A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was performed principally at the N
1 position of
N1-arylsulfonyl-
N2-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-
trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexanes, a new family of calcilytics acting at the calciumsensing receptor (CaSR). The most active compound in this series was the 4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzenesulfonyl derivative
7e, which displayed an IC
50 of 5.4 ± 0.5
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
M with respect to the inhibition ofcalcium-induced tritiated inositol phosphate ([
3H]IP) accumulation in Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cellsexpressing the CaSR. Replacement of the sulfonamide linkage of this compound by a carboxamide led toa 6-fold increase in activity (
7m, IC
50 = 0.9 ± 0.2
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
M). Among the carboxamides synthesized, one of themost active compounds was the 4-chlorophenylcarboxamide (1
S,2
S,1'
R)-
7n (Calhex 231, IC
50 = 0.33 ±0.02
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
M). The absolute configuration of (1
S,2
S,1'
R)-
7n was deduced from an X-ray crystallographic studyof one of the diastereomers of compound
7d. The stereochemical preference for the (1
S,2
S,1'
R)-isomerscan be rationalized on the basis of a three-dimensional model of the calcilytic binding pocket of the CaSR.Removal of the C-1' methyl group or replacement of the 1-naphthyl group by a 2-naphthyl or biphenylmoiety led to appreciable loss of calcilytic activity. Compounds
7e,
7m, and Calhex 231 did not stimulate[
3H]IP accumulation in CHO cells expressing or not expressing the CaSR.