1
|
Herbst C, Endres S, Würz R, Sotriffer C. Assessment of fragment docking and scoring with the endothiapepsin model system. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2400061. [PMID: 38631672 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Fragment-based screening has become indispensable in drug discovery. Yet, the weak binding affinities of these small molecules still represent a challenge for the reliable detection of fragment hits. The extent of this issue was illustrated in the literature for the aspartic protease endothiapepsin: When seven biochemical and biophysical in vitro screening methods were applied to screen a library of 361 fragments, very poor overlap was observed between the hit fragments identified by the individual approaches, resulting in high levels of false positive and/or false negative results depending on the mutually compared methods. Here, the reported in vitro findings are juxtaposed with the results from in silico docking and scoring approaches. The docking programs GOLD and Glide were considered with the scoring functions ASP, ChemScore, ChemPLP, GoldScore, DSXCSD, and GlideScore. First, the ranking power and scoring power were assessed for the named scoring functions. Second, the capability of reproducing the crystallized fragment binding modes was tested in a structure-based redocking approach. The redocking success notably depended on the ligand efficiency of the considered fragments. Third, a blinded virtual screening approach was employed to evaluate whether in silico screening can compete with in vitro methods in the enrichment of fragment databases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carina Herbst
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sara Endres
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Würz
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Sotriffer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alsieni M, Esmat A, Bazuhair MA, Altayb HN. Fragment-based drug design of novel inhibitors targeting lipoprotein (a) kringle domain KIV-10-mediated cardiovascular disease. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2024; 56:247-259. [PMID: 38483739 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-024-10013-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, attributed to a complex etiology involving metabolic, genetic, and protein-related factors. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), identified as a genetic risk factor, exhibits elevated levels linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The lipoprotein(a) kringle domains have recently been identified as a potential target for the treatment of CVDs, in this study we utilized a fragment-based drug design approach to design a novel, potent, and safe inhibitor for lipoprotein(a) kringle domain. With the use of fragment library (61,600 fragments) screening, combined with analyses such as MM/GBSA, molecular dynamics simulation (MD), and principal component analysis, we successfully identified molecules effective against the kringle domains of Lipoprotein(a). The hybridization process (Breed) of the best fragments generated a novel 249 hybrid molecules, among them 77 exhibiting superior binding affinity (≤ -7 kcal/mol) compared to control AZ-02 (-6.9 kcal/mol), Importantly, the top ten molecules displayed high similarity to the control AZ-02. Among the top ten molecules, BR1 exhibited the best docking energy (-11.85 kcal/mol ), and higher stability within the protein LBS site, demonstrating the capability to counteract the pathophysiological effects of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted a similar trend of motion during the binding of BR1 and the control compound (AZ-02), limiting protein mobility and reducing conformational space. Moreover, ADMET analysis indicated favorable drug-like properties, with BR1 showing minimal violations of Lipinski's rules. Overall, the identified compounds hold promise as potential therapeutics, addressing a critical need in cardiovascular medicine. Further preclinical and clinical evaluations are needed to validate their efficacy and safety, potentially ushering in a new era of targeted therapies for CVDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alsieni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Esmat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Bazuhair
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Research Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hisham N Altayb
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 23589, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chandraghatgi R, Ji HF, Rosen GL, Sokhansanj BA. Streamlining Computational Fragment-Based Drug Discovery through Evolutionary Optimization Informed by Ligand-Based Virtual Prescreening. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3826-3840. [PMID: 38696451 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in computational methods provide the promise of dramatically accelerating drug discovery. While mathematical modeling and machine learning have become vital in predicting drug-target interactions and properties, there is untapped potential in computational drug discovery due to the vast and complex chemical space. This paper builds on our recently published computational fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) method called fragment databases from screened ligand drug discovery (FDSL-DD). FDSL-DD uses in silico screening to identify ligands from a vast library, fragmenting them while attaching specific attributes based on predicted binding affinity and interaction with the target subdomain. In this paper, we further propose a two-stage optimization method that utilizes the information from prescreening to optimize computational ligand synthesis. We hypothesize that using prescreening information for optimization shrinks the search space and focuses on promising regions, thereby improving the optimization for candidate ligands. The first optimization stage assembles these fragments into larger compounds using genetic algorithms, followed by a second stage of iterative refinement to produce compounds with enhanced bioactivity. To demonstrate broad applicability, the methodology is demonstrated on three diverse protein targets found in human solid cancers, bacterial antimicrobial resistance, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Combined, the proposed FDSL-DD and a two-stage optimization approach yield high-affinity ligand candidates more efficiently than other state-of-the-art computational FBDD methods. We further show that a multiobjective optimization method accounting for drug-likeness can still produce potential candidate ligands with a high binding affinity. Overall, the results demonstrate that integrating detailed chemical information with a constrained search framework can markedly optimize the initial drug discovery process, offering a more precise and efficient route to developing new therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Chandraghatgi
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Hai-Feng Ji
- Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Gail L Rosen
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Bahrad A Sokhansanj
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hoffer L, Charifi-Hoareau G, Barelier S, Betzi S, Miller T, Morelli X, Roche P. ChemoDOTS: a web server to design chemistry-driven focused libraries. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae326. [PMID: 38686808 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In drug discovery, the successful optimization of an initial hit compound into a lead molecule requires multiple cycles of chemical modification. Consequently, there is a need to efficiently generate synthesizable chemical libraries to navigate the chemical space surrounding the primary hit. To address this need, we introduce ChemoDOTS, an easy-to-use web server for hit-to-lead chemical optimization freely available at https://chemodots.marseille.inserm.fr/. With this tool, users enter an activated form of the initial hit molecule then choose from automatically detected reactive functions. The server proposes compatible chemical transformations via an ensemble of encoded chemical reactions widely used in the pharmaceutical industry during hit-to-lead optimization. After selection of the desired reactions, all compatible chemical building blocks are automatically coupled to the initial hit to generate a raw chemical library. Post-processing filters can be applied to extract a subset of compounds with specific physicochemical properties. Finally, explicit stereoisomers and tautomers are computed, and a 3D conformer is generated for each molecule. The resulting virtual library is compatible with most docking software for virtual screening campaigns. ChemoDOTS rapidly generates synthetically feasible, hit-focused, large, diverse chemical libraries with finely-tuned physicochemical properties via a user-friendly interface providing a powerful resource for researchers engaged in hit-to-lead optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Hoffer
- CRCM, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille 13273, France
| | | | - Sarah Barelier
- CRCM, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille 13273, France
| | - Stéphane Betzi
- CRCM, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille 13273, France
| | - Thomas Miller
- CRCM, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille 13273, France
| | - Xavier Morelli
- CRCM, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille 13273, France
| | - Philippe Roche
