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Vlachodimou A, Bouma J, De Cleyn M, Berthelot D, Pype S, Bosmans JP, van Vlijmen H, Wroblowski B, Heitman LH, IJzerman AP. Kinetic profiling of novel spirobenzo-oxazinepiperidinone derivatives as equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 inhibitors. Purinergic Signal 2024; 20:193-205. [PMID: 37423967 PMCID: PMC10997566 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-023-09948-9] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of kinetic parameters of drug-target binding, kon, koff, and residence time (RT), in addition to the traditional in vitro parameter of affinity is receiving increasing attention in the early stages of drug discovery. Target binding kinetics emerges as a meaningful concept for the evaluation of a ligand's duration of action and more generally drug efficacy and safety. We report the biological evaluation of a novel series of spirobenzo-oxazinepiperidinone derivatives as inhibitors of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1, SLC29A1). The compounds were evaluated in radioligand binding experiments, i.e., displacement, competition association, and washout assays, to evaluate their affinity and binding kinetic parameters. We also linked these pharmacological parameters to the compounds' chemical characteristics, and learned that separate moieties of the molecules governed target affinity and binding kinetics. Among the 29 compounds tested, 28 stood out with high affinity and a long residence time of 87 min. These findings reveal the importance of supplementing affinity data with binding kinetics at transport proteins such as hENT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Vlachodimou
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jara Bouma
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel De Cleyn
- Janssen Research and Development, Antwerpseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Didier Berthelot
- Janssen Research and Development, Antwerpseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Stefan Pype
- Janssen Research and Development, Antwerpseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Bosmans
- Janssen Research and Development, Antwerpseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Herman van Vlijmen
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Janssen Research and Development, Antwerpseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Laura H Heitman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Stampelou M, Ladds G, Kolocouris A. Computational Workflow for Refining AlphaFold Models in Drug Design Using Kinetic and Thermodynamic Binding Calculations: A Case Study for the Unresolved Inactive Human Adenosine A 3 Receptor. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:914-936. [PMID: 38236582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05986] [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: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
A structure-based drug design pipeline that considers both thermodynamic and kinetic binding data of ligands against a receptor will enable the computational design of improved drug molecules. For unresolved GPCR-ligand complexes, a workflow that can apply both thermodynamic and kinetic binding data in combination with alpha-fold (AF)-derived or other homology models and experimentally resolved binding modes of relevant ligands in GPCR-homologs needs to be tested. Here, as test case, we studied a congeneric set of ligands that bind to a structurally unresolved G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the inactive human adenosine A3 receptor (hA3R). We tested three available homology models from which two have been generated from experimental structures of hA1R or hA2AR and one model was a multistate alphafold 2 (AF2)-derived model. We applied alchemical calculations with thermodynamic integration coupled with molecular dynamics (TI/MD) simulations to calculate the experimental relative binding free energies and residence time (τ)-random accelerated MD (τ-RAMD) simulations to calculate the relative residence times (RTs) for antagonists. While the TI/MD calculations produced, for the three homology models, good Pearson correlation coefficients, correspondingly, r = 0.74, 0.62, and 0.67 and mean unsigned error (mue) values of 0.94, 1.31, and 0.81 kcal mol-1, the τ-RAMD method showed r = 0.92 and 0.52 for the first two models but failed to produce accurate results for the multistate AF2-derived model. With subsequent optimization of the AF2-derived model by reorientation of the side chain of R1735.34 located in the extracellular loop 2 (EL2) that blocked ligand's unbinding, the computational model showed r = 0.84 for kinetic data and improved performance for thermodynamic data (r = 0.81, mue = 0.56 kcal mol-1). Overall, after refining the multistate AF2 model with physics-based tools, we were able to show a strong correlation between predicted and experimental ligand relative residence times and affinities, achieving a level of accuracy comparable to an experimental structure. The computational workflow used can be applied to other receptors, helping to rank candidate drugs in a congeneric series and enabling the prioritization of leads with stronger binding affinities and longer residence times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Stampelou
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Graham Ladds
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, U.K
| | - Antonios Kolocouris
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Section of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
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Ojha AA, Votapka LW, Amaro RE. QMrebind: incorporating quantum mechanical force field reparameterization at the ligand binding site for improved drug-target kinetics through milestoning simulations. Chem Sci 2023; 14:13159-13175. [PMID: 38023523 PMCID: PMC10664576 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04195f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the interaction of ligands with biomolecules is an integral component of drug discovery and development. Challenges for computing thermodynamic and kinetic quantities for pharmaceutically relevant receptor-ligand complexes include the size and flexibility of the ligands, large-scale conformational rearrangements of the receptor, accurate force field parameters, simulation efficiency, and sufficient sampling associated with rare events. Our recently developed multiscale milestoning simulation approach, SEEKR2 (Simulation Enabled Estimation of Kinetic Rates v.2), has demonstrated success in predicting unbinding (koff) kinetics by employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in regions closer to the binding site. The MD region is further subdivided into smaller Voronoi tessellations to improve the simulation efficiency and parallelization. To date, all MD simulations are run using general molecular mechanics (MM) force fields. The accuracy of calculations can be further