1
|
Hatmal MM, Abuyaman O, Taha M. Docking-generated multiple ligand poses for bootstrapping bioactivity classifying Machine Learning: Repurposing covalent inhibitors for COVID-19-related TMPRSS2 as case study. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4790-4824. [PMID: 34426763 PMCID: PMC8373588 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work we introduce the use of multiple docked poses for bootstrapping machine learning-based QSAR modelling. Ligand-receptor contact fingerprints are implemented as descriptor variables. We implemented this method for the discovery of potential inhibitors of the serine protease enzyme TMPRSS2 involved the infectivity of coronaviruses. Several machine learners were scanned, however, Xgboost, support vector machines (SVM) and random forests (RF) were the best with testing set accuracies reaching 90%. Three potential hits were identified upon using the method to scan known untested FDA approved drugs against TMPRSS2. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulation and covalent docking supported the results of the new computational approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ma'mon M. Hatmal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, PO Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Omar Abuyaman
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, PO Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Mutasem Taha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mehta P, Miszta P, Filipek S. Molecular Modeling of Histamine Receptors-Recent Advances in Drug Discovery. Molecules 2021; 26:1778. [PMID: 33810008 PMCID: PMC8004658 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent developments of fast reliable docking, virtual screening and other algorithms gave rise to discovery of many novel ligands of histamine receptors that could be used for treatment of allergic inflammatory disorders, central nervous system pathologies, pain, cancer and obesity. Furthermore, the pharmacological profiles of ligands clearly indicate that these receptors may be considered as targets not only for selective but also for multi-target drugs that could be used for treatment of complex disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, analysis of protein-ligand recognition in the binding site of histamine receptors and also other molecular targets has become a valuable tool in drug design toolkit. This review covers the period 2014-2020 in the field of theoretical investigations of histamine receptors mostly based on molecular modeling as well as the experimental characterization of novel ligands of these receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sławomir Filipek
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland or (P.M.); (P.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vázquez J, López M, Gibert E, Herrero E, Luque FJ. Merging Ligand-Based and Structure-Based Methods in Drug Discovery: An Overview of Combined Virtual Screening Approaches. Molecules 2020; 25:E4723. [PMID: 33076254 PMCID: PMC7587536 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual screening (VS) is an outstanding cornerstone in the drug discovery pipeline. A variety of computational approaches, which are generally classified as ligand-based (LB) and structure-based (SB) techniques, exploit key structural and physicochemical properties of ligands and targets to enable the screening of virtual libraries in the search of active compounds. Though LB and SB methods have found widespread application in the discovery of novel drug-like candidates, their complementary natures have stimulated continued efforts toward the development of hybrid strategies that combine LB and SB techniques, integrating them in a holistic computational framework that exploits the available information of both ligand and target to enhance the success of drug discovery projects. In this review, we analyze the main strategies and concepts that have emerged in the last years for defining hybrid LB + SB computational schemes in VS studies. Particularly, attention is focused on the combination of molecular similarity and docking, illustrating them with selected applications taken from the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Vázquez
- Pharmacelera, Plaça Pau Vila, 1, Sector C 2a, Edificio Palau de Mar, 08039 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Gastronomy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), and Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTC-UB), University of Barcelona, Av. Prat de la Riba 171, E-08921 Santa Coloma de Gramanet, Spain
| | - Manel López
- AB Science, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Zone Luminy Enterprise, Case 922, 163 Av. de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France;
| | - Enric Gibert
- Pharmacelera, Plaça Pau Vila, 1, Sector C 2a, Edificio Palau de Mar, 08039 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Enric Herrero
- Pharmacelera, Plaça Pau Vila, 1, Sector C 2a, Edificio Palau de Mar, 08039 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - F. Javier Luque
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Gastronomy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), and Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTC-UB), University of Barcelona, Av. Prat de la Riba 171, E-08921 Santa Coloma de Gramanet, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Burggraaff L, Lenselink EB, Jespers W, van Engelen J, Bongers BJ, González MG, Liu R, Hoos HH, van Vlijmen HWT, IJzerman AP, van Westen GJP. Successive Statistical and Structure-Based Modeling to Identify Chemically Novel Kinase Inhibitors. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:4283-4295. [PMID: 32343143 PMCID: PMC7525794 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b01204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Kinases are frequently
studied in the context of anticancer drugs.
