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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
3-Nitro-4-amino benzoic acids and 6-amino nicotinic acids are highly selective agonists of GPR109b
Philip J Skinner1, Martin C Cherrier, Peter J Webb
1Medicinal Chemistry, Arena Pharmaceuticals, 6166 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. pskinner@arenapharm.com
Abstract:
A series of 3-nitro-4-substituted-aminobenzoic acids were prepared and found to act as potent and highly selective agonists of the orphan human GPCR GPR109b, a low affinity receptor for niacin. No activity was observed at the closely homologous high affinity niacin receptor, GPR109a. A second series, comprising 6-amino-substituted nicotinic acids was, also prepared and several analogues showed comparable activity to the nitroaryl series.
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