1
|
Truicu FN, Damian RO, Butoi MA, Belghiru VI, Rotaru LT, Puticiu M, Văruț RM. How to Personalize General Anesthesia-A Prospective Theoretical Approach to Conformational Changes of Halogenated Anesthetics in Fire Smoke Poisoning. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4701. [PMID: 38731919 PMCID: PMC11083261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Smoke intoxication is a central event in mass burn incidents, and toxic smoke acts at different levels of the body, blocking breathing and oxygenation. The majority of these patients require early induction of anesthesia to preserve vital functions. We studied the influence of hemoglobin (HMG) and myoglobin (MGB) blockade by hydrochloric acid (HCl) in an interaction model with gaseous anesthetics using molecular docking techniques. In the next part of the study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the top-scoring ligand-receptor complexes to investigate the stability of the ligand-receptor complexes and the interactions between ligands and receptors in more detail. Through docking analysis, we observed that hemoglobin creates more stable complexes with anesthetic gases than myoglobin. Intoxication with gaseous hydrochloric acid produces conformational and binding energy changes of anesthetic gases to the substrate (both the pathway and the binding site), the most significant being recorded in the case of desflurane and sevoflurane, while for halothane and isoflurane, they remain unchanged. According to our theoretical model, the selection of anesthetic agents for patients affected by fire smoke containing hydrochloric acid is critical to ensure optimal anesthetic effects. In this regard, our model suggests that halothane and isoflurane are the most suitable choices for predicting the anesthetic effects in such patients when compared to sevoflurane and desflurane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavius Nicușor Truicu
- Emergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (F.N.T.); (R.O.D.); (M.A.B.); (V.I.B.)
| | - Roni Octavian Damian
- Emergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (F.N.T.); (R.O.D.); (M.A.B.); (V.I.B.)
| | - Mihai Alexandru Butoi
- Emergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (F.N.T.); (R.O.D.); (M.A.B.); (V.I.B.)
| | - Vlad Ionuț Belghiru
- Emergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (F.N.T.); (R.O.D.); (M.A.B.); (V.I.B.)
| | - Luciana Teodora Rotaru
- Emergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (F.N.T.); (R.O.D.); (M.A.B.); (V.I.B.)
| | - Monica Puticiu
- Emergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Vasile Goldiș” Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
| | - Renata Maria Văruț
- Research Methodology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Price E, Weinheimer M, Rivkin A, Jenkins G, Nijsen M, Cox PB, DeGoey D. Beyond Rule of Five and PROTACs in Modern Drug Discovery: Polarity Reducers, Chameleonicity, and the Evolving Physicochemical Landscape. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5683-5698. [PMID: 38498697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Developing orally bioavailable drugs demands an understanding of absorption in early drug development. Traditional methods and physicochemical properties optimize absorption for rule of five (Ro5) compounds; beyond rule of five (bRo5) drugs necessitate advanced tools like the experimental measure of exposed polarity (EPSA) and the AbbVie multiparametric score (AB-MPS). Analyzing AB-MPS and EPSA against ∼1000 compounds with human absorption data and ∼10,000 AbbVie tool compounds (∼1000 proteolysis targeting chimeras or PROTACs, ∼7000 Ro5s, and ∼2000 bRo5s) revealed new patterns of physicochemical trends. We introduced a high-throughput "polarity reduction" descriptor: ETR, the EPSA-to-topological polar surface area (TPSA) ratio, highlights unique bRo5 and PROTAC subsets for specialized drug design strategies for effective absorption. Our methods and guidelines refine drug design by providing innovative in vitro approaches, enhancing physicochemical property optimization, and enabling accurate predictions of intestinal absorption in the complex bRo5 domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Price
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Manuel Weinheimer
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Alexey Rivkin
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gary Jenkins
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Marjoleen Nijsen
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Philip B Cox
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - David DeGoey
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Masand VH, Al-Hussain S, Alzahrani AY, El-Sayed NNE, Yeo CI, Tan YS, Zaki MEA. Leveraging nitrogen occurrence in approved drugs to identify structural patterns. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:111-124. [PMID: 37811790 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2266990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The process of drug development and discovery is costly and slow. Although an understanding of molecular design principles and biochemical processes has progressed, it is essential to minimize synthesis-testing cycles. An effective approach is to analyze key heteroatoms, including oxygen and nitrogen. Herein, we present an analysis focusing on the utilization of nitrogen atoms in approved drugs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The present work examines the frequency, distribution, prevalence, and diversity of nitrogen atoms in a dataset comprising 2,049 small molecules approved by different regulatory agencies (FDA and others). Various types of nitrogen atoms, such as sp3-, sp2-, sp-hybridized, planar, ring, and non-ring are included in this investigation. RESULTS The results unveil both previously reported and newly discovered patterns of nitrogen atom distribution around the center of mass in the majority of drug molecules. CONCLUSIONS This study has highlighted intriguing trends in the role of nitrogen atoms in drug design and development. The majority of drugs contain 1-3 nitrogen atoms within 5Å from the center of mass (COM) of a molecule, with a higher preference for the ring and planar nitrogen atoms. The results offer invaluable guidance for the multiparameter optimization process, thus significantly contributing toward the conversion of lead compounds into potential drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay H Masand
- Department of Chemistry, Vidya Bharati Mahavidyalaya, Amravati, India
| | - Sami Al-Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Y Alzahrani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, King Khalid University, Mohail Assir, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahed N E El-Sayed
