10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.07.120
The research focuses on the discovery and optimization of (R)-prolinol-derived agonists for the Growth Hormone Secretagogue receptor (GHSR), a G-protein-coupled receptor involved in growth, metabolism, and food intake regulation. The study utilized a solid-phase library of 11,520 members targeting the GPCR protein superfamily, employing solid-phase synthesis and matrix libraries to rapidly optimize low micromolar hits into single-digit nanomolar leads. The research revealed non-additive structure-activity relationships and the significant impact of the α-methyl stereochemistry on GHSR activity. Reactants included cyclic and acyclic secondary amino alcohols, primary amines, anilines, and carboxylic acids, while analyses involved HPLC, mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR to ensure purity and characterize compounds. The experiments led to the identification of potent GHSR agonists with potential clinical applications in treating growth hormone disorders, frailty, and cachexia.