Discovery of "Molecular Switches" within a Series of mGlu Allosteric Ligands Driven by a "Magic Methyl" Effect Affording Both PAMs and NAMs with Activity, Derived from an M PAM Chemotype.

In the course of optimizing an M PAM chemotype, introduction of an ether moiety unexpectedly abolished M PAM activity while engendering a "molecular switch" to afford a weak, pure mGlu PAM. Further optimization was able to deliver a potent (mGlu EC = 520 nM, 63% Glu Max), centrally penetrant (K = 0.83), MPEP-site binding mGlu PAM (VU6036486) that reversed amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion. A pronounced "magic methyl" effect was noted with a regioisomeric methyl congener, leading to a change in pharmacology to afford a potent (mGlu IC = 110 nM, 3% Glu Min), centrally penetrant (K = 0.94), MPEP-site binding NAM (VU6044766) that displayed anxiolytic activity in a mouse marble burying assay. These data further support the growing body of literature concerning the existence of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) allosteric privileged structures, and the value and impact of subtle methyl group walks, as well as the highly productive fluorine walk, around allosteric ligand cores to stabilize unique GPCR conformations.