Superimposition evaluation of ecdysteroid agonist chemotypes through multidimensional QSAR

The EC₅₀ values for a training set of 66 ecdysteroids and 97 diacylhydrazines were measured in the ecdysteroid-responsive Drosophila melanogaster B_II cell line, a prototypical homologous inducible gene expression system. Each of eight superimposition hypotheses for the folded diacylhydrazine conformation was evaluated and ranked on the basis of CoMFA and 4D-QSAR Q² values for the training set and R² values for a 52-member test set comprising randomly-chosen diacylhydrazines and chronologically-chosen ecdysteroids for which data became available after model construction. Both 4D-QSAR and CoMFA rate a common superimposition as the preferred one. Two additional superimpositions, with somewhat weaker 4D-QSAR and CoMFA consensus, nonetheless share several important topological features. The resultant QSAR models address the question of relative binding orientation of the two ligand families and can be useful as a virtual screen for new chemotypes.     

Receptor-independent 4D-QSAR analysis of a set of norstatine derived inhibitors of HIV-1 protease

A training set of 27 norstatine derived inhibitors of HIV-1 protease, based on the 3(S)-amino-2(S)-hydroxyl-4-phenylbutanoic acid core (AHPBA), for which the -log IC(50) values were measured, was used to construct 4D-QSAR models. Five unique RI-4D-QSAR models, from two different alignments, were identified (q(2) = 0.86-0.95). These five models were used to map the atom type morphology of the lining of the inhibitor binding site at the HIV protease receptor site as well as predict the inhibition potencies of seven test set compounds for model validation. The five models, overall, predict the -log IC(50) activity values for the test set compounds in a manner consistent with their q(2) values. The models also correctly identify the hydrophobic nature of the HIV protease receptor site, and inferences are made as to further structural modifications to improve the potency of the AHPBA inhibitors of HIV protease. The finding of five unique, and nearly statistically equivalent, RI-4D-QSAR models for the training set demonstrates that there can be more than one way to fit structure-activity data even within a given QSAR methodology. This set of unique, equally good individual models is referred to as the manifold model.     

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.     

3D-QSAR Analysis of Naphthyltriazole(Lesinurad) Analogs as Potent Inhibitors of Urate Transporter 1

To obtain useful information for identifying inhibitors of urate transporter 1(URAT1), three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship(3 D-QSAR) analysis was conducted for a series of lesinurad analogs via Topomer comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA). A 3 D-QSAR model was established using a training set of 51 compounds and externally validated with a test set of 17 compounds. The Topomer CoMFA model obtained(q^2 = 0.976, r2 = 0.990) was robust and satisfactory. Subsequently, seven compounds with significant URAT1 inhibitory activity were designed according to the contour maps produced by the Topomer CoMFA model.     

3D-QSAR Analysis of a Series of Dihydroquinolizinone Derivatives as a Hepatitis B Virus Expression Inhibitor

In this study, we explored a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship(3D-QSAR) model of 63 HBV viral gene expression inhibitors containing dihydroquinolizinones. Two high predictive QSAR models have been built, including comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis(CoMSIA). The internal validation parameter(CoMFA, q~2 = 0.701, r~2 = 0.999; CoMSIA, q~2 = 0.721, r~2 = 0.998) and external validation parameter(CoMFA, r~2_(pred = 0.999); CoMSIA, r~2_(pred = 0.999)) indicated that the models have good predictive abilities and significant statistical reliability. We designed several molecules with potentially higher predicted activity on the basis of the result of the models. This work might provide useful information to design novel HBV viral gene expression inhibitors.     

Structure-based QSAR analysis of a set of 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrones as inhibitors of HIV-1 protease: an application of the receptor-dependent (RD) 4D-QSAR formalism

Receptor-dependent (RD) 4D-QSAR models were constructed for a set of 39 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrone analogue HIV-1 protease inhibitors. The receptor model used in this QSAR analysis was derived from the HIV-1 protease (PDB ID ) crystal structure. The bound ligand in the active site of the enzyme, also a 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrone analogue, was used as the reference ligand for docking the data set compounds. The optimized RD 4D-QSAR models are not only statistically significant (r(2) = 0.86, q(2) = 0.80 for four- and greater-term models) but also possess reasonable predictivity based on test set predictions. The proposed "active" conformations of the docked analogues in the active site of the enzyme are consistent in overall molecular shape with those suggested from crystallographic studies. Moreover, the RD 4D-QSAR models also "capture" the existence of specific induced-fit interactions between the enzyme active site and each specific inhibitor. Hydrophobic interactions, steric shape requirements, and hydrogen bonding of the 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrone analogues with the HIV-1 protease binding site model dominate the RD 4D-QSAR models in a manner again consistent with experimental conclusions. Some possible hypotheses for the development of new lead HIV-1 protease inhibitors can be inferred from the RD 4D-QSAR models.     

