Design Two Novel Tetrahydroquinoline Derivatives against Anticancer Target LSD1 with 3D-QSAR Model and Molecular Simulation

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a histone-modifying enzyme, which is a significant target for anticancer drug research. In this work, 40 reported tetrahydroquinoline-derivative inhibitors targeting LSD1 were studied to establish the three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR). The established models CoMFA (Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (q² = 0.778, Rpred2 = 0.709)) and CoMSIA (Comparative Molecular Similarity Index Analysis (q² = 0.764, Rpred2 = 0.713)) yielded good statistical and predictive properties. Based on the corresponding contour maps, seven novel tetrahydroquinoline derivatives were designed. For more information, three of the compounds (D1, D4, and Z17) and the template molecule 18x were explored with molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations by MM/PBSA method as well as the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) prediction. The results suggested that D1, D4, and Z17 performed better than template molecule 18x due to the introduction of the amino and hydrophobic groups, especially for the D1 and D4, which will provide guidance for the design of LSD1 inhibitors.     

Identification of Flavonoids as Putative ROS-1 Kinase Inhibitors Using Pharmacophore Modeling for NSCLC Therapeutics

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a lethal non-immunogenic malignancy and proto-oncogene ROS-1 tyrosine kinase is one of its clinically relevant oncogenic markers. The ROS-1 inhibitor, crizotinib, demonstrated resistance due to the Gly2032Arg mutation. To curtail this resistance, researchers developed lorlatinib against the mutated kinase. In the present study, a receptor-ligand pharmacophore model exploiting the key features of lorlatinib binding with ROS-1 was exploited to identify inhibitors against the wild-type (WT) and the mutant (MT) kinase domain. The developed model was utilized to virtually screen the TimTec flavonoids database and the retrieved drug-like hits were subjected for docking with the WT and MT ROS-1 kinase. A total of 10 flavonoids displayed higher docking scores than lorlatinib. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations of the acquired flavonoids with WT and MT ROS-1 revealed no steric clashes with the Arg2032 (MT ROS-1). The binding free energy calculations computed via molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) demonstrated one flavonoid (Hit) with better energy than lorlatinib in binding with WT and MT ROS-1. The Hit compound was observed to bind in the ROS-1 selectivity pocket comprised of residues from the β-3 sheet and DFG-motif. The identified Hit from this investigation could act as a potent WT and MT ROS-1 inhibitor.     

Computational Approaches for the Design of Novel Anticancer Compounds Based on Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Derivatives as TRAP1 Inhibitor

In the present in-silico study, various computational techniques were applied to determine potent compounds against TRAP1 kinase. The pharmacophore hypothesis DHHRR_1 consists of important features required for activity. The 3D QSAR study showed a statistically significant model with R² = 0.96 and Q² = 0.57. Leave one out (LOO) cross-validation (R² CV = 0.58) was used to validate the QSAR model. The molecular docking study showed maximum XP docking scores (−11.265, −10.532, −10.422, −10.827, −10.753 kcal/mol) for potent pyrazole analogs (42, 46, 49, 56, 43), respectively, with significant interactions with amino acid residues (ASP 594, CYS 532, PHE 583, SER 536) against TRAP1 kinase receptors (PDB ID: 5Y3N). Furthermore, the docking results were validated using the 100 ns MD simulations performed for the selected five docked complexes. The selected inhibitors showed relatively higher binding affinities than the TRAP1 inhibitor molecules present in the literature. The ZINC database was used for a virtual screening study that screened ZINC05297837, ZINC05434822, and ZINC72286418, which showed similar binding interactions to those shown by potent ligands. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) analysis showed noticeable results. The results of the study may be helpful for the further development of potent TRAP1 inhibitors     

Design,Synthesis, Biological Evaluation,and Molecular Modeling of 2-Difluoromethylbenzimidazole Derivatives as Potential PI3Kα Inhibitors

