Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships for Glutamate Transporter Allosteric Modulators

J Med Chem. 2024 Apr 25;67(8):6119-6143. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01909. Epub 2024 Apr 16.

Abstract

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are essential CNS proteins that regulate glutamate levels. Excess glutamate release and alteration in EAAT expression are associated with several CNS disorders. Previously, we identified positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of EAAT2, the main CNS transporter, and have demonstrated their neuroprotective properties in vitro. Herein, we report on the structure-activity relationships (SAR) for the analogs identified from virtual screening and from our medicinal chemistry campaign. This work identified several selective EAAT2 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) such as compounds 4 (DA-023) and 40 (NA-014) from a library of analogs inspired by GT949, an early generation compound. This series also provides nonselective EAAT PAMs, EAAT inhibitors, and inactive compounds that may be useful for elucidating the mechanism of EAAT allosteric modulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2* / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2