improved by incorporating quantum mechanical (QM) methods into generating system-specific force fields through reparameterizing ligand partial charges in the bound state. The force field reparameterization process modifies the potential energy landscape of the bimolecular complex, enabling a more accurate representation of the intermolecular interactions and polarization effects at the bound state. We present QMrebind (Quantum Mechanical force field reparameterization at the receptor-ligand binding site), an ORCA-based software that facilitates reparameterizing the potential energy function within the phase space representing the bound state in a receptor-ligand complex. With SEEKR2 koff estimates and experimentally determined kinetic rates, we compare and interpret the receptor-ligand unbinding kinetics obtained using the newly reparameterized force fields for model host-guest systems and HSP90-inhibitor complexes. This method provides an opportunity to achieve higher accuracy in predicting receptor-ligand koff rate constants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Anand Ojha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
| | - Lane William Votapka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
| | - Rommie Elizabeth Amaro
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
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Liu H, Zhang H, IJzerman AP, Guo D. The translational value of ligand-receptor binding kinetics in drug discovery. Br J Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 37705429 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16241] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The translation of in vitro potency of a candidate drug, as determined by traditional pharmacology metrics (such as EC50 /IC50 and KD /Ki values), to in vivo efficacy and safety is challenging. Residence time, which represents the duration of drug-target interaction, can be part of a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic nature of drug-target interactions in vivo, thereby enabling better prediction of drug efficacy and safety. As a consequence, a prolonged residence time may help in achieving sustained pharmacological activity, while transient interactions with shorter residence times may be favourable for targets associated with side effects. Therefore, integration of residence time into the early stages of drug discovery and development has yielded a number of clinical candidates with promising in vivo efficacy and safety profiles. Insights from residence time research thus contribute to the translation of in vitro potency to in vivo efficacy and safety. Further research and advances in measuring and optimizing residence time will bring a much-needed addition to the drug discovery process and the development of safer and more effective drugs. In this review, we summarize recent research progress on residence time, highlighting its importance from a translational perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Adriaan P IJzerman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dong Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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Vendruscolo M. Thermodynamic and kinetic approaches for drug discovery to target protein misfolding and aggregation. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37276120 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2221024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protein misfolding diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, are characterized by the aberrant aggregation of proteins. These conditions are still largely untreatable, despite having a major impact on our healthcare systems and societies. AREAS COVERED We describe drug discovery strategies to target protein misfolding and aggregation. We compare thermodynamic approaches, which are based on the stabilization of the native states of proteins, with kinetic approaches, which are based on the slowing down of the aggregation process. This comparison is carried out in terms of the current knowledge of the process of protein misfolding and aggregation, the mechanisms of disease and the therapeutic targets. EXPERT OPINION There is an unmet need for disease-modifying treatments that target protein misfolding and aggregation for the over 50 human disorders known to be associated with this phenomenon. With the approval of the first drugs that can prevent misfolding or inhibit aggregation, future efforts will be focused on the discovery of effective compounds with these mechanisms of action for a wide range of conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Otake K, Ubukata M, Nagahashi N, Ogawa N, Hantani Y, Hantani R, Adachi T, Nomura A, Yamaguchi K, Maekawa M, Mamada H, Motomura T, Sato M, Harada K. Methyl and Fluorine Effects in Novel Orally Bioavailable Keap1-Nrf2 PPI Inhibitor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:658-665. [PMID: 37197451 PMCID: PMC10184158 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is one of the causes of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Activation of the antioxidant protein regulator Nrf2 by inhibition of the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) is of interest as a potential treatment for CKD. We report the identification of the novel and weak PPI inhibitor 7 with good physical properties by a high throughput screening (HTS) campaign, followed by structural and computational analysis. The installation of only methyl and fluorine groups successfully provided the lead compound 25, which showed more than 400-fold stronger activity. Furthermore, these dramatic substituent effects can be explained by the analysis of using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Thus, the resulting 25, which exhibited high oral absorption and durability, would be a CKD therapeutic agent because of the dose-dependent manner for up-regulation of the antioxidant protein heme oxigenase-1 (HO-1) in rat kidneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Otake
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Minoru Ubukata
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noboru Nagahashi
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoki Ogawa
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiji Hantani
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rie Hantani
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Adachi
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akihiro Nomura
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keishi Yamaguchi
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariko Maekawa
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideaki Mamada
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahisa Motomura
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Motohide Sato
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Harada
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc., 1-1, Murasaki-cho, Takatsuki 569-1125, Osaka, Japan
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