Active conformation of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium entry blockers. Effect of size of 2-aryl substituent on rotameric equilibria and receptor binding.

Abstract

The conformational requisites at the receptor for unsymmetrically substituted phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine calcium entry blockers are examined by screening a series of (2'-halophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridines 1-4, with increasing bulk at the 2'-position of the phenyl ring, for their ability to relax potassium-contracted rabbit aortic smooth muscle and to competitively displace [3H]nitrendipine from its specific binding sites on guinea pig skeletal muscle. The fraction of synperiplanar rotamer in solution for these compounds, as determined by the nuclear Overhauser enhancement method, shows a positive correlation with vasorelaxant activity and receptor binding affinity. These findings are consistent with the synperiplanar rotamer of nonrigid unsymmetrically substituted phenyl 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers being the receptor-bound conformation.