Receptor-based modeling and 3D-QSAR for a quantitative production of the butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors based on genetic algorithm

Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models have been constructed using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) for a series of structurally related steroidal alkaloids as butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitors. Docking studies were employed to position the inhibitors into the BuChE active site to determine the most probable binding mode. The strategy was to explore multiple inhibitor conformations in producing a more reliable 3D-QSAR model. These multiple conformations were derived using the FlexS program. The conformation selection step for CoMFA was done by genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm based CoMFA approach was found to be the best. Both CoMFA and CoMSIA yielded significant cross-validated q(2) values of 0.701 and 0.627 and the r(2) values of 0.979 and 0.982, respectively. These statistically significant models were validated by a test set of five compounds. Comparison of CoMFA and CoMSIA contour maps helped to identify structural requirements for the inhibitors and serves as a basis for the design of the next generation of the inhibitor analogues. The results demonstrate that the combination of ligand-based and receptor-based modeling with use of a genetic algorithm is a powerful approach to build 3D-QSAR models. These data can be used for the lead optimization process with respect to inhibition enhancement which is important for the drug discovery and development for Alzheimer's disease.     

Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) of thiazolone derivatives as hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase allosteric inhibitors

Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models for a series of thiazolone derivatives as novel inhibitors bound to the allosteric site of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase were developed based on CoMFA and CoMSIA analyses. Two different conformations of the template molecule and the combinations of different CoMSIA field/fields were considered to build predictive CoMFA and CoMSIA models. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models with best predictive ability were obtained by the use of the template conformation from X-ray crystal structures. The best CoMFA and CoMSIA models gave q (2) values of 0.621 and 0.685, and r (2) values of 0.950 and 0.940, respectively for the 51 compounds in the training set. The predictive ability of the two models was also validated by using a test set of 16 compounds which gave r (pred) (2) values of 0.685 and 0.822, respectively. The information obtained from the CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D contour maps enables the interpretation of their structure-activity relationship and was also used to the design of several new inhibitors with improved activity.     

含呋喃环双酰脲类衍生物的三维定量构效关系研究

采用比较分子力场分析法(CoMFA)和比较分子相似性指数分析法(CoMSIA), 对27个新型双酰基脲类化合物的杀蚊幼虫(Aedes aegypti L.)活性进行三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)研究. 在CoMFA研究中, 考察了网格点步长对统计结果的影响. 在CoMSIA研究中, 系统考察了各种分子场组合、网格点步长和衰减因子对模型统计结果的影响, 发现立体场和氢键供体场的组合得到最佳模型. 所建立的CoMFA和CoMSIA模型的非交叉验证相关系数r2值分别为0.828和0.841, 并都具有较强的预测能力. CoMFA和CoMSIA模型的三维等值图不仅直观地解释了结构与活性的关系, 而且为后续优化该系列化合物提供了理论依据.     

3D QSAR and molecular docking studies of benzimidazole derivatives as hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase inhibitors

The urgent need for novel HCV antiviral agents has provided an impetus for understanding the structural requisites of NS5B polymerase inhibitors at the molecular level. Toward this objective, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) of 67 HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors were performed using two methods. First, ligand-based 3D QSAR studies were performed based on the lowest energy conformations employing the atom fit alignment method. Second, receptor-based 3D QSAR models were derived from the predicted binding conformations obtained by docking all NS5B inhibitors at the allosteric binding site of NS5B (PDB ID: 2dxs). Results generated from the ligand-based model were found superior (r2cv values of 0.630 for CoMFA and 0.668 for CoMSIA) to those obtained by the receptor-based model (r2cv values of 0.536 and 0.561 for CoMFA and CoMSIA, respectively). The predictive ability of the models was validated using a structurally diversified test set of 22 compounds that had not been included in a preliminary training set of 45 compounds. The predictive r2 values for the ligand-based CoMFA and CoMSIA models were 0.734 and 0.800, respectively, while the corresponding predictive r2 values for the receptor-based CoMFA and CoMSIA models were 0.538 and 0.639, respectively. The greater potency of the tryptophan derivatives over that of the tyrosine derivatives was interpreted based on CoMFA steric and electrostatic contour maps. The CoMSIA results revealed that for a NS5B inhibitor to have appreciable inhibitory activity it requires hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups at the 5-position of the indole ring and an R substituent at the chiral carbon, respectively. Interpretation of the CoMFA and CoMSIA contour maps in context of the topology of the allosteric binding site of NS5B provided insight into NS5B-inhibitor interactions. Taken together, the present 3D QSAR models were found to accurately predict the HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitory activity of structurally diverse test set compounds and to yield reliable clues for further optimization of the benzimidazole derivatives in the data set.     

Molecular Modeling Studies of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Combining Molecular Docking and 3D-QSAR Methods

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-2 or kinase insertdomain receptor (KDR) have emerged as attractive targets for the design of novel anticancer agents. In the present work, molecular docking method combined with three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indice analysis (CoMSIA)) to analyze the possible interactions between KDR and those derivatives which acted as selective inhibitors. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models gave a cross-validated coefficient Q2 of 0.713 and 0.549, non-cross-validated R2 values of 0.974 and 0.878, and predicted R2 values of 0.966 and 0.823, respectively. The 3D contour maps generated by the CoMFA and CoMSIA models were used to identify the key structural requirements responsible for the biological activity. The information obtained from 3D-QSAR and docking studies were very helpful to design novel selective inhibitors of KDR with desired activity and good chemical property.     

3D-QSAR and Surflex Docking Studies of a Series of Alkaline Phosphatase Inhibitors

Alkaline phosphatases(APs) include the placental AP(PLAP), germ cell AP(GCAP), intestinal AP(IAP) and tissue nonspecific AP(TNAP). Over expression of TNAP in smooth muscle cells of kidney and vessels provokes the progress of such serious diseases as end-stage renal disease, idiopathic infantile arterial calcification, ankylosis, osteoarthritis and diabetes. In order to design and optimize the potent TNAP inhibitors, comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis(CoMSIA) were used to analyze 3D structure-activity relationships(3D-QSAR) of TNAP inhibitors. The 3D-QSAR model(CoMFA with q~2 = 0.521, r~2 = 0.930; CoMSIA with q~2 = 0.529, r~2 = 0.933) had a good predictability. Surflex-dock was used to reveal the binding mode between the inhibitors and TNAP protein. CoMFA, CoMSIA and docking results provide guidance for the discovery of TNAP inhibitors. Finally, eight new compounds as potential TNAP inhibitors were designed.     

3D-QSAR and molecular docking studies of 4-methyl quinazoline derivatives as PI3Kα inhibitors

A new series of 4- methyl quinazoline derivatives was synthesized and its anti-cancer activity was assessed. It was revealed that its compounds have potent inhibition on related phosphoinositide 3-kinases alpha (PI3Kα). In this study, the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and molecular docking approaches were performed on a series of 4-methyl quinazoline derivatives with PI3Kα inhibitors. The 3D-QSAR study was applied using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) methods, which gave the cross-validation coefficient (Q²) values of 0.850 and 0.92, the determination coefficient (R²) values of 0.998 and 0.987, and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) values of 0.017 and 0.105, respectively. The acceptable values of determination coefficient (R² test) to CoMFA and CoMSIA respectively corresponding to values of 0.793 and 0.804 utilizing a test set of seven molecules prove the high predictive ability of this model. Using AutoDock tools, Molecular docking analysis was utilized to validate 3D-QSAR methods and to explain the binding site interactions and energy between the most active ligands and the PI3Kα (PDB ID: 4JPS) receptor. Based on these results, a novel series of 4- methyl quinazoline derivatives was predicted.     

