QSAR analysis of 3-pyrimidin-4-yl-oxazolidin-2-one derivatives isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitors using Topomer CoMFA and HQSAR methods

In silico screening-based discovery of benzamide derivatives as inhibitors of Rho-associated kinase-1 (ROCK1)

As a pivotal node in modulating various cell behaviors, Rho-associated kinase-1 (ROCK1) has attracted significant attention as a promising therapeutic target in a variety of diseases. Benzamide has been widely reported as a ROCK1 inhibitors in recent years. To better understand its pharmacological properties and to explore its potential inhibitors, a series of ROCK1 inhibitors derived from N-methyl-4-(4-pyrazolidinyl) benzamides (MPBs) were investigated by using three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models, pharmacophore models, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) model (q2 = 0.616, R2 = 0.972, ONC = 4, and r2pred = 0.983) and the best Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) model (q2= 0.740, R2 = 0.982, ONC = 6, and r2pred = 0.824) exhibited reliable predictability with satisfactory validation parameters. In the subsequent virtual screening, VS03 and VS05 were identified to have superior predicted activities and higher docking scores, meanwhile they demonstrated to be reasonably stable in the binding pocket through MD simulations. These results provide a significant theoretical direction for the rational design and development of novel ROCK1 inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A combined ligand-based and structure-based in silico molecular modeling approach to pinpoint the key structural attributes of hydroxamate derivatives as promising meprin β inhibitors

Human meprin β is a Zn2+-containing multidomain metalloprotease enzyme that belongs to the astacin family of the metzincin endopeptidase superfamily. Meprin β, with its diverse tissue expression pattern and wide substrate specificity, plays a significant role in various biological processes, including regulation of IL-6R pathways, lung fibrosis, collagen deposition, cellular migration, neurotoxic amyloid β levels, and inflammation. Again, meprin β is involved in Alzheimer's disease, hyperkeratosis, glomerulonephritis, diabetic kidney injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. Despite a crucial role in diverse disease processes, no such promising inhibitors of meprin β are marketed to date. Thus, it is an unmet requirement to find novel promising meprin β inhibitors that hold promise as potential therapeutics. In this study, a series of arylsulfonamide and tertiary amine-based hydroxamate derivatives as meprin β inhibitors has been analyzed through ligand-based and structure-based in silico approaches to pinpoint their structural and physiochemical requirements crucial for exerting higher inhibitory potential. This study identified different crucial structural features such as arylcarboxylic acid, sulfonamide, and arylsulfonamide moieties, as well as hydrogen bond donor and hydrophobicity, inevitable for exerting higher meprin β inhibition, providing valuable insight for their further future development.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Recent advances of IDH1 mutant inhibitor in cancer therapy

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is the key metabolic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate (α-KG). Two main types of IDH1 and IDH2 are present in humans. In recent years, mutations in IDH have been observed in several tumors, including glioma, acute myeloid leukemia, and chondrosarcoma. Among them, the frequency of IDH1 mutations is higher than IDH2. IDH1 mutations have been shown to increase the conversion of α-KG to 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). IDH1 mutation-mediated accumulation of 2-HG leads to epigenetic dysregulation, altering gene expression, and impairing cell differentiation. A rapidly emerging therapeutic approach is through the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting mutant IDH1 (mIDH1), as evidenced by the recently approved of the first selective IDH1 mutant inhibitor AG-120 (ivosidenib) for the treatment of IDH1-mutated AML. This review will focus on mIDH1 as a therapeutic target and provide an update on IDH1 mutant inhibitors in development and clinical trials.