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The biomedical significance of multifunctional nanobiomaterials: The key components for site-specific delivery of therapeutics. Life Sci 2021; 277:119400. [PMID: 33794255 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of nanotechnology has provided the possibilities to overcome the potential problems associated with the development of pharmaceuticals including the low solubility, non-specific cellular uptake or action, and rapid clearance. Regarding the biomaterials (BMs), huge efforts have been made for improving their multi-functionalities via incorporation of various nanomaterials (NMs). Nanocomposite hydrogels with suitable properties could exhibit a variety of beneficial effects in biomedicine particularly in the delivery of therapeutics or tissue engineering. NMs including the silica- or carbon-based ones are capable of integration into various BMs that might be due to their special compositions or properties such as the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, magnetic or electrical characteristics, and responsiveness to various stimuli. This might provide multi-functional nanobiomaterials against a wide variety of disorders. Meanwhile, inappropriate distribution or penetration into the cells or tissues, bio-nano interface complexity, targeting ability loss, or any other unpredicted phenomena are the serious challenging issues. Computational simulations and models enable development of NMs with optimal characteristics and provide a deeper knowledge of NM interaction with biosystems. This review highlights the biomedical significance of the multifunctional NMs particularly those applied for the development of 2-D or 3-D BMs for a variety of applications including the site-specific delivery of therapeutics. The powerful impacts of the computational techniques on the design process of NMs, quantitation and prediction of protein corona formation, risk assessment, and individualized therapy for improved therapeutic outcomes have also been discussed.
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Galeb HA, Wilkinson EL, Stowell AF, Lin H, Murphy ST, Martin‐Hirsch PL, Mort RL, Taylor AM, Hardy JG. Melanins as Sustainable Resources for Advanced Biotechnological Applications. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2000102. [PMID: 33552556 PMCID: PMC7857133 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature and have diverse origins, chemical compositions, and functions. Their chemical, electrical, optical, and paramagnetic properties offer opportunities for applications in materials science, particularly for medical and technical uses. This review focuses on the application of analytical techniques to study melanins in multidisciplinary contexts with a view to their use as sustainable resources for advanced biotechnological applications, and how these may facilitate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa A. Galeb
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Department of ChemistryScience and Arts CollegeRabigh CampusKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddah21577Saudi Arabia
| | - Emma L. Wilkinson
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Alison F. Stowell
- Department of Organisation, Work and TechnologyLancaster University Management SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YXUK
| | - Hungyen Lin
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - Samuel T. Murphy
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
| | - Pierre L. Martin‐Hirsch
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustRoyal Preston HospitalSharoe Green LanePrestonPR2 9HTUK
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Adam M. Taylor
- Lancaster Medical SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
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Zhang H, Zhou S, Zhao Y, Gao J. Chemical synthesis of the dimeric repeating unit of type Ia group BStreptococcuscapsular polysaccharide. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:5839-5848. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ob01024f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The first synthesis of the dimeric repeating unit of type Ia GBS CPS containing two sialotrisaccharide side chains and adjacent 3,4-di-branched Gal motifs was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology
- Shandong University
- Qingdao
- China
| | - Shihao Zhou
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology
- Shandong University
- Qingdao
- China
| | - Ying Zhao
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology
- Shandong University
- Qingdao
- China
| | - Jian Gao
- National Glycoengineering Research Center
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology
- Shandong University
- Qingdao
- China
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Hassanzadeh P, Atyabi F, Dinarvand R. Ignoring the modeling approaches: Towards the shadowy paths in nanomedicine. J Control Release 2018; 280:58-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Heifetz A, Southey M, Morao I, Townsend-Nicholson A, Bodkin MJ. Computational Methods Used in Hit-to-Lead and Lead Optimization Stages of Structure-Based Drug Discovery. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1705:375-394. [PMID: 29188574 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7465-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