- National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Giza, Egypt
| | - Chien Ing Yeo
- Sunway Biofunctional Molecules Discovery Centre, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City, Malaysia
| | - Yee Seng Tan
- Sunway Biofunctional Molecules Discovery Centre, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City, Malaysia
| | - Magdi E A Zaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Poongavanam V, Wieske LHE, Peintner S, Erdélyi M, Kihlberg J. Molecular chameleons in drug discovery. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:45-60. [PMID: 38123688 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00563-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Molecular chameleons possess a flexibility that allows them to dynamically shield or expose polar functionalities in response to the properties of the environment. Although the concept of molecular chameleons was introduced already in 1970, interest in them has grown considerably since the 2010s, when drug discovery has focused to an increased extent on new chemical modalities. Such modalities include cyclic peptides, macrocycles and proteolysis-targeting chimeras, all of which reside in a chemical space far from that of traditional small-molecule drugs. Both cell permeability and aqueous solubility are required for the oral absorption of drugs. Engineering these properties, and potent target binding, into the larger new modalities is a more daunting task than for traditional small-molecule drugs. The ability of chameleons to adapt to different environments may be essential for success. In this Review, we provide both general and theoretical insights into the realm of molecular chameleons. We discuss why chameleons have come into fashion and provide a do-it-yourself toolbox for their design; we then provide a glimpse of how advanced in silico methods can support molecular chameleon design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Peintner
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Máté Erdélyi
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lee D, Choi J, Yang MJ, Park CJ, Seo J. Controlling the Chameleonic Behavior and Membrane Permeability of Cyclosporine Derivatives via Backbone and Side Chain Modifications. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13189-13204. [PMID: 37718494 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Some macrocycles exhibit enhanced membrane permeability through conformational switching in different environmental polarities, a trait known as chameleonic behavior. In this study, we demonstrate specific backbone and side chain modifications that can control chameleonic behavior and passive membrane permeability using a cyclosporin O (CsO) scaffold. To quantify chameleonic behavior, we used a ratio of the population of the closed conformation obtained in polar solvent and nonpolar solvent for each CsO derivative. We found that β-hydroxylation at position 1 (1 and 3) can encode chameleonicity and improve permeability. However, the conformational stabilization induced by adding an additional transannular H-bond (2 and 5) leads to a much slower rate of membrane permeation. Our CsO scaffold provides a platform for the systematic study of the relationship among conformation, membrane permeability, solubility, and protein binding. This knowledge contributes to the discovery of potent beyond the rule of five (bRo5) macrocycles capable of targeting undruggable targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongjae Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Min June Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chin-Ju Park
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mostofian B, Martin HJ, Razavi A, Patel S, Allen B, Sherman W, Izaguirre JA. Targeted Protein Degradation: Advances, Challenges, and Prospects for Computational Methods. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5408-5432. [PMID: 37602861 PMCID: PMC10498452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic approach of targeted protein degradation (TPD) is gaining momentum due to its potentially superior effects compared with protein inhibition. Recent advancements in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors have led to the development of compounds that are currently in human trials, with some showing promising clinical results. However, the use of computational tools in TPD is still limited, as it has distinct characteristics compared with traditional computational drug design methods. TPD involves creating a ternary structure (protein-degrader-ligase) responsible for the biological function, such as ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation, which depends on the spatial orientation of the protein of interest (POI) relative to E2-loaded ubiquitin. Modeling this structure necessitates a unique blend of tools initially developed for small molecules (e.g., docking) and biologics (e.g., protein-protein interaction modeling). Additionally, degrader molecules, particularly heterobifunctional degraders, are generally larger than conventional small molecule drugs, leading to challenges in determining drug-like properties like solubility and permeability. Furthermore, the catalytic nature of TPD makes occupancy-based modeling insufficient. TPD consists of multiple interconnected yet distinct steps, such as POI binding, E3 ligase binding, ternary structure interactions, ubiquitination, and degradation, along with traditional small molecule properties. A comprehensive set of tools is needed to address the dynamic nature of the induced proximity ternary complex and its implications for ubiquitination. In this Perspective, we discuss the current state of computational tools for TPD. We start by describing the series of steps involved in the degradation process and the experimental methods used to characterize them. Then, we delve into a detailed analysis of the computational tools employed in TPD. We also present an integrative approach that has proven successful for degrader design and its impact on project decisions. Finally, we examine the future prospects of computational methods in TPD and the areas with the greatest potential for impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barmak Mostofian
- OpenEye, Cadence Molecular Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 United States
| | - Holli-Joi Martin
- Laboratory
for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal
Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 United States
| | - Asghar Razavi
- ENKO
Chem, Inc, Mystic, Connecticut 06355 United States
| | - Shivam Patel
- Psivant
Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 United States
| | - Bryce Allen
- Differentiated
Therapeutics, San Diego, California 92056 United States
| | - Woody Sherman
- Psivant
Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 United States
