WAY-267464 is a potent, selective,
non-peptide
Within the fields of molecular biology and pharmacology, a small molecule or micromolecule is a low molecular weight (≤ 1000 daltons) organic compound that may regulate a biological process, with a size on the order of 1 nm. Many drugs are ...
agonist for the
oxytocin receptor
The oxytocin receptor, also known as OXTR, is a protein which functions as receptor for the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin. In humans, the oxytocin receptor is encoded by the ''OXTR'' gene which has been localized to human chromosome 3p25. ...
, with negligible
affinity
Affinity may refer to:
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* Affinity Credit Union, a Saskatchewan-based credit union
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for the
vasopressin receptor
The actions of vasopressin are mediated by stimulation of tissue-specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) called vasopressin receptors that are classified into the V1 (V1A), V2, and V3 (V1B) receptor subtypes. These three subtypes diffe ...
s.
Contradictorily however, though originally described as selective for the oxytocin receptor and lacking affinity for the vasopressin receptors, it has since been reported to also act as a potent
vasopressin V1A receptor antagonist (in contrast to oxytocin, which is a weak agonist of the V
1A receptor).
WAY-267464 has been shown to cross the
blood-brain-barrier to a significantly greater extent than exogenously applied
oxytocin, and in animal tests produces centrally-mediated
oxytocinergic actions such as
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxiet ...
effects, but with no
antidepressant effect evident.
It was developed by a team at
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a Swiss multinational biopharmaceutical company specialising in areas such as reproductive health, maternal health, gastroenterology and urology. Ferring has been developing treatments for mothers and babies for over 50 ...
.
[European Patent 1512687 Piperazines as oxytocin agonists]
WAY-267464 is or was under investigation for the potential clinical treatment of
anxiety disorders by
Wyeth
Wyeth, LLC was an American pharmaceutical company. The company was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1860 as ''John Wyeth and Brother''. It was later known, in the early 1930s, as American Home Products, before being renamed to Wyeth in ...
br>
See also
*
TC OT 39
References
Anxiolytics
Resorcinols
Piperazines
Benzamides
Oxytocin receptor agonists
Vasopressin receptor antagonists
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