- CRCM, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Univ, Marseille 13273, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chan BWGL, Lynch NB, Tran W, Joyce JM, Savage GP, Meutermans W, Montgomery AP, Kassiou M. Fragment-based drug discovery for disorders of the central nervous system: designing better drugs piece by piece. Front Chem 2024; 12:1379518. [PMID: 38698940 PMCID: PMC11063241 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1379518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has emerged as a powerful strategy to confront the challenges faced by conventional drug development approaches, particularly in the context of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. FBDD involves the screening of libraries that comprise thousands of small molecular fragments, each no greater than 300 Da in size. Unlike the generally larger molecules from high-throughput screening that limit customisation, fragments offer a more strategic starting point. These fragments are inherently compact, providing a strong foundation with good binding affinity for the development of drug candidates. The minimal elaboration required to transition the hit into a drug-like molecule is not only accelerated, but also it allows for precise modifications to enhance both their activity and pharmacokinetic properties. This shift towards a fragment-centric approach has seen commercial success and holds considerable promise in the continued streamlining of the drug discovery and development process. In this review, we highlight how FBDD can be integrated into the CNS drug discovery process to enhance the exploration of a target. Furthermore, we provide recent examples where FBDD has been an integral component in CNS drug discovery programs, enabling the improvement of pharmacokinetic properties that have previously proven challenging. The FBDD optimisation process provides a systematic approach to explore this vast chemical space, facilitating the discovery and design of compounds piece by piece that are capable of modulating crucial CNS targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas B. Lynch
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wendy Tran
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jack M. Joyce
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Weller JA, Rohs R. DrugHIVE: Target-specific spatial drug design and optimization with a hierarchical generative model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.22.573155. [PMID: 38187658 PMCID: PMC10769420 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Rapid advancement in the computational methods of structure-based drug design has led to their widespread adoption as key tools in the early drug development process. Recently, the remarkable growth of available crystal structure data and libraries of commercially available or readily synthesizable molecules have unlocked previously inaccessible regions of chemical space for drug development. Paired with improvements in virtual ligand screening methods, these expanded libraries are having a significant impact on the success of early drug design efforts. However, screening-based methods are limited in their scalability due to computational limits and the sheer scale of drug-like space. An approach within the quickly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), deep generative modeling, is extending the reach of molecular design beyond classical methods by learning the fundamental intra- and inter-molecular relationships in drug-target systems from existing data. In this work we introduce DrugHIVE, a deep hierarchical structure-based generative model that enables fine-grained control over molecular generation. Our model outperforms state of the art autoregressive and diffusion-based methods on common benchmarks and in speed of generation. Here, we demonstrate DrugHIVEs capacity to accelerate a wide range of common drug design tasks such as de novo generation, molecular optimization, scaffold hopping, linker design, and high throughput pattern replacement. Our method is highly scalable and can be applied to high confidence AlphaFold predicted receptors, extending our ability to generate high quality drug-like molecules to a majority of the unsolved human proteome.
Collapse
|
7
|
Witek W, Sliwiak J, Rawski M, Ruszkowski M. Targeting imidazole-glycerol phosphate dehydratase in plants: novel approach for structural and functional studies, and inhibitor blueprinting. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1343980. [PMID: 38559763 PMCID: PMC10978614 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1343980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The histidine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is targeted for herbicide design with preliminary success only regarding imidazole-glycerol phosphate dehydratase (IGPD, EC 4.2.1.19), or HISN5, as referred to in plants. HISN5 catalyzes the sixth step of the HBP, in which imidazole-glycerol phosphate (IGP) is dehydrated to imidazole-acetol phosphate. In this work, we present high-resolution cryoEM and crystal structures of Medicago truncatula HISN5 (MtHISN5) in complexes with an inactive IGP diastereoisomer and with various other ligands. MtHISN5 can serve as a new model for plant HISN5 structural studies, as it enables resolving protein-ligand interactions at high (2.2 Å) resolution using cryoEM. We identified ligand-binding hotspots and characterized the features of plant HISN5 enzymes in the context of the HISN5-targeted inhibitor design. Virtual screening performed against millions of small molecules not only revealed candidate molecules but also identified linkers for fragments that were experimentally confirmed to bind. Based on experimental and computational approaches, this study provides guidelines for designing symmetric HISN5 inhibitors that can reach two neighboring active sites. Finally, we conducted analyses of sequence similarity networks revealing that plant HISN5 enzymes derive from cyanobacteria. We also adopted a new approach to measure MtHISN5 enzymatic activity using isothermal titration calorimetry and enzymatically synthesized IGP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Witek
- Department of Structural Biology of Eukaryotes, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Sliwiak
- Department of Structural Biology of Eukaryotes, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michal Rawski
- Cryo-EM Facility, SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre, Krakow, Poland
| | - Milosz Ruszkowski
- Department of Structural Biology of Eukaryotes, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Suckling CJ. The allure of targets for novel drugs. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:472-484. [PMID: 38389887 PMCID: PMC10880906 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00621b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The challenges of bringing new medicines to patients have been extensively discussed and debated, including consideration of the contribution that academic laboratories can make. At the University of Strathclyde, drug discovery has been a continuing focal activity since the 1960s, and in the past 30 years, the author has led or contributed to many projects of different character and for diverse diseases. A feature common to these projects is the extension of concepts of molecular and biological targets in drug discovery research. In mechanistic terms, these have included compounds that are activators and not inhibitors, and in particular multitargeted compounds. With respect to relevance to disease, schizophrenia, pulmonary disfunction, autoimmune, and infectious disease are most relevant. These projects are discussed in the context of classical medicinal chemistry and more recent concepts in and approaches to drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Suckling
- Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 1Xl Scotland UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhang H, Huang J, Xie J, Huang W, Yang Y, Xu M, Lei J, Chen H. GRELinker: A Graph-Based Generative Model for Molecular Linker Design with Reinforcement and Curriculum Learning. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:666-676. [PMID: 38241022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is widely used in drug design. One useful strategy in FBDD is designing linkers for linking fragments to optimize their molecular properties. In the current study, we present a novel generative fragment linking model, GRELinker, which utilizes a gated-graph neural network combined with reinforcement and curriculum learning to generate molecules with desirable attributes. The model has been shown to be efficient in multiple tasks, including controlling log P, optimizing synthesizability or predicted bioactivity of compounds, and generating molecules with high 3D similarity but low 2D similarity to the lead compound. Specifically, our model outperforms the previously reported reinforcement learning (RL) built-in method DRlinker on these benchmark tasks. Moreover, GRELinker has been successfully used in an actual FBDD case to generate optimized molecules with enhanced affinities by employing the docking score as the scoring function in RL. Besides, the implementation of curriculum learning in our framework enables the generation of structurally complex linkers more efficiently. These results demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of GRELinker in linker design for molecular optimization and drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jinchao Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Junjie Xie
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weifeng Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuedong Yang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mingyuan Xu
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, No. 9 Xin Dao Huan Bei Road, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Jinping Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hongming Chen
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, No. 9 Xin Dao Huan Bei Road, Guangzhou 510005, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Whelan R, Mayor-Ruiz C. Chemical rewiring of ubiquitination by degraders and their selectivity routes. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:205-207. [PMID: 38366231 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Rory Whelan
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mayor-Ruiz