| | - Jesus A Izaguirre
- Differentiated
Therapeutics, San Diego, California 92056 United States
- Atommap
Corporation, New York, New York 10013 United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Garcia Jimenez D, Vallaro M, Rossi Sebastiano M, Apprato G, D’Agostini G, Rossetti P, Ermondi G, Caron G. Chamelogk: A Chromatographic Chameleonicity Quantifier to Design Orally Bioavailable Beyond-Rule-of-5 Drugs. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10681-10693. [PMID: 37490408 PMCID: PMC10424176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
New chemical modalities in drug discovery include molecules belonging to the bRo5 chemical space. Because of their complex and flexible structure, bRo5 compounds often suffer from a poor solubility/permeability profile. Chameleonicity describes the capacity of a molecule to adapt to the environment through conformational changes; the design of molecular chameleons is a medicinal chemistry strategy simultaneously optimizing solubility and permeability. A default method to quantify chameleonicity in early drug discovery is still missing. Here we introduce Chamelogk, an automated, fast, and cheap chromatographic descriptor of chameleonicity. Moreover, we report measurements for 55 Ro5 and bRo5 compounds and validate our method with literature data. Then, selected case studies (macrocycles, nonmacrocyclic compounds, and PROTACs) are used to illustrate the application of Chamelogk in combination with lipophilicity (BRlogD) and polarity (Δ log kwIAM) descriptors. Overall, we show how Chamelogk deserves being included in property-based drug discovery strategies to design oral bioavailable bRo5 compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Apprato
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia D’Agostini
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossetti
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and
Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University
of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ayinde O, Sharpe C, Stahl E, Tokarski RJ, Lerma JR, Muthusamy N, Byrd JC, Fuchs JR. Examination of the Impact of Triazole Position within Linkers on Solubility and Lipophilicity of a CDK9 Degrader Series. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:936-942. [PMID: 37465296 PMCID: PMC10351057 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimization of degrader properties is often a challenge due to their beyond-rule-of-5 nature. Given the paucity of known E3 ligases and the often-limited choice of ligands with varied chemical structures for a given protein target, degrader linkers represent the best position within the chimeric molecules to modify their overall physicochemical properties. In this work, a series of AT7519-based CDK9 degraders was assembled using click chemistry, facilitating the tuning of aqueous solubility and lipophilicity while retaining their linker type and molecular weight. Using chromatographic logD and kinetic solubility experiments, we show that degraders with similar chemical constitution but varied position of the embedded triazole demonstrate different lipophilicity and aqueous solubility properties. Overall, this work highlights the impact of triazole placement on linker composition through application of click chemistry for degrader synthesis and its ability to be used to promote the achievement of favorable physicochemical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin
R. Ayinde
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Chia Sharpe
- Department
of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio 45267, United States
| | - Emily Stahl
- Division
of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Robert J. Tokarski
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - James R. Lerma
- Department
of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio 45267, United States
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- Division
of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- The
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio 43210, United States
| | - John C. Byrd
- Department
of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio 45267, United States
- University
of Cincinnati Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio 45267, United States
| | - James R. Fuchs
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- The
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio 43210, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Young RJ. Today's drug discovery and the shadow of the rule of 5. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:965-972. [PMID: 37378429 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2228199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The rule of 5 developed by Lipinski et al., a landmark and prescient piece of scholarship, focused the minds of drug hunters by systematically characterizing the physical make-up of drug molecules for the first time, noting many sub-optimal compounds identified by high-throughput screening practices. Its profound influence on thinking and practices, whilst providing benefit, perhaps etched the guidelines too strongly in the minds of some drug hunters who applied the bounds too literally without understanding the implications of the underlying statistics. AREAS COVERED This opinion is based on recent key developments that take thinking, measurements, and standards beyond those first set out, particularly the influences of molecular weight and the understanding, measurement, and calculation of lipophilicity. EXPERT OPINION Techniques and technologies for physicochemical estimations set new standards. It is timely to celebrate the significance and influence of the rule of 5, whilst taking thinking to new levels with better characterizations. The shadow of the rule of 5 may be long, but it is not dark, as new measurements, predictions and principles emerge as guiding lights in the design and prioritization of higher-quality molecules redefining the meaning of beyond the rule of 5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Young
