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Yuan Z, Chen X, Fan S, Chang L, Chu L, Zhang Y, Wang J, Li S, Xie J, Hu J, Miao R, Zhu L, Zhao Z, Li H, Li S. Binding Free Energy Calculation Based on the Fragment Molecular Orbital Method and Its Application in Designing Novel SHP-2 Allosteric Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:671. [PMID: 38203841 PMCID: PMC10779950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010671] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The accurate prediction of binding free energy is a major challenge in structure-based drug design. Quantum mechanics (QM)-based approaches show promising potential in predicting ligand-protein binding affinity by accurately describing the behavior and structure of electrons. However, traditional QM calculations face computational limitations, hindering their practical application in drug design. Nevertheless, the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method has gained widespread application in drug design due to its ability to reduce computational costs and achieve efficient ab initio QM calculations. Although the FMO method has demonstrated its reliability in calculating the gas phase potential energy, the binding of proteins and ligands also involves other contributing energy terms, such as solvent effects, the 'deformation energy' of a ligand's bioactive conformations, and entropy. Particularly in cases involving ionized fragments, the calculation of solvation free energy becomes particularly crucial. We conducted an evaluation of some previously reported implicit solvent methods on the same data set to assess their potential for improving the performance of the FMO method. Herein, we develop a new QM-based binding free energy calculation method called FMOScore, which enhances the performance of the FMO method. The FMOScore method incorporates linear fitting of various terms, including gas-phase potential energy, deformation energy, and solvation free energy. Compared to other widely used traditional prediction methods such as FEP+, MM/PBSA, MM/GBSA, and Autodock vina, FMOScore showed good performance in prediction accuracies. By constructing a retrospective case study, it was observed that incorporating calculations for solvation free energy and deformation energy can further enhance the precision of FMO predictions for binding affinity. Furthermore, using FMOScore-guided lead optimization against Src homology-2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP-2), we discovered a novel and potent allosteric SHP-2 inhibitor (compound 8).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xingyu Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Sisi Fan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Longfeng Chang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Linna Chu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Ying Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jie Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Shuang Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jinxin Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jianguo Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Runyu Miao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Lili Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhenjiang Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Honglin Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
- Innovation Center for AI and Drug Discovery, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shiliang Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (Z.Y.); (X.C.); (S.F.); (Z.Z.)
- Innovation Center for AI and Drug Discovery, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
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Shino A, Otsu M, Imai K, Fukuzawa K, Morishita EC. Probing RNA-Small Molecule Interactions Using Biophysical and Computational Approaches. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2368-2376. [PMID: 37856793 PMCID: PMC10662358 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Interest in small molecules that target RNA is flourishing, and the expectation set on them to treat diseases with unmet medical needs is high. However, several challenges remain, including difficulties in selecting suitable tools and establishing workflows for their discovery. In this context, we optimized experimental and computational approaches that were previously employed for the protein targets. Here, we demonstrate that a fluorescence-based assay can be effectively used to screen small molecule libraries for their ability to bind and stabilize an RNA stem-loop. Our screen identified several fluoroquinolones that bind to the target stem-loop. We further probed their interactions with the target using biolayer interferometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results of these biophysical assays suggest that the fluoroquinolones bind the target in a similar manner. Armed with this knowledge, we built models for the complexes of the fluoroquinolones and the RNA target. Then, we performed fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations to dissect the interactions between the fluoroquinolones and the RNA. We found that the binding free energies obtained from the ITC experiments correlated strongly with the interaction energies calculated by FMO. Finally, we designed fluoroquinolone analogues and performed FMO calculations to predict their binding free energies. Taken together, the results of this study support the importance of conducting orthogonal assays in binding confirmation and compound selection and demonstrate the usefulness of FMO calculations in the rational design of RNA-targeted small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amiu Shino
- Basic
Research Division, Veritas In Silico Inc., Shinagawa, Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Maina Otsu
- Basic
Research Division, Veritas In Silico Inc., Shinagawa, Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Koji Imai