GPCR modeling approaches are widely used in the hit-to-lead (H2L) and lead optimization (LO) stages of drug discovery. The aims of these modeling approaches are to predict the 3D structures of the receptor-ligand complexes, to explore the key interactions between the receptor and the ligand and to utilize these insights in the design of new molecules with improved binding, selectivity or other pharmacological properties. In this book chapter, we present a brief survey of key computational approaches integrated with hierarchical GPCR modeling protocol (HGMP) used in hit-to-lead (H2L) and in lead optimization (LO) stages of structure-based drug discovery (SBDD). We outline the differences in modeling strategies used in H2L and LO of SBDD and illustrate how these tools have been applied in three drug discovery projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Heifetz
- Evotec (UK) Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK. .,Division of Biosciences, Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Michelle Southey
- Evotec (UK) Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK
| | - Inaki Morao
- Evotec (UK) Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK
| | - Andrea Townsend-Nicholson
- Division of Biosciences, Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Mike J Bodkin
- Evotec (UK) Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Cross
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
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Skariyachan S. Exploring the Potential of Herbal Ligands Toward Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens by Computational Drug Discovery. TRANSLATIONAL BIOINFORMATICS AND ITS APPLICATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1045-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Using the fragment molecular orbital method to investigate agonist-orexin-2 receptor interactions. Biochem Soc Trans 2016; 44:574-81. [PMID: 27068972 PMCID: PMC5264495 DOI: 10.1042/bst20150250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of binding interactions between any protein and a small molecule plays a key role in the rationalization of affinity and selectivity and is essential for an efficient structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) process. Clearly, to begin SBDD, a structure is needed, and although there has been fantastic progress in solving G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) crystal structures, the process remains quite slow and is not currently feasible for every GPCR or GPCR-ligand complex. This situation significantly limits the ability of X-ray crystallography to impact the drug discovery process for GPCR targets in 'real-time' and hence there is still a need for other practical and cost-efficient alternatives. We present here an approach that integrates our previously described hierarchical GPCR modelling protocol (HGMP) and the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) quantum mechanics (QM) method to explore the interactions and selectivity of the human orexin-2 receptor (OX2R) and its recently discovered nonpeptidic agonists. HGMP generates a 3D model of GPCR structures and its complexes with small molecules by applying a set of computational methods. FMO allowsab initioapproaches to be applied to systems that conventional QM methods would find challenging. The key advantage of FMO is that it can reveal information on the individual contribution and chemical nature of each residue and water molecule to the ligand binding that normally would be difficult to detect without QM. We illustrate how the combination of both techniques provides a practical and efficient approach that can be used to analyse the existing structure-function relationships (SAR) and to drive forward SBDD in a real-world example for which there is no crystal structure of the complex available.
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Heifetz A, James T, Morao I, Bodkin MJ, Biggin PC. Guiding lead optimization with GPCR structure modeling and molecular dynamics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 30:14-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Heifetz A, Storer RI, McMurray G, James T, Morao I, Aldeghi M, Bodkin MJ, Biggin PC. Application of an Integrated GPCR SAR-Modeling Platform To Explain the Activation Selectivity of Human 5-HT2C over 5-HT2B. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:1372-82. [PMID: 26900768 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b01045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Agonism of the 5-HT2C serotonin receptor has been associated with the treatment of a number of diseases including obesity, psychiatric disorders, sexual health, and urology. However, the development of effective 5-HT2C agonists has been hampered by the difficulty in obtaining selectivity over the closely related 5-HT2B receptor, agonism of which is associated with irreversible cardiac valvulopathy. Understanding how to design selective agonists requires exploration of the structural features governing the functional uniqueness of the target receptor relative to related off targets. X-ray crystallography, the major experimental source of structural information, is a slow and challenging process for integral membrane proteins, and so is currently not feasible for every GPCR or GPCR-ligand complex. Therefore, the integration of existing ligand SAR data with GPCR modeling can be a practical alternative to provide this essential structural insight. To demonstrate this, we integrated SAR data from 39 azepine series 5-HT2C agonists, comprising both selective and unselective examples, with our hierarchical GPCR modeling protocol (HGMP). Through this work we have been able to demonstrate how relatively small differences in the amino acid sequences of GPCRs can lead to significant differences in secondary structure and function, as supported by experimental data. In particular, this study suggests that conformational differences in the tilt of TM7 between 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C, which result from differences in interhelical interactions, may be the major source of selectivity in G-protein activation between these two receptors. Our approach also demonstrates how the use of GPCR models in conjunction with SAR data can be used to explain activity cliffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Heifetz
