Insight into GEBR-32a: Chiral resolution, absolute configuration and enantiopreference in PDE4D inhibition

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting millions of people worldwide. One of its main consequences is memory loss, which is related to downstream effectors of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). A well-established strategy to avoid cAMP degradation is the inhibition of phosphodiesterase (PDE). In recent years, GEBR-32a has been shown to possess selective inhibitory properties against PDE type 4 family members, resulting in an improvement in spatial memory processes without the typical side effects that are usually correlated with this mechanism of action. In this work, we performed the HPLC chiral resolution and absolute configuration assignment of GEBR-32a. We developed an efficient analytical and semipreparative chromatographic method exploiting an amylose-based stationary phase, we studied the chiroptical properties of both enantiomers and we assigned their absolute configuration by H-1-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). Lastly, we measured the IC50 values of both enantiomers against both the PDE4D catalytic domain and the long PDE4D3 isoform. Results strongly support the notion that GEBR-32a inhibits the PDE4D enzyme by interacting with both the catalytic pocket and the regulatory domains.