Structure-activity relationships of trans-substituted-propenoic acid derivatives on the nicotinic acid receptor HCA2 (GPR109A)
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Localization of Plasma Membrane and Intracellular Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using Quantitative Imaging in Mammalian Cells
Published on: December 19, 2025
J P D van Veldhoven1, C C Blad, C M Artsen
1Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, PO Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Nicotinic acid (niacin) has been used for decades as an antidyslipidemic drug in man. Its main target is the hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor HCA2 (GPR109A), a G protein-coupled receptor. Other acids and esters such as methyl fumarate also interact with the receptor, which constituted the basis for the current study. We synthesized a novel series of substituted propenoic acids, such as fumaric acid esters, fumaric acid amides and cinnamic acid derivatives, and determined their affinities for the HCA2 receptor. We observed a rather restricted binding pocket on the receptor with trans-cinnamic acid being the largest planar ligand in our series with appreciable affinity for the receptor. Molecular modeling and analysis of the structure-activity relationships in the series suggest a planar trans-propenoic acid pharmacophore with a maximum length of 8 Å and out-of-plane orientation of the larger substituents.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
The direct-acting...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence its...