- Blue Burgundy (Drug Discovery Consultancy) Ltd, Bedford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tokarski RJ, Sharpe CM, Huntsman AC, Mize BK, Ayinde OR, Stahl EH, Lerma JR, Reed A, Carmichael B, Muthusamy N, Byrd JC, Fuchs JR. Bifunctional degraders of cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9): Probing the relationship between linker length, properties, and selective protein degradation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115342. [PMID: 37071962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a promising therapeutic target in multiple cancer types, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Protein degraders, also known as proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), have emerged as tools for the selective degradation of cancer targets, including CDK9, complementing the activity of traditional small-molecule inhibitors. These compounds typically incorporate previously reported inhibitors and a known E3 ligase ligand to induce ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of the target protein. Although many protein degraders have been reported in the literature, the properties of the linker necessary for efficient degradation still require special attention. In this study, a series of protein degraders was developed, employing the clinically tested CDK inhibitor AT7519. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that linker composition, specifically chain length, would have on potency. In addition to establishing a baseline of activity for various linker compositions, two distinct homologous series, a fully alkyl series and an amide-containing series, were prepared, demonstrating the dependence of degrader potency in these series on linker length and the correlation with predicted physicochemical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Tokarski
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Chia M Sharpe
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
| | - Andrew C Huntsman
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Brittney K Mize
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Oluwatosin R Ayinde
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Emily H Stahl
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - James R Lerma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
| | - Andrew Reed
- CCIC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Bridget Carmichael
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
| | - John C Byrd
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States; University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States
| | - James R Fuchs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
O'Brien Laramy MN, Luthra S, Brown MF, Bartlett DW. Delivering on the promise of protein degraders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:410-427. [PMID: 36810917 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 3 years, the first bivalent protein degraders intentionally designed for targeted protein degradation (TPD) have advanced to clinical trials, with an initial focus on established targets. Most of these clinical candidates are designed for oral administration, and many discovery efforts appear to be similarly focused. As we look towards the future, we propose that an oral-centric discovery paradigm will overly constrain the chemical designs that are considered and limit the potential to drug novel targets. In this Perspective, we summarize the current state of the bivalent degrader modality and propose three categories of degrader designs, based on their likely route of administration and requirement for drug delivery technologies. We then describe a vision for how parenteral drug delivery, implemented early in research and supported by pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling, can enable exploration of a broader drug design space, expand the scope of accessible targets and deliver on the promise of protein degraders as a therapeutic modality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Suman Luthra
- Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew F Brown
- Discovery Sciences, Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA
| | - Derek W Bartlett
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, & Metabolism, Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dimitrova YN, Gutierrez JA, Huard K. It's ok to be outnumbered - sub-stoichiometric modulation of homomeric protein complexes. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:22-46. [PMID: 36760737 PMCID: PMC9890894 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00212d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
An arsenal of molecular tools with increasingly diversified mechanisms of action is being developed by the scientific community to enable biological interrogation and pharmaceutical modulation of targets and pathways of ever increasing complexity. While most small molecules interact with the target of interest in a 1 : 1 relationship, a noteworthy number of recent examples were reported to bind in a sub-stoichiometric manner to a homomeric protein complex. This approach requires molecular understanding of the physiologically relevant protein assemblies and in-depth characterization of the compound's mechanism of action. The recent literature examples summarized here were selected to illustrate methods used to identify and characterize molecules with such mechanisms. The concept of one small molecule targeting a homomeric protein assembly is not new but the subject deserves renewed inspection in light of emerging technologies and increasingly diverse target biology, to ensure relevant in vitro systems are used and valuable compounds with potentially novel sub-stoichiometric mechanisms of action aren't overlooked.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kim Huard
- Genentech 1 DNA Way South San Francisco CA 94080 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Conformational Sampling Deciphers the Chameleonic Properties of a VHL-Based Degrader. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010272. [PMID: 36678900 PMCID: PMC9861353 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chameleonicity (the capacity of a molecule to adapt its conformations to the environment) may help to identify orally bioavailable drugs in the beyond-Rule-of-5 chemical space. Computational methods to predict the chameleonic behaviour of degraders have not yet been reported and the identification of molecular chameleons still relies on experimental evidence. Therefore, there is a need to tune predictions with experimental data. Here, we employ PROTAC-1 (a passively cell-permeable degrader), for which NMR and physicochemical data prove the chameleonic behaviour, to benchmark the capacity of two conformational sampling algorithms and selection schemes. To characterize the conformational ensembles in both polar and nonpolar environments, we compute three molecular properties proven to be essential for cell permeability: conformer shape (radius of gyration), polarity (3D PSA), and the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Energetic criteria were also considered. Infographics monitored the simultaneous variation of those properties in computed and NMR conformers. Overall, we provide key points for tuning conformational sampling tools to reproduce PROTAC-1 chameleonicity according to NMR evidence. This study is expected to improve the design of PROTAC drugs and the development of computational sustainable strategies to exploit the potential of new modalities in drug discovery.