PI3Kα is one of the potential targets for novel anticancer drugs. In this study, a series of 2-difluoromethylbenzimidazole derivatives were studied based on the combination of molecular modeling techniques 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics. The results showed that the best comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) model had q² = 0.797 and r² = 0.996 and the best comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) model had q² = 0.567 and r² = 0.960. It was indicated that these 3D-QSAR models have good verification and excellent prediction capabilities. The binding mode of the compound 29 and 4YKN was explored using molecular docking and a molecular dynamics simulation. Ultimately, five new PI3Kα inhibitors were designed and screened by these models. Then, two of them (86, 87) were selected to be synthesized and biologically evaluated, with a satisfying result (22.8 nM for 86 and 33.6 nM for 87).     

趋化因子CCR2的同源模建,分子对接和3D-QSAR研究

趋化因子CCR2参与炎症反应、免疫移植排斥和肿瘤的发生,已成为新的研究热点。本文以CCR5的晶体结构为模板,同源模建CCR2的结构,并用CCR2小分子抑制剂与其进行分子对接以得到小分子的最优构象。在对接叠合的基础上建立了QSAR模型,采用比较分子场分析(Co MFA)以及比较分子相似性分析(Co MSIA)研究得到Co MFA和Co MSIA模型最佳评价参数分别为q2=0.743,r2=0.968和q2=0.68,r2=0.978。3D-QSAR模型的等势图分析表明,改造配体R3基团可提高化合物活性。所建模型稳定性好、预测性强,对基于CCR2的小分子抑制剂的设计、优化和改造提供了参考。     

新型吡啶类c-Met激酶抑制剂的设计、合成及抗肿瘤活性

以BMS-777607和E7050为先导化合物,设计并合成了11个新型的吡啶类c-Met激酶抑制剂（9a~9f和10a~10e）,其结构经¹H NMR和MS(ESI)表征。采用MTT法测定了9a~9f和10a~10e对人胃癌细胞株(NCI-N87和GTL-16)的体外抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性。结果表明：9a, 9d和10a对GTL-16的抑制活性较好,其IC₅₀分别为0.60 μmol·L^-1, 1.36 μmol·L^-1和0.93 μmol·L^-1,优于BMS-777607（2.50 μmol·L^-1）。     

酪氨酸激酶抑制剂的比较分子场分析

采用比较分子场分析(CoMFA)方法研究了一组嘧啶类衍生物酪氨酸激酶抑制剂活性与结构的关系.所得模型不仅能够很好地预报训练集中的化合物的活性,而且还可以准确地预报预报集中的化合物活性.通过分析分子场等值面图在空间的分布,可以观察到叠加分子周围的立体和静电特征对化合物活性的影响.     

Design of Novel IRAK4 Inhibitors Using Molecular Docking,Dynamics Simulation and 3D-QSAR Studies

Treatment of several autoimmune diseases and types of cancer has been an intense area of research over the past two decades. Many signaling pathways that regulate innate and/or adaptive immunity, as well as those that induce overexpression or mutation of protein kinases, have been targeted for drug discovery. One of the serine/threonine kinases, Interleukin-1 Receptor Associated Kinase 4 (IRAK4) regulates signaling through various Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R). It controls diverse cellular processes including inflammation, apoptosis, and cellular differentiation. MyD88 gain-of-function mutations or overexpression of IRAK4 has been implicated in various types of malignancies such as Waldenström macroglobulinemia, B cell lymphoma, colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, etc. Moreover, over activation of IRAK4 is also associated with several autoimmune diseases. The significant role of IRAK4 makes it an interesting target for the discovery and development of potent small molecule inhibitors. A few potent IRAK4 inhibitors such as PF-06650833, RA9 and BAY1834845 have recently entered phase I/II clinical trial studies. Nevertheless, there is still a need of selective inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and various autoimmune diseases. A great need for the same intrigued us to perform molecular modeling studies on 4,6-diaminonicotinamide derivatives as IRAK4 inhibitors. We performed molecular docking and dynamics simulation of 50 ns for one of the most active compounds of the dataset. We also carried out MM-PBSA binding free energy calculation to identify the active site residues, interactions of which are contributing to the total binding energy. The final 50 ns conformation of the most active compound was selected to perform dataset alignment in a 3D-QSAR study. Generated RF-CoMFA (q² = 0.751, ONC = 4, r² = 0.911) model revealed reasonable statistical results. Overall results of molecular dynamics simulation, MM-PBSA binding free energy calculation and RF-CoMFA model revealed important active site residues of IRAK4 and necessary structural properties of ligand to design more potent IRAK4 inhibitors. We designed few IRAK4 inhibitors based on these results, which possessed higher activity (predicted pIC₅₀) than the most active compounds of the dataset selected for this study. Moreover, ADMET properties of these inhibitors revealed promising results and need to be validated using experimental studies.     