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Baldiri Reixac, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Baybekov S, Llompart P, Marcou G, Gizzi P, Galzi JL, Ramos P, Saurel O, Bourban C, Minoletti C, Varnek A. Kinetic solubility: Experimental and machine-learning modeling perspectives. Mol Inform 2024; 43:e202300216. [PMID: 38149685 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202300216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Kinetic aqueous or buffer solubility is important parameter measuring suitability of compounds for high throughput assays in early drug discovery while thermodynamic solubility is reserved for later stages of drug discovery and development. Kinetic solubility is also considered to have low inter-laboratory reproducibility because of its sensitivity to protocol parameters [1]. Presumably, this is why little efforts have been put to build QSPR models for kinetic in comparison to thermodynamic aqueous solubility. Here, we investigate the reproducibility and modelability of kinetic solubility assays. We first analyzed the relationship between kinetic and thermodynamic solubility data, and then examined the consistency of data from different kinetic assays. In this contribution, we report differences between kinetic and thermodynamic solubility data that are consistent with those reported by others [1, 2] and good agreement between data from different kinetic solubility campaigns in contrast to general expectations. The latter is confirmed by achieving high performing QSPR models trained on merged kinetic solubility datasets. The poor performance of QSPR model trained on thermodynamic solubility when applied to kinetic solubility dataset reinforces the conclusion that kinetic and thermodynamic solubilities do not correlate: one cannot be used as an ersatz for the other. This encourages for building predictive models for kinetic solubility. The kinetic solubility QSPR model developed in this study is freely accessible through the Predictor web service of the Laboratory of Chemoinformatics (https://chematlas.chimie.unistra.fr/cgi-bin/predictor2.cgi).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shamkhal Baybekov
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre Llompart
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
- IDD/CADD, Sanofi, Vitry-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Gilles Marcou
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patrick Gizzi
- Plateforme de Chimie Biologique Intégrative de Strasbourg UAR 3286 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67412, Illkirch, France
| | - Jean-Luc Galzi
- Biotechnologie et signalisation cellulaire UMR 7242 CNRS, École supérieure de biotechnologie de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67412, Illkirch, France
- ChemBioFrance - Chimiothèque Nationale UAR 3035, ENSCM - 240, Avenue du Prof. E. Jeanbrau, CS 60297-34296, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Pascal Ramos
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Saurel
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Bourban
- Plateforme de Chimie Biologique Intégrative de Strasbourg UAR 3286 CNRS, University of Strasbourg, 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67412, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Alexandre Varnek
- Laboratoire de Chémoinformatique UMR 7140 CNRS, Institut Le Bel, University of Strasbourg, 4 Rue Blaise Pascal, 67081, Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pham AC, Holstein SA, Borgstahl GE. Structural Insight into Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase (GGDPS) for Cancer Therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:14-23. [PMID: 37756579 PMCID: PMC10762340 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGDPS), the source of the isoprenoid donor in protein geranylgeranylation reactions, has become an attractive target for anticancer therapy due to the reliance of cancers on geranylgeranylated proteins. Current GGDPS inhibitor development focuses on optimizing the drug-target enzyme interactions of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate-based drugs. To advance GGDPS inhibitor development, understanding the enzyme structure, active site, and ligand/product interactions is essential. Here we provide a comprehensive structure-focused review of GGDPS. We reviewed available yeast and human GGDPS structures and then used AlphaFold modeling to complete unsolved structural aspects of these models. We delineate the elements of higher-order structure formation, product-substrate binding, the electrostatic surface, and small-molecule inhibitor binding. With the rise of structure-based drug design, the information provided here will serve as a valuable tool for rationally optimizing inhibitor selectivity and effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Pham
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sarah A. Holstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Gloria E.O. Borgstahl
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- The Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Punzalan C, Wang L, Bajrami B, Yao X. Measurement and utilization of the proteomic reactivity by mass spectrometry. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2024; 43:166-192. [PMID: 36924435 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemical proteomics, which involves studying the covalent modifications of proteins by small molecules, has significantly contributed to our understanding of protein function and has become an essential tool in drug discovery. Mass spectrometry (MS) is the primary method for identifying and quantifying protein-small molecule adducts. In this review, we discuss various methods for measuring proteomic reactivity using MS and covalent proteomics probes that engage through reactivity-driven and proximity-driven mechanisms. We highlight the applications of these methods and probes in live-cell measurements, drug target identification and validation, and characterizing protein-small molecule interactions. We conclude the review with current developments and future opportunities in the field, providing our perspectives on analytical considerations for MS-based analysis of the proteomic reactivity landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clodette Punzalan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- AD Bio US, Takeda, Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, USA
| | - Bekim Bajrami
- Chemical Biology & Proteomics, Biogen, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xudong Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Institute for Systems Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li B, Wang Y, Yin Z, Xu L, Xie L, Xu X. Decision tree-based identification of important molecular fragments for protein-ligand binding. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14427. [PMID: 38230776 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug design is an emerging technology in pharmaceutical research and development. One of the key aspects of this technology is the identification and quantitative characterization of molecular fragments. This study presents a strategy for identifying important molecular fragments based on molecular fingerprints and decision tree algorithms and verifies its feasibility in predicting protein-ligand binding affinity. Specifically, the three-dimensional (3D) structures of protein-ligand complexes are encoded using extended-connectivity fingerprints (ECFP), and three decision tree models, namely Random Forest, XGBoost, and LightGBM, are used to quantitatively characterize the feature importance, thereby extracting important molecular fragments with high reliability. Few-shot learning reveals that the extracted molecular fragments contribute significantly and consistently to the binding affinity even with a small sample size. Despite the absence of location and distance information for molecular fragments in ECFP, 3D visualization, in combination with the reverse ECFP process, shows that the majority of the extracted fragments are located at the binding interface of the protein and the ligand. This alignment with the distance constraints critical for binding affinity further supports the reliability of the strategy for identifying important molecular fragments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baiyi Li
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Yunsong Wang
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Zuode Yin
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Liangxu Xie
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Talevi A. Computer-Aided Drug Discovery and Design: Recent Advances and Future Prospects. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2714:1-20. [PMID: 37676590 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3441-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Computer-aided drug discovery and design involve the use of information technologies to identify and develop, on a rational ground, chemical compounds that align a set of desired physicochemical and biological properties. In its most common form, it involves the identification and/or modification of an active scaffold (or the combination of known active scaffolds), although de novo drug design from scratch is also possible. Traditionally, the drug discovery and design processes have focused on the molecular determinants of the interactions between drug candidates and their known or intended pharmacological target(s). Nevertheless, in modern times, drug discovery and design are conceived as a particularly complex multiparameter optimization task, due to the complicated, often conflicting, property requirements.This chapter provides an updated overview of in silico approaches for identifying active scaffolds and guiding the subsequent optimization process. Recent groundbreaking advances in the field have also analyzed the integration of state-of-the-art machine learning approaches in every step of the drug discovery process (from prediction of target structure to customized molecular docking scoring functions), integration of multilevel omics data, and the use of a diversity of computational approaches to assist target validation and assess plausible binding pockets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Talevi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compound Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina.
- Argentinean National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kunnakkattu IR, Choudhary P, Pravda L, Nadzirin N, Smart OS, Yuan Q, Anyango S, Nair S, Varadi M, Velankar S. PDBe CCDUtils: an RDKit-based toolkit for handling and analysing small molecules in the Protein Data Bank. J Cheminform 2023; 15:117. [PMID: 38042830 PMCID: PMC10693035 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-023-00786-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
While the Protein Data Bank (PDB) contains a wealth of structural information on ligands bound to macromolecules, their analysis can be challenging due to the large amount and diversity of data. Here, we present PDBe CCDUtils, a versatile toolkit for processing and analysing small molecules from the PDB in PDBx/mmCIF format. PDBe CCDUtils provides streamlined access to all the metadata for small molecules in the PDB and offers a set of convenient methods to compute various properties using RDKit, such as 2D depictions, 3D conformers, physicochemical properties, scaffolds, common fragments, and cross-references to small molecule databases using UniChem. The toolkit also provides methods for identifying all the covalently attached chemical components in a macromolecular structure and calculating similarity among small molecules. By providing a broad range of functionality, PDBe CCDUtils caters to the needs of researchers in cheminformatics, structural biology, bioinformatics and computational chemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Roshan Kunnakkattu
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Preeti Choudhary
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Lukas Pravda
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Nurul Nadzirin
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Oliver S Smart
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Qi Yuan
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Stephen Anyango
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Sreenath Nair
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Mihaly Varadi
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Sameer Velankar
- Protein Data Bank in Europe, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wranik M, Kepa MW, Beale EV, James D, Bertrand Q, Weinert T, Furrer A, Glover H, Gashi D, Carrillo M, Kondo Y, Stipp RT, Khusainov G, Nass K, Ozerov D, Cirelli C, Johnson PJM, Dworkowski F, Beale JH, Stubbs S, Zamofing T, Schneider M, Krauskopf K, Gao L, Thorn-Seshold O, Bostedt C, Bacellar C, Steinmetz MO, Milne C, Standfuss J. A multi-reservoir extruder for time-resolved serial protein crystallography and compound screening at X-ray free-electron lasers. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7956. [PMID: 38042952 PMCID: PMC10693631 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43523-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) permits the determination of radiation-damage free static as well as time-resolved protein structures at room temperature. Efficient sample delivery is a key factor for such experiments. Here, we describe a multi-reservoir, high viscosity extruder as a step towards automation of sample delivery at XFELs. Compared to a standard single extruder, sample exchange time was halved and the workload of users was greatly reduced. In-built temperature control of samples facilitated optimal extrusion and supported sample stability. After commissioning the device with lysozyme crystals, we collected time-resolved data using crystals of a membrane-bound, light-driven sodium pump. Static data were also collected from the soluble protein tubulin that was soaked with a series of small molecule drugs. Using these data, we identify low occupancy (as little as 30%) ligands using a minimal amount of data from a serial crystallography experiment, a result that could be exploited for structure-based drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Wranik
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland.
| | - Michal W Kepa
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland.
