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: Commerce, finance and law * Affinity (law), kinship by marriage * Affinity analysis, a market research and business management technique * Affinity Credit Union, a Saskatchewan-based credit union * Affinity Equity Par ...

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 V_1A 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.European Patent 1512687 Piperazines as oxytocin agonists WAY-267464 is or was under investigation for the potential clinical treatment of anxiety disorders by Wyeth]

References

Anxiolytics Resorcinols Piperazines Benzamides Oxytocin receptor agonists Vasopressin receptor antagonists {{nervous-system-drug-stub

See also

References