Collapse
|
14
|
Permeability of New Antifungal Fluconazole Derivatives through a Lipophilic Membrane: Experiment and Modeling. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28010389. [PMID: 36615585 PMCID: PMC9823331 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Relationships between the structures of molecules and their properties form the basis of modern chemistry and lay the foundation for structure-based drug design. Being the main two determinants of bioavailability, solubility and permeability of drugs are widely investigated experimentally and predicted from physicochemical parameters and structural descriptors. In the present study, we measure the passive diffusion permeability of a series of new fluconazole derivatives with triazole and thiazolo-pyrimidine moieties connected by different linker bridges through the PermeaPad barrier-a relatively new biomimetic lipophilic membrane that has been increasingly used in recent years. The permeability coefficients of new derivatives are shown to be dependent both on the structure of the linker fragment and on the substituent in the phenyl ring of the thiazolo-pyrimidine moiety. The impact of the compound ionization state on the permeability is revealed. Reliable correlations of the permeability with the antifungal activity and distribution coefficient are found. In addition, the solubility-diffusion approach is shown to be able to successfully predict the permeability of the studied derivatives. The obtained results can be considered another step in the development of permeability databases and design of schemes for in vitro permeability prediction.
Collapse
|
15
|
Avdeef A, Kansy M. Trends in PhysChem Properties of Newly Approved Drugs over the Last Six Years; Predicting Solubility of Drugs Approved in 2021. J SOLUTION CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10953-022-01199-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
16
|
Rossi Sebastiano M, Garcia Jimenez D, Vallaro M, Caron G, Ermondi G. Refinement of Computational Access to Molecular Physicochemical Properties: From Ro5 to bRo5. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12068-12083. [PMID: 36094896 PMCID: PMC9511483 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
There is a need of computational tools to rank bRo5 drug
candidates
in the very early phases of drug discovery when chemical matter is
unavailable. In this study, we selected three compounds: (a) a Ro5
drug (Pomalidomide), (b) a bRo5 orally available drug (Saquinavir),
and (c) a polar PROTAC (CMP 98) to focus on computational access to
physicochemical properties. To provide a benchmark, the three compounds
were first experimentally characterized for their lipophilicity, polarity,
IMHBs, and chameleonicity. To reproduce the experimental information
content, we generated conformer ensembles with conformational sampling
and molecular dynamics in both water and nonpolar solvents. Then we
calculated Rgyr, 3D PSA, and IMHB number. An innovative pool of strategies
for data analysis was then provided. Overall, we report a contribution
to close the gap between experimental and computational methods for
characterizing bRo5 physicochemical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Qin L, Dai H, Wang J. Key Considerations in Targeted Protein Degradation Drug Discovery and Development. Front Chem 2022; 10:934337. [PMID: 35978859 PMCID: PMC9376879 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.934337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting proteins’ enzymatic functions with small molecule inhibitors, as well as functions of receptor proteins with small-molecule agonists and antagonists, were the major forms of small-molecule drug development. These small-molecule modulators are based on a conventional occupancy-driven pharmacological approach. For proteome space traditionally considered undruggable by small-molecule modulators, such as enzymes with scaffolding functions, transcription factors, and proteins that lack well-defined binding pockets for small molecules, targeted protein degraders offer the opportunity to drug the proteome with an event-driven pharmacological approach. A degrader molecule, either PROTAC or molecular glue, brings the protein of interest (POI) and E3 ubiquitin ligase in close proximity and engages the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), the cellular waste disposal system for the degradation of the POI. For the development of targeted protein degraders to meet therapeutic needs, several aspects will be considered, namely, the selective degradation of disease-causing proteins, the oral bioavailability of degraders beyond Lipinski’s rule of five (bRo5) scope, demands of new E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glue degraders, and drug resistance of the new drug modality. This review will illustrate several under-discussed key considerations in targeted protein degradation drug discovery and development: 1) the contributing factors for the selectivity of PROTAC molecules and the design of PROTACs to selectively degrade synergistic pathological proteins; 2) assay development in combination with a multi-omics approach for the identification of new E3 ligases and their corresponding ligands, as well as molecular glue degraders; 3) a molecular design to improve the oral bioavailability of bRo5 PROTACs, and 4) drug resistance of degraders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liena Qin
- Insilico Medicine Ltd., Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liena Qin, ; Han Dai, ; Junfeng Wang,
| | - Han Dai
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Liena Qin, ; Han Dai, ; Junfeng Wang,
| | - Junfeng Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- International Magnetobiology Frontier Research Center, Hefei, China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Liena Qin, ; Han Dai, ; Junfeng Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
