Molecular description of pyrimidine-based inhibitors with activity against FAK combining 3D-QSAR analysis,molecular docking and molecular dynamics

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a promising target for developing more effective anticancer drugs. To better understand the structure-activity relationships and mechanism of actions of FAK inhibitors, a molecular modeling study using 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and binding free energy analysis were conducted. Two types of satisfactory 3D-QSAR models were generated, comprising the CoMFA model (R²_cv = 0.528, R²_pred = 0.7557) and CoMSIA model (R²_cv = 0.757, R²_pred = 0.8362), for predicting the inhibitory activities of novel inhibitors. The derived contour maps indicate structural characteristics for substituents on the template. Molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations and binding free energy calculations further reveal that the binding of inhibitors to FAK is mainly contributed from hydrophobic, electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, some key residues (Arg14, Glu88, Cys90, Arg138, Asn139, Leu141, and Leu155) responsible for ligand-receptor binding are highlighted. All structural information obtained from 3D-QSAR models and molecular dynamics is consist with the available experimental activities. All the results will facilitate the optimization of this series of FAK inhibitors with higher inhibitory activities.     

马来酰胺类糖原合成酶激酶-3β抑制剂的分子对接和三维定量构效关系

通过分子对接和三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)两种方法来确定两类马来酰胺类的糖原合成酶激酶-3β(GSK-3β)抑制剂的结合方式.首先,用分子对接确定抑制剂与GSK-3β的结合模式及其相互作用;然后用比较分子力场分析法(CoMFA)与比较分子相似性指数分析法(CoMSIA)对48个化合物做三维定量构效关系的分析.两种方法得出的交互验证回归系数分别为0.669(CoMFA)和0.683(CoMSIA),证明该模型具有很好的统计相关性,同时也说明该模型具有较高的预测能力.根据该模型提供的信息,设计出9个预测性较好的分子.     

Use of 3D QSAR to investigate the mode of binding of pyrazinones to HIV-1 RT

Abstract  Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) based on the docked conformation were performed for 24 pyrazinone derivatives. All compounds were docked into the wild-type HIV-1 RT binding pocket and the lowest-energy docked configurations were used to construct the 3D QSAR models. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models enable good prediction of inhibition by the pyrazinones, with  = 0.703 and 0.735. Results obtained from CoMFA and CoMSIA based on the docking conformation of the pyrazinones are, therefore, powerful means of elucidating the mode of binding of pyrazinones and suggesting the design of new potent NNRTIs. Graphical Abstract        

马来酰胺类糖原合成酶激酶-3β抑制剂的分子对接和三维定量构效关系

通过分子对接和三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)两种方法来确定两类马来酰胺类的糖原合成酶激酶-3β(GSK-3β)抑制剂的结合方式. 首先, 用分子对接确定抑制剂与GSK-3β结合模式及其相互作用; 然后用比较分子力场分析法(CoMFA)与比较分子相似性指数分析法(CoMSIA)对48个化合物做三维定量构效关系的分析. 两种方法得出的交互验证回归系数分别为0.669(CoMFA)和0.683(CoMSIA), 证明该模型具有很好的统计相关性, 同时也说明该模型具有较高的预测能力.根据该模型提供的信息, 设计出9个预测活性较好的分子.     

橙酮类DRAK2抑制剂的3D-QSAR及分子对接研究

本文对橙酮类DRAK2抑制剂的化学结构与生物活性之间的关系进行研究。采用三维定量构效关系（3D-QSAR）中的比较分子力场分析（CoMFA）和比较分子相似性指数分析（CoMSIA）方法针对59个DRAK2抑制剂建立3D-QSAR模型,阐明了抑制剂化学结构与其生物活性之间的关系。所构建的CoMFA模型交叉验证系数（q²）为0.625,非交叉验证系数（r²）为0.811,标准偏差（S）为0.365,Fisher检验值（F）为59.971;所构建的CoMSIA模型q²为0.62,r²为0.846,S为0.333,F值为56.453。内部和外部验证参数表明,生成的3D-QSAR模型均具有良好的预测能力和显著的统计学可靠性。分子对接实验与等势图的一致性,进一步表明本次分子模拟是可靠的。本研究对发现新型的潜在的更高活性的橙酮类DRAK2抑制剂具有指导意义。     

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.     

