Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 30, 2026

U-93631

U-93631 is a GABAA receptor antagonist.

Last revised
Jul 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
181 w
Citations
1
Source
U-93631
source ↗
source ↗
Names
IUPAC name
tert-butyl 4,4-dimethyl-5H-imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline-3-carboxylate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/C17H21N3O2/c1-16(2,3)22-15(21)13-14-17(4,5)19-11-8-6-7-9-12(11)20(14)10-18-13/h6-10,19H,1-5H3
    Key: NXBSEJKZKXIYMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CC1(C2=C(N=CN2C3=CC=CC=C3N1)C(=O)OC(C)(C)C)C
Properties
C17H21N3O2
Molar mass 299.374 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

U-93631 is a GABAA receptor antagonist.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of this compound is not entirely clear, but research shows that it binds to the GABAA receptor. Its binding site seems to be similar to the one of picrotoxin, a potent neurotoxin and convulsant.

The binding of U-93631 decreases the probability of the chloride channel opening and stabilizes the receptor in an inactivated state.1

References

References

  1. Dillon, G. H.; Im, W. B.; Pregenzer, J. F.; Carter, D. B.; Hamilton, B. J. (February 1995). "[4-Dimethyl-3-t-butylcarboxyl-4,5-dihydro (1,5-a) quinoxaline] is a novel ligand to the picrotoxin site on GABAA receptors, and decreases single-channel open probability". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 272 (2): 597–603. ISSN 0022-3565. PMID 7531762.