High-resolution NMR and computer modeling studies of the cannabimimetic aminoalkylindole prototype WIN-55212-2

Aminoalkylindoles (AAIs), although structurally dissimilar from the classical cannabinoids (CCs), are known to be capable of binding to cannabinoid receptors and of evoking cannabimimetic responses. However, their mode of binding remains unknown. In this communication, we have carried out further studies on the AAI prototype (R)-[2, 3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1, 4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-naphthalenyl)methanone (WIN-55212-2, 1) by the combined use of high-resolution 2D NMR and computer modeling. Our results suggest that the minimum energy conformations of the molecule 1 have distinct pharmacophoric features: (i) The naphthyl ring is oriented off the plane of the benzoxazine ring by approximately 59 degrees with the carbonyl C=O group pointing toward the C2-CH(3) group. (ii) At the C10-position the axial morpholinomethyl conformation is preferred over the equatorial in order to relieve a steric interaction with the C2-methyl group. The preferred conformer as defined by the three key pharmacophores, naphthyl, morpholino, and 3-keto groups, shows that the morpholinyl ring of the molecule 1 deviates from the plane of the benzoxazine ring by about 32 degrees and orients in the left molecular quadrant. This model supports the hypothesis that a certain deviation of the morpholino group from the plane of the indole ring in compound 1 is essential for cannabimimetic activity. We postulate that such an alignment by the respective pharmacophores allows them to interact optimally with the receptor. The results should help us to better understand the pharmacophoric requirements of the AAIs and serve as a basis for future SAR studies and drug design.