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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

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Published on: July 10, 2018
Kainic Acid-Based Agonists of Glutamate Receptors: SAR Analysis and Guidelines for Analog Design
Zhenlin Tian1, Brianna L M Clark1, Frederic Menard1
1Department of Chemistry , University of British Columbia , Kelowna , BC V1V 1V7 , Canada.
Abstract:
A comprehensive survey of kainic acid analogs that have been tested for their biological activity is presented. Specifically, this review (1) gathers and compares over 100 kainoids according to a relative activity scale, (2) exposes structural features required to optimize affinity for kainate receptors, and (3) suggests design rules to create next-generation KA analogs. Literature SAR data are analyzed systematically and combined with the most recent crystallographic studies. In view of the renewed interest in neuroactive molecules, this review aims to help guide the efforts of organic synthesis laboratories, as well as to inform newcomers to KA/GluK research.
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