In vitro pharmacological characterization of a new selective angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist, UR-7280

UR-7280 (3-tert-butyl-1-propyl-5-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid) is a new and potent angiotensin AT(1)-selective receptor antagonist. Binding studies in rat liver membranes showed that UR-7280 is an apparently competitive antagonist. However, in rabbit aorta this compound antagonized the angiotensin II-induced contractile response in an insurmountable way, causing a significant reduction of the maximal response. Additional binding studies evidenced that UR-7280 has a slowly reversible binding profile, consistent with its functional properties in rabbit aorta. The results obtained with a series of structural analogues of UR-7280 demonstrated a relationship between the size of the pyrazole 3-substituent and the surmountable or insurmountable mode of antagonism, indicating that this position may play a key role in the interaction between the antagonist and the angiotensin AT(1) receptor.