Their involvement in cell responses, such as proliferation, differentiation,
and apoptosis, makes them interesting subjects in multitarget drug
design. In this study, a workflow is presented that models the bioactivity
spectra for two panels of kinases: (1) inhibition of RET, BRAF, SRC,
and S6K, while avoiding inhibition of MKNK1, TTK, ERK8, PDK1, and
PAK3, and (2) inhibition of AURKA, PAK1, FGFR1, and LKB1, while avoiding
inhibition of PAK3, TAK1, and PIK3CA. Both statistical and structure-based
models were included, which were thoroughly benchmarked and optimized.
A virtual screening was performed to test the workflow for one of
the main targets, RET kinase. This resulted in 5 novel and chemically
dissimilar RET inhibitors with remaining RET activity of <60% (at
a concentration of 10 μM) and similarities with known RET inhibitors
from 0.18 to 0.29 (Tanimoto, ECFP6). The four more potent inhibitors
were assessed in a concentration range and proved to be modestly active
with a pIC50 value of 5.1 for the most active compound.
The experimental validation of inhibitors for RET strongly indicates
that the multitarget workflow is able to detect novel inhibitors for
kinases, and hence, this workflow can potentially be applied in polypharmacology
modeling. We conclude that this approach can identify new chemical
matter for existing targets. Moreover, this workflow can easily be
applied to other targets as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Burggraaff
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eelke B Lenselink
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Jespers
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75124, Sweden
| | - Jesper van Engelen
- Department of Computer Science, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 1, 2333 CA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Brandon J Bongers
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marina Gorostiola González
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rongfang Liu
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Holger H Hoos
- Department of Computer Science, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 1, 2333 CA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman W T van Vlijmen
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard J P van Westen
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Burggraaff L, van Vlijmen HWT, IJzerman AP, van Westen GJP. Quantitative prediction of selectivity between the A 1 and A 2A adenosine receptors. J Cheminform 2020; 12:33. [PMID: 33431012 PMCID: PMC7222572 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-020-00438-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of drugs is often hampered due to off-target interactions leading to adverse effects. Therefore, computational methods to assess the selectivity of ligands are of high interest. Currently, selectivity is often deduced from bioactivity predictions of a ligand for multiple targets (individual machine learning models). Here we show that modeling selectivity directly, by using the affinity difference between two drug targets as output value, leads to more accurate selectivity predictions. We test multiple approaches on a dataset consisting of ligands for the A1 and A2A adenosine receptors (among others classification, regression, and we define different selectivity classes). Finally, we present a regression model that predicts selectivity between these two drug targets by directly training on the difference in bioactivity, modeling the selectivity-window. The quality of this model was good as shown by the performances for fivefold cross-validation: ROC A1AR-selective 0.88 ± 0.04 and ROC A2AAR-selective 0.80 ± 0.07. To increase the accuracy of this selectivity model even further, inactive compounds were identified and removed prior to selectivity prediction by a combination of statistical models and structure-based docking. As a result, selectivity between the A1 and A2A adenosine receptors was predicted effectively using the selectivity-window model. The approach presented here can be readily applied to other selectivity cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Burggraaff
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman W T van Vlijmen
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard J P van Westen
- Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Costanzi S, Cohen A, Danfora A, Dolatmoradi M. Influence of the Structural Accuracy of Homology Models on Their Applicability to Docking-Based Virtual Screening: The β 2 Adrenergic Receptor as a Case Study. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3177-3190. [PMID: 31257873 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
How accurate do structures of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) need to be to effectively serve as platforms for docking-based virtual screening campaigns? To answer this research question, here, we targeted through controlled virtual screening experiments 23 homology models of the β2AR endowed with different levels of structural accuracy. Subsequently, we studied the correlation between virtual screening performance and structural accuracy of the targeted models. Moreover, we studied the correlation between virtual screening performance and template/target receptor sequence identity. Our study demonstrates that docking-based virtual screening campaigns targeting homology models of the β2AR, in the majority of the cases, yielded results that exceeded random expectations in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC). Moreover, with the most effective scoring method, over one-third and one-quarter of the models yielded results that exceeded random expectation also in terms of enrichment factors (EF1, EF5, and EF10) and BEDROC (α = 160.9), respectively. Not surprisingly, we found a detectable linear correlation between virtual screening performance and structural accuracy of the ligand-binding cavity. We also found a detectable linear correlation between virtual screening performance and structural accuracy of the second extracellular loop (EL2). Finally, our data indicate that, although there is no detectable linear correlation between virtual screening performance and template/β2AR sequence identity, models built on the basis of templates that show high sequence identity with the β2AR, especially within the ligand-biding cavity, performed consistently well. Conversely, models with lower sequence identity displayed performance levels that ranged from very good to random, with no apparent correlation with the sequence identity itself.
