),
5.71 (N).
2.19 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.03 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.76 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.81−6.77
(m, 2H, Ar), 7.08 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.25 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar), 8.13 (d,
2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C16H14N2O3) C, H, N % Calcd: 68.07
(C), 5.00 (H), 9.92 (N). % Found: 68.21 (C), 5.11 (H), 9.86 (N).
General Procedure for Synthesis of Compounds 18a,b.
Compound 18a,b was synthesized from 16a,b (0.44 mmol) and
BrCH2COOEt (73.5 mg, 0.44 mmol) in DMF (1.2 mL) following the
same procedure as described above for the preparation of 17a,b
Ethyl 2-(4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenoxy)acetate (18a). Yellow oil (83%
2-(4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenyl)acetonitrile (14). To a solution of 13
(152 mg, 0.58 mmol) in CH3CN (0.78 mL) was added NaCN (57.0
mg, 1.16 mmol) in H2O (0.26 mL). The mixture was submitted to
microwave irradiation (150W, 100 °C, 20 min). After cooling, the
solution was extracted with DCM. Organic phase was dried and
1
evaporated to dryness. Yellow oil (86% yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ
1
yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.27 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, CH3), 4.02 (s,
3.73 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.08 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.19 (d, 2H, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar),
7.33−7.28 (m, 4H, Ar), 8.15 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal.
(C15H12N2O2) C, H, N % Calcd: 71.42 (C), 4.79 (H), 11.10 (N). %
Found: 71.56 (C), 4.64 (H), 11.33 (N).
General Procedure for Synthesis of Compounds 15a,b. To a
solution of arylboronic acid (2.63 mmoli) in acetone/H2O 1:1 (4 mL)
was added, under nitrogen flux, p-nitrobenzyl bromide (569 mg, 2.63
mmol), K2CO3 (1.24 g, 6.58 mmol), and a catalytic amount of PdCl2.
The resulting mixture was stirred at rt for 62 h in a sealed vial. The
crude mixture was evaporated and then diluted with water and
extracted with Et2O. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate
and concentrated under vacuum.
2H, CH2), 4.27 (q, 2H, J = 7.1 Hz, CH2), 4.60 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.86 (d,
2H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.09 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz), 7.31 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz),
8.13 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz) ppm. Anal. (C17H17NO5) C, H, N % Calcd:
64.75 (C), 5.43 (H), 4.44 (N). % Found: 64.80 (C), 5.71 (H), 4.69
(N).
Ethyl 2-(3-Methyl-4-(4-nitrobenzyl)phenoxy)acetate (18b). Yel-
1
low oil (60% yield). H NMR (CDCl3): δ 1.26 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz,
CH3), 2.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.98 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.23 (q, 2H, J = 7.0 Hz,
CH2), 4.57 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.32−6.79 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.97 (d, 1H, J = 8.2
Hz, Ar), 7.21 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz, Ar), 8.08 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz, Ar) ppm.
Anal. (C18H19NO5) C, H, N % Calcd: 65.64 (C), 5.81 (H), 4.25 (N).
% Found: 65.91 (C), 5.93 (H), 4.39 (N).
1-Methoxy-4-(4-nitrobenzyl)benzene (15a). The crude residue
2-(4-(4-Aminobenzyl)phenoxy)acetonitrile (19a). A solution of
17a (136 mg, 0.5 mmoli) in AcOH (10 mL) was hydrogenated in the
presence of 10% Pd−C (28.3 mg), for 12 h. Then the catalyst was
filtered off, and the solvent was removed to dryness to give a crude
product that was used in the subsequent step without any further
purification. Yellow oil. (52% yield). 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ: 3.83 (s, 2H,
CH2), 4.73 (s, 2H, CH2CN), 6.63 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 6.89 (d, 2H,
J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 6.95 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.14 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz,
Ar) ppm. Anal. (C15H14N2O) C, H, N % Calcd: 75.61 (C), 5.92 (H),
11.76 (N). % Found: 75.70 (C), 6.07 (H), 11.61 (N).
