TOWARD THE ENANTIOMERIC RESOLUTION OF AN EXTREMELY POTENT AND SELECTIVE D1 DOPAMINE RECEPTOR AGONIST

Esaria Oliver, Eckerd College, Chemistry Discipline

Logan Dudney, Eckerd College, Marine Science Discipline

Arik Suez, Eckerd College, Mathmatics Discipline

 Dr. Lisa Bonner, Eckerd College, Chemistry Discipline

The monoamine neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) has an important role in the pharmaceutical industry. DA plays key roles in locomotion, cognition, and addiction. Further understanding of these neurotransmitters could lead to countless discoveries.  Our research focuses on the D1-like family of DA receptors, which have been implicated in memory formation. Further investigation into the pharmacological effects of D1-selective agonists could lead to treatments for people with cognitive deficits. 

The compound 5-phenyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,10b-octahydrobenzo[h]isoquinoline-7,8- diol, synthesized as a racemic mixture previously, was noted to be a high-affinity D1-like receptor-selective agonist. Due to the fact that one enantiomer may have a higher affinity or greater potency than the other, greater insight into the activity of this compound may be found by synthesizing and separating the enantiomers.

Once fully synthesized and separated, each enantiomer will be evaluated in cellular systems for affinity and potency at various brain receptors. These chemical tools will be used to shed light on binding in the dopamine receptor in efforts to improve DA-selective drug design. 

 For more information: eloliver@eckerd.edu