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Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have become increasingly useful in the modern drug development process. In this review, we give a broad overview of the current application possibilities of MD in drug discovery and pharmaceutical development. Starting from the target validation step of the drug development process, we give several examples of how MD studies can give important insights into the dynamics and function of identified drug targets such as sirtuins, RAS proteins, or intrinsically disordered proteins. The role of MD in antibody design is also reviewed. In the lead discovery and lead optimization phases, MD facilitates the evaluation of the binding energetics and kinetics of the ligand-receptor interactions, therefore guiding the choice of the best candidate molecules for further development. The importance of considering the biological lipid bilayer environment in the MD simulations of membrane proteins is also discussed, using G-protein coupled receptors and ion channels as well as the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes as relevant examples. Lastly, we discuss the emerging role of MD simulations in facilitating the pharmaceutical formulation development of drugs and candidate drugs. Specifically, we look at how MD can be used in studying the crystalline and amorphous solids, the stability of amorphous drug or drug-polymer formulations, and drug solubility. Moreover, since nanoparticle drug formulations are of great interest in the field of drug delivery research, different applications of nano-particle simulations are also briefly summarized using multiple recent studies as examples. In the future, the role of MD simulations in facilitating the drug development process is likely to grow substantially with the increasing computer power and advancements in the development of force fields and enhanced MD methodologies.
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Melo R, Lemos A, Preto AJ, Bueschbell B, Matos-Filipe P, Barreto C, Almeida JG, Silva RDM, Correia JDG, Moreira IS. An Overview of Antiretroviral Agents for Treating HIV Infection in Paediatric Population. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:760-794. [PMID: 30182840 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180904123549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Paediatric Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a life-threatening and infectious disease in which the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is mainly transmitted through Mother-To- Child Transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or breastfeeding. This review provides an overview of the distinct therapeutic alternatives to abolish the systemic viral replication in paediatric HIV-1 infection. Numerous classes of antiretroviral agents have emerged as therapeutic tools for downregulation of different steps in the HIV replication process. These classes encompass Non- Nucleoside Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs), Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs/NtRTIs), INtegrase Inhibitors (INIs), Protease Inhibitors (PIs), and Entry Inhibitors (EIs). Co-administration of certain antiretroviral drugs with Pharmacokinetic Enhancers (PEs) may boost the effectiveness of the primary therapeutic agent. The combination of multiple antiretroviral drug regimens (Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy - HAART) is currently the standard therapeutic approach for HIV infection. So far, the use of HAART offers the best opportunity for prolonged and maximal viral suppression, and preservation of the immune system upon HIV infection. Still, the frequent administration of high doses of multiple drugs, their inefficient ability to reach the viral reservoirs in adequate doses, the development of drug resistance, and the lack of patient compliance compromise the complete HIV elimination. The development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems may enable targeted delivery of antiretroviral agents to inaccessible viral reservoir sites at therapeutic concentrations. In addition, the application of Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) approaches has provided valuable tools for the development of anti-HIV drug candidates with favourable pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Melo
- Centro de Ciencias e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), Bobadela LRS 2695-066, Portugal.,CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Lemos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal.,GIGA Cyclotron Research Centre In Vivo Imaging, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - António J Preto
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Bueschbell
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, PharmaCenter, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pedro Matos-Filipe
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Carlos Barreto
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - José G Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Rúben D M Silva
- Centro de Ciencias e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), Bobadela LRS 2695-066, Portugal
| | - João D G Correia
- Centro de Ciencias e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, CTN, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), Bobadela LRS 2695-066, Portugal
| | - Irina S Moreira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology; Rua Larga, FMUC, Polo I, 1ºandar, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal.,Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science - Chemistry, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CH, Netherland
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Wang C, Greene D, Xiao L, Qi R, Luo R. Recent Developments and Applications of the MMPBSA Method. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 4:87. [PMID: 29367919 PMCID: PMC5768160 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2017.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) approach has been widely applied as an efficient and reliable free energy simulation method to model molecular recognition, such as for protein-ligand binding interactions. In this review, we focus on recent developments and applications of the MMPBSA method. The methodology review covers solvation terms, the entropy term, extensions to membrane proteins and high-speed screening, and new automation toolkits. Recent applications in various important biomedical and chemical fields are also reviewed. We conclude with a few future directions aimed at making MMPBSA a more robust and efficient method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhao Wang
- Chemical and Materials Physics Graduate Program, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - D'Artagnan Greene
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Ruxi Qi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Ray Luo
- Chemical and Materials Physics Graduate Program, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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