2-(4-(4-Hydroxybenzyl)phenoxy)acetonitrile (20a). To a mixture
of aniline derivative 19a (63.0 mg, 0.26 mmoli) in H2O was added
dropwise with H2SO4conc (0.06 mL) and the mixture was stirred at
room temperature for 20 min. Then a solution of NaNO2 (17.9 mg,
0.26 mmoli) in H2O (0.19 mL) was added dropwise to the reaction
mixture. The resulting solution was stirred for 1 h at 100 °C. The
mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the residue diluted with
AcOEt and washed with brine. The collected organic layers were dried
and evaporated to give compound 20a that was directly used in the
next step. White solid; mp 151−153 °C (61% yield). 1H NMR
(CDCl3) δ: 3.87 (s, 2H, CH2), 4.74 (s, 2H, CH2CN), 6.76 (d, 2H, J =
8.4 Hz, Ar), 6.90 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.02 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar),
7.14 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C15H13NO2) C, H, N %
was purified by column chromatography n-hexane/AcOEt (97:3),
affording 15a (47% yield). Yellow oil. H NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.79 (s,
3H, OCH3), 4.02 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar), 7.10 (d,
2H, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar), 7.32 (d, 2H, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar), 8.13 (d, 2H, J = 8.3
Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C14H13NO3) C, H, N % Calcd: 69.12 (C), 5.39
(H), 5.76 (N). % Found: 69.21 (C), 5.43 (H), 5.98 (N).
1
4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1-(4-nitrobenzyl)benzene (15b). The crude
residue was purified by column chromatography n-hexane/AcOEt
1
(97:3), affording 15b (49% yield). Yellow oil. H NMR (CDCl3): δ
2.15 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3), 4.01 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.69−6.80
(m, 2H, Ar), 7.01 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.23 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar), 8.10 (d,
2H, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar) ppm. Anal. (C15H15NO3) C, H, N % Calcd: 70.02
(C), 5.88 (H), 5.44 (N). % Found: 70.22 (C), 5.93 (H), 5.62 (N).
General Procedure for Synthesis of Compounds 16a,b. A solution
of 15a,b (0.39 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (1.5 mL) was cooled to −78
°C and treated dropwise with a solution of BBr3 in DCM (3.94 mL,
1.24 mmol), and the resulting solution was stirred at the same
temperature for 5 min and at 0 °C for 1 h. The mixture was then
diluted with water and extracted with DCM. Organic phase was dried
and evaporated to give the products 16a or 16b.
1
4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)phenol (16a). White oil (95% yield). H NMR
(CDCl3): δ 4.00 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.78 (d, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, Ar), 7.04 (d,
2H, J = 7.5 Hz, Ar) 7.32 (d, 2H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar), 8.14 (d, 2H, J = 7.9
I
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00526
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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Article
Calcd: 75.30 (C), 5.48 (H), 5.85 (N). % Found: 74.92 (C), 5.48 (H),
6.13 (N).
are representative of 4−6 independent experiments and are expressed
as means SEM.
Cardiac Perfusion Technique. Male Wistar rats (275−300 g body
wt), fed with standard diet, were anesthetized with a mixture of ether
and air. After injection of 1000 U sodium heparin in the femoral vein,
the heart was quickly excised and perfused according to the working
heart technique, as described previously.43 The height of the atrial and
aortic cannulae was set at 20 and 100 cm, respectively. Unless
otherwise specified, the perfusion buffer included (mM): 118 NaCl, 25
NaHCO3, 4.5 KCl, 1.2 KH2PO4, 1.2 MgSO4, 1.5 CaCl2, and 11
glucose. Perfusions were carried out using 200 mL of recirculating
buffer, which was equilibrated with a mixture of O2 (95%) and CO2
(5%). Temperature was kept between 36.8 and 37 °C, and the pH was
7.4.
Molecular Modeling. mTAAR1 Homology Modeling. In absence
of crystallographic data for the TAAR1 receptor, we built a theoretical
model of the mTAAR1, and then used it for docking simulations.
Because most of the key residues characteristic of GPCRs are
conserved in TAAR1 receptor, a mTAAR1 receptor homology model
was generated, starting from the X-ray structure of human β2-
adrenoreceptor (PDB code 3PDS; resolution = 3.50 Å), in complex
with an agonist compound.35 The amino acid sequence of mTAAR1
(Q923Y8) was retrieved from the SWISSPROT database,36 while the
three-dimensional structure coordinates file of the GPCR template was
obtained from the Protein Data Bank.37
The amino acid sequences of mTAAR1 TM helices were aligned
with the corresponding residues of 3PDS, on the basis of the
Blosum62 matrix (MOE software). The connecting loops were
constructed by the loop search method implemented in MOE. The
MOE output file included a series of ten hTAAR1 models which were
independently built on the basis of a Boltzmann-weighted randomized
procedure,38 combined with specialized logic for the handling of
sequence insertions and deletions.39 Among the derived models, there
were no significant main chain deviations. The model with the best
packing quality function was selected for full energy minimization. The
retained structure was minimized with MOE using the AMBER94
force field.40 The energy minimization was carried out by the 1000
steps of steepest descent followed by conjugate gradient minimization
until the rms gradient of the potential energy was less than 0.1 kcal
mol−1 Å−1. The assessment of the final obtained model was performed
using Ramachandran plots, generated within MOE.