García Jiménez D, Rossi Sebastiano M, Vallaro M, Mileo V, Pizzirani D, Moretti E, Ermondi G, Caron G. Designing Soluble PROTACs: Strategies and Preliminary Guidelines. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12639-12649. [PMID: 35469399 PMCID: PMC9574862 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Solubility optimization is a crucial step to obtaining oral PROTACs. Here we measured the thermodynamic solubilities (log S) of 21 commercial PROTACs. Next, we measured BRlogD and log kwIAM (lipophilicity), EPSA, and Δ log kwIAM (polarity) and showed that lipophilicity plays a major role in governing log S, but a contribution of polarity cannot be neglected. Two-/three-dimensional descriptors calculated on conformers arising from conformational sampling and steered molecular dynamics failed in modeling solubility. Infographic tools were used to identify a privileged region of soluble PROTACs in a chemical space defined by BRlogD, log kwIAM and topological polar surface area, while machine learning provided a log S classification model. Finally, for three pairs of PROTACs we measured the solubility, lipophilicity, and polarity of the building blocks and identified the limits of estimating PROTAC solubility from the synthetic components. Overall, this paper provides promising guidelines for optimizing PROTAC solubility in early drug discovery programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego García Jiménez
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Mileo
- Global Research and Preclinical Development, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy.,Emerging Science & Technology Unit, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Daniela Pizzirani
- Global Research and Preclinical Development, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy.,Emerging Science & Technology Unit, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Elisa Moretti
- Global Research and Preclinical Development, Research Center, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Largo Belloli 11/a, 43122 Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, CASSMedChem, University of Torino, Via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Avdeef A, Kansy M. Predicting Solubility of Newly-Approved Drugs (2016–2020) with a Simple ABSOLV and GSE(Flexible-Acceptor) Consensus Model Outperforming Random Forest Regression. J SOLUTION CHEM 2022; 51:1020-1055. [PMID: 35153342 PMCID: PMC8818506 DOI: 10.1007/s10953-022-01141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study applies the ‘Flexible-Acceptor’ variant of the General Solubility Equation, GSE(Φ,B), to the prediction of the aqueous intrinsic solubility, log10S0, of FDA recently-approved (2016–2020) ‘small-molecule’ new molecular entities (NMEs). The novel equation had been shown to predict the solubility of drugs beyond Lipinski’s ‘Rule of 5’ chemical space (bRo5) to a precision nearly matching that of the Random Forest Regression (RFR) machine learning method. Since then, it was found that the GSE(Φ,B) appears to work well not only for bRo5 NMEs, but also for Ro5 drugs. To put context to GSE(Φ,B), Yalkowsky’s GSE(classic), Abraham’s ABSOLV, and Breiman’s RFR models were also applied to predict log10 S0 of 72 newly-approve NMEs, for which useable reported solubility values could be accessed (nearly 60% from FDA New Drug Application published reports). Except for GSE (classic), the prediction models were retrained with an enlarged version of the Wiki-pS0 database (nearly 400 added log10 S0 entries since our recent previous study). Thus, these four models were further validated by the additional independent solubility measurements which the newly-approved drugs introduced. The prediction methods ranked RFR ~ GSE (Φ,B) > ABSOLV > GSE (classic) in performance. It was further demonstrated that the biases generated in the four separate models could be nearly eliminated in a consensus model based on the average of just two of the methods: GSE (Φ,B) and ABSOLV. The resulting consensus prediction equation is simple in form and can be easily incorporated into spreadsheet calculations. Even more significant, it slightly outperformed the RFR method.
Collapse
|
20
|
Carrasco-Correa EJ, Ruiz-Allica J, Rodríguez-Fernández JF, Miró M. Human artificial membranes in (bio)analytical science: Potential for in vitro prediction of intestinal absorption-A review. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
21
|
Ermondi G, Lavore F, Vallaro M, Tiana G, Vasile F, Caron G. Managing Experimental 3D Structures in the Beyond-Rule-of-5 Chemical Space: The Case of Rifampicin. Chemistry 2021; 27:10394-10404. [PMID: 34114271 PMCID: PMC8361677 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The beyond-Rule-of-5 (bRo5) chemical space is a source of new oral drugs and includes large and flexible compounds. Because of their size and conformational variability, bRo5 molecules assume different privileged conformations in the compartments of human body, i. e., they can exhibit chameleonic properties. The elucidation of the ensemble of 3D structures explored by such molecules under different conditions is therefore critical to check the role played by chameleonicity to modulate cell permeability. Here we characterized the conformational ensembles of rifampicin, a bRo5 drug, in polar and nonpolar solvents and in the solid state. We performed NMR experiments, analyzed their results with a novel algorithm and set-up a pool of ad hoc in silico strategies to investigate crystallographic structures retrieved from the CSD. Moreover, a polarity descriptor often related to permeability (SA-3D-PSA) was calculated for all the conformers and its variation with the environment analyzed. Results showed that the conformational behavior of rifampicin in solution and in the solid state is not superposable. The identification of dynamic intramolecular hydrogen bonds can be assessed by NMR spectroscopy but not by X-ray structures. Moreover, SA-3D-PSA revealed that dynamic IMHBs do not provide rifampicin with chameleonic properties. Overall, this study highlights that the peculiarity of rifampicin, which is cell permeable probably because of the presence of static IMHBs but is devoid of any chameleonic behavior, can be assessed by a proper analysis of experimental 3D structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept.Università degli Studi di Torinovia Quarello 1510135TorinoItaly
| | - Francesca Lavore
- Department of ChemistryUniversità degli Studi di Milanovia Golgi 1920133MilanoItaly
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept.Università degli Studi di Torinovia Quarello 1510135TorinoItaly
| | - Guido Tiana
- Department of Physics and Center for Complexity and BiosystemsUniversità degli Studi di Milano and INFNvia Celoria 1620133MilanoItaly
| | - Francesca Vasile
- Department of ChemistryUniversità degli Studi di Milanovia Golgi 1920133MilanoItaly
