Identification of novel allosteric modulators of mGlu5 acting at site distinct from MPEP binding.

As part of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family, metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors play an important role as drug targets of cognitive diseases. Selective allosteric modulators of mGlu subtype 5 (mGlu5) have the potential to alleviate symptoms of numerous central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia in a more targeted fashion. Multiple mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) such as DFB, CDPPB, and VU-29, exert their actions by binding to a defined allosteric site on mGlu5 located in the seven-transmembrane domain (7TM) and shared by mGlu5 negative allosteric modulator (NAM) MPEP. Actions of the PAM CPPHA are mediated by a distinct allosteric site in the 7TM domain different from the MPEP binding site. Experimental evidence confirms these findings through mutagenesis experiments involving residues F585 (TM1) and A809 (TM7). In an effort to investigate mGlu5 PAM selectivity for this alternative allosteric site distinct from MPEP binding, we employed in silico quantitative structure activity relation (QSAR) modeling. Subsequent ligand-based virtual screening prioritized a set of 63 candidate compounds predicted from a library of over 4 million commercially available compounds to bind exclusively to this novel site. Experimental validation verified the biological activity for seven of 63 selected candidates. Further, medicinal chemistry optimizations based on these molecules revealed compound VU6003586 with an experimentally validated potency of 174 nM. Radioligand binding experiments showed only partial inhibition at very high concentrations, most likely indicative of binding at a non-MPEP site. Selective positive allosteric modulators for mGlu5 have the potential for tremendous impact concerning devastating neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and Huntington's disease. These identified and validated novel selective compounds can serve as starting points for more specifically tailored lead and probe molecules and thus help the development of potential therapeutic agents with reduced adverse effects.