Pyrrolidine analogs of GZ-793A: Synthesis and evaluation as inhibitors of the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2)

Central heterocyclic ring size reduction from piperidinyl to pyrrolidinyl in the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) inhibitor GZ-793A and its analogs resulted in novel N-propane-1,2(R)-diol analogs 11a–i. These compounds were evaluated for their affinity for the dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ) binding site on VMAT2 and for their ability to inhibit vesicular dopamine (DA) uptake. The 4-difluoromethoxyphenethyl analog 11f was the most potent inhibitor of [3H]-DTBZ binding (Ki = 560 nM), with 15-fold greater affinity for this site than GZ-793A (Ki = 8.29 μM). Analog 11f also showed similar potency of inhibition of [3H]-DA uptake into vesicles (Ki = 45 nM) compared to that for GZ-793A (Ki = 29 nM). Thus, 11f represents a new water-soluble inhibitor of VMAT function.

Graphical abstractCompound 11f has been identified as a new water-soluble inhibitor of VMAT2 function with a Ki of 45 nM in the vesicular dopamine uptake assay and a Ki of 560 nM in the [3H]DTBZ binding assay.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide