GlucoKinaseDB: A comprehensive, curated resource of glucokinase modulators for clinical and molecular research

Glucokinase (GK), an isoform of hexokinase expressed predominantly in liver, pancreas and hypothalamus is crucial to blood glucose management. It is a critical component of the glucose-sensing mechanism of the pancreatic islet cells and glycogen regulation in hepatocytes. GK modulators such as allosteric GKAs (glucokinase activators) and GK-GKRP (glucokinase regulatory protein) disruptors have found potential applications as safer antihyperglycemics. Recent studies have also demonstrated the potential of GK modulators as antiparasitic agents. Researchers targeting GK often undertake the time-consuming task of independently collecting and compiling modulator information due to the lack of any dedicated single-platform resource. Towards this, in the present study we demonstrate the design and development of GlucoKinaseDB (GKDB), a comprehensive, curated, online resource of GK modulators. GKDB contains experimentally derived structural and bioactivity information of 1723 modulators along with their detailed molecular descriptors. The web-interface is user-friendly with features such as in-browser visualization, advanced search queries, cross-links to other databases and original reference etc. The bioactivity and descriptor data can be downloaded in bulk (for entire database) or for individual modulators. The 3D structures are also downloadable in multiple formats. GKDB employs a PHP-based web design with Bootstrap styling and a MySQL database backend. GKDB can be utilized for clinical and molecular research via development of pharmacophore hypotheses, QSAR/QSPR models, predictive machine learning models etc. GKDB is freely accessible online at https://glucokinasedb.in.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase, Nox4

NADPH oxidases (Nox enzymes) are critical mediators of both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. Nox enzymes catalyze NADPH-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Until recently, Nox4 was proposed to be involved exclusively in normal physiologic functions. Compelling evidence, however, suggests that Nox4 plays a critical role in fibrosis, as well as a host of pathologies and diseases. These considerations led to a search for novel, small molecule inhibitors of this important enzyme. Ultimately, a series of novel tertiary sulfonylureas (23-25) was designed using pharmacophore modeling, synthesized, and evaluated for inhibition of Nox4-dependent signaling.

New insights into the stereochemical requirements of the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonists binding

Bradykinin (BK) is a nonapeptide involved in several pathophysiological conditions including among others, septic and haemorrhagic shock, anaphylaxis, arthritis, rhinitis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease. Accordingly, BK antagonists have long been sought after for therapeutic intervention. Action of BK is mediated through two different G-protein coupled receptors known as B1 and B2. Although there are several B1 antagonists reported in literature, their pharmacological profile is not yet optimal so that new molecules need to be discovered. In the present work we have constructed an atomistic model of the B1 receptor and docked diverse available non-peptide antagonists in order to get a deeper insight into the structure-activity relationships involving binding to this receptor. The model was constructed by homology modeling using the chemokine CXC4 and bovine rhodopsin receptors as template. The model was further refined using molecular dynamics for 600ns with the protein embedded in a POPC bilayer. From the refinement process we obtained an average structure that was used for docking studies using the Glide software. Antagonists selected for the docking studies include Compound 11, Compound 12, Chroman28, SSR240612, NPV-SAA164 and PS020990. The results of the docking study underline the role of specific receptor residues in ligand binding. The results of this study permitted to define a pharmacophore that describes the stereochemical requirements of antagonist binding, and can be used for the discovery of new compounds.