Calmodulin antagonistic action of new 1,5-benzothiazepines derived from diltiazem

A series of newly synthesized 1,5-benzothiazepines derived from diltiazem (CAS 42399-41-7) were tested for calmodulin antagonistic activities using Ca(2+)-calmodulin stimulated phosphodiesterase (PDE). Some compounds possessing the benzoyloxy moieties at position 4 of 1,5-benzothiazepine ring of diltiazem showed a dose-dependent inhibitory action with the potencies comparable to that of a calmodulin antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamide (W-7). In contrast, diltiazem did not exert the inhibitory action at the same concentrations. Further, radioligand binding experiment, using a radiolabeled 1,5-benzothiazepine, showed that these compounds bound to Ca(2+)-calmodulin complex, but not to calmodulin in the presence of EGTA, suggesting that these 1,5-benzothiazepines are new calmodulin antagonists. Some of these compounds inhibited [3H]diltiazem binding to Ca antagonist binding sites in cell membranes of rat cerebral cortex but with a less potent affinities than diltiazem, suggesting that there was no correlation between their anti-calmodulin effect and the binding affinity to Ca antagonist binding sites. In conclusion, new 1,5-benzothiazepines have been demonstrated to have an anti-calmodulin action. These compounds may possess a pharmacological activity based on their anti-calmodulin action in addition to their interaction with Ca channel.