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David L, Mdahoma A, Singh N, Buchoux S, Pihan E, Diaz C, Rabal O. A toolkit for covalent docking with GOLD: from automated ligand preparation with KNIME to bound protein-ligand complexes. Bioinform Adv 2022; 2:vbac090. [PMID: 36699353 PMCID: PMC9722222 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbac090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Motivation Current covalent docking tools have limitations that make them difficult to use for performing large-scale structure-based covalent virtual screening (VS). They require time-consuming tasks for the preparation of proteins and compounds (standardization, filtering according to the type of warheads), as well as for setting up covalent reactions. We have developed a toolkit to help accelerate drug discovery projects in the phases of hit identification by VS of ultra-large covalent libraries and hit expansion by exploration of the binding of known covalent compounds. With this application note, we offer the community a toolkit for performing automated covalent docking in a fast and efficient way. Results The toolkit comprises a KNIME workflow for ligand preparation and a Python program to perform the covalent docking of ligands with the GOLD docking engine running in a parallelized fashion. Availability and implementation The KNIME workflow entitled 'Evotec_Covalent_Processing_forGOLD.knwf' for the preparation of the ligands is available in the KNIME Hub https://hub.knime.com/emilie_pihan/spaces. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Emilie Pihan
- Evotec SE, Molecular Architects, Integrated Drug Discovery, Toulouse 31036, France
| | - Constantino Diaz
- Evotec SE, Molecular Architects, Integrated Drug Discovery, Toulouse 31036, France
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Pihan E, Kotev M, Rabal O, Beato C, Diaz Gonzalez C. Fine tuning for success in structure-based virtual screening. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2021; 35:1195-1206. [PMID: 34799816 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-021-00431-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based virtual screening plays a significant role in drug-discovery. The method virtually docks millions of compounds from corporate or public libraries into a binding site of a disease-related protein structure, allowing for the selection of a small list of potential ligands for experimental testing. Many algorithms are available for docking and assessing the affinity of compounds for a targeted protein site. The performance of affinity estimation calculations is highly dependent on the size and nature of the site, therefore a rationale for selecting the best protocol is required. To address this issue, we have developed an automated calibration process, implemented in a Knime workflow. It consists of four steps: preparation of a protein test set with structures and models of the target, preparation of a compound test set with target-related ligands and decoys, automatic test of 24 scoring/rescoring protocols for each target structure and model, and graphical display of results. The automation of the process combined with execution on high performance computing resources greatly reduces the duration of the calibration phase, and the test of many combinations of algorithms on various target conformations results in a rational and optimal choice of the best protocol. Here, we present this tool and exemplify its application in setting-up an optimal protocol for SBVS against Retinoid X Receptor alpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Pihan
- Computational Drug Discovery, Evotec (France) SAS, Campus Curie, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse, France.
| | - Martin Kotev
- Computational Drug Discovery, Evotec (France) SAS, Campus Curie, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse, France
| | - Obdulia Rabal
- Computational Drug Discovery, Evotec (France) SAS, Campus Curie, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse, France
| | - Claudia Beato
- Aptuit (Verona) Srl, an Evotec Company, Via Alessandro Fleming, 4, 37135, Verona, Italy
| | - Constantino Diaz Gonzalez
- Computational Drug Discovery, Evotec (France) SAS, Campus Curie, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse, France
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Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts, approximately 120 GPCRs remain orphan. Their physiological functions and their potential roles in diseases are poorly understood. Orphan GPCRs are extremely important because they may provide novel therapeutic targets for unmet medical needs. As a complement to experimental approaches, molecular modeling and virtual screening are efficient techniques to discover synthetic surrogate ligands which can help to elucidate the role of oGPCRs. Constitutively activated mutants and recently published active structures of GPCRs provide stimulating opportunities for building active molecular models for oGPCRs and identifying activators using virtual screening of compound libraries. We describe the molecular modeling and virtual screening process we have applied in the discovery of surrogate ligands, and provide examples for CCKA, a simulated oGPCR, and for two oGPCRs, GPR52 and GPR34.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantino Diaz
- Research Informatics, Evotec (France) SAS, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse, France.
