Structure-activity relationships for enhancement of adenosine A1 receptor binding by 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes

The structural requirements for stimulation of adenosine A1 agonist binding by 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes and related compounds were investigated. Slowing of the dissociation of [3H]N6cyclohexyladenosine binding was used as a specific measure of the allosteric effects of these compounds. The thiophene ring could be replaced with benzene but not with several nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The 2-amino group was required, and at least one hydrogen on the amino group appeared to be necessary for activity. The keto carbonyl was also essential. Alkyl substitution at the 4-position of the thiophene ring increased activity, whereas 5-position substitution appeared to have little effect. Activity was also increased by various substitutions on the phenyl ring, with 3-(trifluoromethyl) showing optimal activity. The phenyl ring could be replaced with cyclohexyl without major loss of activity. 1-Aminofluoren-9-one, a conformationally locked derivative, was active. Based in part in the latter observation, the active conformation is proposed to have an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the amino nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen. Because the 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes showed competitive adenosine antagonism as well as allosteric enhancement, their affinities as competitive inhibitors of [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine binding to A1 receptors were also assessed. Structure-activity relationships for competitive antagonism were distinct from those for allosteric enhancement, with ratios between the two activities varying by more than 1000-fold. Of the analogs tested, (2-amino-4,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanone (PD 81,723) had the most favorable ratio of enhancement to antagonism.