Rho kinase inhibitors: potentially versatile therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and more

In-Silico QSAR Modelling of Predicted Rho Kinase Inhibitors Against Cardio Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND

Rho-kinase is an essential downstream target of GTP-binding protein RhoA, and plays a crucial role in the calcium-sensitization pathway. Rho-kinase pathway is critically involved in phosphorylation state of myosin light chain, leading to increased contraction of smooth muscles. Inhibition of this pathway has turned out to be a promising target for several indications such as cardiovascular diseases, glaucoma and inflammatory diseases.

METHODS

The present work focuses on a division-based 2D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis along with a docking study to predict structural features that may be essential for the enhancement of selectivity and potency of the target compounds. Furthermore, a set of indoles and azaindoles were also projected based on the regression equation as novel developments. Molecular docking was applied for exploring the binding sites of the newly predicted set of compounds with the receptor.

RESULTS

Results of the docked conformations suggested that introduction of non-bulky and substituted groups in the hinge region of ROCK-II ATP binding pocket would improve the activity by decreasing the bulkiness or length of the compounds.

CONCLUSION

ADME studies were performed to ascertain the novelty and drug-like properties of the designed molecules, respectively.

ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 inhibits the growth, migration, and invasion of Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 on the growth, invasion, and migration of Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). The methods of the study are as follows: After being routinely cultured for 24 h, Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells were treated with Y-27632 solution. The morphological change of Y-27632-treated cells was observed under an optical microscope and an inverted microscope; MTT assay was performed to measure the optical density (OD) of cells and calculate cell growth inhibition rate; the change of apoptosis was detected by AnnexinV-FITC/PI assay; cell invasion and migration were measured by Transwell assay. The results were as follows: (1) With increasing concentration of Y-27632, cell morphology changed and cell apoptosis appeared; (2) MTT assay showed that inhibition effect of Y-27632 on Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells was enhanced with increasing concentrations and time (all P < 0.01); (3) Apoptosis showed that, compared with controls, the number of apoptosis cells in experimental groups was significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Apoptosis rate was elevated with increasing concentrations of Y-27632; (4) Transwell assay showed, after a treatment with Y-27632, the number of migrated and invaded Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in each group was statistically different (all P < 0.01); compared with controls, the number of migrated cell in groups treated with Y-27632 was decreased and less Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells in experimental groups passed through polycarbonate membrane (all P < 0.05). The study concludes that Y-27632 can inhibit the growth, invasion, and migration of Tca8113 and CAL-27 cells, suggesting that Y-27632 may be therapeutically useful in TSCC.