| | | | - Emilie Pihan
- Research Informatics, Evotec (France) SAS, 195 Route d'Espagne, 31036, Toulouse, France
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Pihan E, Delgadillo RF, Tonkin ML, Pugnière M, Lebrun M, Boulanger MJ, Douguet D. Computational and biophysical approaches to protein-protein interaction inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum AMA1/RON2 complex. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2015; 29:525-39. [PMID: 25822046 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-015-9842-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Invasion of the red blood cell by Plasmodium falciparum parasites requires formation of an electron dense circumferential ring called the Moving Junction (MJ). The MJ is anchored by a high affinity complex of two parasite proteins: Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (PfAMA1) displayed on the surface of the parasite and Rhoptry Neck Protein 2 that is discharged from the parasite and imbedded in the membrane of the host cell. Structural studies of PfAMA1 revealed a conserved hydrophobic groove localized to the apical surface that coordinates RON2 and invasion inhibitory peptides. In the present work, we employed computational and biophysical methods to identify competitive P. falciparum AMA1-RON2 inhibitors with the goal of exploring the 'druggability' of this attractive antimalarial target. A virtual screen followed by molecular docking with the PfAMA1 crystal structure was performed using an eight million compound collection that included commercial molecules, the ChEMBL malaria library and approved drugs. The consensus approach resulted in the selection of inhibitor candidates. We also developed a fluorescence anisotropy assay using a modified inhibitory peptide to experimentally validate the ability of the selected compounds to inhibit the AMA1-RON2 interaction. Among those, we identified one compound that displayed significant inhibition. This study offers interesting clues to improve the throughput and reliability of screening for new drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Pihan
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, CNRS, UMR 7275, 660, Route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, 06560, Valbonne, France
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Contet A, Pihan E, Lavigne M, Wengelnik K, Maheshwari S, Vial H, Douguet D, Cerdan R. Plasmodium falciparum CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase possesses two functional catalytic domains and is inhibited by a CDP-choline analog selected from a virtual screening. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:992-1000. [PMID: 25771858 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine is the major lipid component of the malaria parasite membranes and is required for parasite multiplication in human erythrocytes. Plasmodium falciparum CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (PfCCT) is the rate-limiting enzyme of the phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis pathway and thus considered as a potential antimalarial target. In contrast to its mammalian orthologs, PfCCT contains a duplicated catalytic domain. Here, we show that both domains are catalytically active with similar kinetic parameters. A virtual screening strategy allowed the identification of a drug-size molecule competitively inhibiting the enzyme. This compound also prevented phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in parasites and exerted an antimalarial effect. This study constitutes the first step towards a rationalized design of future new antimalarial agents targeting PfCCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Contet
- Université Montpellier, CNRS, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Pihan
- CNRS, Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR 7275, 660, route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Marina Lavigne
- Université Montpellier, CNRS, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Kai Wengelnik
- Université Montpellier, CNRS, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Sweta Maheshwari
- Université Montpellier, CNRS, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Henri Vial
- Université Montpellier, CNRS, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Dominique Douguet
- CNRS, Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR 7275, 660, route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France.
| | - Rachel Cerdan
- Université Montpellier, CNRS, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR 5235, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France.
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Kwiecień RA, Le Questel JY, Lebreton J, Delaforge M, André F, Pihan E, Roussel A, Fournial A, Paneth P, Robins RJ. Cytochrome P450-Catalyzed Degradation of Nicotine: Fundamental Parameters Determining Hydroxylation by Cytochrome P450 2A6 at the 5′-Carbon or the N-Methyl Carbon. J Phys Chem B 2012; 116:7827-40. [DOI: 10.1021/jp304276v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Renata A. Kwiecień
- Laboratory
for the Study of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectroscopy, Interdisciplinary
Chemistry: Synthesis, Analysis and Modeling (CEISAM), UMR6230, University of Nantes-CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière,
BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes 3, France
| | - Jean-Yves Le Questel
- Laboratory
for the Study of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectroscopy, Interdisciplinary
Chemistry: Synthesis, Analysis and Modeling (CEISAM), UMR6230, University of Nantes-CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière,
BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes 3, France
| | - Jacques Lebreton
- Laboratory
for the Study of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectroscopy, Interdisciplinary
Chemistry: Synthesis, Analysis and Modeling (CEISAM), UMR6230, University of Nantes-CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière,
BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes 3, France
| | - Marcel Delaforge
- Laboratoire Stress Oxydant et Détoxication, CNRS UMR8221, iBiTec-S/SB2SM, CEA Saclay, 91191 Saclay, France
| | - François André
- Laboratoire Stress Oxydant et Détoxication, CNRS UMR8221, iBiTec-S/SB2SM, CEA Saclay, 91191 Saclay, France
| | - Emilie Pihan
- Laboratoire Stress Oxydant et Détoxication, CNRS UMR8221, iBiTec-S/SB2SM, CEA Saclay, 91191 Saclay, France
| | - Anaïs Roussel
- Laboratoire Stress Oxydant et Détoxication, CNRS UMR8221, iBiTec-S/SB2SM, CEA Saclay, 91191 Saclay, France
| | - Anaïs Fournial
- Laboratory
for the Study of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectroscopy, Interdisciplinary
Chemistry: Synthesis, Analysis and Modeling (CEISAM), UMR6230, University of Nantes-CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière,
BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes 3, France
| | - Piotr Paneth
- Laboratory for Isotope Effects
Studies, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute
of Applied Radiation Chemistry, University of Technology Lodz, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Łodź, Poland
| | - Richard J. Robins
- Laboratory
for the Study of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectroscopy, Interdisciplinary
Chemistry: Synthesis, Analysis and Modeling (CEISAM), UMR6230, University of Nantes-CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière,
BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes 3, France
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Pihan E, Colliandre L, Guichou JF, Douguet D. e-Drug3D: 3D structure collections dedicated to drug repurposing and fragment-based drug design. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 28:1540-1. [PMID: 22539672 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bts186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
MOTIVATION In the drug discovery field, new uses for old drugs, selective optimization of side activities and fragment-based drug design (FBDD) have proved to be successful alternatives to high-throughput screening. e-Drug3D is a database of 3D chemical structures of drugs that provides several collections of ready-to-screen SD files of drugs and commercial drug fragments. They are natural inputs in studies dedicated to drug repurposing and FBDD. AVAILABILITY e-Drug3D collections are freely available at http://chemoinfo.ipmc.cnrs.fr/e-drug3d.html either for download or for direct in silico web-based screenings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Pihan
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UMR7275, Université Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 660 route des lucioles, Valbonne, France
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Casey FP, Pihan E, Shields DC. Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Protein−Protein Interactions Using Combined Ligand and Target Score Normalization. J Chem Inf Model 2009; 49:2708-17. [DOI: 10.1021/ci900294x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fergal P. Casey
- UCD Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, and School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Emilie Pihan
- UCD Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, and School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Denis C. Shields
- UCD Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, and School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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