Collapse
|
7
|
Shinada NK, de Brevern AG, Schmidtke P. Halogens in Protein-Ligand Binding Mechanism: A Structural Perspective. J Med Chem 2019; 62:9341-9356. [PMID: 31117513 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Halogen atoms have been at the center of many rational medicinal chemistry applications in drug design. While fluorine and chlorine atoms are often added to enhance physicochemical properties, bromine and iodine elements are generally inserted to improve selectivity. Favorable halogen interactions such as halogen bond have been thoroughly studied through quantum mechanics and statistical analyses. Although most of the studies focus on halogen interaction through its σ-hole, hydrogen bonding also has a significant impact. Here, we present an analysis describing the interacting environment of halogen atoms in protein-ligand context. With consideration of structural redundancy in the PDB, tendencies toward specific molecular interactions consideration have been refined and implications for rational drug design with halogens further discussed. Finally, we highlight the moderate occurrence of halogen bonding and present the other roles of halogen in protein-ligand complexes, completing the medicinal chemistry guide to rational halogen interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas K Shinada
- Discngine S.A.S. , 79 Avenue Ledru Rollin , 75012 Paris , France.,Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR S1134, Inserm, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université de la Réunion, Université des Antilles , 75739 Paris , France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex , 75739 Paris , France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS) , 75739 Paris , France
| | - Alexandre G de Brevern
- Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge UMR S1134, Inserm, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université de la Réunion, Université des Antilles , 75739 Paris , France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex , 75739 Paris , France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine (INTS) , 75739 Paris , France
| | - Peter Schmidtke
- Discngine S.A.S. , 79 Avenue Ledru Rollin , 75012 Paris , France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Setiawan D, Brender J, Zhang Y. Recent advances in automated protein design and its future challenges. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:587-604. [PMID: 29695210 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1465922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protein function is determined by protein structure which is in turn determined by the corresponding protein sequence. If the rules that cause a protein to adopt a particular structure are understood, it should be possible to refine or even redefine the function of a protein by working backwards from the desired structure to the sequence. Automated protein design attempts to calculate the effects of mutations computationally with the goal of more radical or complex transformations than are accessible by experimental techniques. Areas covered: The authors give a brief overview of the recent methodological advances in computer-aided protein design, showing how methodological choices affect final design and how automated protein design can be used to address problems considered beyond traditional protein engineering, including the creation of novel protein scaffolds for drug development. Also, the authors address specifically the future challenges in the development of automated protein design. Expert opinion: Automated protein design holds potential as a protein engineering technique, particularly in cases where screening by combinatorial mutagenesis is problematic. Considering solubility and immunogenicity issues, automated protein design is initially more likely to make an impact as a research tool for exploring basic biology in drug discovery than in the design of protein biologics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dani Setiawan
- a Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Jeffrey Brender
- b Radiation Biology Branch , Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute - NIH , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- a Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.,c Department of Biological Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cross JB. Methods for Virtual Screening of GPCR Targets: Approaches and Challenges. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2017; 1705:233-264. [PMID: 29188566 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7465-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Virtual screening (VS) has become an integral part of the drug discovery process and is a valuable tool for finding novel chemical starting points for GPCR targets. Ligand-based VS makes use of biochemical data for known, active compounds and has been applied successfully to many diverse GPCRs. Recent progress in GPCR X-ray crystallography has made it possible to incorporate detailed structural information into the VS process. This chapter outlines the latest VS techniques along with examples that highlight successful applications of these methods. Best practices for increasing the likelihood of VS success, as well as ongoing challenges, are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Cross
