High affinity ligands and potent antagonists for the α1D-adrenergic receptor. Novel 3,8-disubstituted [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives

•Novel benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives as ligands for the α1-AR subtypes.•Receptor affinity was strongly influenced by nature of the chain at the 8-position.•Diamide derivative RX18 showed a very high affinity for the α1D-AR subtype.•New derivatives behaved as potent α1D-AR antagonists in a functional assay.

A new series of high affinity ligands and antagonists for the α1D-adrenergic receptor (AR) has been discovered. New molecules present a [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione or a [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one scaffold and bear a 2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl moiety in the 3-position and various amide substituents in the 8-position. In binding assays at the three human cloned α1A-, α1B-, and α1D-AR subtypes, they showed high affinity values, particularly for the α1D-AR subtype. Compound 22 (RX18), N1-methyl-N5-[3-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-8-yl]-N1-(phenylmethyl)pentanediamide, was the most interesting in the series displaying very high affinity (pKi = 10.25) and potent antagonism (pKb = 9.15) when tested in a functional assay at the α1D-AR.

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