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Discovery of a Highly Selective Sigma-2 Receptor Ligand, 1-(4-(6,7-Dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)butyl)-3-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one (CM398), with Drug-Like Properties and Antinociceptive Effects In Vivo

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Abstract

The sigma-2 receptor has been cloned and identified as Tmem97, which is a transmembrane protein involved in intracellular Ca2+ regulation and cholesterol homeostasis. Since its discovery, the sigma-2 receptor has been an extremely controversial target, and many efforts have been made to elucidate the functional role of this receptor during physiological and pathological conditions. Recently, this receptor has been proposed as a potential target to treat neuropathic pain due to the ability of sigma-2 receptor agonists to relieve mechanical hyperalgesia in mice model of chronic pain. In the present work, we developed a highly selective sigma-2 receptor ligand (sigma-1/sigma-2 selectivity ratio > 1000), 1-(4-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)butyl)-3-methyl-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one (CM398), with an encouraging in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile in rodents. In particular, radioligand binding studies demonstrated that CM398 had preferential affinity for sigma-2 receptor compared with sigma-1 receptor and at least four other neurotransmitter receptors sites, including the norepinephrine transporter. Following oral administration, CM398 showed rapid absorption and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) occurred within 10 min of dosing. Moreover, the compound showed adequate, absolute oral bioavailability of 29.0%. Finally, CM398 showed promising anti-inflammatory analgesic effects in the formalin model of inflammatory pain in mice. The results collected in this study provide more evidence that selective sigma-2 receptor ligands can be useful tools in the development of novel pain therapeutics and altogether, these data suggest that CM398 is a suitable lead candidate for further evaluation.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported, in part, by grants from the National Institutes of Health NIDA R01 DA023205 (CRM, RRM); NIMH P20 GM104932 (CRM, BAA); and from the Department of Defense CMRMP PR161310/P1 (CRM, JPM).

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Author notes

  1. Rae R. Matsumoto

    Present address: Dean’s Office, Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, 94592, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    Sebastiano Intagliata & Christopher R. McCurdy

  2. Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    Abhisheak Sharma, Tamara I. King & Bonnie A. Avery

  3. Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, 38677, USA

    Christophe Mesangeau & Christopher R. McCurdy

  4. Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA

    Michael Seminerio & Rae R. Matsumoto

  5. Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, 94305, USA

    Frederick T. Chin

  6. Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    Lisa L. Wilson & Jay P. McLaughlin

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  1. Sebastiano Intagliata
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Intagliata, S., Sharma, A., King, T.I. et al. Discovery of a Highly Selective Sigma-2 Receptor Ligand, 1-(4-(6,7-Dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)butyl)-3-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one (CM398), with Drug-Like Properties and Antinociceptive Effects In Vivo. AAPS J 22, 94 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-020-00472-x

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