| | - Emma V Beale
- Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Daniel James
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Bertrand
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Weinert
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Antonia Furrer
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Hannah Glover
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Dardan Gashi
- Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Carrillo
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Yasushi Kondo
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Robin T Stipp
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Georgii Khusainov
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Karol Nass
- Laboratory for Macromolecules and Bioimaging, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Dmitry Ozerov
- Scientific Computing, Theory and Data Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Cirelli
- Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Philip J M Johnson
- Laboratory for Nonlinear Optics, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Florian Dworkowski
- Laboratory for Macromolecules and Bioimaging, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - John H Beale
- Laboratory for Macromolecules and Bioimaging, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Scott Stubbs
- Large Research Facilities Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Zamofing
- Large Research Facilities Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Marco Schneider
- Large Research Facilities Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Krauskopf
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Butenandtstr. 7, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Butenandtstr. 7, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Oliver Thorn-Seshold
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Butenandtstr. 7, Munich, 81377, Germany
| | - Christoph Bostedt
- Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
- LUXS Laboratory for Ultrafast X-ray Sciences, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Camila Bacellar
- Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry, Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Michel O Steinmetz
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Milne
- Femtosecond X-ray Experiments Instrument, European XFEL GmbH, Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Jörg Standfuss
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen-PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Martinelli M, Giorgiutti C, Fessard T, Lefebvre Q. Introducing covalent warheads on spirocyclic sp 2-sp 3 fragments by innate C-H functionalization. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:9230-9235. [PMID: 37965862 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01746j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Sp2-sp3 fragments play a vital role in fragment-based drug design (FBDD). Strategies to chemically modify them and efficiently access libraries of these compounds have been goals of the highest priority in the last decades. In this work, a series of sp2-sp3 fragments was synthesized and validated for that purpose, based on their measured physical-chemical properties. Selective C-H cyanation and allylation of these fragments was demonstrated by simple heating in presence of an appropriate hydrogen-atom transfer reagent and a radical acceptor. These conditions enabled a streamlined access to covalent fragments in a single step, by direct introduction of the desired covalent binder. Preliminary results on vinylation, as well as late-stage functionalization of a drug analogue were disclosed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Martinelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli, Pavia 27100, Italy
- SpiroChem AG, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Thomas Fessard
- SpiroChem AG, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bedwell EV, da Silva Emery F, Clososki GC, Steel PG. Synthesis and vectorial functionalisation of pyrazolo[3,4- c]pyridines. RSC Adv 2023; 13:34391-34399. [PMID: 38024964 PMCID: PMC10667592 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07458g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterocycles are a cornerstone of fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) due to their prevalence in biologically active compounds. However, novel heterocyclic fragments are only valuable if they can be suitably elaborated to compliment a chosen target protein. Here we describe the synthesis of 5-halo-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine scaffolds and demonstrate how these compounds can be selectively elaborated along multiple growth-vectors. Specifically, N-1 and N-2 are accessed through protection-group and N-alkylation reactions; C-3 through tandem borylation and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions; C-5 through Pd-catalysed Buchwald-Hartwig amination; and C-7 through selective metalation with TMPMgCl.LiCl followed by reaction with electrophiles or transmetalation to ZnCl2 and Negishi cross-coupling. Linking multiple functionalisation strategies emulates a hit-to-lead pathway and demonstrates the utility of pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines to FBDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavio da Silva Emery
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Giuliano C Clososki
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil
| | - Patrick G Steel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham South Road Durham DH1 3LE UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Liu Y, Wang Q, Yu S, Liu M, Han J, Sun B. Construction and Evaluation of Novel Dual-function Antifungal Inhibitors and Covalent Organic Framework Carriers Based on the Infection Microenvironment. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13838-13857. [PMID: 37752076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
In this study, PD-L1 and CYP51 were selected as key dual-target enzymes, which play an important role in the process of fungal proliferation and immune suppression. A series of novel bifonazole dual-target compounds were designed through the method of fragment combination. Their chemical structure was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. Among them, the compounds (10c-1, 14a-2, 17c-2) exhibited excellent antifungal and antidrug-resistant fungal activity in vitro. In particular, the preferred compound 14a-2 with high-efficiency dual-target inhibitor ability could block the fungal proliferation and activate the organism's immune efficacy. Moreover, the corresponding covalent organic framework carrier was also successfully constructed to improve its bioavailability. This significantly accelerated the body's recovery process from fungal infection in vivo. In summary, this study expanded the scientific frontier of antifungal drugs and provided a feasible candidate pathway for clinical treatment of fungal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yating Liu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Qingpeng Wang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Shuai Yu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Jun Han
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| | - Bin Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yoon HR, Park GJ, Balupuri A, Kang NS. TWN-FS method: A novel fragment screening method for drug discovery. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:4683-4696. [PMID: 37841326 PMCID: PMC10568351 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a well-established and effective method for generating diverse and novel hits in drug design. Kinases are suitable targets for FBDD due to their well-defined structure. Water molecules contribute to structure and function of proteins and also influence the environment within the binding pocket. Water molecules form a variety of hydrogen-bonded cyclic water-ring networks, collectively known as topological water networks (TWNs). Analyzing the TWNs in protein binding sites can provide valuable insights into potential locations and shapes for fragments within the binding site. Here, we introduce TWN-based fragment screening (TWN-FS) method, a novel screening method that suggests fragments through grouped TWN analysis within the protein binding site. We used this method to screen known CDK2, CHK1, IGF1R and ERBB4 inhibitors. Our findings suggest that TWN-FS method has the potential to effectively screen fragments. The TWN-FS method package is available on GitHub at https://github.com/pkj0421/TWN-FS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Ree Yoon
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Gyoung Jin Park
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Anand Balupuri
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Nam Sook Kang
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hoarau M, Sermmai P, Varatthan T, Thiabma R, Jantra T, Rattanajak R, Vitsupakorn D, Vanichtanankul J, Saepua S, Yuthavong Y, Thongpanchang C, Kamchonwongpaisan S. Discovery of rigid biphenyl Plasmodium falciparum DHFR inhibitors using a fragment linking strategy. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1755-1766. [PMID: 37731689 PMCID: PMC10507804 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00242j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (PfDHFR), a historical target for antimalarials, has been considered compromised due to resistance inducing mutations caused by pyrimethamine (PYR) overexposure. The clinical candidate P218 has demonstrated that inhibitors could efficiently target both PYR-sensitive and PYR-resistant parasites through careful drug design. Yet, P218 clinical development has been limited by its pharmacokinetic profile, incompatible with single dose regimen. Herein, we report the design of new PfDHFR inhibitors using fragment-based design, aiming at improved lipophilicity and overall drug-like properties. Fragment-based screening identified hits binding in the pABA site of the enzyme. Using structure-guided design, hits were elaborated into leads by fragment linking with 2,4-diaminopyrimidine. Resulting compounds display nM range inhibition of both drug-sensitive and resistant PfDHFR, high selectivity against the human isoform, drug-like lipophilicity and metabolic stability. Compound 4 and its ester derivative 3 kill blood stage TM4/8.2 parasite at nM concentrations while showing no toxicity against Vero cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Hoarau
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Patpanat Sermmai
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Thaveechai Varatthan
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Ratthiya Thiabma
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Tararat Jantra
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Roonglawan Rattanajak
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Danoo Vitsupakorn
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Jarunee Vanichtanankul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Siriporn Saepua
