Serotonin 2A Receptor (5-HT2AR) Activation by 25H-NBOMe Positional Isomers: In Vitro Functional Evaluation and Molecular Docking.

Five positional isomers of the psychedelic compound 25H-NBOMe, each differing in the placement of two methoxy groups on the phenyl ring of the phenethylamine moiety, were tested in split-nanoluciferase assays to measure their ability to recruit cytosolic proteins to the serotonin 2A receptor. Molecular docking simulations estimated which receptor residues interact with each isomer's methoxy groups. This is the first comparative evaluation of how the positioning of methoxy groups in the phenethylamine moiety of NBOMes affects functional activity at the receptor.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Serotonergic psychedelics are defined as compounds having serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation as an important pharmacological mechanism. These compounds include the phenylalkylamine class, containing substances with e.g. 2C-X structures (phenethylamines) or their N-methoxybenzyl analogues (NBOMes). Besides their abuse potential, psychedelics are increasingly recognized for having therapeutic benefits. However, many psychedelics remain incompletely characterized, even concerning their structure-activity relationships. Here, five positional isomers of 25H-NBOMe, with two methoxy groups on the different positions of the phenyl ring of the phenethylamine moiety, were subjected to split-nanoluciferase assays assessing the in vitro recruitment of cytosolic proteins to the 5-HT2AR. Furthermore, molecular docking at the 5-HT2AR allowed estimation of which residues interact with the specific isomers' methoxy groups. Although the optimal substitution pattern of N-unsubstituted phenylalkylamines has been extensively studied, this is the first comparative evaluation of the functional effects of the positioning of the methoxy groups in the phenethylamine moiety of NBOMes.