After an equilibration period of 5 min, hearts were perfused for 60
min: 100 μL of DMSO (vehicle) or increasing doses of 2 and 3
dissolved in DMSO were added to the standard perfusion buffer.
Aortic pressure and heart rate were continuously recorded on a
personal computer. Cardiac output was determined as the sum of
aortic and coronary flow. Powerlab/200 (ADInstruments, Castle Hill,
Australia) was used for data acquisition.
Measurement of Plasma Glycaemia. Glycaemia was monitored in
blood collected from the tail vein of 4 h (from 8 to 12 h) fasted mice
(male, CD-1 strain), who had received T0AM, T1AM, 2, and 3 (1.32,
4, and 11 μg·kg−1 ip) or saline (ip) (n = 10 in each group). Glycaemia
was evaluated by a glucorefractometer 15 min after the ip injections, as
described.20 Data are expressed as mean
SEM of independent
experiments. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA,
followed by Student−Newman−Keuls multiple comparison post hoc
test; the threshold of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Data
analysis was performed by GraphPad Prism 5.0 statistical program
(GraphPad software, San Diego, CA, USA).
Following the same procedure already described by us,34 the
putative receptor model binding site was identified on the basis of the
corresponding regions of the 3PDS binding site, and also by taking
into account the recent mutagenesis data published by Grandy.41
Ligand Preparation. All compounds were built, parametrized
(Gasteiger−Huckel method) and energy minimized within MOE
using MMFF94 force field (MOE: Chemical Computing Group Inc.,
Montreal H3A2R7, Canada, http://www.chemcomp.comp). For all
compounds, the protonated form was considered for the in silico
analyses.
ASSOCIATED CONTENT
* Supporting Information
■
S
SMILES information on the compounds (CSV). The
Supporting Information is available free of charge on the
ACS Publications website at DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmed-
chem.5b00526.
Docking Studies. Docking studies were subsequently performed,
according to the following protocol. Each isomer was docked into the
putative ligand binding site by means of the Surflex docking module
implemented in Sybyl-X1.0. Then, for all the compounds, the best
docking geometries (selected on the basis of the SurFlex scoring
functions) were refined by ligand/receptor complex energy
minimization (CHARMM27) by means of the MOE software. To
verify the reliability of the derived docking poses, the obtained ligand/
receptor complexes were further investigated by docking calculations
(10 run), using MOE-Dock (Genetic algorithm; applied on the poses
already located into the putative TAAR1 receptor). The conformers
showing lower energy scoring functions and rmsd values (respect to
the starting poses) were selected as the most stable and allowed us to
identify the most probable conformers interacting with mTAAR1.
In Vitro Biological Studies. Bioluminescence Resonance Energy
Transfer (BRET) Measurement. HEK-293 cells were transiently
transfected with mTAAR1 and a cAMP BRET biosensor (EPAC)
and then plated in a 96-well plate as described.30 For time course
experiments, the plate was read immediately after the addition of the
agonist and for approximately 20 min. All the compounds were tested
at the initial concentration of 10 μM. Then, for active compounds, a
dose response was performed in order to calculate the EC50 values. All
the experiments were conducted in the presence of the phosphodies-
terase inhibitor IBMX (Sigma) at the final concentration of 200 μM.
Readings were collected using a Tecan Infinite instrument that allows
the sequential integration of the signals detected in the 465−505 nm
and 515−555 nm windows using filters with the appropriate band-pass
and by using iControl software. The acceptor/donor ratio was
calculated as previously described.42 Curve was fitted using a nonlinear
regression and one site specific binding with GraphPad Prism 5. Data
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Authors
*For G.C.: phone, +39 050 2218677; E-mail, g.chiellini@bm.
med.unipi.it.
*For S.R.: phone, +39 050 2219582; E-mail, simona.
rapposelli@farm.unipi.it.
Notes
■
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
■
We thank Prof. Scanlan from the University of Oregon (USA)
for supplying us T1AM, T0AM. This work was supported by a
local grant from the University of Pisa (to G.C., R.Z., and S.R.).
BRET studies has been supported by the Russian Science
Foundation grant N14-25-00065 (to RRG).
ABBREVIATION USED
■
T1AM, 3-iodothyronamine; T0AM, thyronamine; β-PEA, β-
phenylethylamine; TA0, thyroacetic acid; TA1, 3-iodothyro-
acetic acid
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