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Yongyuth Yuthavong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Chawanee Thongpanchang
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Sumalee Kamchonwongpaisan
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hua L, Wang D, Wang K, Wang Y, Gu J, Zhang Q, You Q, Wang L. Design of Tracers in Fluorescence Polarization Assay for Extensive Application in Small Molecule Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10934-10958. [PMID: 37561645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Development of fluorescence polarization (FP) assays, especially in a competitive manner, is a potent and mature tool for measuring the binding affinities of small molecules. This approach is suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) for initial ligands and is also applicable for further study of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of candidate compounds for drug discovery. Buffer and tracer, especially rational design of the tracer, play a vital role in an FP assay system. In this perspective, we provided different kinds of approaches for tracer design based on successful cases in recent years. We classified these tracers by different types of ligands in tracers, including peptide, nucleic acid, natural product, and small molecule. To make this technology accessible for more targets, we briefly described the basic theory and workflow, followed by highlighting the design and application of typical FP tracers from a perspective of medicinal chemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Danni Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Keran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinying Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiuyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Shama Bhat G, Shaik Mohammad F. Computational Fragment-Based Design of Phytochemical Derivatives as EGFR Inhibitors. Chem Biodivers 2023; 20:e202300681. [PMID: 37399183 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202300681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential target with disease modifying benefits against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Repurposing of FDA approved drugs against EGFR have shown beneficial effect against AD but are confined to quinazoline, quinoline and aminopyrimidines. Futuristically, the possibility of acquiring drug resistance mutation as seen in the case of cancer could also hamper AD treatment. To identify novel chemical scaffolds, we rooted on phytochemicals identified from plants such as Acorus calamus, Bacopa monnieri, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Tinospora cordifloia, and Withania somnifera that have well-established records in the treatment of brain disorders. The rationale was to mimic the biosynthetic metabolite extension process observed in the plants for synthesizing new phytochemical derivates. Thus, novel compounds were designed computationally by fragment-based method followed by extensive in silico analysis to pick potential phytochemical derivates. PCD1, 8 and 10 were predicted to have better blood brain barrier permeability. ADMET and SoM analysis suggested that these PCDs exhibited druglike properties. Further simulation studies showed that PCD1 and PCD8 stably interact with EGFR and have the potential to be used even in cases of drug-resistance mutations. With further experimental evidence, these PCDs could be leveraged as potential inhibitors of EGFR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Shama Bhat
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Fayaz Shaik Mohammad
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Spassov DS, Atanasova M, Doytchinova I. Inhibitor Trapping in N-Myristoyltransferases as a Mechanism for Drug Potency. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11610. [PMID: 37511367 PMCID: PMC10380619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting inhibitor potency is critical in drug design and development, yet it has remained one of computational biology's biggest unresolved challenges. Here, we show that in the case of the N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), this problem could be traced to the mechanisms by which the NMT enzyme is inhibited. NMT adopts open or closed conformations necessary for orchestrating the different steps of the catalytic process. The results indicate that the potency of the NMT inhibitors is determined by their ability to stabilize the enzyme conformation in the closed state, and that in this state, the small molecules themselves are trapped and locked inside the structure of the enzyme, creating a significant barrier for their dissociation. By using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that the conformational stabilization of the protein molecule in its closed form is highly correlated with the ligands activity and can be used to predict their potency. Hence, predicting inhibitor potency in silico might depend on modeling the conformational changes of the protein molecule upon binding of the ligand rather than estimating the changes in free binding energy that arise from their interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danislav S Spassov
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Mariyana Atanasova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Irini Doytchinova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Grenier D, Audebert S, Preto J, Guichou JF, Krimm I. Linkers in fragment-based drug design: an overview of the literature. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:987-1009. [PMID: 37466331 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2234285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In fragment-based drug design, fragment linking is a popular strategy where two fragments binding to different sub-pockets of a target are linked together. This attractive method remains challenging especially due to the design of ideal linkers. AREAS COVERED The authors review the types of linkers and chemical reactions commonly used to the synthesis of linkers, including those utilized in protein-templated fragment self-assembly, where fragments are directly linked in the presence of the protein. Finally, they detail computational workflows and software including generative models that have been developed for fragment linking. EXPERT OPINION The authors believe that fragment linking offers key advantages for compound design, particularly for the design of bivalent inhibitors linking two distinct pockets of the same or different subunits. On the other hand, more studies are needed to increase the potential of protein-templated approaches in FBDD. Important computational tools such as structure-based de novo software are emerging to select suitable linkers. Fragment linking will undoubtedly benefit from developments in computational approaches and machine learning models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Grenier
- Team Small Molecules for Biological Targets, Centre de Recherche En Cancérologie (CRCL) - INSERM 1052 - CNRS 5286 - Centre Léon Bérard - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut Convergence Plascan, Lyon, France
| | - Solène Audebert
- Centre de Biologie Structurale, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jordane Preto
- Team Small Molecules for Biological Targets, Centre de Recherche En Cancérologie (CRCL) - INSERM 1052 - CNRS 5286 - Centre Léon Bérard - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut Convergence Plascan, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-François Guichou
- Centre de Biologie Structurale, CNRS, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle Krimm
- Team Small Molecules for Biological Targets, Centre de Recherche En Cancérologie (CRCL) - INSERM 1052 - CNRS 5286 - Centre Léon Bérard - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut Convergence Plascan, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Husseiny EM, Abulkhair HS, El-Hddad SS, Osama N, El-Zoghbi MS. Aminopyridone-linked benzimidazoles: a fragment-based drug design for the development of CDK9 inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1213-1232. [PMID: 37584185 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: A fragment-based design and synthesis of three novel series of aminopyridone-linked benzimidazoles as potential anticancer candidates with significant CDK9 inhibition was implemented. Materials & methods: All synthesized compounds were submitted to National Cancer Institute, 60 cell lines and seven-dose cytotoxicity toward three cancer cells. Results: Compounds 2, 4a, 4c, 4d, 6a and 8a exhibited significant cytotoxicity and selectivity with IC50 range of 7.61-57.75 μM. Regarding the mechanism either in vitro or in silico, 4a, 6a and 8a displayed potent CDK9 inhibition with IC50 value of 0.424-8.461 μM. Compound 6a arrested the cell cycle at S phase and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Compound 6a is a promising CDK9 inhibitor that warrants additional research for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebtehal M Husseiny
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11754, Egypt
| | - Hamada S Abulkhair
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University - Egypt, New Damietta, 34518, Egypt
| | - Sanadelaslam Sa El-Hddad
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Omar Almukhtar University, Al Bayda, 102345, Libya
| | - Nada Osama
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shibin Elkom, Menoufia, 32511, Egypt
| | - Mona S El-Zoghbi
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koum, 32511, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bijak V, Szczygiel M, Lenkiewicz J, Gucwa M, Cooper DR, Murzyn K, Minor W. The current role and evolution of X-ray crystallography in drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:1221-1230. [PMID: 37592849 PMCID: PMC10620067 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2246881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Macromolecular X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM are currently the primary techniques used to determine the three-dimensional structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses. Structural information has been critical to drug discovery and structural bioinformatics. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into X-ray crystallography has shown great promise in automating and accelerating the analysis of complex structural data, further improving the efficiency and accuracy of structure determination. AREAS COVERED This review explores the relationship between X-ray crystallography and other modern structural determination methods. It examines the integration of data acquired from diverse biochemical and biophysical techniques with those derived from structural biology. Additionally, the paper offers insights into the influence of AI on X-ray crystallography, emphasizing how integrating AI with experimental approaches can revolutionize our comprehension of biological processes and interactions. EXPERT OPINION Investing in science is crucially emphasized due to its significant role in drug discovery and advancements in healthcare. X-ray crystallography remains an essential source of structural biology data for drug discovery. Recent advances in biochemical, spectroscopic, and bioinformatic methods, along with the integration of AI techniques, hold the potential to revolutionize drug discovery when effectively combined with robust data management practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Bijak