3D-QSAR Studies on a Series of Indoleamide Derivatives as Antiplasmodial Drugs

In this study, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship(3D-QSAR) was studied for the antiplasmodial activity of a series of novel indoleamide derivatives by comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis(Co MSIA). 3D-QSAR model was established by a training set of 20 compounds and was externally validated by a test set of 4 compounds. The best prediction(Q~2 = 0.593 and 0.527, R~2 = 0.990 and 0.953, r_(pred)~2 = 0.967 and 0.962 for CoMFA and CoMSIA) was obtained according to CoMFA and CoMSIA. Those parameters indicated the model was reliable and predictable. We designed several molecules with high activities according to the contour maps produced by the CoMFA and CoMSIA models.     

芳香噻嗪类衍生物作为选择性醛糖还原酶抑制剂的分子对接和基于受体的三维定量构效关系研究

芳香噻嗪类衍生物被证明是一类选择性较好的高活性醛糖还原酶抑制剂(ARIs).本文对44个芳香噻嗪类化合物进行了分子对接(docking)和三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)研究,并探索了此类化合物与醛糖还原酶(ALr²)的作用机理.醛糖还原酶与醛还原酶(ALR1)活性位点的叠加结果显示, ALr²中残基Leu 300和Cys298的存在是化合物1m具有高选择性的原因.分别建立了比较分子场分析方法(CoMFA, q² = 0.649, r² =0.934; q²:交叉验证相关系数, r²:非交叉验证相关系数)和比较分子相似性指数分析方法(CoMSIA, q² = 0.746, r² = 0.971)模型,并对影响此类化合物生物活性的结构进行了鉴定.结果显示,两个模型均具有较高预测能力,并通过测试集中的7个化合物进行了验证,其中CoMFA模型和CoMSIA模型的预测相关系数(r_Pred²)分别为0.748和0.828. 3D-QSAR模型中的三维等值线图表明,在化合物1m的苄基环上C3和C4位置以及苯并噻嗪母核上C5和C7位置进行改进可能对生物活性的提高有利,此预测与我们前期报道的苯并噻嗪母核C7位改进结果一致.本文所建3D-QSAR模型能够在理性设计具有更高生物活性的新型ARIs中发挥重要作用.     

苯并嗪酮衍生物的3D-QSAR分析

苯并嗪酮衍生物是近年来发现的一类抗血小板聚集化合物, 在前人研究的基础上利用比较分子场分析(CoMFA)和比较分子相似性指数分析(CoMSIA)对23个苯并嗪酮衍生物进行了三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)研究. 其中CoMFA模型交叉验证系数Q2=0.703, 回归系数R2=0.994, 计算值与实验值的平均方差SEE=0.053, 统计方差比F=184.773; CoMSIA模型Q2=0.847, R2=0.992, SEE=0.058, F=171.670. 两种方法得到的模型都具有较好的预测能力. 结果表明, 标题化合物中8-位取代基R1静电效应起主要作用; 2-位取代基R2立体效应占主导作用, 但官能团大小要适中. 根据研究结果设计了六种活性较高的化合物.     

In silico design novel (5-imidazol-2-yl-4-phenylpyrimidin-2-yl)[2-(2-pyridylamino)ethyl]amine derivatives as inhibitors for glycogen synthase kinase 3 based on 3D-QSAR,molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK-3) is a member of cellular kinase with various functions, such as glucose regulation, cellular differentiation, neuronal function and cell apoptosis. It has been proved as an important therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. To better understand their structure–activity relationships and mechanism of action, an integrated computational study, including three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD), was performed on 79 (5-Imidazol-2-yl-4-phenylpyrimidin-2-yl)[2-(2-pyridylamino)ethyl]amine GSK-3 inhibitors. In this paper, we constructed 3D-QSAR using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA) method. The results showed that the CoMFA model (q ² = 0.743, r² = 0.980) and the CoMSIA model (q² = 0.813, r² = 0.976) had stable and reliable predictive ability. The electrostatic and H-bond donor fields play important roles in the models. The contour maps of the model visually showed the relationship between the activity of compounds and their three-dimensional structure. Molecular docking was used to identify the key amino acid residues at the active site of GSK-3 and explore its binding mode with ligands. Based on 3D-QSAR models, contour maps and the binding feature between GSK-3 and inhibitor, we designed 10 novel compounds with good potential activity and ADME/T profile. Molecular dynamics simulation results validated that Ile62, Val70 and Lys85 located in the active site play a key role for GSK-3 complexed with inhibitors. These results might provide important information for designing GSK-3 inhibitors with high activity.     