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.     

N-取代马来酰亚胺类hMGL抑制剂的3D-QSAR、分子对接和分子动力学研究

本文通过三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)建模、分子对接和分子动力学模拟,探讨了41个N-取代马来酰亚胺类衍生物与人单酰甘油脂肪酶(hMGL)的相互作用,并构建了相关模型。其中,比较分子力场分析模型(CoMFA、q₂ ^{= 0. 5}41、r₂ ^{= 0. 9}72)和比较分子相似性指数分析模型(CoMSIA、q₂ ^{= 0. 5}88、r₂ ^{= 0. 9}19)具有较好的预测能力。QSAR模型等势图阐明了该系列化合物生物活性与结构的关系,并依此设计了系列衍生物。采用分子对接和分子动力学模拟探讨了高活性化合物36、46与hMGL(PDB ID: 3PE6)的结合模式和稳定性,结果表明二者主要通过氢键和疏水相互作用与hMGL结合并且形成了稳定的复合物。随后对pIC₅₀预测值优于文献报道中最高活性化合物36的8个衍生物进行分子对接和ADMET预测,选择2个衍生物进行分子动力学模拟,结果表明2个衍生物分别与hMGL形成的复合物结合构象稳定。本研究为新型N-取代马来酰亚胺类单酰甘油脂肪酶抑制剂的开发提供了理论依据。     

Analysis of Kojic Acid Derivatives as Competitive Inhibitors of Tyrosinase: A Molecular Modeling Approach

Tyrosinases belong to the functional copper-containing proteins family, and their structure contains two copper atoms, in the active site, which are coordinated by three histidine residues. The biosynthesis of melanin in melanocytes has two stages depending on the actions of the natural substrates L-DOPA and L-tyrosine. The dysregulation of tyrosinase is involved in skin cancer initiation. In the present study, using molecular modeling tools, we analyzed the inhibition activity of tyrosinase activity using kojic acid (KA) derivatives designed from aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile. All derivatives showed conformational affinity to the enzyme active site, and a favorable distance to chelate the copper ion, which is essential for enzyme function. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the derivatives formed promising complexes, presenting stable conformations with deviations between 0.2 and 0.35 Å. In addition, the investigated KA derivatives showed favorable binding free energies. The most stable KA derivatives showed the following binding free energies: −17.65 kcal mol⁻¹ (D6), −18.07 kcal mol⁻¹ (D2), −18.13 (D5) kcal mol⁻¹, and −10.31 kcal mol⁻¹ (D4). Our results suggest that these derivatives could be potent competitive inhibitors of the natural substrates of L-DOPA (−12.84 kcal mol⁻¹) and L-tyrosine (−9.04 kcal mol⁻¹) in melanogenesis.     

酪氨酸蛋白磷酸酯酶1B抑制剂的分子对接和三维定量构效关系研究

用一种柔性分子对接方法(FlexX)将12个2-草酰胺苯甲酸类抑制剂和酪氨酸蛋白磷酸酯酶(PTP1B)活性口袋进行分子对接,对接程序预测的抑制剂和酶之间的相互作用能与抑制活性之间有很好的相关性(非线性相关系数R²达0.859),这说明对接结果可以比较准确地预测抑制剂和PTP1B之间的结合模式.然后,将33个同类抑制剂的骨架叠合在分子对接预测的结合构象上,用比较分子力场分析方法(CoMFA)对其进行三维定量活性构效关系研究,得到的CoMFA模型具有很好的统计相关性(交互验证回归系数q²为0.650),并可以准确地预测测试集6个化合物的活性(平均标准偏差为0.177).同时,由CoMFA模型得出的抑制剂改造信息与用FlexX预测的结合模式是一致的,进一步证明我们预测的结合模式是正确的.为研究这类抑制剂和PTP1B的结合模式及对抑制剂进行结构改造提供了信息.     

DCN1-UBE2M相互作用抑制剂的3D-QSAR、分子对接和分子动力学研究

类泛素化是一种蛋白质翻译后修饰,其异常会导致神经退行性疾病和多种肿瘤的发生,因此它被视为有希望的抗肿瘤靶标.研究表明,抑制DCN1-UBE2M相互作用可选择性阻遏类泛素化.本文基于哌啶基脲类DCN1-UBE2M相互作用抑制剂进行3D-QSAR、分子对接和分子动力学模拟研究.利用3D-QSAR中的CoMFA和CoMSIA...     

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.     

靛玉红类CDK1抑制剂的同源模建、分子对接及3D-QSAR研究

细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶1的异常表达会导致G2期的停滞及多种肿瘤的发生,故CDK1近年来已成为一个理想的治疗靶点. 本文以细胞分裂调控蛋白2的同源体为模板,同源模建了CDK1的结构,并与靛玉红类小分子抑制剂进行分子对接. 分别运用三种叠合方法进行分子叠合,并在此基础上采用Sybyl 7.1中的比较分子场分析(CoMFA)模块及Discovery Studio 3.0中的三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)模块(以下简称为DS)分别建立了3D-QSAR模型. 其中,将分子对接叠合与公共骨架叠合联合运用的叠合方法所得3D-QSAR模型的评价参数是最佳的(CoMFA：q²=0.681,r²=0.909,r_pred.²=0.836; DS：q²=0.579,r²=0.971,r_pred.²=0.795,其中q²为交叉验证系数,r²为非交叉验证系数). 本文的研究结果在对靛玉红类小分子进行结构修饰设计出新的CDK1抑制剂方面,可提供重要的理论基础.     

HIV-1逆转录酶抑制剂的3D-QSAR研究及分子设计

采用Topomer Co MFA方法对24个二芳基苯胺衍生物进行三维定量构效关系研究,建立了3DQSAR模型,所得优化模型的非交叉相关系数、交互验证系数以及外部验证的复相关系数分别为0.928,0.654和0.940,结果表明该模型具有良好的稳定性和预测能力。采用分子对接技术对药物与受体的作用机制进行了研究,结果显示,药物与HIV-1逆转录酶的LYS172,GLU138,LYS101等位点作用明显。运用这些信息进行分子设计,在理论上获得了一些具有较高活性的新的二芳基苯胺类抗艾滋病药物,该QSAR的研究结果可为新药合成提供理论参考。     

人类胞外信号调节激酶1的同源模建及其抑制剂的对接与结构改造

通过同源模建和分子动力学模拟构建了人类胞外信号调节激酶1(hERK1)的三维结构,并利用profile-3D和procheck方法评估了模型的合理性.对所得的结构使用分子对接程序Affinity和CDOCKER进行了两种抑制剂的对接.结果显示这两种抑制剂与酶的结合方式相似,它们均与残基K36,Q87之间存在氢键作用,二者取代基的不同导致了抑制能力的差别.基于对接结果分析,对已知抑制剂进行结构改造,得到了一个理论上结合能力更强的抑制剂.它在保持与K36和Q87之间氢键的同时,又与残基D93,K96,S135形成了四条氢键,显著提高了与酶的相互作用.对接相互作用能显著下降,MM-PBSA结合自由能降为负值,这些均体现了抑制能力的提高.本工作对于针对该酶的抑制剂设计和相关疾病的新药开发具有理论指导价值.     