- Evotec (U.K.) Ltd., 114 Innovation
Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Tim James
- Evotec (U.K.) Ltd., 114 Innovation
Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | - Inaki Morao
- Evotec (U.K.) Ltd., 114 Innovation
Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Aldeghi
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Mike J. Bodkin
- Evotec (U.K.) Ltd., 114 Innovation
Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | - Philip C. Biggin
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
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Biggin PC, Aldeghi M, Bodkin MJ, Heifetz A. Beyond Membrane Protein Structure: Drug Discovery, Dynamics and Difficulties. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 922:161-181. [PMID: 27553242 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-35072-1_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most of the previous content of this book has focused on obtaining the structures of membrane proteins. In this chapter we explore how those structures can be further used in two key ways. The first is their use in structure based drug design (SBDD) and the second is how they can be used to extend our understanding of their functional activity via the use of molecular dynamics. Both aspects now heavily rely on computations. This area is vast, and alas, too large to consider in depth in a single book chapter. Thus where appropriate we have referred the reader to recent reviews for deeper assessment of the field. We discuss progress via the use of examples from two main drug target areas; G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels. We end with a discussion of some of the main challenges in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip C Biggin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Matteo Aldeghi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Michael J Bodkin
- Evotec Ltd, 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK
| | - Alexander Heifetz
- Evotec Ltd, 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RZ, UK
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Lionta E, Spyrou G, Vassilatis DK, Cournia Z. Structure-based virtual screening for drug discovery: principles, applications and recent advances. Curr Top Med Chem 2015; 14:1923-38. [PMID: 25262799 PMCID: PMC4443793 DOI: 10.2174/1568026614666140929124445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 526] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) is becoming an essential tool in assisting fast and cost-efficient lead
discovery and optimization. The application of rational, structure-based drug design is proven to be more efficient than the
traditional way of drug discovery since it aims to understand the molecular basis of a disease and utilizes the knowledge
of the three-dimensional structure of the biological target in the process. In this review, we focus on the principles and applications
of Virtual Screening (VS) within the context of SBDD and examine different procedures ranging from the initial
stages of the process that include receptor and library pre-processing, to docking, scoring and post-processing of topscoring
hits. Recent improvements in structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) efficiency through ensemble docking, induced
fit and consensus docking are also discussed. The review highlights advances in the field within the framework of
several success studies that have led to nM inhibition directly from VS and provides recent trends in library design as well
as discusses limitations of the method. Applications of SBVS in the design of substrates for engineered proteins that enable
the discovery of new metabolic and signal transduction pathways and the design of inhibitors of multifunctional proteins
are also reviewed. Finally, we contribute two promising VS protocols recently developed by us that aim to increase
inhibitor selectivity. In the first protocol, we describe the discovery of micromolar inhibitors through SBVS designed to
inhibit the mutant H1047R PI3Kα kinase. Second, we discuss a strategy for the identification of selective binders for the
RXRα nuclear receptor. In this protocol, a set of target structures is constructed for ensemble docking based on binding
site shape characterization and clustering, aiming to enhance the hit rate of selective inhibitors for the desired protein target
through the SBVS process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zoe Cournia
