Tetrahydrofuran-Based Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) Antagonists: Ligand-Based Discovery, Activity in a Rodent Asthma Model, and Mechanism-of-Action via Cryogenic Electron Microscopy.
Terrett, J.A., Chen, H., Shore, D.G., Villemure, E., Larouche-Gauthier, R., Dery, M., Beaumier, F., Constantineau-Forget, L., Grand-Maitre, C., Lepissier, L., Ciblat, S., Sturino, C., Chen, Y., Hu, B., Lu, A., Wang, Y., Cridland, A.P., Ward, S.I., Hackos, D.H., Reese, R.M., Shields, S.D., Chen, J., Balestrini, A., Riol-Blanco, L., Lee, W.P., Liu, J., Suto, E., Wu, X., Zhang, J., Ly, J.Q., La, H., Johnson, K., Baumgardner, M., Chou, K.J., Rohou, A., Rouge, L., Safina, B.S., Magnuson, S., Volgraf, M.(2021) J Med Chem 64: 3843-3869
- PubMed: 33749283 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02023
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
7JUP - PubMed Abstract: 
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a nonselective calcium-permeable ion channel highly expressed in the primary sensory neurons functioning as a polymodal sensor for exogenous and endogenous stimuli and has generated widespread interest as a target for inhibition due to its implication in neuropathic pain and respiratory disease. Herein, we describe the optimization of a series of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable TRPA1 small molecule antagonists, leading to the discovery of a novel tetrahydrofuran-based linker. Given the balance of physicochemical properties and strong in vivo target engagement in a rat AITC-induced pain assay, compound 20 was progressed into a guinea pig ovalbumin asthma model where it exhibited significant dose-dependent reduction of inflammatory response. Furthermore, the structure of the TRPA1 channel bound to compound 21 was determined via cryogenic electron microscopy to a resolution of 3 Å, revealing the binding site and mechanism of action for this class of antagonists.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States.