A simple acromelic acid analog potentially useful for receptor photoaffinity labeling and biochemical studies

A novel acromelic acid analog possessing an azido-functionalized phenyl group was designed and synthesized as a biochemical probe for studies on kainoid receptors. The analog exerted a biological activity equivalent to natural acromelic acid A, suggesting that both compounds possibly bind to the same target biomolecule. In order to utilize the probe in photoaffinity labeling experiments, a procedure for the introduction of radioactive iodine into the molecule was established.