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 and Pharmacophore Studies of Thiazolidine-4-carboxylic Acid Derivatives as Novel Influenza Neuraminidase Inhibitors Using HQSAR, Topomer CoMFA and CoMSIA

In order to understand the chemical-biological interactions governing their activities toward neuraminidase (NA), QSAR models of 28 thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives with inhibitory influenza A virus were developed. The obtained HQSAR (hologram quantitative structure activity relationship), Topomer CoMFA and CoMSIA (comparative molecular similarity indices analysis) models were robust and had good exterior predictive capabilities. Moreover, QSAR modeling results elucidated that hydrogen bonds highly contributed to the inhibitory activity, then electrostatic and hydrophobic factors. Squared multiple correlation coefficients (R2) of HQSAR, Topomer CoMFA and CoMSIA models were 0.994, 0.978 and 0.996, respectively. Squared cross-validated correlation coefficients (Q2) of HQSAR, Topomer CoMFA and CoMSIA models were in turn 0.951, 919 and 0.820. Furthermore, squared multiple correlation coefficients for the test set (R2test) of HQSAR, CoMFA and CoMSIA models were 0.879, 0.912 and 0.953, respectively. Squared cross-validated correlation coefficients for the test set (Q2ext) of HQSAR, Topomer CoMFA and CoMSIA models were 0.867, 0.884 and 0.899, correspondingly.     

CoMFA 3D-QSAR analysis of HIV-1 RT nonnucleoside inhibitors, TIBO derivatives based on docking conformation and alignment

HIV-1 RT is one of the key enzymes in the duplication of HIV-1. Inhibitors of HIV-1 RT are classified as nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs) and nucleoside analogues. NNRTIs bind in a region not associated with the active site of the enzyme. Within the NNRTI category, there is a set of inhibitors commonly referred to as TIBO inhibitors. Fifty TIBO inhibitors were used in the work to build 3-D QSAR models. The two known crystal structures of complexes are used to investigate and validate the docking protocol. The results show that the docking simulations reproduce the crystal complexes very well with RMSDs of approximately 1 A and approximately 0.6 A for 1REV and 1COU, respectively. The alignment of molecules and "active" conformation selection are the key to a successful 3D-QSAR model by CoMFA. The flexible docking (Autodock3) was used on determination of "active" conformation and molecular alignment, and CoMFA and CoMSIA were used to develop 3D-QSAR models of 50 TIBOs in the work. The 3D-QSAR models demonstrate a good ability to predict the activity of studied compounds (r2 = 0.972, 0.944, q2 = 0.704, 0.776). It is shown that the steric and electrostatic properties predicted by CoMFA contours can be related to the binding structure of the complex. The results demonstrate that the combination of ligand-based and receptor-based modeling is a powerful approach to build 3D-QSAR models.     

3D-QSAR and molecular docking study of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors by CoMFA and CoMSIA methods

Three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) modelling was conducted on a series of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) antagonists using CoMFA and CoMSIA methods. The data set, which consisted of 37 molecules, was divided into training and test subsets by using a hierarchical clustering method. Both CoMFA and CoMSIA models were derived using a training set on the basis of the common substructure-based alignment. The optimum PLS model built by CoMFA and CoMSIA provided satisfactory statistical results (q² = 0.589 and r² = 0.927 and q² = 0.473 and r² = 0.802, respectively). The external predictive ability of the models was evaluated by using seven compounds. Moreover, an external evaluation set with known experimental data was used to evaluate the external predictive ability of the porposed models. The statistical parameters indicated that CoMFA (after region focusing) has high predictive ability in comparison with standard CoMFA and CoMSIA models. Molecular docking was also performed on the most active compound to investigate the existence of interactions between the most active inhibitor and the LRRK2 receptor. Based on the obtained results and CoMFA contour maps, some features were introduced to provide useful insights for designing novel and potent LRRK2 inhibitors.     

Comparison of 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship methods: Analysis of the in vitro antimalarial activity of 154 artemisinin analogues by hypothetical active-site lattice and comparative molecular field analysis

Two three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) methods, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and hypothetical active site lattice (HASL), were compared with respect to the analysis of a training set of 154 artemisinin analogues. Five models were created, including a complete HASL and two trimmed versions, as well as two CoMFA models (leave-one-out standard CoMFA and the guided-region selection protocol). Similar r2 and q2 values were obtained by each method, although some striking differences existed between CoMFA contour maps and the HASL output. Each of the four predictive models exhibited a similar ability to predict the activity of a test set of 23 artemisinin analogues, although some differences were noted as to which compounds were described well by either model.     

Comparative Molecular Field Analysis （CoMFA） of Curcumin-related Compounds for Anticancer Activity

Three-dimensional （3D） quantitative structure-activity relationship （QSAR） studies of 44 curcumin-related compounds have been carried out based on our previously reported result for their anticancer activity against pancreas cancer Panc-I cells and colon cancer HT-29 cells. The established 3D-QSAR models from the comparative molecular field analysis （CoMFA） in training set showed not only significant statistical quality, but also satisfying predictive ability, with high correlation coefficient values （R12= 0.911, R22= 0.985） and cross-validation coefficient values （q2= 0.580, q22= 0.722）. Based on the CoMFA contour maps, some key structural factors responsible for anticancer activity of these series of compounds were revealed. The results provide some useful theoretical references for understanding the mechanism of action, designing new curcumin-related compounds with anticancer activity and predicting their activities prior to synthesis.     

Computer-aided molecular design of (E)-N-Aryl-2-ethene-sulfonamide analogues as microtubule targeted agents in prostate cancer

Microtubules are tube-shaped, filamentous and cytoskeletal proteins that are essential in all eukaryotic cells. Microtubule is an attractive and promising target for anticancer agents. In this study, three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationships (3D-QSAR) including comparative molecular field analysis, CoMFA, and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis, CoMSIA, were performed on a set of 45 (E)-N-Aryl-2-ethene-sulfonamide analogues as microtubule-targeted anti-prostate cancer agents. Automated grid potential analysis, AutoGPA module in Molecular Operating Environment 2009.10 (MOE) as a new 3D-QSAR approach with the pharmacophore-based alignment was carried out on the same dataset. AutoGPA-based 3D-QSAR model yielded better prediction parameters than CoMFA and CoMSIA. Based on the contour maps generated from the models, some key features were identified in (E)-N-Aryl-2-arylethene-sulfonamide analogues that were responsible for the anti-cancer activity. Virtual screening was performed based on pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking to identify the new inhibitors from ZINC database. Seven top ranked compounds were found based on Gold score fitness function. In silico ADMET studies were performed on compounds retrieved from virtual screening in compliance with the standard ranges.     

3D-QSAR Studies on the Anti-tumor Activity of N-Aryl-salicylamide Derivatives

In the present work, comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA) techniques were used to perform three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship(3 D-QSAR) studies on the anti-tumor activity(pHi, i = 1, 2, 3, 4) of N-aryl-salicylamide derivatives against four cancer cell lines, including A549, MCF-7, SGC-7901, and Bel-7402. 12 compounds were randomly selected as the training set to establish the prediction models, which were verified by the test set of 5 compounds containing template molecule. The contributions of steric and electrostatic fields to pH1, pH2, pH_3, and pH_4were 23.8% and 76.2%, 20.1% and 79.9%, 18.7% and 81.3%, and 14.3% and 85.7%, respectively. The cross-validation(Rcv2) and non-cross-validation coefficients(R2) were 0.826 and 0.963 for pH1, 0.867 and 0.974 for pH2, 0.941 and 0.989 for pH_3, and 0.797 and 0.961 for pH_4, respectively. The CoMFA models were then used to predict the activities of the compounds, and it was found that the models had strong stability and good predictability. Based on the CoMFA contour maps, some key structural factors responsible for the anticancer activity of the series of compounds were revealed. The results provide some useful theoretical references for understanding the mechanism of action, designing new N-aryl-salicylamide derivatives with high anti-tumor activity, and predicting their activities.     

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.     

3 D-QSAR Analysis of Agonists of nAChRs： Epibatidine Analogues

A 3 D-QSAR about nAChRs agonists epibatidine analogues was performed using theCoMFA and CoMSIA. The correlation coefficients were R2cv = 0.546, R2cv = 0.907 in CoMFA andR2cv = 0.655, R2,~ = 0.962 in CoMSIA of the final model. The prediction using the final models tothe test set was r2 = 0.675 in CoMFA and r2 = 0.462 in CoMSIA. This model will be useful in thedesign of novel compounds with high affinity.     

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.     

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.