CGS 9343B, a novel, potent, and selective inhibitor of calmodulin activity.

1,3-Dihydro-1-[1-[(4-methyl-4H,6H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][4,1]- benzoxazepin-4-yl)methyl]-4-piperidinyl]-2H-benzimidazol-2-o ne (1:1) maleate was synthesized in six steps from methyl anthranilate and designated CGS 9343B. CGS 9343B inhibited calmodulin-stimulated cAMP phosphodiesterase activity with an IC50 value of 3.3 microM. CGS 9343B was 3.8 times more potent than trifluoperazine (IC50 = 12.7 microM) as an inhibitor of calmodulin activity. CGS 9343B did not inhibit protein kinase C activity at concentrations up to 100 microM, whereas trifluoperazine inhibited protein kinase C activity with an IC50 value of 43.9 microM. CGS 9343B weakly displaced [3H]spiperone from postsynaptic dopamine receptors with an IC50 value of 4.8 microM while the value for trifluoperazine, a potent antipsychotic agent, was 0.018 microM. It is concluded that CGS 9343B is a novel, potent, and selective inhibitor of calmodulin activity. Unlike trifluoperazine, CGS 9343B does not inhibit protein kinase C activity and does not possess potential antidopaminergic activity.