Synthesis of iodine-125 labeled (+/-)-15-(4-azidobenzyl)carazolol: a potent beta-adrenergic photoaffinity probe.

(+/-)-15-(4-Azidobenzyl)carazolol (2), a potent beta-adrenergic photoaffinity ligand developed in our laboratories, has been radioiodinated to theoretical specific activity (2175 Ci/mmol) and shown to label covalently beta-adrenergic receptor peptides in avian and amphibian erythrocyte membrane preparations. The radioiodinated analogues of the desired compound (2) were optimally prepared by two synthetic steps from (+/-)-15-(4-aminobenzyl)carazolol (8). The latter was iodinated with carrier-free Na125I and chloramine T to yield two major isotopomers (the monoiodinated derivatives 9 and 10), which were separated by thin-layer chromatography and converted via diazonium salt formation to their respective 4-azides, 12 and 6. These azides can be used interchangeably in ligand binding or photoaffinity labeling experiments. Compound 8 was obtained by catalytic reduction of the nitro derivative (7), which was arrived at by direct reaction of 1,1-dimethyl-2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine (3) with 4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)carbazole (5). Of the desired isomers, (+/-)-15-(4-azido-3-iodobenzyl)carazolol (6) could be synthesized from 1,1-dimethyl-2-(4-azido-3-iodophenyl)ethylamine (4) by direct reaction with 5. This and the preceding sequence of reactions were carried out by using nonradioactive materials, and separation and purification of products were accomplished by high-performance liquid chromatography. The compounds described have been shown to be potent beta-adrenergic antagonists by virtue of their ability to inhibit beta-adrenergic stimulation of adenylate cyclase or to compete for the binding of another beta-adrenergic ligand, [125I]cyanopindolol, to the beta-adrenergic receptors of frog erythrocytes. The photoactive azide derivatives of these compounds (6 and 12) have been shown to covalently incorporate into the beta-adrenergic receptor binding subunit of frog and turkey erythrocyte membrane preparations. Incorporation of the ligands into these polypeptides can be blocked specifically by both beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists.

Duke Scholars

Author Robert J. Lefkowitz Medicine, Cardiology