Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Difluorocyclobutylacetylenes as positive allosteric modulators of mGluR5 with reduced bioactivation potential
Andrew P Degnan1, Darrell Maxwell1, Anand Balakrishnan1
1Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, United States.
Abstract:
Schizophrenia is a serious illness that affects millions of patients and has been associated with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction. It has been demonstrated that activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) enhances NMDA receptor function, suggesting the potential utility of mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) in the treatment of schizophrenia. Herein we describe the optimization of an mGluR5 PAM by replacement of a phenyl with aliphatic heterocycles and carbocycles as a strategy to reduce bioactivation in a biaryl acetylene chemotype. Replacement with a difluorocyclobutane followed by further optimization culminated in the identification of compound 32, a low fold shift PAM with reduced bioactivation potential. Compound 32 demonstrated favorable brain uptake and robust efficacy in mouse novel object recognition (NOR) at low doses.
More Related Videos
07:41A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
Published on: February 20, 2018
04:48A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
Published on: July 10, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Allosteric Regulation
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex,...
Ligand Binding and Linkage
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...
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions