Agents related to a potent activator of the acetylcholine receptor of Electrophorus electricus.

The synthesis of a number of compounds related to trans-3,3'-bis[alpha-(trimethylammonium)methyl]azobenzene dibromide (trans-3,3'-BisQ) (1) is described. Among the compounds are: [14C]-trans-3,3'-BisQ (1) diiodide, cis-3,3'-BisQ (2) dibromide, the trans-2,2' (7) and 4,4' (11) isomers of BisQ, 2,2', (12), 3,3' (13) and 4,4' (14) isomers of bis-benzyldimethylammonium analogues, and related compounds in which the azo bridge between the two aromatic rings is replaced by diketo and amide bridges. Of them all trans-3,3'-BisQ (1) was the most active cholinergic compound in the electroplax system of Electrophorus electricus; the pure cis isomer (2) was without activity. Intermediate activities were found for some of the other compounds and others were inhibitors. The relationship of the structure of these agents to a proposed conformation and topography of the binding site of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is discussed.