Homology model-guided 3D-QSAR studies of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

In the present study, we report the exploration of binding modes of potent HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors MK-0518 (raltegravir) and GS-9137 (elvitegravir) as well as chalcone and related amide IN inhibitors we recently synthesized and the development of 3D-QSAR models for integrase inhibition. Homology models of DNA-bound HIV-1 IN were constructed on the basis of the X-ray crystal structure of the foamy virus IN-DNA complex (PDB ID: 3L2T ) and used for docking. The binding modes of raltegravir and elvitegravir in our homology models are in accordance with those in the foamy virus structure revealing interactions important for inhibitor-IN binding. To gain further insights into the structural requirements for IN inhibition, three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies were conducted using raltegravir, elvitegravir, and their analogs; our synthesized 3-keto salicylic acid IN inhibitor series; as well as other structurally related HIV-1 IN inhibitors. In the first part of the study with 103 compounds, atom-fit alignments, I and II, and docking-based alignment, III, were used to develop 3D-QSAR models 1, 2, and 3, respectively, each comprising comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) 3D-QSARs. This initial analysis indicated that the docking-based (structure-based) model 3 performed better than the atom-fit (ligand-based) models 1 and 2, in terms of statistical significance and robustness. Thus, the docking-based alignment was then subsequently used with an expanded data set of 296 compounds for building a more comprehensive 3D-QSAR, model 4. Model 4 afforded good q2 values of 0.70 and 0.75 for CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D-QSARs, respectively, and showed good predictive performance on an external validation test set of 59 compounds with predictive r2 values up to 0.71. The HIV IN-DNA homology model of biological relevance and the comprehensive 3D-QSAR models developed in the present study provide insights and new predictive tools for structure-based design and optimization of IN inhibitors.     

Docking-based 3D-QSAR study of pyridyl aminothiazole derivatives as checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors

Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a promising target for the design of novel anticancer agents. In the present work, molecular docking simulations and three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies were performed on pyridyl aminothiazole derivatives as Chk1 inhibitors. AutoDock was used to determine the probable binding conformations of all the compounds inside the active site of Chk1. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) models were developed based on the docking conformations and alignments. The CoMFA model produced statistically significant results with a cross-validated correlation coefficient (q²) of 0.608 and a coefficient of determination (r²) of 0.972. The reliable CoMSIA model with q² of 0.662 and r² of 0.970 was obtained from the combination of steric, electrostatic and hydrogen bond acceptor fields. The predictive power of the models were assessed using an external test set of 14 compounds and showed reasonable external predictabilities (r²_pred) of 0.668 and 0.641 for CoMFA and CoMSIA models, respectively. The models were further evaluated by leave-ten-out cross-validation, bootstrapping and progressive scrambling analyses. The study provides valuable information about the key structural elements that are required in the rational design of potential drug candidates of this class of Chk1 inhibitors.     

Insight into the structural requirements of pyrimidine-based phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors by multiple validated 3D QSAR approaches

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder of thinking and behaviour (0.3?0.7% of the population is affected). The over-expression of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) enzyme may be a potential target for schizophrenia and Huntington’s disease. Because 3D QSAR analysis is one of the most frequently used modelling techniques, in the present study, five different 3D QSAR tools, namely CoMFA, CoMSIA, kNN-MFA, Open3DQSAR and topomer CoMFA methods, were used on a dataset of pyrimidine-based PDE10A inhibitors. All developed models were validated internally and externally. The non-commercial Open3DQSAR produced the best statistical results amongst 3D QSAR tools. The structural interpretations obtained from different methods were thoroughly analysed and were justified on the basis of information obtained from the crystal structure. Information from one method was mostly validated by the results of other methods and vice versa. In the current work, the use of multiple tools in the same analysis revealed more complete information about the structural requirements of these compounds. On the basis of the observations of the 3D QSAR studies, 12 new compounds were designed for better PDE10A inhibitory activity. The current investigation may help in further designing new PDE10A inhibitors with promising activity.     