雌激素β受体喹啉类配体的分子对接及3D-QSAR研究

对33个喹啉衍生物的雌激素β受体活性进行了分子对接以及比较分子力场分析(CoMFA)和比较分子相似性指数分析(CoMSIA). 对接结果显示氢键和疏水作用是配体与受体结合的主要因素,同时结果亦显示对接结合能与观测值pIC50具有极显著的线性相关性. 根据对接后各优势构象将33个样本进行叠合并进行CoMFA与CoMSIA研究,均得到了较优的结果,其中以选用立体场、静电场和疏水场建立的CoMSIA模型结果最优,其主成分数,r2,q2（LOO）和r2pred分别为2, 0.894, 0.708和0.802. 构效关系模型分析显示基团的空间位阻、电性及疏水作用是影响活性的主要因素     

两类促肾上腺皮质释放激素(CRH)拮抗剂的分子场分析

采用比较分子相似性指数分析方法(CoMSIA)及比较分子场分析方法(CoMSIA)研究了两组CRH拮抗剂结构与活性的关系。在两种方法中,都考虑了静电场、立体场以及氢键场对构效关系的影响,结果表明采用CoMSIA得到构效关系模型要明显优于采用CoMFA得到的构效关系模型,在CoMSIA计算中,当引入疏水场时,三维构效关系模型能得到明显的改善,通过这个三维构效关系模型,可以较为精确地预测化合物的活性。通过分析分子场等值面图在空间的分布,可以观察到叠合分子周围的立体、静电以及疏水特征对化合物活性的影响。     

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.     

Computational Analysis of CRTh2 receptor antagonist: A Ligand-based CoMFA and CoMSIA approach

CRTh2 receptor is an important mediator of inflammatory effects and has attracted much attention as a therapeutic target for the treatment of conditions such as asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. In pursuit of better CRTh2 receptor antagonist agents, 3D-QSAR studies were performed on a series of 2-(2-(benzylthio)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl) acetic acids. There is no crystal structure information available on this protein; hence in this work, ligand-based comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were performed by atom by atom matching alignment using systematic search and simulated annealing methods. The 3D-QSAR models were generated with 10 different combinations of test and training set molecules, since the robustness and predictive ability of the model is very important. We have generated 20 models for CoMFA and 100 models for CoMSIA based on two different alignments. Each model was validated with statistical cut off values such as q² > 0.4, r² > 0.5 and r²_pred > 0.5. Based on better q² and r²_pred values, the best predictions were obtained for the CoMFA (model 5 q² = 0.488, r²_pred = 0.732), and CoMSIA (model 45 q² = 0.525, r²_pred = 0.883) from systematic search conformation alignment. The high correlation between the cross-validated/predicted and experimental activities of a test set revealed that the CoMFA and CoMSIA models were robust. Statistical parameters from the generated QSAR models indicated the data is well fitted and have high predictive ability. The generated models suggest that steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic, H-bond donor and acceptor parameters are important for activity. Our study serves as a guide for further experimental investigations on the synthesis of new CRTh2 antagonist.     

拓扑异构酶Ⅰ抑制剂高喜树碱类化合物的三维定量构效关系研究

针对拓扑异构酶Ⅰ抑制剂高喜树碱类化合物,采用比较分子力场分析(CoMFA)和比较分子相似性指数分析(CoMSIA)的方法对其进行三维定量构效关系的研究.构建CoMFA模型其q2=0.706,最佳主成分数n=6,非交叉验证系数r2=0.966,标准差S=0.277,F=117.613,立体场和静电场的贡献值分别为0.62和0.38.构建CoMSIA模型其q2=0.696,最佳主成分数n=7,非交叉验证系数r2=0.956,标准差S=0.320,F=74.374,其疏水场和立体场的贡献分别为0.75和0.25.结果显示疏水场和立体场对化合物的活性有较大影响.     

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.     

二氢异喹啉类BACE1抑制剂的特征结构及结合模式研究

β-分泌酶(BACE1)是水解淀粉样前体蛋白生成β-淀粉样多肽的关键限速酶,近年来已成为治疗阿尔茨海默症的一个理想靶点。本文以34个二氢异喹啉类BACE1抑制剂为研究对象,采用比较分子相似性指数(CoMSIA)法定量研究其结构与生物活性间的构效关系,并建立可靠的3D-QSAR预测模型,运用分子对接法分析其与受体BACE1间的结合模式。结果显示,基于立体场、疏水场和氢键供体场建立的CoMSIA模型稳定性良好、预测能力强(Q~2=0.47,R_(ncv)~2=0.93,R_(pre)~2=0.95)。本研究所得模型和信息较好地解释了二氢异喹啉类BACE1抑制剂的结构特征及其与受体间的结合模式,为后续新型BACE1抑制剂的设计开发提供理论指导。     

Molecular modelling studies on cinnoline-based BTK inhibitors using docking and structure-based 3D-QSAR

ABSTRACT

BTK inhibitors have been proved as an effective target for B-cell malignancies. Ibrutinib is the most advanced irreversible BTK inhibitor for treating mantle cell lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukaemia but with existing drug resistance and adverse effects. To design novel effective and safety reversible BTK inhibitors, 115 newly cinnoline analogues were selected to perform molecular docking and 3D-QSAR study because of the main scaffold similarity to Ibrutinib. Both established CoMFA and CoMSIA models obtained high predictive and satisfactory value. CoMFA/CoMSIA contour maps demonstrated that bulky substitutions are preferred at R₁ and R₃ positions, and introducing hydrophilic and negative electrostatic substitutions at R₁ positions is important for improving BTK inhibitory activities. These results will be useful to provide clues for rationally designing novel and high potency BTK inhibitors.