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908
| | - Michal Szczygiel
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908
- Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Lenkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908
| | - Michal Gucwa
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - David R. Cooper
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908
| | - Krzysztof Murzyn
- Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Villemagne B, Faion L, Tangara S, Willand N. Recent advances in Fragment-based strategies against tuberculosis. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115569. [PMID: 37423127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis remains one of the world's leading infectious disease killers, causing more than 1.5 million of deaths each year. It is therefore a priority to discover and develop new classes of anti-tuberculosis drugs to design new treatments in order to fight the increasing burden of resistant-tuberculosis. Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) relies on the identification of small molecule hits, further improved to high-affinity ligands through three main approaches: fragment growing, merging and linking. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent progresses made in fragment-based approaches for the discovery and development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibitors in a wide range of pathways. Hit discovery, hit-to-lead optimization, SAR and binding mode when available are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Villemagne
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Léo Faion
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Salia Tangara
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Willand
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, F-59000, Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Although fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has been successfully implemented and well-explored for protein targets, its feasibility for RNA targets is emerging. Despite the challenges associated with the selective targeting of RNA, efforts to integrate known methods of RNA binder discovery with fragment-based approaches have been fruitful, as a few bioactive ligands have been identified. Here, we review various fragment-based approaches implemented for RNA targets and provide insights into experimental design and outcomes to guide future work in the area. Indeed, investigations surrounding the molecular recognition of RNA by fragments address rather important questions such as the limits of molecular weight that confer selective binding and the physicochemical properties favorable for RNA binding and bioactivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blessy M. Suresh
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Amirhossein Taghavi
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jessica L. Childs-Disney
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- UF Scripps Biomedical Research & The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ramchandani M, Goyal AK. Structure based drug design and fragment based approach to identify potential methotrexate analogues as dual inhibitors for management of psoriasis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:15421-15434. [PMID: 37216397 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2214823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Psoriasis is characterized as chronic inflammatory disorder of skin having unregulated hyperproliferation and shedding of plaques. As per first line treatment methotrexate is the most widely used cytotoxic drug for psoriasis. It shows anti-proliferative effect with hDHFR while anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive action is due to AICART. Serious hepatotoxic effects are recognized with long-term treatment of methotrexate. In this study, in silico technique is used in this work to find Dual-Acting Methotrexate-like molecules with increased efficacy and decreased toxicity. Structure-based virtual screening assisted by a fragment-based method against a library of chemicals that are similar to methotrexate revealing 36 and 27 potential inhibitors of hDHFR and AICART respectively. Further, based on dock score, binding energy, molecular interactions, and ADME/T analysis compound 135565151 was chosen for dynamic stability evaluation. Overall, these findings provided information on possible methotrexate analogues for the treatment of psoriasis that had lower hepatotoxicity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manish Ramchandani
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences & Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, India
| | - Amit Kumar Goyal
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences & Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Kishangarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jia X, Fan S, Dong W, Li S, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Wang S. Setmelanotide optimization through fragment-growing, molecular docking in-silico method targeting MC4 receptor. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:15411-15420. [PMID: 37126536 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2204385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Obesity has emerged as a global issue, but with the complex structures of multiple related important targets and their agonists or antagonists determined, the mechanism of ligand-protein interaction may offer new chances for developing new generation agonists anti-obesity. Based on the molecule surface of the cryo-EM protein structure 7AUE, we tried to replace D-Ala3 with D-Met in setmelanotide as the linker site for fragment-growing with De novo evolution. The simulation results indicate that the derivatives could improve the binding abilities with the melanocortin 4 receptor and the selectivity over the melanocortin 1 receptor. The improved selectivity of the newly designed derivatives is mainly due to the shape difference of the molecular surface at the orthosteric peptide-binding pocket between melanocortin 4 receptor and melanocortin 1 receptor. The new extended fragments could not only enhance the binding affinities but also function as a gripper to seize the pore, making it easier to balance and stabilize the other component of the new derivatives. Although it is challenging to synthesize the compounds designed in silico, this study may perhaps serve as a trigger for additional anti-obesity research.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopu Jia
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuai Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weili Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaoyong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sinha P, Yadav AK. Identification of novel potential inhibitor of thymidylate kinase from Variola virus. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:14092-14102. [PMID: 36907647 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2188426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
A hit compound was designed using Fragment Based Drug Designing (FBDD) approach, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to find the structural and electronic properties. Additionally, pharmacokinetic properties were studied to understand the biological response of the compound. Docking studies were carried out with the protein structure of VrTMPK and HssTMPK with the reported hit compound. The favored docked complex was further carried to perform MD simulations; the RMSD plot and H-bond analysis was done for 200 ns. Also, MM-PBSA was done to understand the binding energy constituents and stability of the complex. A comparative study of the designed hit compound was done with FDA approved Tecovirimat. As a result, it was found that the reported compound (POX-A)is a potential selective inhibitor for Variola virus. Hence, it can be used to study further in vivo and in vitro behavior of the compound.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prashasti Sinha
- Department of Physics, School of Physical & Decision Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anil Kumar Yadav
- Department of Physics, School of Physical & Decision Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Michaelides IN, Collie GW. E3 Ligases Meet Their Match: Fragment-Based Approaches to Discover New E3 Ligands and to Unravel E3 Biology. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3173-3194. [PMID: 36821822 PMCID: PMC10009759 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a key post-translational modification of proteins, affecting the regulation of multiple cellular processes. Cells are equipped with over 600 ubiquitin orchestrators, called E3 ubiquitin ligases, responsible for directing the covalent attachment of ubiquitin to substrate proteins. Due to their regulatory role in cells, significant efforts have been made to discover ligands for E3 ligases. The recent emergence of the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) and molecular glue degrader (MGD) modalities has further increased interest in E3 ligases as drug targets. This perspective focuses on how fragment based lead discovery (FBLD) methods have been used to discover new ligands for this important target class. In some cases these efforts have led to clinical candidates; in others, they have provided tools for deepening our understanding of E3 ligase biology. Recently, FBLD-derived ligands have inspired the design of PROTACs that are able to artificially modulate protein levels in cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iacovos N. Michaelides
- Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals
R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, United
Kingdom
| | - Gavin W. Collie
- Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals
R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, United
Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Fragment-Based Lead Discovery Strategies in Antimicrobial Drug Discovery. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020315. [PMID: 36830226 PMCID: PMC9951956 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragment-based lead discovery (FBLD) is a powerful application for developing ligands as modulators of disease targets. This approach strategy involves identification of interactions between low-molecular weight compounds (100-300 Da) and their putative targets, often with low affinity (KD ~0.1-1 mM) interactions. The focus of this screening methodology is to optimize and streamline identification of fragments with higher ligand efficiency (LE) than typical high-throughput screening. The focus of this review is on the last half decade of fragment-based drug discovery strategies that have been used for antimicrobial drug discovery.