- Basic
Research Division, Veritas In Silico Inc., Shinagawa, Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Kaori Fukuzawa
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka
University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, Shinagawa, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan
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Sladek V, Šmak P, Tvaroška I. How E-, L-, and P-Selectins Bind to sLe x and PSGL-1: A Quantification of Critical Residue Interactions. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5604-5618. [PMID: 37486087 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00704] [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: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Selectins and their ability to interact with specific ligands are a cornerstone in cell communication. Over the last three decades, a considerable wealth of experimental and molecular modeling insights into their structure and modus operandi were gathered. Nonetheless, explaining the role of individual selectin residues on a quantitative level remained elusive, despite its importance in understanding the structure-function relationship in these molecules and designing their inhibitors. This work explores essential interactions of selectin-ligand binding, employing a multiscale approach that combines molecular dynamics, quantum-chemical calculations, and residue interaction network models. Such an approach successfully reproduces most of the experimental findings. It proves to be helpful, with the potential for becoming an established tool for quantitative predictions of residue contribution to the binding of biomolecular complexes. The results empower us to quantify the importance of particular residues and functional groups in the protein-ligand interface and to pinpoint differences in molecular recognition by the three selectins. We show that mutations in the E-, L-, and P-selectins, e.g., different residues in positions 46, 85, 97, and 107, present a crucial difference in how the ligand is engaged. We assess the role of sulfation of tyrosine residues in PSGL-1 and suggest that TyrSO3- in position 51 interacting with Arg85 in P-selectin is a significant factor in the increased affinity of P-selectin to PSGL-1 compared to E- and L-selectins. We propose an original pharmacophore targeting five essential PSGL-binding sites based on the analysis of the selectin···PSGL-1 interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Sladek
- Institute of Chemistry, SAS, Dubravska cesta 9, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavel Šmak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Tvaroška
- Institute of Chemistry, SAS, Dubravska cesta 9, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Morishita EC. Discovery of RNA-targeted small molecules through the merging of experimental and computational technologies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:207-226. [PMID: 36322542 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2134852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The field of RNA-targeted small molecules is rapidly evolving, owing to the advances in experimental and computational technologies. With the identification of several bioactive small molecules that target RNA, including the FDA-approved risdiplam, the biopharmaceutical industry is gaining confidence in the field. This review, based on the literature obtained from PubMed, aims to disseminate information about the various technologies developed for targeting RNA with small molecules and propose areas for improvement to develop drugs more efficiently, particularly those linked to diseases with unmet medical needs. AREAS COVERED The technologies for the identification of RNA targets, screening of chemical libraries against RNA, assessing the bioactivity and target engagement of the hit compounds, structure determination, and hit-to-lead optimization are reviewed. Along with the description of the technologies, their strengths, limitations, and examples of how they can impact drug discovery are provided. EXPERT OPINION Many existing technologies employed for protein targets have been repurposed for use in the discovery of RNA-targeted small molecules. In addition, technologies tailored for RNA targets have been developed. Nevertheless, more improvements are necessary, such as artificial intelligence to dissect important RNA structures and RNA-small-molecule interactions and more powerful chemical probing and structure prediction techniques.
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The Importance of Charge Transfer and Solvent Screening in the Interactions of Backbones and Functional Groups in Amino Acid Residues and Nucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113514. [PMID: 36362296 PMCID: PMC9654426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113514] [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] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantum mechanical (QM) calculations at the level of density-functional tight-binding are applied to a protein–DNA complex (PDB: 2o8b) consisting of 3763 atoms, averaging 100 snapshots from molecular dynamics simulations. A detailed comparison of QM and force field (Amber) results is presented. It is shown that, when solvent screening is taken into account, the contributions of the backbones are small, and the binding of nucleotides in the double helix is governed by the base–base interactions. On the other hand, the backbones can make a substantial contribution to the binding of amino acid residues to nucleotides and other residues. The effect of charge transfer on the interactions is also analyzed, revealing that the actual charge of nucleotides and amino acid residues can differ by as much as 6 and 8% from the formal integer charge, respectively. The effect of interactions on topological models (protein -residue networks) is elucidated.
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