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Coudrat T, Simms J, Christopoulos A, Wootten D, Sexton PM. Improving virtual screening of G protein-coupled receptors via ligand-directed modeling. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005819. [PMID: 29131821 PMCID: PMC5708846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play crucial roles in cell physiology and pathophysiology. There is increasing interest in using structural information for virtual screening (VS) of libraries and for structure-based drug design to identify novel agonist or antagonist leads. However, the sparse availability of experimentally determined GPCR/ligand complex structures with diverse ligands impedes the application of structure-based drug design (SBDD) programs directed to identifying new molecules with a select pharmacology. In this study, we apply ligand-directed modeling (LDM) to available GPCR X-ray structures to improve VS performance and selectivity towards molecules of specific pharmacological profile. The described method refines a GPCR binding pocket conformation using a single known ligand for that GPCR. The LDM method is a computationally efficient, iterative workflow consisting of protein sampling and ligand docking. We developed an extensive benchmark comparing LDM-refined binding pockets to GPCR X-ray crystal structures across seven different GPCRs bound to a range of ligands of different chemotypes and pharmacological profiles. LDM-refined models showed improvement in VS performance over origin X-ray crystal structures in 21 out of 24 cases. In all cases, the LDM-refined models had superior performance in enriching for the chemotype of the refinement ligand. This likely contributes to the LDM success in all cases of inhibitor-bound to agonist-bound binding pocket refinement, a key task for GPCR SBDD programs. Indeed, agonist ligands are required for a plethora of GPCRs for therapeutic intervention, however GPCR X-ray structures are mostly restricted to their inactive inhibitor-bound state. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a major target for drug discovery. These receptors are highly dynamic membrane proteins, and have had limited tractability using with biophysical screens that are widely adopted for globular protein targets. Thus, structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) holds great promise as a complement to physical screening for rational design of novel drugs. Indeed, the increasing number of atomic-detail GPCR X-ray crystal structures has coincided with an increase in prospective SBVS studies that have identified novel compounds. However, experimentally solved GPCR structures do not meet the full demand for SBVS, as the GPCR structural landscape is incomplete, lacking both in coverage of available GPCRs, and diversity in both receptor conformations and the chemistry of co-crystalised ligands. Here we present a novel computational GPCR binding pocket refinement method that can generate predictive GPCR/ligand complexes with improved SBVS performance. This ligand-directed modeling workflow uses parallel processing and efficient algorithms to search the GPCR/ligand conformational space faster and more efficiently than the widely used protein refinement method molecular dynamics. In this study, the resulting models are evaluated both structurally, and in retrospective SBVS. We demonstrate improved performance of refined models over their starting structures in the majority of our test cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Coudrat
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Simms
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Denise Wootten
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (DW); (PMS)
| | - Patrick M. Sexton
- Drug Discovery Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (DW); (PMS)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Structure-Based Design of Potent and Selective Ligands at the Four Adenosine Receptors. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22111945. [PMID: 29125553 PMCID: PMC6150288 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The four receptors that signal for adenosine, A1, A2A, A2B and A3 ARs, belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They mediate a number of (patho)physiological functions and have attracted the interest of the biopharmaceutical sector for decades as potential drug targets. The many crystal structures of the A2A, and lately the A1 ARs, allow for the use of advanced computational, structure-based ligand design methodologies. Over the last decade, we have assessed the efficient synthesis of novel ligands specifically addressed to each of the four ARs. We herein review and update the results of this program with particular focus on molecular dynamics (MD) and free energy perturbation (FEP) protocols. The first in silico mutagenesis on the A1AR here reported allows understanding the specificity and high affinity of the xanthine-antagonist 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX). On the A2AAR, we demonstrate how FEP simulations can distinguish the conformational selectivity of a recent series of partial agonists. These novel results are complemented with the revision of the first series of enantiospecific antagonists on the A2BAR, and the use of FEP as a tool for bioisosteric design on the A3AR.
Collapse
|