3D-QSAR和分子对接研究吲哚咔唑类细胞周期蛋白激酶抑制剂的选择性

细胞周期蛋白激酶(cyclin-dependent kinases, CDKs)是近年来治疗肿瘤的重要靶标. 由于大多数激酶ATP结合位点的保守性, CDK选择性激酶抑制剂的开发成为当前的研发难点和热点. 针对吲哚咔唑类CDK抑制剂, 我们采用比较分子力场分析方法(CoMFA)建立了CDK2-QSAR(quantitative structure-activity relationship)和CDK4-QSSR(quantitative structure-selectivity relationship)模型. 所建模型的交叉验证系数q2分别为0.722和0.703; 非交叉验证系数r2分别为0.977和0.946, 表明其具有较好的预测能力. 同时, 用分子对接的方法分析了这类化合物与CDK4同源模建结构的作用模式, 根据这两个模型发现, 吲哚咔唑类化合物的R5和R6位长链取代对CDK4的选择性具有一定的影响, 而且结合其作用模式比较合理地解释了这类抑制剂的选择性原因, 这对CDKs的选择性研究具有一定的指导意义.     

Synthesis, Biological Activity Evaluation and Molecular Modeling Study on the New Isoconessimine Derivatives as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

New isoconessimine derivatives were synthesized from conessine （1） and evaluated as acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） inhibitors. The derivatives were prepared via two reaction steps, N-demethylation and nuc]eophilic substi- tution. All of the synthesized derivatives exhibited more potential anti-acetylcholinesterase activities than conessine （1） （IC50=16μmol·L^-1） and isoconessimine （2） （IC50〉300 μmol·L ^-1）. Compound 7b （3fl-[methyl-[2-（4-nitro- phenoxy）ethyl]amino]con-5-enine） showed the most potent inhibitory activity with an IC50 of 110 μmol/L which is close to that of reference compound huperzine A （IC50= 70 μmol/L）. The mode of AChE inhibition by 7h was re- versible and non-competitive. In addition, molecular modeling was performed to explore the binding mode of in- hibitor 7b at the active site of AChE and the results showed that 7b could be docked into the acetylcholinesterase active site and compound 7h had hydrophobic interactions with Trp279 and Leu282.     

二氢嘧啶并[4,5-d]嘧啶类衍生物作为集落刺激因子-1受体激酶抑制剂的分子对接和定量构效关系研究

集落刺激因子-1受体激酶（CSF-1R）属于Ⅲ型受体酪氨酸激酶家族成员,其在调控单核巨噬细胞系中发挥重要作用。CSF-1R及其配体异常表达与肿瘤发展过程密切相关。因此,CSF-1R信号传导可成为抗肿瘤治疗的有吸引力的靶标。本文用比较分子场分析法（CoMFA）和比较分子相似性指数分析法（CoMSIA）研究了54个二氢嘧啶并[4,5-d]嘧啶类CSF-1R激酶抑制剂的三维定量构效关系（3D-QSAR）。基于配体叠合,CoMFA和CoMSIA模型的交叉验证系数（q2）分别为0.725和0.636,拟合验证系数（r2）分别为0.960和0.958,结果表明这两种模型均具有较好的预测能力。所建模型的等势图能直观反映分子不同取代基对活性的影响,其中立体场和疏水场对活性的贡献较大。通过分子对接研究显示,氨基酸残基Cys666、Asp796在配体和受体结合过程中产生作用,分子对接的结合模式与3D-QSAR得到的结果一致。这些信息为进一步优化CSF-1R激酶抑制剂提供了理论基础。