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept.Università degli Studi di Torinovia Quarello 1510135TorinoItaly
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ermondi G, Garcia Jimenez D, Rossi Sebastiano M, Caron G. Rational Control of Molecular Properties Is Mandatory to Exploit the Potential of PROTACs as Oral Drugs. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1056-1060. [PMID: 34262642 PMCID: PMC8274089 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
To obtain new oral
drugs in the beyond rule of five space, PROTACs
among others, molecular properties should be optimized in early drug
discovery. Degraders call for design strategies which focus on intramolecular
interaction and chameleonicity. In parallel, tailored revalidation
of permeability assessment and prediction methods becomes fundamental
in this innovative chemical space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Diego Garcia Jimenez
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Rossi Sebastiano
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., CASSMedChem, University of Torino, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lee D, Lee S, Choi J, Song YK, Kim MJ, Shin DS, Bae MA, Kim YC, Park CJ, Lee KR, Choi JH, Seo J. Interplay among Conformation, Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds, and Chameleonicity in the Membrane Permeability and Cyclophilin A Binding of Macrocyclic Peptide Cyclosporin O Derivatives. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8272-8286. [PMID: 34096287 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A macrocyclic peptide scaffold with well-established structure-property relationship is desirable for tackling undruggable targets. Here, we adopted a natural macrocycle, cyclosporin O (CsO) and its derivatives (CP1-3), and evaluated the impact of conformation on membrane permeability, cyclophilin A (CypA) binding, and the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. In nonpolar media, CsO showed a similar conformation to cyclosporin A (CsA), a well-known chameleonic macrocycle, but less chameleonic behavior in a polar environment. The weak chameleonicity of CsO resulted in decreased membrane permeability; however, the more rigid conformation of CsO was not detrimental to its PK profile. CsO exhibited a higher plasma concentration than CsA, which resulted from minimal CypA binding and lower accumulation in red blood cells and moderate oral bioavailability (F = 12%). Our study aids understanding of CsO, a macrocyclic peptide that is less explored than CsA but with greater potential for diversity generation and rational design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongjae Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo-Kyung Song
- Laboratory of Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ju Kim
- Laboratory of Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Seop Shin
- Bio Platform Technology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Ae Bae
- Bio Platform Technology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chul Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chin-Ju Park
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong-Ryoon Lee
- Laboratory of Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Leeson PD, Bento AP, Gaulton A, Hersey A, Manners EJ, Radoux CJ, Leach AR. Target-Based Evaluation of "Drug-Like" Properties and Ligand Efficiencies. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7210-7230. [PMID: 33983732 PMCID: PMC7610969 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Physicochemical descriptors commonly used to define "drug-likeness" and ligand efficiency measures are assessed for their ability to differentiate marketed drugs from compounds reported to bind to their efficacious target or targets. Using ChEMBL version 26, a data set of 643 drugs acting on 271 targets was assembled, comprising 1104 drug-target pairs having ≥100 published compounds per target. Taking into account changes in their physicochemical properties over time, drugs are analyzed according to their target class, therapy area, and route of administration. Recent drugs, approved in 2010-2020, display no overall differences in molecular weight, lipophilicity, hydrogen bonding, or polar surface area from their target comparator compounds. Drugs are differentiated from target comparators by higher potency, ligand efficiency (LE), lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE), and lower carboaromaticity. Overall, 96% of drugs have LE or LLE values, or both, greater than the median values of their target comparator compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Leeson
- Paul Leeson Consulting Ltd, The Malt House, Main Street, Congerstone, Nuneaton, Warkwickshire CV13 6LZ, United Kingdom
| | - A Patricia Bento
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Gaulton
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Hersey
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J Manners
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J Radoux
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Leach
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ermondi G, Vallaro M, Saame J, Toom L, Leito I, Ruiz R, Caron G. Rifampicin as an example of beyond-rule-of-5 compound: Ionization beyond water and lipophilicity beyond octanol/water. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 161:105802. [PMID: 33716188 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Ionization and lipophilicity in early drug discovery are commonly characterized in water and octanol/water, respectively and thus do not consider the non-polar features of the biomembrane core. This is particularly limiting for bRo5 compounds which may adapt their properties (e.g. ionization and lipophilicity) to the environment. In this paper we used experimental methods to characterize rifampicin for its ionization properties in various water/cosolvent mixtures and in pure MeCN and its lipophilicity in octanol/water and toluene/water systems. Moreover, we also measured log k'80 PLRP-S, a chromatographic index of lipophilicity in non-polar media. Results show that the existence domain of neutral rifampicin is limited compared to the zwitterion, but the lipophilic cationic species is extremely relevant in non-polar environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., Università degli Studi di Torino, via Quarello 15, Torino 10135, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., Università degli Studi di Torino, via Quarello 15, Torino 10135, Italy