Collapse
|
36
|
Wang ZZ, Yi C, Huang JJ, Xu TF, Chen KZ, Wang ZS, Xue YP, Lu JL, Nie B, Zhang YJ, Jin CF, Hao GF. Deciphering Nonbioavailable Substructures Improves the Bioavailability of Antidepressants by Serotonin Transporter. J Med Chem 2023; 66:371-383. [PMID: 36598095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate bioavailability is one of the most critical reasons for the failure of oral drug development. However, the way that substructures affect bioavailability remains largely unknown. Serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitors are first-line drugs for major depression disorder, and improving their bioavailability may be able to decrease side-effects by reducing daily dose. Thus, it is an excellent model to probe the relationship between substructures and bioavailability. Here, we proposed the concept of "nonbioavailable substructures", referring to substructures that are unfavorable to bioavailability. A machine learning model was developed to identify nonbioavailable substructures based on their molecular properties and shows the accuracy of 83.5%. A more potent SERT inhibitor DH4 was discovered with a bioavailability of 83.28% in rats by replacing the nonbioavailable substructure of approved drug vilazodone. DH4 exhibits promising anti-depression efficacy in animal experiments. The concept of nonbioavailable substructures may open up a new venue for the improvement of drug bioavailability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Chao Yi
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Jun-Jie Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Teng-Fei Xu
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Kang-Zhi Chen
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Zu-Sheng Wang
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Ya-Ping Xue
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Jie-Lian Lu
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Biao Nie
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Ying-Jun Zhang
- HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Chuan-Fei Jin
- Sunshine Lake Pharma Co. Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China.,HEC Pharm Group, HEC Research and Development Center, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Ge-Fei Hao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430000, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Marcos Santos L, da Silveira NJF. Current Fragment-to-lead Approaches Starting from the 7-azaindole: The Pharmacological Versatility of a Privileged Molecular Fragment. Curr Top Med Chem 2023; 23:2116-2130. [PMID: 37461366 DOI: 10.2174/1568026623666230718100541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery is one of the most powerful paradigms in the recent context of medicinal chemistry and is being widely practiced by academic and industrial researchers. Currently, azaindoles are among the most exploited molecular fragments in pharmaceutical innovation projects inspired by fragment-to-lead strategies. The 7-azaindole is the most prominent representative within this remarkable family of pyrrolopyridine fragments, as it is present in the chemical structure of several approved antitumor drugs and also of numerous therapeutic candidates. In this paper, a brief overview on existing proofs of concept in the literature will be presented, as well as some recent works that corroborate 7-azaindole as a privileged and pharmacologically versatile molecular fragment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Marcos Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Computer Simulation / MolMod-CS (D311-F), Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Alfenas / UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-001, Brazil
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory / LQFar (D202A), Department of Food and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas / UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Nelson José Freitas da Silveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Computer Simulation / MolMod-CS (D311-F), Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Alfenas / UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, 37130-001, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gupta MK, Gouda G, Sultana S, Punekar SM, Vadde R, Ravikiran T. Structure-related relationship: Plant-derived antidiabetic compounds. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY 2023:241-295. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91294-5.00008-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
|
39
|
Tan Y, Dai L, Huang W, Guo Y, Zheng S, Lei J, Chen H, Yang Y. DRlinker: Deep Reinforcement Learning for Optimization in Fragment Linking Design. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:5907-5917. [PMID: 36404642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery is a widely used strategy for drug design in both academic and pharmaceutical industries. Although fragments can be linked to generate candidate compounds by the latest deep generative models, generating linkers with specified attributes remains underdeveloped. In this study, we presented a novel framework, DRlinker, to control fragment linking toward compounds with given attributes through reinforcement learning. The method has been shown to be effective for many tasks from controlling the linker length and log P, optimizing predicted bioactivity of compounds, to various multiobjective tasks. Specifically, our model successfully generated 91.0% and 93.9% of compounds complying with the desired linker length and log P and improved the 7.5 pChEMBL value in bioactivity optimization. Finally, a quasi-scaffold-hopping study revealed that DRlinker could generate nearly 30% molecules with high 3D similarity but low 2D similarity to the lead inhibitor, demonstrating the benefits and applicability of DRlinker in actual fragment-based drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youhai Tan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Lingxue Dai
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Weifeng Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Yinfeng Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Shuangjia Zheng
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China.,Galixir Technologies, Beijing100083, China
| | - Jinping Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Hongming Chen
- Guangzhou Laboratory, No. 9 XinDaoHuanBei Road, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou510005, China
| | - Yuedong Yang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Moinul M, Khatun S, Amin SA, Jha T, Gayen S. Recent trends in fragment-based anticancer drug design strategies against different targets: A mini-review. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
41
|
Humphreys PG, Anderson NA, Bamborough P, Baxter A, Chung CW, Cookson R, Craggs PD, Dalton T, Fournier JCL, Gordon LJ, Gray HF, Gray MW, Gregory R, Hirst DJ, Jamieson C, Jones KL, Kessedjian H, Lugo D, McGonagle G, Patel VK, Patten C, Poole DL, Prinjha RK, Ramirez-Molina C, Rioja I, Seal G, