QSAR and Molecular Docking Studies of the Inhibitory Activity of Novel Heterocyclic GABA Analogues over GABA-AT.

We have previously reported the synthesis, in vitro and in silico activities of new GABA analogues as inhibitors of the GABA-AT enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens, where the nitrogen atom at the γ-position is embedded in heterocyclic scaffolds. With the goal of finding more potent inhibitors, we now report the synthesis of a new set of GABA analogues with a broader variation of heterocyclic scaffolds at the γ-position such as thiazolidines, methyl-substituted piperidines, morpholine and thiomorpholine and determined their inhibitory potential over the GABA-AT enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens. These structural modifications led to compound 9b which showed a 73% inhibition against this enzyme. In vivo studies with PTZ-induced seizures on male CD1 mice show that compound 9b has a neuroprotective effect at a 0.50 mmole/kg dose. A QSAR study was carried out to find the molecular descriptors associated with the structural changes in the GABA scaffold to explain their inhibitory activity against GABA-AT. Employing 3D molecular descriptors allowed us to propose the GABA analogues enantiomeric active form. To evaluate the interaction with Pseudomonas fluorescens and human GABA-AT by molecular docking, the constructions of homology models was carried out. From these calculations, 9b showed a strong interaction with both GABA-AT enzymes in agreement with experimental results and the QSAR model, which indicates that bulky ligands tend to be the better inhibitors especially those with a sulfur atom on their structure.

1. Introduction

There are two major neurotransmitters in the regulation of neuronal activity in the mammalian central nervous system, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-glutamic acid. The former one is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and the latter an excitatory neurotransmitter [1,2]. GABA is synthesized via decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid by a process catalyzed by the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and metabolized by a transamination reaction catalyzed by the enzyme GABA-aminotransferase (GABA-AT) [3,4].

A decrease in GABA levels has been associated with a large group of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as epilepsy [5], Parkinson’s [6], Alzheimer’s [7] and Huntington [8] diseases among others.

GABA levels cannot be increased by direct administration of this compound due to its low lipophilic character, a condition that diminishes its capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) [9]. As a result, there has been an intensive research activity oriented toward the design and synthesis of new GABA analogues with increased lipophilic character, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, for the treatment of the neurological disorders listed above.

In this context, two representative GABA analogues used in the clinic are (S)-pregabalin and (R)-baclofen. (S)-Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and analgesic drug believed to bind to the α2–δ protein, a voltage dependent calcium channel, reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and peptide modulators that may be responsible for these effects [10,11,12,13,14]. (R)-Baclofen is a GABAB agonist used on the treatment of spasticity, motility improvement of patients with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and muscle stiffness [15,16]. Due to their clinical importance, the synthesis and biological evaluation of analogues of these compounds, have been reported in the literature where several research groups have reported an impressive variety of modifications to their structures [17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24].

Another alternative to raise GABA concentration in the brain has been the design of GABA analogues with the potential to inactivate the GABA-AT enzyme, a pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme responsible for the degradation of this inhibitory neurotransmitter [25]. In this regard, vigabatrin (VGB) is the first GABA-AT inhibitor drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of epilepsy. VGB is a very selective and irreversible GABA-AT inhibitor raising the concentration of GABA on the brain [26,27,28].

Silverman has designed and evaluated a variety of GABA analogues as GABA-AT inhibitors [29,30,31,32], including CP-115, a compound 186 times more efficient in inactivating GABA-AT than VGB and with a high therapeutic potential for the treatment of epilepsies and cocaine addiction [33]. More recently, the Silverman group has reported a cyclopnet-1-ene derivative 10 times more efficient than VGB as a GABA-AT inactivator. In vivo studies show that this compound suppresses the release of dopamine after a cocaine or nicotine dose in rats [34].

The synthesis of bicyclic analogues of GABA has been reported by Conti [35]. There are also reports in the literature of GABA-AT inhibitors not related to the GABA framework such as sodium valproate (VPNa), a well-known antiepileptic compound whose mode of action has been attributed to an inhibition of the GABA-AT enzyme [36]. More recently, Siddiqui has reported the synthesis, in vitro GABA-AT screening and anticonvulsant activity of some dihydropyrimidine carbothioamides [37].

In the design of other type of GABA-AT inhibitors via computational methods, Bansal has designed novel GABA-AT inhibitors based on a molecular field analysis kNN-MFA 3DQSAR model for phenyl-substituted β-phenylethylidene hydrazine analogues [38,39]. Davood, identified β-phenylethylidene hydrazide GABA analogues with a variety of substituents at the phenyl ring by QSAR techniques [40]. On the other hand, Abdulfatai has reported QSAR models for the prediction of biological activities of quinoxaline and thiadiazoles derivatives as GABA-AT inhibitors [41,42] and Jain studied the effect of halogen substitution on the docking and 3DQSAR properties of a series of aryl-substituted thiosemicarbazones [43].

Our research group has previously reported the synthesis and biological activity of new GABA analogues in which the nitrogen atom is part of a heterocyclic system. Specifically, the inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a pyrrolidine or indoline ring system lead to GABA analogues such as 1–6 (Figure 1). In this work, 3 and 4 had inhibitory activity over the GABA-AT enzyme [44].

Figure 1

Pyrrolidine and indoline GABA analogues.

We have evaluated the effect of other structural modifications, we present in this work the synthesis, in vitro and in silico evaluation of a new set of heterocyclic GABA analogues, 7, 8 and 9 (Figure 2). These analogues maintain the GABA backbone where the nitrogen atom at the γ-position forms part of heterocyclic ring system. The thiazolidine ring systems were designed to evaluate the effect of a second heteroatom in a five-membered ring, piperidine and methyl substituted piperidines to evaluate ring size and the morpholine and thiomorpholine systems to evaluate the effect of heteroatoms in these six-membered ring systems. Piperidine-derived GABA analogues with a phenyl group at C-3 of the GABA backbone with vasoconstrictor properties have been reported in the literature [45].

Figure 2

Structures of GABA analogues 7, 8 and 9.

Analogues 7 contain the GABA framework with-no substituents at the α- or β-positions. However, analogues 8 and 9 include an iso-butyl or p-Cl-phenyl substituents at the β-position in analogy to (S)-pregabalin and (R)-baclofen in order to improve their lipophilic character. Contrary to what happens in the case of GABA analogues with primary amine groups that allow them to react with the PLP cofactor of the GABA-AT enzyme, the inclusion of the nitrogen atom in these non-aromatic heterocyclic system makes them tertiary amines with higher basicity (pKb ~ 4.2). This increased basicity favors the transfer of the acidic carboxylic proton to the nitrogen atoms generating zwitterionic species which may facilitate their interaction in a non-covalent manner, with the GABA-AT enzyme. We also report the in vitro inhibitory potential over the GABA-AT enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens as well as docking and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) studies to explain their GABA-AT inhibitory activity. QSAR analysis was used to propose which enantiomer has the greatest probability to be the biological active form, for this reason 3D molecular descriptors were used. Docking calculations help us to corroborate the QSAR hypothesis and study the interaction form of GABA analogues with GABA-AT. In addition, we also carried out a molecular docking study over a homology modeled human GABA-AT enzyme to identify compounds as potential candidates for future in vivo studies. All compounds comply with Lipinski’s rule of five thus predicting their probability to become an oral drug [46].

2. Results

2.1. Chemistry

The synthesis of the GABA analogues 7 is shown in Table 1. Although compounds 7b, 7d, 7e and 7f are commercially available and their use in synthesis has been reported in the literature [47,48,49], they were prepared by our previously reported N-alkylation and a hydrolysis sequence [44]. The N-alkylation reaction of 10a–f with methyl-4-bromobutanoate (11) under solvent free conditions, was carried out at temperatures ranging between 65–70 °C affording esters 12 with moderate yields (58–67%). In a subsequent step, esters 12 were subjected to a basic hydrolysis with lithium hydroxide in aqueous methanol to afford analogues 7 with excellent yields

Table 1

Synthesis of analogues 7.

Compound	Heterocycle	% Yield 12	% Yield 7
7a		37	81
7b		67	95
7c		60	95
7d		67	95
7e		52	98
7f		58	86

For the synthesis of the β-substituted analogues 8 and 9, it was required to prepare the α,β-unsaturated esters 14. As described previously, this was accomplished by the N-alkylation of heterocycles 10a–f with commercially available 13 (Table 2).

Table 2

Synthesis of conjugated esters 14.

Compound	Heterocycle	% Yield 14
10a		63
10b		90
10c		77
10d		80
10e		89
10f		80

The synthesis of the β-substituted analogues 8a–f and 9a–f are shown in Table 3 and Table 4 respectively, and involve the conjugate addition of cuprates 15 or 17. As can be seen on Table 3, the addition of cuprate 7, generated from i-butyl magnesium bromide and anhydrous CuI in ether at 0 °C, to the conjugated systems 14a–f at 0 °C (entries a–f), affords the corresponding i-butyl substituted esters 8 in yields ranging from 13 to 75%. The low yields reported in entries a, c and f are attributed to decomposition of the corresponding heterocycles. Basic hydrolysis of esters 16, to afford the corresponding β-substituted i-butyl analogues 8 was achieved with lithium hydroxide in aqueous methanol; the yields in this step were from moderate to very good.

Table 3

Synthesis of the β-substituted analogues 8.

Entries	Compound	Heterocycle	% Yield 16	% Yield 8
a	8a		13	77
b	8b		52	90
c	8c		20	70
d	8d		37	90
e	8e		37	85
f	8f		25	90

Table 4

Synthesis of the β-substituted analogues 9.

Entries	Compound	Heterocycle	% Yield 18	% Yield 9
a	9a		--	--
b	9b		52	85
c	9c		49	52
d	9d		49	68
e	9e		55	69
f	9f		58	70

Table 4 describes the synthesis of the β-aryl-substitutued analogues 9. Addition of cuprate 17, generated from bromochlorobenzene under the same reaction conditions, to the α,β-unsaturated esters 14a–f afforded the β-aryl-substituted esters 18 in moderate yields (entries b–f). In the case of the thiazolidine ring system (entry a), it was not possible to obtain the corresponding ester, as decomposition of 14b was observed under different reaction conditions. Once again, basic hydrolysis of esters 18, carried out with lithium hydroxide in aqueous methanol led to the β-substituted analogues 9a–f from moderate to very good yields. The β-substituted analogues in Table 3 and Table 4 were synthesized in racemic form in order to quickly identify inhibitory activity over the GABA-AT enzyme.

2.2. Enzymatic Inhibition

The enzymatic assay for GABA-AT inhibition is based on the role of this enzyme in the degradation of GABA to succinic semialdehyde, and its subsequent transformation to succinate. This involves the concomitant conversion of β-NADP+ to β-NADPH by a succinic-semialdehyde dehydrogenase-coupled reaction [26,50,51]. This is evidenced by the absorbance change at 340 nm, corresponding to the formation of β-NADPH from β-NADP+, which is proportional to GABA-AT activity. Figure 3 shows the inhibition of enzymatic catalytic activity of compounds 7a–f over the GABA-AT enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens. The activity of these analogues was measured against the positive controls VGB and VPNa at a 0.8 mM concentration. As can be seen in Figure 3, compounds 7a–f were inactive, as their catalytic inhibitory activity is lower than that of the positive controls.

Figure 3

GABA-AT % enzymatic activity of compounds 7a–f as compared to VGB and VPNa.

Figure 4 shows the inhibition of enzymatic catalytic activity of compounds 8a–f and 9a–f over the GABA-AT enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens; all compounds were tested as racemic mixtures. Once again, the inhibitory activity of these analogues was measured against the positive controls VGB and VPNa at a 0.8 mM concentration. As can be seen in Figure 4, analogues 8a–e have an enzymatic inhibitory activity much lower than the positive controls VGB and VPNa. Regarding analogues 9a–f, the best compound is 9b; compound 9b displays a 73% inhibition over the enzyme, an inhibitory power greater than that of the control drugs VGB and VPNa.

Figure 4

GABA-AT % enzymatic inhibition of compounds 8a–f and 9a–f as compared to VGB and VPNa.

2.3. In Vivo Studies

The experiments were carried out in two different times of pretreatment with 9b and VPNa; 1 h and 4 h before administering PTZ. The results obtained in these tests consist of the analysis of the latency at the first seizure, the number of seizures generated in the observation period and the protection against death. In relation to the experiments carried out at 1 h, the latency of compound 9b and VPNa with respect to the control, do not show significant difference, that is, at least at the doses tested there is no change in the generation time of the first seizure (Figure 5).

Figure 5

Latency of compound 9b compared to VPNa at different doses (0.50 and 1.00 mmole/kg) at 1 h and 4 h of pretreatment. * p < 0.05: Significant difference comparing control group with 9b and VPNa as a positive control group. Comparisons were made by the one-way ANOVA test Duncan’s means analysis test.

In the same way, the same type of results was analyzed for the test carried out with 4 h of pretreatment, in which regarding to latency, it can be observed that there is a slight tendency to increase the trend with compound 12b, despite that there is no statistically significant difference. Only at a 1.00 mmole/kg dose of VPNa 4, there was a clear increase in latency (Figure 5).

On the other hand, the number of convulsions that each of the mice presented for each experimental group were counted, with the purpose of observing the anticonvulsant activity through the decrease in the number of them. It could be observed that at a 1.00 mmole/kg dose of 9b, the number of seizures did not decrease, they rather increased significantly. At a 0.50 mmole/kg dose, there was no significant difference. In the case of the doses tested with VPNa, there was no significant difference; however, the results show a tendency towards a decrease in the number of seizures (Figure 6). In the case of the number of seizures generated during the observation time, the results obtained are quite interesting. First of all, the expected decreased in the number of seizures with VPNa was observed. However, in the case of compound 9b, there is a very clear decrease in the number of seizures at a 0.5 mmole/kg dose. On the other hand, at a 1.00 mmole/kg dose, there is no difference with the control group, that is, compound 16b does not have a protecting effect, at least at the highest dose against the number of seizures (Figure 6). Table 5 shows some parameters of anticonvulsive activity of compounds 9b and VPNa in this model.

Figure 6

Tonic-clonic seizures number elicited by compound 9b compared to VPNa at different doses (0.5 and 1.00 mmole/kg) at 1 h and 4h of pretreatment. * p < 0.05: Significant difference comparing control group with 9b and VPNa as positive control group. Comparisons were made by the one-way ANOVA test and Duncan’s means analysis test [52,53,54].

Table 5

Parameters of anticonvulsive activity of compounds 9b and VPNa on the PTZ-induced seizures model. * p < 0.05.

Dose (mmole/kg)	Pre-Treatment Time (h)	Latency ± SEM (min)	Number Seizures ± SEM
Control	1	12.69 ± 2.06	1.22 ± 0.32
9b (0.50)		10.27 ± 2.38	1.16 ± 0.16
9b (1.00)		9.81 ± 1.67	3.33 ± 0.84 *
VPNa (0.50)		11.00 ± 4.36	0.50 ± 0.22
VPNa (1.00)		11.00 ± 3.06 *	0.50 ± 0.22
Control	4	4.24 ± 1.03	1.66 ± 0.40
9b (0.50)		11.22 ± 7.89	0.33 ± 0.21 *
9b (1.00)		9.79 ± 1.72	1.50 ± 0.34
VPNa (0.50)		14.00	0.16 ± 0.16 *
VPNa (1.00)		22.50 ± 3.50	0.33 ± 0.21 *

Finally, regarding death protection, VPNa, at both doses does protect against the lethal action of PTZ, whereas in the case of compound 9b, there is protection at a 0.5 mmole/kg dose; at a 1.00 mmole/kg dose, the lethal action significantly increases (Figure 7). Finally, neither VPNa nor 9b, have a significant difference, that is, practically no animals show a lethal effect from the statistical point of view (Table 5).

Figure 7

Percentage of death protection of compound 9b compared to VPNa at different doses (0.50 and 1.00 mmole/kg) at 1 h and 4 h of pretreatment. * p < 0.05: Significant difference comparing control group with 9b and VPNa as positive control group. Comparisons were made by the Fisher Exact test.

It is very important to mention that compound 9b presents an atypical or non-dose-dependent behavior, and this occurs especially at the highest dose (1.00 mmole/kg) for the experiments at 1 h and 4 h of pretreatment before the administration of PTZ. Regarding the number of seizures, 9b rather increases them, instead of decreasing, when the pretreatment is carried out during 1 h. When the pretreatment is carried out during 4 h there is no significant difference with the control group. However, at a dose of 0.50 mmole/kg there is a clear tendency to decrease the number of seizures, this phenomenon is probably due to a biphasic response or hormesis that has been reported in many substances with biological activity [55,56,57,58,59].

2.4. Computational Studies

2.4.1. Conformational and Optimization Geometry

The optimized structures of the most stable conformers of all GABA analogues, including the S and R enantiomer of 8 and 9 series, are shown in Figure S45 (Supplementary Material). All vibrational frequencies of these were positive ensuring that all the structures are minima in the potential energy surface.

2.4.2. QSAR Analysis

Since one of our objectives is to understand the biological mechanism of our compounds, knowledge of which enantiomer will display the greatest probability to be the biologically active form was crucial for this study. Therefore, we employed geometrical and charge molecular descriptors for the construction of the QSAR models; these descriptors are sensitive to the spatial position of the atoms in the molecule and allowed us to study both enantiomers of each compound. Therefore, the inclusion of at least one of these descriptors in the final QSAR model was a requirement. The best mathematical model that correlates the inhibition percent () of GABA analogues with their molecular descriptors, was validated by the QUIK, , redundancy and overfitting rules. This expression, obtained with the (S)-enantiomers, is the following:

= 86.96 = 73.03 = 4.54 = 21.3

= 0.003 (0.0) = 0.075 (−0.005) (0.1) 0.217 (−0.24)

Therefore, the GABA analogues molecular descriptors that are related to GABA-AT inhibition are: the Jug RC Index and the Harmonic Oscillator Model of Aromaticity index ( and respectively), which belong to the geometrical descriptors family. Additionally, in this mathematical model, the sum of the topological distance between the oxygen and sulfur atoms (O..S) and the second Mohar index ( and respectively) from the topological descriptors family are included (Table 6). In addition, the experimental GABA-AT inhibition % () and predicted by the QSAR model () values of GABA derivatives are displayed.

Table 6

Molecular descriptors values, experimental GABA-AT inhibition % () and predicted () of GABA derivatives present in the QSAR model.

Molecule	T(O..S)	TI2	HOMAT	RCI	Y	Y_pred
7a	14	3.435	0	0	24.9	25.35
7b	0	3.483	0	0	24.9	18.62
7c	0	3.503	0	0	19.4	21.27
7d	0	3.532	0	0	22.9	21.8
7e	0	3.483	0	0	18.3	20.67
7f	16	3.483	0	0	26.5	29.65
8a	14	2.755	0	0	−3.5	5.54
8b	0	2.95	0	0	0.84	2.06
8c	0	3.106	0	0	5.96	7.11
8d	0	3.135	0	0	2.64	9.2
8e	0	2.95	0	0	6.2	0.06
8f	16	2.95	0	0	16.8	6.31
9b	0	2.897	5.781	1.404	73	-
9c	0	3.08	5.747	1.408	28	27.46
9d	0	3.105	5.781	1.404	8.6	9.34
9e	0	2.897	5.771	1.404	7	5
9f	16	2.897	5.767	1.404	14.2	16.05
VPNa	0	2.02	0	0	40	-

In Equation (1), possess a positive coefficient indicating that if its value increases, the GABA-AT inhibition will also increase. indicates that the presence of a sulfur atom will increase the inhibitory activity of the GABA analogues, that is, increasing the value of is directly correlated to the molecule size. Therefore, increasing the distance between these two atoms in a compound, will increase its interactions with the GABA-AT enzyme.

As for TI2, its coefficient in Equation (1) is positive, indicating that increasing the size and spherical shape of the molecule will increase its inhibitory activity, TI2 is calculated from the eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix as shown in Equation (2): where the nSK is the number of non-H atoms and is the first non-zero eigenvalue.

For the molecular descriptor, its coefficient in Equation (1) indicates that if the value of descriptor increases, GABA-AT inhibition by the GABA analogues will be also enhanced. is defined as an aromaticity index based on the idea of ring current, whose magnitude is determined by its weakest link in the ring [60]. The weakest link is calculated as the maximum bond distance of aromatic bonds (inversely proportional to the minimum total bond order).

is derived from the HOMA index [61] and is calculated as follows: where is the total number of conjugated bonds, the sum runs over each conjugated bond type, is the number of considered π-bond contributions of the kth conjugated bond type, r is the actual bond length, α and are a numerical constant and the typical aromatic bond length referring to the kth aromatic bond type (see values in the table above). This descriptor depends on the conjugation degree of a molecule as well as on the total number of π bonds. According to the coefficient sign in equation 1 that corresponds to this descriptor, if the molecular aromaticity of the GABA derivatives increases its inhibitory activity will be enhanced.

The experimental GABA-AT inhibition % values (), calculated and predicted by the QSAR model ( and ) are presented in Table 7. In addition, the absolute value of the differences between each and and , represented by the and terms respectively, are also shown.

Table 7

Experimental GABA-AT inhibition % (), calculated () and predicted () for the GABA analogues in this study. The calculated and predicted residual values ( and ) are also shown.

Molecule	Y	Y_cal	Y_pred	Residual_cal	Residual_pred
7a	24.9	-	25.35	-	0.45
7b	24.9	20.11	18.62	−4.79	−6.28
7c	19.4	20.8	21.27	1.4	1.87
7d	22.9	-	21.8	-	−1.1
7e	18.3	20.11	20.67	1.81	2.37
7f	26.5	27.99	29.65	1.49	3.15
8a	−3.5	1.9	5.54	5.4	9.04
8b	0.84	1.73	2.06	0.89	1.22
8c	5.96	-	7.11	-	1.15
8d	2.64	8.11	9.2	5.47	6.56
8e	6.2	1.73	0.06	−4.47	−6.14
8f	16.8	9.61	6.31	−7.19	−10.49
9b	73	-	-	-	-
9c	28	27.98	27.46	−0.02	−0.54
9d	8.6	8.94	9.34	0.34	0.74
9e	7	5.71	5	−1.29	−2
9f	14.2	15.17	16.05	0.97	1.85
VPNa	40	-	-	-	-

The molecules that form part of the test set are: 7a, 7d and 7c. From Table 7. molecules 8a and 8f presented greater values of . Perhaps, this may be related to the fact that they are the only two molecules of that series (pregabalin analogue type) that possess a sulfur atom in their structure. Due to the residual value of 9b and VPNa, these compounds were considered as outliers; as their value is more than three times the value of the standard deviation [62]. The linear correlation of vs. and its = 0.87 is shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8

The linear correlation of .

The predictive ability of the mathematical model is shown in Figure 9. Since all the inhibition values of the GABA derivatives obtained with the leave one out technique (LOO) and the molecules that belong to the test set (color red circles) are displayed. The = 0.78 value indicates that the model has a good predictive power. The predictive ability evaluation of the QSAR model is displayed in Table S3 of the Supplementary Material.

Figure 9

The linear correlation of . Blue and red colored circles represent the training and test molecules, respectively.

The two graphs in Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the descriptive and predictive ability of the QSAR model. In general terms, the model possesses a respectable descriptive and predictive power (based on its and values). Furthermore, the molecular descriptors in this model can help to explain the inhibitory activity displayed by the GABA analogues, based on the properties that can be important to the binding to GABA-AT. Since all the molecular descriptors included in the QSAR model can be related with the interaction with GABA-AT (molecular shape, size and aromaticity character), the docking results are important to confirm the descriptive power of our QSAR mathematical model.

2.4.3. Molecular Docking for Pseudomonas fluorescens GABA-AT Model

In order to explain the GABA-AT inhibition displayed by the GABA analogues, we carried out a molecular docking study over the Pseudomonas fluorescens homology model. We analyzed the molecular docking calculations by means of the scaffold structure (GABA, pregabalin and baclofen). Figure 10 shows the molecular docking of all GABA analogues over the Pseudomonas GABA-AT model. Figure 10 also shows the cavity shape where all the docking calculations were performed. It can be observed that this cavity has a “Y” like shape; this shape explains why analogues 7 were less potent. As was mentioned above, the and molecular descriptor, related to the molecular size that according to our QSAR model increases the GABA-AT inhibitory activity of all analogues, has the lower values for analogues 7 with respect to the 8 and 9 analogues. The specific molecular interactions of each molecule with Pseudomonas GABA-AT are shown in the Supplementary Material (Figures S46–S48).

Figure 10

Docking results over Pseudomonas fluorescens GABA-AT catalytic site. (a) Cavity form (magenta color mesh representation) of the GABA-AT catalytic site. (b) GABA analogues 7. (c) (S)-Pregabalin analogues 8. (d) (R)-Pregabalin analogues 8. (e) (S)-Baclofen analogues 9. The best compound (9b) is indicated by an arrow. (f) (R)-Baclofen analogues 9. The best compound (9b) is indicated by an arrow. PLP prosthetic group is showed as gray Van der Waals spheres and each protein chain is colored in green and cyan. The compounds where the carboxylic acid moiety is oriented to PLP are colored in obscure.

The linear form of GABA analogues 7, does not allow them to strongly interact with the cavity of GABA-AT enzyme (Figure 10b). In fact, analogues 7 display the lowest interaction energies (Table S1). All these molecules bind in a similar form with their carboxylic moiety oriented to the PLP molecule, except for 7. This difference in the interaction form is maybe related to the presence of the sulfur atom and larger ring as compared to 7a, like 8f and 8f (which also possess a sulfur atom in their structure) also interact in a different manner than that of the other analogues 8a–e and 9a–e molecules (pregabalin and baclofen analogues, respectively).

For the pregabalin analogues 8a–f, it can be shown that the (R)-enantiomers bind in similar way to that of the (S)-enantiomers (Figure 10c,d), where the amine group of the molecule is oriented towards the PLP and the carboxylic group toward the outer part of the catalytic site, with the exception of 8f. The (S)-pregabalin analogues possess a lower interaction energy compared to their (R)-enantiomers (Table S1).

For analogues 9 as for analogues 8, the (S)-enantiomers possess a better binding mode to GABA-AT (supported by their interaction energy values) than that of the (R)-enantiomers (Table S1). Due to their size and shape these molecules interact in the outer part of the catalytic site, so none of their functional groups is close to the PLP molecule. On the other hand, 9b–9d interact in a similar way, their carboxylic group interacting with Arg 143, their amino group interacting with Glu 213 and Tyr 157, and their p-Cl-phenyl substituent located in the hydrophobic zone of the catalytic site formed by Ile 24, Ile 52, Val 82 and Cys 79. Figure 11 shows the interaction of (S) and (R) 9b with the enzyme.

Figure 11

Interactions between 9b enantiomers with P. fluorescens GABA-AT. (a) (S)-9b and (b) (R)-9b. PLP prosthetic group is showed as Van der Waals spheres and each protein chain is colored in green and cyan. Residues at 4 Å of each analogue are indicated. Hydrogen bonds are showed as orange dashed lines.

The (S)-9b molecule binds in a better and stronger way than (R)-9b, the appropriate orientation of their charged groups (amino and carboxylate moieties) favors hydrogen bond interactions with the GABA-AT residues (Tyr 157 for the amine group and Arg 143 and Gln 81 for the carboxylate group).

2.4.4. Molecular Docking for Human GABA-AT Model

Since the main purpose of this work is to develop an alternative drug for clinical use that in the future may be used as a drug for humans, we also carried out a molecular docking study over a human GABA-AT model.

Figure 12 shows the binding mode of all the GABA analogues over the human GABA-AT, and the cavity shape where all the docking calculations were done is also shown. It can be observed that this cavity possesses a greater volume that the P. fluorescens model and a different shape. Despite these differences, there is a recurring observation: molecules with a bigger size will possess better interaction energy values. The interactions of each molecule with human GABA-AT are shown in the Supplementary Material (Figures S49–S51).

Figure 12

Docking results over human GABA-AT catalytic site. (a) Cavity form (magenta color mesh representation) of the GABA-AT catalytic site. (b) GABA analogues 7. (c) (S)-Pregabalin analogues 8. (d) (R)-Pregabalin analogues 8. (e) (S)-Baclofen analogues 9. (f) (R)-Baclofen analogues 9. PLP prosthetic group is showed as gray Van der Waals spheres and each protein chain is colored in yellow and red. The compounds where the carboxylic moiety is oriented to PLP are colored in obscure.

In Figure 12b, the interaction of the GABA analogues 7a–f is shown. The carboxylic acid group of compounds 7a, 7b, 7d and 7e is oriented to the outer part of the cavity (toward the solvent), and their amino group is close the PLP molecule. On the other hand, 7c and 7f show an opposite orientation, where the amino group is now oriented toward the solvent and the carboxylic acid group is close to the PLP molecule.

The enantiomeric forms of analogues 8a–f interact in a similar way where their carboxylic acid groups are oriented to a high electrostatic positive zone of the cavity formed by Lys 193, Lys 429, Arg 412, His 196 and Arg 182. On the other hand, the amine group is oriented to the PLP molecule interacting with the His 34 residue. The interaction energy of (S)-analogues 8 is stronger than that of the (R)-enantiomers. (R)-analogues 8a, 8c and 8d interact in a different form that the other analogues 8b, 8e and 8f, orienting their amino group to the His 34 rather than to the PLP molecule.

For analogues 9, their interaction with human GABA-AT was very similar with their carboxylic acid groups oriented to the positive zone of the cavity catalytic site. In the (S)-analogues, almost all the compounds oriented their amine group to Ile 416, and only 9b and 9c oriented their amine function to the PLP molecule. On the other hand, all the (R)-analogues bind in a similar way, where their p-Cl-phenyl substituent interacts with the Ile 416 residue, while their amine group is oriented to the PLP molecule.

According to this approximation and based on its interaction energy value, the most potent possible inhibitor will be (S)-8f (Table S2, Supplementary Material). All analogues 8 and 9 display very good interaction energies with human GABA-AT. In addition, (S)-9c has an interaction energy value that is one of the lowest. These results are related with the one obtained with the Pseudomonas GABA-AT, since the ligands with greater volume and with a sulfur atom, possess the lowest interaction energy (better inhibitors). This fact gives us a higher probability of success to transfer our results to a human model.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Information

Oxygen and/or moisture sensitive reactions were carried out in oven or flame-dried glassware under nitrogen atmosphere. All reagents and solvents were purchased and used as received from commercial sources or synthesized according to cited procedures. THF, Ether and toluene were dried by distillation over sodium benzophenone ketyl. All other solvents were used after distillation at normal pressure. Yields refer to chromatographically and spectroscopically pure compounds, unless otherwise stated. Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on 0.25 mm silica gel 60-F plates and visualized by UV light (254 nm) and/or iodine vapor.

1H-NMR (400 MHz) and 13C-NMR (100 MHz) spectra were recorded on a Innova 400 MHz (9.4T) or Mercury 200 or 400 MHz (9.4T) spectrometer (Varian, Palo Alto, CA, USA; chemical shifts (δ) are reported relative to the signal of Me4Si. NMR data are reported as follows: chemical shift (δ ppm), multiplicity (s = singlet, br s = broad singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, q = quartet, sext = sextet, dd = doublet of doublets, m = multiplet or overlapping), coupling constant (Hz), integration. Mass spectra (FAB+) were measured with a JMS700 mass spectrometer (JEOL, Peabody, MA, USA).

3.2. Chemistry

3.2.1. Methyl 4-Bromobutanoate (11)

4-Bromobutanoic acid (7.5 g, 45.2 mmole) was dissolved in methanol (50 mL), and then CH3SiCl (11.4 mL, 90.4 mmole) was added at 0 °C; the mixture was stirred at this temperature for 30 min and for 72 h at 25 °C. The solvent was removed in vacuuo. The resultant residue was purified by column chromatography (silica-gel) eluting with hexanes:ethyl acetate 90:10 to afford the title compound as a colorless oil (6.78 g, 83.4%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.68 (s, 3H), 3.46 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 2.50 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.22–2.13 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 173.11, 51.85, 32.80, 32.34, 27.87. HRMS (FAB+): m/z [M]+ calcd for C5H9BrO2: 179.9786, found (M + 1): 180.9786.

3.2.2. General Methodology for the Synthesis of Esters 12a–f

The corresponding amine 10a–f (1.0 equiv) was added dropwise to methyl 4-bromobutanoate (2, 1.0 equiv) at 25 °C, and the mixture was allowed to warm to 65–70 °C for 2 h. When the reaction was complete, aqueous NaHCO3 was added, and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered and removed in vacuuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (silica-gel), eluting with hexanes: ethyl acetate 90:10.

Methyl 4-(thiazolidin-3-yl)butanoate (12a). 0.445 g (37%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3): δ 4.00 (s, 2H), 3.63 (s, 1H), 3.02 (dd, J = 9.5, 3.3 Hz, 2H), 2.82 (dd, J = 9.3, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 2.37 (t, J = 7.4, 2H), 2.35 (t, J = 7 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H, H-4). 13C-NMR (50 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.94, 60.44, 58.01, 52.07, 51.62, 31.71, 29.6, 24.28. HRMS (FAB+): m/z [M]+ calcd for C8H15NO2S: 189.0823, found (M + 1): 190.0904.

Methyl 4-(piperidin-1-yl) butanoate (12b). 0.37 g (67%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.62 (s, 3H), 2.33 (sa, 4H), 2.28 (t, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 2.27 (t, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (q, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 1.55–1.49 (m, 4H), 1.4–1.37 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 174.13, 58.49, 54.54, 51.56, 32.23, 25.98, 24.48, 22.24. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C10H19NO2: 185.1416, found (M + 1): 186.1532.

Methyl 4-(3-methylpiperidin-1-yl) butanoate (12c). 0.537 g (79%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.84–2.78 (m, 2H), 2.35–2.29 (m, 4H), 1.87–1.77 (m, 3H), 1.71–1.49 (m, 6H), 0.85 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 174.13, 62.08, 58.25, 54.02, 51.54, 33.14, 32.22, 31.18, 25.62, 22.30, 19.83. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C11H21NO2: 199.1572, found (M + 1): 200.1636.

Methyl 4-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)butanoate (12d). 0.45 g (67%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.87–2.84 (m, 2H), 2.35–2.3 (m, 4H), 1.92–1.86 (m, 2H), 1.85–1.77 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.58 (m, 2H), 1.40–1.28 (m, 1H), 1.28 (m, 2H), 0.91 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 174.18, 58.21, 54.05, 51.61, 34.43, 32.30, 30.93, 22.47, 22.02. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C11H21NO2, 199.1572, found (M + 1): 200.1656.

Methyl 4-morpholinobutanoate (12e). 0.445 g (52%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.7 (dd, J = 4, 4 Hz, 4H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.43 (dd, J = 4, 4 Hz, 4H), 2.36 (t, J = 8 Hz, 4H), 1.82 (q, J = 8 Hz, 1H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 173.92, 66.92, 57.97, 53.55, 51.48, 31.87, 21.73. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C9H17NO3: 187.1208, found (M + 1): 188.1308.

Methyl 4-thiomorpholinobutanoate (12f). 0.47 g (58%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.60 (s, 3H), 2.64–2.62 (m, 4H), 2.6–2.58 (m, 4H), 2.31 (t, J = 8 Hz), 2.26 (t, J = 8Hz), 1.73 (q, J = 8 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 173.93, 58.24, 54.92, 51.47, 31.88, 27.93 (2C), 21.78. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C9H17NO2S: 203.098, found (M + 1): 204.1057.

3.2.3. General Methodology for Hydrolysis of Methyl Esters 12a–f

The corresponding methyl ester 12a–f (1.0 equiv) was dissolved in MeOH (6 mL) and NaOH (1.1 equiv) dissolved in water (2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction was monitored until the consumption of the starting material. At the end of the reaction, the MeOH was evaporated. Then HCl was added to pH = 5, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 5 mL), dried over Na2SO4, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo.

4-(Thiazolidin-3-yl)butanoic acid (7a). 0.165 g (81%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (200 MHz, CD3OD) δ 4.02 (s, 2H), 3.08 (t, J= 5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.88 (t, J = 6.2 Hz, 2H), 2.54–2.41 (m, 2H), 2.29 (t, J= 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.90–1.68 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (50 MHz, CD3OD) δ 180.16, 60.29, 58.68, 53.73, 35.05, 29.94, 26.13. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C7H13NO2S, 175.0667, experimental (M + 1): 176.0769.

4-(Piperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid (7b). 0.22 g (95%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.3–3.12 (sa, 2H), 3.08 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.74 (ddd, J = 15.5, 12, 12 Hz, 2H), 2.41 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.01–1.92 (m, 2H), 1.86–1.84 (m, 4H), 1.66 (sa, 2H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 181.22, 59.77, 54.39, 37.50, 24.73, 23.15, 21.54HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C9H17NO2: 171.1259, found (M + 1): 172.1324.

4-(3-Methylpiperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid (7c). 0.21 g (93%) as a colorless oil. 1H-NMR (D2O): δ 2.92 (m, 2H), 2.46–2.41 (m, 2H), 2.09 (td, J = 12.4, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 2.02 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.81 (t, J = 11.4 Hz, 1H), 1.68–1.47 (m, 5H), 1.46–1.34 (m, 1H), 0.86–0.75 (m, 1H), 0.71 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (D2O) δ 182.34, 59.72, 57.37, 52.70, 35.20, 31.10, 29.65, 23.62, 21.53, 18.45. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C10H19NO2: 185.1416, found (M + 1): 186.1532.

4-(4-Methylpiperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid (7d). 0.14 g (80%) as a colorless oil. 1H-NMR (D2O): δ 2.81 (d, J = 11.6 Hz, 2H), 2.30–2.22 (m, 2H), 2.02–1.96 (m, 4H), 1.63–1.46 (m, 4H), 1.28–1.21 (m, 1H), 1.05–0.95 (m, 2H), 0.71 (d, J = 6.5 Hz). 13C-NMR (D2O) δ 182.67, 57.36, 52.78, 35.41, 32.57, 29.41, 22.13, 20.84. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C10H19NO2: 185.1416, found (M + 1): 186.1532.

4-Morpholinobutanoic acid (7e). 0.22 g (83%) of a yellow solid, m.p = 73–73.5 °C. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.73–3.66 (m, 4H), 2.46 (s, 4H), 2.36 (m, 2H), 2.17 (t, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.79 (q, J = 7.5 Hz). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 180.87, 66.28 (2C), 58.7, 53.41 (2C), 35.61, 22.89. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C8H15NO3: 173.11, found (M + 1): 174.1171.

4-Thiomorpholinobutanoic acid (7f). 0.22 g (83%) of a yellow solid, m.p = 82–83 °C. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.77–2.70 (m, 4H), 2.66–2.65 (m, 4H), 2.41–2.37 (m, 2H), 2.14 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.78 (q, J = 7.6 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 182.32, 60.37, 56.20 (2C), 36.95, 28.37 (2C), 24.14. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C8H15NO2S: 189.08, found (M + 1): 190.1053.

3.2.4. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Esters 14a–f

Amines 10a–f (1.0 equiv), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.5 equiv), ethyl (E)-4-bromobut-2-enoate (5, 1.3 equiv) and CH2Cl2 (25 mL) were placed in a round bottom flask and stirred at −20 °C for 1 h, under nitrogen. After completion of the reaction (TLC) the reaction mixture was extracted with NaHCO3 (3 × 30 mL) and water (1 × 30 mL). The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4 and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to yield the crude product. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography (9:1 hexanes:EtOAc).

Ethyl (E)-4-(thiazolidin-3-yl)but-2-enoate (14a). 1.21 g (63 %) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.93 (dt, J = 16, 8 Hz, 1H), 6.01 (dt, J = 16, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (q, J = 7 Hz, 2H), 4.03 (s, 2H), 3.15 (dd, J = 8, 1.8 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 2.87 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 1.27 (t, J = 7 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.24, 144.94, 123.42, 60.59 (2C), 57.92, 53.90, 29.62, 14.34. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C8H15NO2S: 201.284, found (M + 1): 202.0912.

Ethyl (E)-4-(piperidin-1-yl)but-2-enoate (14b). 0.9 g (90 %) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 6.95 (dt, J = 15.7, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 5.92 (dt, J = 15.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.16 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (dd, J = 6.3, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.37 (sa, 4H), 1.56 (q, J = 5.6 Hz, 4H), 1.44–1.38 (m, 2H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.39, 145.69, 123.34, 60.45, 60.25, 54.84 (2C), 26.05 (2C), 24.24, 14.39. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C11H19NO2: 197.1416, found (M + 1): 198.1506.

Ethyl (E)-4-(3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)but-2-enoate (14c). 0.83 g (77%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 6.96 (dt, J = 15.7, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 5.94 (dt, J = 15.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.09 (dd, J = 6.3, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.85–2.74 (m, 2H), 1.87 (td, J = 11.3, 3.2 Hz), 1.71–1.54 (m, 5H), 1.27 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.84 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 4H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.44, 145.63, 123.43, 62.22, 60.50, 60.01, 54.32, 32.90, 31.31, 25.65, 19.83, 14.42. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C12H21NO2: 211.1572, found (M + 1): 212.1651.

Ethyl (E)-4-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)but-2-enoate (14d). 0.85 g (80%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.94 (dt, J = 15.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 5.92 (dt, J = 15.5, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.15 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.08 (dd, J = 6.4, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.82 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 4H), 2.02–1.80 (m, 2H), 1.65–1.55 (m, 2H), 1.38–1.31 (m, 1H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (d, J = 5.7 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.46, 145.77, 123.42, 60.53, 59.96, 54.35 (2C), 34.45 (2C), 30.73, 22.06, 14.46. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C12H21NO2: 211.1572, found (M + 1): 212.1651.

Ethyl (E)-4-morpholinobut-2-enoate (14e). 1.02 g (89%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3) δ 6.91 (dt, J = 15.7, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 5.96 (dt, J = 15.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.72–3.67 (m, 4H), 3.1 (dd, J = 6.2, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 2.49–2.39 (m, 4H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (50 MHz, CDCl3) δ 166.05, 144.38, 123.65, 66.83 (2C), 60.38, 59.55, 53.64 (2C), 14.20. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C10H17NO3: 199.1208, found (M + 1): 200.1291.

Ethyl (E)-4-thiomorpholinobut-2-enoate (14f). 0.85 g (80%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.88 (dt, J = 15.7, 6.1 Hz, 1H), 5.94 (dt, J = 15.7, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 4.16 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.11 (dd, J = 6.1, 1.7 Hz, 2H), 2.67 (m, 8H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 166.00, 144.72, 123.43, 60.30, 59.91, 54.97 (2C), 27.88 (2C), 14.15. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C12H21NO2: 215.098, found (M + 1): 216.1044.

3.2.5. General Methodology for the Conjugate Additions of 15, 17

Most of the reactions were carried out using the following procedure: CuI (2.00 equiv) was placed in a one-neck 50 mL round-bottom flask equipped with a stirring bar and sealed with a septum. The flask was evacuated with a vacuum pump and then purged with nitrogen, this process was repeated three times to assure a complete nitrogen atmosphere. Anhydrous ethyl ether (25.00 mL) was injected and the mixture stirred for 15 min and then cooled to 0 °C. Simultaneously, a Grignard solution was prepared mixing finely divided Mg turnings (4.1 equiv) and catalytic amounts of I2, with 1-bromo-2-methylpropane (4.0 equiv) or 1-bromo-4-chlorobenzene (4.0 equiv) at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for 30 min and then transferred via syringe dropwise to the copper solution at 0 °C, and stirred at this temperature for another 30 min period. Then, the unsaturated substrate 14a–f (1.0 equiv) were added dropwise. The reaction was allowed to proceed for 24 h before being quenched with a saturated aqueous solution of NH4Cl. The mixture was extracted with ether (3 × 25 mL) dryed over Na2SO4 and the solvent removed in vacuo to afford the crude products which were purified by flash chromatography eluting with hexane:EtOAc (95:5). Some modifications done to this procedure are mentioned in the specific examples below.

Ethyl 5-methyl-3-(thiazolidin-3-ylmethyl)hexanoate (16a). 0.023 g (5%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.16–4.07 (m, 2H), 4.02 (q, J = 9.2 Hz, 2H), 3.04–3.0 (m, 2H), 2.90–2.82 (m, 2H), 2.44–2.36 (m, 2H), 2.27 (dd, J = 15.1, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 2.12–2.06 (m, 2H), 1.64 (m, 1H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.22–1.08 (m, 2H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 6H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 173.54, 61.44, 60.25, 58.65, 58.14, 42.40, 38.58, 33.28, 29.88, 25.40, 23.02, 22.77, 14.42. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C13H25NO2S: 259.1606, found (M + 1): 260.1699.

Ethyl 5-methyl-3-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)hexanoate (16b). 0.17 g (52%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.05 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.44–2.32 (m, 3H), 2.24–2.11 (m, 5H), 2.05–1.99 (m, 1H), 1.68–1.57 (m, 1H), 1.52–1.46 (m, 4H), 1.39–1.32 (m, 2H), 1.19 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.11–0.97 (m, 2H), 0.81 (dd, J = 6.5, 5.3 Hz, 6H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 173.85, 64.54, 60.04, 55.21 (2C), 43.00, 39.25, 30.97, 26.23 (2C), 25.52, 24.69, 22.95 (2C), 14.40. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C15H29NO2: 255.2198, found (M + 1): 256.2267.

Ethyl 5-methyl-3-((3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl)hexanoate (16c). 0.09 g (20%) as an amber oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.09 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.84–2.76 (m, 1H), 2.68–2.61 (m, 1H), 2.38–2.32 (m, 1H), 2.21–2.09 (m, 3H), 2.08–1.99 (m, 1H), 1.92–1.85 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.36 (m, 6H), 1.24 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.17–1.02 (m, 2H), 0.88–0.81 (m, 10H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 173.79 (C-3), 64.31 (C-6), 64.27 (C-6), 63.69 (C-7), 62.03 (C-7), 60.01 (C-2), 55.52 (C-12), 53.90 (C-12), 43.10 (C-13), 43.07 (C-13), 39.21 (C-4), 33.33 (C-10), 31.41 (C-8), 31.13 (C-5), 25.80 (C-11), 25.70 (C-11), 25.54 (C-14), 23.03(C-15), 22.97 (C-16), 19.83 (C-9), 19.81 (C-9), 14.40 (C-1). HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H31NO2: 269.2355, found (M + 1): 270.2411.

Ethyl 5-methyl-3-((4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl)hexanoate (16d). 0.164 g (37%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.12 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.87 (d, J = 11.3 Hz, 1H), 2.71 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H), 2.36 (dd, J = 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.18–2.11 (m, 2H), 2.07 (m, 1H), 1.96 (ddd, J = 11.5,, 11.5, 2.5 Hz), 1.74 (ddd, J = 11.6, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 1.64 (m, J = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.57–1.53 (m, 2H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 4H), 1.20–1.03 (m, 4H), 0.91–0.85 (m, 9H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 173.89, 64.13, 60.06, 55.56, 53.67, 42.98, 39.27, 34.78, 34.52, 31.05, 31.03, 25.44, 22.95 (2C), 22.13, 14.41. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H31NO2: 269.2355, found (M + 1): 270.2429.

Ethyl 5-methyl-3-(morpholinomethyl)hexanoate (16e). 0.166 g (37%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.13 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.71–3.59 (m, 4H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 2.34 (m, 3H), 2.26–2.16 (m, 3H), 2.13–2.06 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.59 (m, 1H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.20–1.06 (m, 2H), 0.89 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 173.71, 67.23 (2C), 64.25, 60.21, 54.16 (2C), 42.82, 39.09, 30.42, 25.41, 22.96, 22.86, 14.40. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C14H27NO3: 257.1991, found (M + 1): 258. 2077.

Ethyl 5-methyl-3-(thiomorpholinomethyl)hexanoate (16f). 0.11 g (25%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 4.17–4.07 (m, 2H), 2.78–2.71 (m, 2H), 2.63–2.53 (m, 6H), 2.32–2.24 (m, 2H), 2.2–2.13 (m, 2H), 2.04 (dd, J = 12.2, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 1.69–1.57 (m, 1H), 1.27 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.16–1.03 (m, 2H), 0.88 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 6H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 173.76, 64.60, 60.22, 55.75, 42.82, 39.15, 30.87, 28.18, 25.47, 23.03, 22.91, 14.46. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C14H27NO3S: 273.1762, found (M + 1): 274.1858.

Ethyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(piperidin-1-yl)butanoate (18b). 0.2 g (52%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 7.25 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H) 7.13 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 4.03 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.35 (ddd, J = 11.9, 9.1, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.87 (dd, J = 15.5, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 2.49–2.41 (m, 3H), 2.41–2.32 (m, 2H), 2.31–2.23 (m, 2H), 1.55–1.46 (m, 4H), 1.42–1.38 (m, 2H), 1.16 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.57, 141.72, 132.11, 128.90 (2C), 128.47 (2C), 65.17, 60.19, 54.87 (2C), 39.25 (2C), 26.00, 24.34, 14.12. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C17H24ClNO2: 309.1496, found (M + 1): 310.1556.

Ethyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)butanoate (18c). 0.22 g (49%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 7.24 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 4.02 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.42–3.32 (m, 1H), 2.86 (dd, J = 15.5, 6.3 Hz, 2H), 2.69 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 1H), 2.49–2.39 (m, 2H), 2.35 (dd, J = 12.6, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 1.96 (ddd, J = 11.2, 11.2, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 1.75 (ddd, J = 11.4, 11.4, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 1.71–1.39 (m, 5H), 1.15 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 0.83 (t, J = 6.2 Hz, 4H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 172.66 (C-3), 141.66 (C-13), 132.14 (C-16), 128.90 (C-15), 128.48 (C-14), 64.93 (C-6), 64.90 (C-6), 63.35 (C-7), 61.42 (C-7), 60.25 (C-2), 55.28 (C-12), 53.40 (C-12), 39.32 (C-5), 39.24 (C-4), 32.92 (C-10), 31.14 (C-8), 30.87 (C-8), 25.52 (C-11), 25.38 (11), 19.67 (C-9), 19.63 (C-9), 14.10 (C-1). HRMS (FAB+): m/z calculado para C18H26ClNO2: 323.1652, experimental (M + 1): 324.1734.

Ethyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl) butanoate (18d). 0.75 g (49%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 7.24 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 4.03 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.39–3.31 (m, 1H), 2.94–2.89 (d, J = 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.85 (dd, J = 15.5, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (d, J = 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.50–2.41 (m, 2H), 2.36 (dd, J = 12.6, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.03 (ddd, J = 11.1, 11.1, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 1.83 (ddd, J = 11.1, 11.1, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 1.59–1.52 (m, 2H), 1.35–1.24 (m, 1H), 1.15 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 6H), 0.89 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.36, 141.75, 132.06, 128.88 (2C), 128.42 (2C), 64.76, 60.04, 55.34, 53.18, 39.38, 39.18, 34.55, 34.28, 30.71, 21.90, 14.11. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C18H26ClNO2: 323.1652, found (M + 1): 324.1772.

Ethyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-morpholinobutanoate (18e). 0.645 g (55 %) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 7.25 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 4.05 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.67–3.59 (m, 4H), 3.43–3.32 (m, 1H), 2.85 (dd, J = 15.5, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 2.58–2.30 (m, 7H), 1.16 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 172.25, 141.22, 132.21, 128.82 (2C), 128.50 (2C), 66.89 (2C), 64.71, 60.20, 53.79 (2C), 39.12, 38.67, 14.09. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H22ClNO3: 311.1288, found (M + 1): 312.1299.

Ethyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-thiomorpholinobutanoate (18f). 0.66 g (58 %) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 7.25 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.05 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.40–3.30 (m, 1H, H-5), 2.83–2.77 (m, 3H), 2.66–2.56 (m, 6H), 2.5–2.39 (m, 3H), 1.18 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 172.42, 141.23, 132.29, 128.86 (2C), 128.55 (2C), 65.06, 60.34, 55.39 (2C), 39.13 (2C), 27.92 (2C), 14.14. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H22ClNO2S: 327.106, found (M + 1): 328.1084.

3.2.6. General Procedure for the Hydrolysis of Esters 16a–f and 18b–f

The corresponding ethyl ester 16a–f or 18b–f (1.0 equiv) were dissolved in MeOH (6.0 mL), and NaOH (1.1 equiv) dissolved in water (2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction was monitored until the consumption of the starting materials (tlc). When the reaction was complete, the solvent was evaporated and aqueous HCl was added until the mixture reached a pH = 5. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 5 mL), dried over Na2SO4 and the solvent removed in vacuo.

5-Methyl-3-(thiazolidin-3-ylmethyl)hexanoic acid (8a). 0.055 g (77%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.83 (s, 2H), 3.51–3.42 (m, 1H), 3.23 (m, 2H), 3.10–2.68 (m, 3H), 2.56–2.44 (m, 1H), 2.37–2.18 (m, 2H), 1.74–1.63 (m, 1H), 1.22–1.12 (m, 2H), 0.94–0.91 (m, 6H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD): δ 180.44, 60.81, 59.41, 51.43, 43.92, 39.09, 31.45, 30.39, 26.31, 23.36, 22.65.

5-Methyl-3-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)hexanoic acid (8b). 0.55 g (90%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.04–2.99 (m, 1H), 2.85 (dd, J = 13.2, 10.4 Hz, 1H), 2.52 (dt, J = 16.6, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (dd, J = 16.6, 10.3 Hz, 1H), 2.20 (m, 1H), 1.86 (s, 5H), 1.74–1.63 (m, 2H), 1.14 (dd, J = 7.2, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 0.935 (d, J = 4 Hz, 3H), 0.925 (d, J = 4 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 181.03, 65.16 (3C), 44.96, 44.16, 30.36, 26.11, 24.76 (2C), 23.00, 22.96, 22.77. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C13H25NO2: 227.1885, found (M + 1): 228.1988.

5-Methyl-3-((3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl)hexanoic acid (8c). 0.04 g (70%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.61–3.47 (m, 2H), 3.28–3.26 (m, 1H), 3.04 (d, J = 13.2 Hz, 1H), 2.94–2.85 (m, 2H), 2.74–2.59 (m, 1H), 2.53 (dd, J = 16.7 Hz, 1H), 2.36 (dd, J = 16.6, 10.2 Hz, 1H), 2.27–2.17 (m, 1H), 1.94–1.88 (m, 2H), 1.88–1.77 (m, 2H), 1.73–1.64 (m, 1H), 1.15 (dd, J = 7.2, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.02–0.99 (m, 3H), 0.95–0.92 (m, 6H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD): δ 180.92 (C-1), 65.05 (C-4), 59.38 (C-5), 53.18 (C-10), 44.79 (C-2), 44.70 (C-2), 44.15 (C-11), 44.13 (C-11), 31.54 (C-8), 30.37 (C-6, C-9), 30.26 (C-3), 26.11 (C-12), 23.05 (C-15), 22.99 (C-15), 22.80 (C-16), 22.77 (C-16), 18.95 (C-7). δ HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C14H27NO2: 241.2042, found (M + 1): 242.2106.

5-Methyl-3-((4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl)hexanoic acid (8d). 0.1 g (90%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.64–3.56 (m, 2H), 3.04–3.00 (m, 1H), 2.88 (dd, J = 13.4, 10.3 Hz, 1H), 2.57–2.48 (m, 1H), 2.35 (dd, J = 16.8, 10.3 Hz, 1H), 2.25–2.14 (m, 1H), 1.91–1.82 (m, 2H), 1.68 (m, 1H), 1.53–1.48 (m, 3H), 1.14 (ddd, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.01 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 6H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 180.86, 64.63, 53.21 (2C), 44.75, 44.07, 32.56 (2C), 30.37, 28.50, 26.05, 22.99, 22.76, 21.24. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C14H27NO2: 241.2042, found (M + 1): 242.2121.

5-Methyl-3-(morpholinomethyl)hexanoic acid (8e). 0.1 g (85%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.89–3.87 (m, 4H), 3.29–3.24 (m, 2H), 3.12–3.06 (m, 2H), 3.05–3.00 (m, 1H), 2.88 (dd, J = 13.1, 10.2 Hz), 2.54–2.48 (m, 1H), 2.41 (dd, J = 16.6, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.29–2.18 (m, 1H), 1.75–1.62 (m, 1H), 1.16 (dd, J = 3.9, 3.9 Hz, 2H), 0.93 (d, J =4.8 Hz, 3H), 0.92 (d, J =4.8 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 180.28, 65.80 (2C), 64.92, 53.58 (2C), 43.95 (2C), 29.94, 26.12, 23.03, 22.79. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C14H27NO2: 229.1678, found (M + 1): 230.1743.

5-Methyl-3-(thiomorpholinomethyl)hexanoic acid (8f). 0.067 g (90%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 3.51–3.44 (m, 2H), 3.35–3.29 (m, 2H), 3.11–3.02 (m, 1H), 2.95–2.92 (m, 4H), 2.88–2.80 (m, 1H), 2.50 (d, J = 16.6 Hz, 1H), 2.39 (dd, J = 16.6, 10.0 Hz, 1H), 2.25–2.16 (m, 1H), 1.68 (sept, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 1.14 (dd, J = 7.2, 7.2 Hz, 2H), 0.92 (d, J = 5.2 Hz, 3H), 0.9 (d, J = 5.2 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 179.55, 64.35, 54.31 (2C), 43.16, 42.58, 28.83, 25.24 (2C), 24.71, 21.72, 21.41. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C14H27NO2: 245.1449, found (M + 1): 246.1524.

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(piperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid (9b). 0.3 g (85%) of a white solid, m.p = 146–149 °C. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 7.34 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.27 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (dddd, J = 8 Hz, 8 Hz, 4 Hz, 4 Hz, 1H), 3.37 (dd, J = 14, 8 Hz, 3H), 3.11 (ddd, J = 13.0, 2.0, 1.2 Hz, 3H), 2.91 (dd, J = 16.7, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 2.63 (ddd, J = 13.6, 13, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 1.89–1.82 (m, 4H), 1.64 (sa, 2H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 179.28, 142.37, 133.06, 130.11 (2C), 129.81 (2C), 64.71, 54.68, 45.63, 38.12, 24.62 (2C), 22.93. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C15H20ClNO2: 281.1183, found (M + 1): 282.1287.

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-methylpiperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid (9c). 0.2 g (52%) as a yellow oil. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 7.37–7.26 (m, 4H), 3.76 (d, J = 11.5 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H), 3.58–3.47 (m, 1H), 3.43–3.36 (m, 2H), 3.08 (d, J = 13.0 Hz, 1H), 2.93 (dd, J = 16.7, 10.8 Hz, 1H), 2.70–2.55 (m, 2H), 2.41 (t, J = 11.7 Hz, 1H), 1.95–1.79 (m, 4H), 1.21–1.09 (m, 1H), 1.01 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 0.99 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD): δ 179.60 (C-1), 179.57 (C-1), 142.62(C-11), 134.13 (C-14), 130.23 (C-13), 129.97 (C-12), 64.91(C-4), 64.81 (C-4), 61.19 (C-5), 59.66 (C-5), 54.89 (C-10), 53.48 (C-10), 45.93 (C-2), 38.34 (C-3), 38.19 (C-3), 31.67 (C-8), 31.21 (C-6), 30.85 (C-6), 24.39 (C-9), 24.27 (C-9), 19.13 (C-7), 19.11 (C-7). HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H22ClNO2: 295.1339, found (M + 1): 296.1445.

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid (9d). 0.26 g (68%) of a yellow solid, m.p = 142–144 °C. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 7.34 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (d, J = 11.7 Hz, 1H), 3.54–3.49 (m, 1H), 3.47–3.34 (m, 2H), 3.08 (d, J = 12.9 Hz, 1H), 3.01–2.95 (m, 1H), 2.93 (dd, J = 16, 16 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (dd, J = 11.4, 11.4 Hz, 1H), 2.62 (dd, J = 16, 4 Hz,1H), 1.94–1.85 (m, 2H), 1.69 (m, 1H), 1.59–1.45 (m, 2H), 1.01 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 179.75, 142.61, 134.00, 130.10 (2C), 129.74 (2C), 64.59, 54.86, 53.36, 46.09, 38.25, 32.84, 32.57, 29.94, 21.22. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H22ClNO2: 295.1339, found (M + 1): 296.1445

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-morpholinobutanoic acid (9e). 0.28 g (69%) of a yellow solid, m.p = 166–168 °C. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 7.32 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 3.81–3.78 (m, 4H), 3.5–3.43 (dddd, J = 4.8, 4.8, 4, 4 Hz, 1H), 3.08–2.98 (m, 3H), 2.94–2.81 (m, 4H), 2.57 (dd, J = 16.2, 4.5 Hz, 1H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 178.35, 142.88, 133.90, 130.13 (2C), 130.00 (2C), 66.77 (2C), 65.41, 54.26 (2C), 43.60 (1C), 38.88. HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H22ClNO2: 283.0975, found (M + 1): 284.1009.

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-thiomorpholinobutanoic acid (9f). 0.288 g (70%) of a white solid, m.p = 144–146 °C. 1H-NMR (CD3OD): δ 7.32 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 3.53–3.44 (m, 1H), 3.37–3.33 (m, 2H), 3.17–3.06 (m, 3H), 2.97–2.85 (m, 2H), 2.87–2.85 (m, 4H), 2.58 (dd, J = 16.3, 3.8 Hz, 1H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 178.90, 142.77, 133.79, 129.92 (2C), 129.89 (2C), 65.79, 55.95 (2C), 44.32, 38.78, 27.23 (2C). HRMS (FAB+): m/z calcd for C16H22ClNO2: 299.0747, found (M + 1): 300.0811.

3.3. Enzyme Inhibitory Tests

The enzymatic reactions were carried out at final concentrations of 0.2 mM of α-ketoglutarate, 1.25 mM of β-NADP and 0.0209 mg/mL of GABA-AT from Pseudomonas fluorescens in a 0.1 M potassium pyrophosphate buffer solution, pH = 8.6, at 25 °C for 30 min. Once the incubation period was over, the β-NADPH absorbance was measured at λmax = 340 nm. The experiments were carried out at final equimolar concentrations of 0.8 mM for compounds 7a–f, 8a–f and 9b–f, VGB and VPNa versus 0.8 mM of GABA.

3.4. In Vivo Tests

All experiments were carried out on male CD1 mice with body weights between 20–26 g, which were kept under the same conditions of ad libitum feeding, natural lightness-darkness cycle and a temperature at 22 °C and four days of adaptation to laboratory conditions. The test compounds and reference drug (sodium valproate; VPNa) were injected i.p. with volume injection at 1.0 mL/100 g weight to groups between 6–9 mice [63,64,65,66] at 0.50 and 1.00 mmole/kg for 9b and VPNa. Another group between 6–9 mice served as control, which received the vehicle (phosphate buffer, C = 0.1 M at pH = 8.0). The assays were carried out at 1 h and 4 h of pretreatment. 1 h or 4 h after, 75 mg/kg of PTZ were injected subcutaneously with volume injection at 1.0 mL/100 g weight. Each animal was placed into an individual plastic cage for observation lasting 1 h. Seizures, tonic-clonic convulsions, death and latency were recorded. At least 80% of the animals in the control group showed convulsions.

3.5. Computational Details

3.5.1. Conformational Analysis and Geometry Optimization

All the molecules in the study (in their neutral and zwitterionic form) were submitted to a conformational analysis within the molecular mechanics level of theory employing the SYBYL force field [67]. For geometry optimization semi-empirical calculations using the parametric method number 3 (PM3) [68] over all the equilibrium conformers of the GABA derivatives were performed. A further optimization within the density functional theory approach, employing the hybrid functional B3LYP [69] and the 6–31*G basis set [70] was carried out. A frequency analysis was carried out to corroborate that we were in a minimum in the potential energy surface. All the calculations were performed in the SPARTAN 08 program [71]. Mulliken electrostatic partial charges were obtained to be used further as molecular quantum descriptors.

3.5.2. Molecular Descriptors Calculations

We obtained a total of 209 molecular descriptors derived from the constitutional, topological, geometrical, functional groups counts, molecular charge and molecular properties families of descriptors (Table 8). The selection of these molecular descriptor families was based on finding the structural modifications (functional groups, form, charge distribution and physicochemical properties) over the GABA scaffold that improves its potency as GABA-AT inhibitors. For these calculations the DRAGON 05 software was employed [72].

Table 8

Molecular descriptors obtained from DRAGON 05.

Molecular Descriptors	Type
MW, AMW, Sv, Se, Sp, Ss, Mv, Me, Mp, Ms, nAT, nSK, nBT, nBO, nBM, SCBO, ARR, nCIC, nCIR, RBN, RBF, nAB, nH, nC, nO, nS, nCL, nX, nR06, nBnz	Constitutional
ZM1, ZM1V, ZM2, ZM2V, Qindex, SNar, HNar, GNar, Xt, Dz, Ram, Pol, LPRS, VDA, MSD, SMTI, SMTIV, GMTI, GMTIV, Xu, SPI, W, WA, Har, Har2, QW, TI1, TI2, STN, HyDp, RHyDp, w, ww, Rww, D/D, Wap, WhetZ, Whetm, Whetv, Whete, Whetp, J, JhetZ, Jhetm, Jhetv, Jhete, Jhetp, MAXDN, MAXDP, DELS, TIE, S0K, S1K, S2K, S3K, PHI, BLI, PW2, PW3, PW4, PW5, PJI2, CSI, ECC, AECC, DECC, MDDD, UNIP, CENT, VAR, BAC, Lop, ICR, D/Dr06, T(N..O), T(N..S), T(N..Cl), T(O..O), T(O..S), T(O..Cl)	Topological
W3D, J3D, H3D, AGDD, DDI, ADDD, G1, G2, RGyr, SPAN, SPAM, SPH, ASP, FDI, PJI3, L/Bw, SEig, HOMA, RCI, AROM, HOMT, DISPm, QXXm, QYYm, QZZm, DISPv, QXXv, QYYv, QZZv, DISPe, QXXe, QYYe, QZZe, DISPp, QXXp, QYYp, QZZp, G(N..O), G(N..S), G(N..Cl), G(O..O), G(O..S), G(O..Cl)	Geometrical
nCp, nCs, nCt, nCrs, nCrt, nCar, nCbH, nCb-, nRNH2, nRNR2, nROR, nRSR, nArX, nHDon, nHAcc, C-001, C-002, C-003, C-006, C-024, C-025, C-026, H-046, H-047, H-050, H-052, O-059, N-066, N-068, Cl-089, S-107	functional group counts
Ui, Hy, AMR, TPSA (NO), TPSA (tot), MLogP, MLogP2, ALogP, ALogP2	Molecular properties
qpmax, qnmax, Qpos, Qneg, Qtot, Qmean, Q2, RPCG, RNCG, SPP, TE1, TE2, PCWTe, LDI	Atomic charge

3.5.3. QSAR Model Construction and Validation

Mathematical model construction was carried out with the genetic algorithms technique (GA) in the MobyDigs 01 program [73]. All the molecular descriptors of the GABA analogues were used as the independent variables (X) and percent inhibitory value as the dependent variable (Y). QSAR model selection was based on its statistical parameters (, , , and ) values and that it passed the QUIK, REDUNDANCY, OVERFITTING and rules. The final QSAR model was validated with a test group that consist of 20% of all the molecules in this study, these molecules were randomly selected. This procedure was done a minimum of ten times.

The QUIK rule allows the rejection of models with high molecular descriptors co-linearity that can lead to casual correlation [74]. This rule is based on the K multivariate correlation index that measures the total correlation of a set of variables, defined as: where is the data from the joint matrix eigenvalues, is the number of objects and is the number of variables in the model. The total correlation in the set given by the descriptors plus the response ( ) should always be greater than that measured only in the set of descriptors (); if , the model is rejected; may have values between 0.0 and 0.05.

The goal of the OVERFITTING rule is to detect models with an excess of “bad” molecular descriptors. This rule stipulates that: if the model is rejected. The values are calculated by the following equation: where is the number of descriptors in the model and values range from 0.01 to 0.1. For this study . is defined by: where is defined by the equation:

is the absolute value of the regression coefficient between the j-th descriptor and the response . The parameter accounts for an excess of noisy or useless variables and can be thought as a measure of overfitting. It takes the maximum value equal to zero when non-noisy variables are in the model.

As mentioned above, to test our model more rigorously in terms of the predictive aspect, an evaluation of the estimated error was performed on all the molecules that were excluded from the training process. To evaluate the internal predictive ability of our models, the leave one out technique was employed (). This technique consists of evaluating each molecule within the training set to determine as to how it corresponds to the validation set [75]. Each individual molecule is evaluated, and its Y value is predicted:

Another form to evaluate the predictive ability of our mathematical model is by the asymptotic squared Q rule ( ) which states that a model is predictive if , where values range from −0.005 up to 0.005. is defined as: where is the number of objects and is the number of variables in the model.

In addition, the standard deviation () and Fisher test () values were calculated, where the parameter contains information about the correlation between the experimental and calculated activities and the number of molecules in the study. represents the number of molecules in the study, represents the experimental activity and is the calculated activity from the QSAR model.

Meanwhile, parameter, F is related to the probability for the mathematical model to casually occur: and refer to the molecular descriptors of the model and error, respectively. Also, , and refer to the experimental, average value of experimental and calculated activities, respectively. In the mathematical model, and should have the smallest and largest possible values, respectively, to ensure that the QSAR model is reliable [76].

3.5.4. Homology Structural Modeling and Refinement

Given that a full 3D structure of the GABA aminotransferase of human and P. fluorencens is unavailable, we generated homology structural models. We used GABA aminotransferase structures available in the Protein Data Bank server (PDB) as structural templates (Table 9) with the MODELLER 9.18 program [77]. According to the sequence alignment of GABA aminotransferases (Figure S1), those of bacteria are similar amongst themselves, and the same is true for animal GABA aminotransferases (human and wild boar).

Table 9

GABA aminotransferase crystal structures available in PDB server.

PDB_ID	Resolution (Å)	Organism	% Identity Respect to Human	% Identity Respect to P. fluorencens
4zsw	1.70	Wild boar	95.46	27.52
4y0h	1.63	Wild boar	95.46	27.52
4y0i	1.66	Wild boar	95.46	27.52
1ohv	2.30	Wild boar	95.46	27.52
1ohw	2.30	Wild boar	95.46	27.52
1sf2	2.40	E. coli	26.35	73.82
4ffc	1.80	M. abscessus	27.99	42.79

For the model of human GABA-AT we used the crystallographic structure 4y0h of wild boar, on account of its resolution (1.63 Å) and a higher sequence identity (~95%) to the human enzyme. The chains A and B were used to build the monomers. Once done, the dimer was assembled based in the same structure of 4y0h.

The model of P. fluorencens GABA-AT was performed using the 1sf2 crystallographic structure of E. coli. We used this structure instead of the M. abscessus, due a better conservation with respect of E. coli aminotransferase (~74% of identity). Again, the A and B chains were used to build the monomers and the dimer was assembled according to the 1sf2 structure.

In the case of the bacterial GABA aminotransferases, both crystallographic structures of Mycobacterium and E. coli are tetrameric structures instead of dimers as in animals; however, the catalytic site is in the interface of each dimer instead of tetramer interface, suggesting that dimer is the minimal catalytic form. This agrees with experimental studies suggesting that the dimer of bacteria is functional [27]; therefore, we used the bacterial dimer in this work.

Finally, to optimize the complete structures of GABA-AT models, we used the CHARMM36 force field within CHARMM38b1 [78] to add hydrogen atoms and carry out a 100 step steepest decent minimization fixing all heavy atoms, followed by a conjugate gradient minimization of the full structure to remove bad contacts and clashes. These last protein conformations obtained were employed to carry out the molecular docking calculations.

To incorporate the prosthetic group (PLP) in the homology models an alignment employing a crystal structure that possessed the PLP was done (3r4t and 1ohw for the Pseudomonas and human models respectively). Additionally, from this alignment the Fe2/S2 (inorganic) cluster, present in the crystal structures of wild boar as a cofactor, was added to the human GABA-AT model.

3.5.5. Molecular Docking Calculations

Molecular docking calculations of all the GABA analogues (including R & S enantiomers for molecules of series 2 and 3) over Pseudomonas and human GABA-AT structures, generated in the homology modeling process, were done in Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) 6.0 software (Redwood, CA, USA) [79,80]. The cavities were detected by the expanded Van der Waals sphere method. The calculations were performed over the catalytic site with a cavity volume of 137.73 Å3 and 339.46 Å3 for the Pseudomonas and human model respectively. The cavity selection was based on the results of the high molecular similarity with the endogenous ligand. We employed the minimum energy geometries of all the GABA derivatives in their zwitterionic form, and the Mulliken partial charges obtained by the DFT calculations. The residues within 6 Å were set as flexible, 2000 minimization steps for each flexible residue and 2000 steps of global minimization per run were set. The MolDock Optimizer search function, based on an evolutionary algorithm, was used. A total of 20 runs with a maximum of 4000 iterations using a population of 200 individuals (for the Pseudomonas model) and 400 individuals (for the human model) per run were set. To calculate the interaction energy, we used the scoring function Moldock Score [GRID]. The scoring function GRID was set at 0.2 Å and the search sphere fixed as 15 Å radius. For the energy analysis of the ligand, the electrostatic internal interactions, internal hydrogen bonds and the sp2-sp2 torsions were considered. The method was validated by reproducing the experimental binding mode of the reference inhibitor within the 3r4t crystal structure to validate the Pseudomonas model, and 1ohw and 1ohy to validate the human model, with a Root Media Square Deviation (RMSD) of 1.7 Å, 1.3 Å and 1.8 Å respectively (Figures S2–S4, see Supplementary Material).

4. Conclusions

The synthesis of a new series of GABA analogues 7, 8 and 9 substituted at the γ-position with thiazolidine, piperidine, morpholine and thiomorpholine heterocyclic ring systems, was accomplished by short and efficient synthetic routes. The chemical modifications achieved by the attachment of these heterocyclic moieties to the GABA backbone, led to compounds with GABA-AT inhibitory activity. As compared with the positive control compounds VGB or VPNa, enzymatic inhibition tests carried out with all analogues, showed that 9b display a 73% inhibition over the GABA-AT enzyme. In vivo studies carried out with male CD1 mice show that 9b has a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect. In the number of seizures generated during the observation time, there is a decrease in the number of seizures at a 0.5 mmole/kg dose. However, at a 1.00 mmole/kg dose, 9b has no protecting effect.

Our QSAR model allowed us to find the structural parameters of the GABA analogues that enhance their inhibitory activity over GABA-AT. Molecular docking results confirmed the descriptive ability of our QSAR model by correlating GABA derivatives molecular descriptors with the interaction elements that are key to bind into GABA-AT. These results suggest that compound 9b is a good candidate for further studies. Finally, these methods can be used for the design and further development of new reversible GABA-AT competitive inhibitors.