| | - Jaan Saame
- University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Ravila 14a, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Lauri Toom
- University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Ravila 14a, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Ivo Leito
- University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Ravila 14a, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Rebeca Ruiz
- Pion Inc., Forest Row Business Park, Forest Row RH18 5DW, UK
| | - Giulia Caron
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept., Università degli Studi di Torino, via Quarello 15, Torino 10135, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Caron G, Kihlberg J, Goetz G, Ratkova E, Poongavanam V, Ermondi G. Steering New Drug Discovery Campaigns: Permeability, Solubility, and Physicochemical Properties in the bRo5 Chemical Space. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:13-23. [PMID: 33488959 PMCID: PMC7812602 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of drug discovery programs concern compounds in the beyond rule of 5 (bRo5) chemical space, such as cyclic peptides, macrocycles, and degraders. Recent results show that common paradigms of property-based drug design need revision to be applied to larger and more flexible compounds. A virtual event entitled "Solubility, permeability and physico-chemical properties in the bRo5 chemical space" was organized to provide preliminary guidance on how to make the discovery of oral drugs in the bRo5 space more effective. The four speakers emphasized the importance of the bRo5 space as a source of new oral drugs and provided examples of experimental and computational methods specifically tailored for design and optimization in this chemical space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Caron
- Molecular
Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, University of Torino, Via Quarello, 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Jan Kihlberg
- Department
of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gilles Goetz
- Hit
Discovery and Optimization, Discovery Sciences, WWRD, Pfizer Inc, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Ekaterina Ratkova
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Giuseppe Ermondi
- Molecular
Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department, University of Torino, Via Quarello, 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
This study describes a novel nonlinear variant of the well-known Yalkowsky general solubility equation (GSE). The modified equation can be trained with small molecules, mostly from the Lipinski Rule of 5 (Ro5) chemical space, to predict the intrinsic aqueous solubility, S0, of large molecules (MW > 800 Da) from beyond the rule of 5 (bRo5) space, to an accuracy almost equal to that of a recently described random forest regression (RFR) machine learning analysis. The new approach replaces the GSE constant factors in the intercept (0.5), the octanol-water log P (-1.0), and melting point, mp (-0.01) terms with simple exponential functions incorporating the sum descriptor, Φ+B (Kier Φ molecular flexibility and Abraham H-bond acceptor potential). The constants in the modified three-variable (log P, mp, Φ+B) equation were determined by partial least-squares (PLS) refinement using a small-molecule log S0 training set (n = 6541) of mostly druglike molecules. In this "flexible-acceptor" GSE(Φ,B) model, the coefficient of log P (normally fixed at -1.0) varies smoothly from -1.1 for rigid nonionizable molecules (Φ+B = 0) to -0.39 for typically flexible (Φ ∼ 20, B ∼ 6) large molecules. The intercept (traditionally fixed at +0.5) varies smoothly from +1.9 for completely inflexible small molecules to -2.2 for typically flexible large molecules. The mp coefficient (-0.007) remains practically constant, near the traditional value (-0.01) for most molecules, which suggests that the small-to-large molecule continuum is mainly solvation responsive, apparently with only minor changes in the crystal lattice contributions. For a test set of 32 large molecules (e.g., cyclosporine A, gramicidin A, leuprolide, nafarelin, oxytocin, vancomycin, and mostly natural-product-derived therapeutics used in infectious/viral diseases, in immunosuppression, and in oncology) the modified equation predicted the intrinsic solubility with a root-mean-square error of 1.10 log unit, compared to 3.0 by the traditional GSE, and 1.07 by RFR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Avdeef
- in-ADME Research, 1732 First Avenue, no. 102, New York 10128, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ermondi G, Vallaro M, Caron G. Degraders early developability assessment: face-to-face with molecular properties. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1585-1591. [PMID: 32565163 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical scientists have huge expectations from heterobifunctional small molecule degraders to treat diseases with an unmet medical need. However, degraders are large and flexible and pose significant challenges in terms of cellular uptake and bioavailability. An efficient property-based design is therefore required to discover new oral degrader medicines. Here, we show the non‑transferability to degraders of in silico tools routinely implemented in small molecule drug discovery programs; and provide ionization, lipophilicity, polarity and chameleonicity data for a series of seven degraders. We also reveal that permeability can be modeled by Δlog kWIAM - an experimental polarity descriptor. Overall, the paper is a proof-of-concept that shows to discover new oral degrader drugs ad hoc property-based design strategies are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ermondi
- University of Torino, Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept, CASSMedChem, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Vallaro
- University of Torino, Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept, CASSMedChem, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Caron
- University of Torino, Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Dept, CASSMedChem, via Quarello 15, 10135 Torino, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|