Molecular docking and 3D-QSAR study of pyranmycin derivatives against 16S rRNA A site

To understand pharmacophore properties of pyranmycin derivatives and to design novel inhibitors of 16S rRNA A site, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) approach was applied to analyze three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) of 17 compounds. AutoDock 3.0.5 program was employed to locate the orientations and conformations of the inhibitors interacting with 16S rRNA A site. The interaction mode was demonstrated in the aspects of inhibitor conformation, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Similar binding conformations of these inhibitors and good correlations between the calculated binding free energies and experimental biological activities suggest that the binding conformations of these inhibitors derived from docking procedure were reasonable. Robust and predictive 3D-QSAR model was obtained by CoMFA with q² values of 0.723 and 0.993 for cross-validated and non-cross-validated, respectively. The 3D-QSAR model built here will provide clear guidelines for novel inhibitors design based on the Pyranmycin derivatives against 16S rRNA A site.     

Docking and 3D-QSAR Analysis on a Series of Pyridone-based EZH2 Inhibitors

Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2(EZH2) is closely correlated with malignant tumor and regarded as a promising target to treat B-cell lymphoma. In our research, the molecular docking and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships(3D-QSAR) studies were performed on a series of pyridone-based EZH2 compounds. Molecular docking allowed us to study the critical interactions at the binding site of EZH2 protein with inhibitors and identify the practical conformations of ligands in binding pocket. Moreover, the docking-based alignment was applied to derive the reliable 3D-QSAR models. Comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis(CoMSIA) provided available ability of visualization. All the derived 3D-QSAR models were considered to be statistically significant with respect to the internal and external validation parameters. For the CoMFA model, q~2 = 0.649, r~2 = 0.961 and r~2 pred = 0.877. For the CoMSIA model, q~2 = 0.733, r~2 = 0.980 and r~2 pred = 0.848. With the above arguments, we extracted the correlation between the biological activity and structure. Based on the binding interaction and 3D contour maps, several new potential inhibitors with higher biological activity predicted were designed, which still awaited experimental validation. These theoretical conclusions could be helpful for further research and exploring potential EZH2 inhibitors.     

QSAR analyses on avian influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors using CoMFA, CoMSIA, and HQSAR

The recent wide spreading of the H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) in Asia, Europe and Africa and its ability to cause fatal infections in human has raised serious concerns about a pending global flu pandemic. Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors are currently the only option for treatment or prophylaxis in humans infected with this strain. However, drugs currently on the market often meet with rapidly emerging resistant mutants and only have limited application as inadequate supply of synthetic material. To dig out helpful information for designing potent inhibitors with novel structures against the NA, we used automated docking, CoMFA, CoMSIA, and HQSAR methods to investigate the quantitative structure-activity relationship for 126 NA inhibitors (NIs) with great structural diversities and wide range of bioactivities against influenza A virus. Based on the binding conformations discovered via molecular docking into the crystal structure of NA, CoMFA and CoMSIA models were successfully built with the cross-validated q (2) of 0.813 and 0.771, respectively. HQSAR was also carried out as a complementary study in that HQSAR technique does not require 3D information of these compounds and could provide a detailed molecular fragment contribution to the inhibitory activity. These models also show clearly how steric, electrostatic, hydrophobicity, and individual fragments affect the potency of NA inhibitors. In addition, CoMFA and CoMSIA field distributions are found to be in well agreement with the structural characteristics of the corresponding binding sites. Therefore, the final 3D-QSAR models and the information of the inhibitor-enzyme interaction should be useful in developing novel potent NA inhibitors.