Identification of (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-[[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)- 3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl]-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- 3-isoquinolinecarboxamide as a novel potent and selective opioid kappa receptor antagonist

(3R)-7-Hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic) was identified as a potent and selective κ opioid receptor antagonist. Structure−activity relationship (SAR) studies on JDTic analogues revealed that the 3R,4R stereochemistry of the 3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine core structure, the 3R attachment of the 7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline group, and the 1S configuration of the 2-methylpropyl (isopropyl) group were all important to its κ potency and selectivity. The results suggest that, like other κ opioid antagonists such as nor-BNI and GNTI, JDTic requires a second basic amino group to express potent and selective κ antagonist activity in the [35S]GTPγS functional assay. However, unlike previously reported κ antagonists, JDTic also requires a second phenol group in rigid proximity to this second basic amino group. The potent and selective κ antagonist properties of JDTic can be r...