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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GPCR structure, function, drug discovery and crystallography: report from Academia-Industry International Conference (UK Royal Society) Chicheley Hall, 1-2 September 2014. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2015; 388:883-903. [PMID: 25772061 PMCID: PMC4495723 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-015-1111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the targets of over half of all prescribed drugs today. The UniProt database has records for about 800 proteins classified as GPCRs, but drugs have only been developed against 50 of these. Thus, there is huge potential in terms of the number of targets for new therapies to be designed. Several breakthroughs in GPCRs biased pharmacology, structural biology, modelling and scoring have resulted in a resurgence of interest in GPCRs as drug targets. Therefore, an international conference, sponsored by the Royal Society, with world-renowned researchers from industry and academia was recently held to discuss recent progress and highlight key areas of future research needed to accelerate GPCR drug discovery. Several key points emerged. Firstly, structures for all three major classes of GPCRs have now been solved and there is increasing coverage across the GPCR phylogenetic tree. This is likely to be substantially enhanced with data from x-ray free electron sources as they move beyond proof of concept. Secondly, the concept of biased signalling or functional selectivity is likely to be prevalent in many GPCRs, and this presents exciting new opportunities for selectivity and the control of side effects, especially when combined with increasing data regarding allosteric modulation. Thirdly, there will almost certainly be some GPCRs that will remain difficult targets because they exhibit complex ligand dependencies and have many metastable states rendering them difficult to resolve by crystallographic methods. Subtle effects within the packing of the transmembrane helices are likely to mask and contribute to this aspect, which may play a role in species dependent behaviour. This is particularly important because it has ramifications for how we interpret pre-clinical data. In summary, collaborative efforts between industry and academia have delivered significant progress in terms of structure and understanding of GPCRs and will be essential for resolving problems associated with the more difficult targets in the future.
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Gan S, Cosgrove DA, Gardiner EJ, Gillet VJ. Investigation of the use of spectral clustering for the analysis of molecular data. J Chem Inf Model 2014; 54:3302-19. [PMID: 25379955 DOI: 10.1021/ci500480b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spectral clustering involves placing objects into clusters based on the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of an associated matrix. The technique was first applied to molecular data by Brewer [J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2007, 47, 1727-1733] who demonstrated its use on a very small dataset of 125 COX-2 inhibitors. We have determined suitable parameters for spectral clustering using a wide variety of molecular descriptors and several datasets of a few thousand compounds and compared the results of clustering using a nonoverlapping version of Brewer's use of Sarker and Boyer's algorithm with that of Ward's and k-means clustering. We then replaced the exact eigendecomposition method with two different approximate methods and concluded that Singular Value Decomposition is the most appropriate method for clustering larger compound collections of up to 100,000 compounds. We have also used spectral clustering with the Tversky coefficient to generate two sets of clusters linked by a common set of eigenvalues and have used this novel approach to cluster sets of fragments such as those used in fragment-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonny Gan
- Information School, University of Sheffield , Regent Court, 211 Portobello Street, Sheffield S1 4DP, United Kingdom
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Thomas T, McLean KC, McRobb FM, Manallack DT, Chalmers DK, Yuriev E. Homology modeling of human muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 54:243-53. [PMID: 24328076 DOI: 10.1021/ci400502u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We have developed homology models of the acetylcholine muscarinic receptors M₁R-M₅R, based on the β₂-adrenergic receptor crystal as the template. This is the first report of homology modeling of all five subtypes of acetylcholine muscarinic receptors with binding sites optimized for ligand binding. The models were evaluated for their ability to discriminate between muscarinic antagonists and decoy compounds using virtual screening using enrichment factors, area under the ROC curve (AUC), and an early enrichment measure, LogAUC. The models produce rational binding modes of docked ligands as well as good enrichment capacity when tested against property-matched decoy libraries, which demonstrates their unbiased predictive ability. To test the relative effects of homology model template selection and the binding site optimization procedure, we generated and evaluated a naïve M₂R model, using the M₃R crystal structure as a template. Our results confirm previous findings that binding site optimization using ligand(s) active at a particular receptor, i.e. including functional knowledge into the model building process, has a more pronounced effect on model quality than target-template sequence similarity. The optimized M₁R-M₅R homology models are made available as part of the Supporting Information to allow researchers to use these structures, compare them to their own results, and thus advance the development of better modeling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trayder Thomas
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) , 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052 Australia
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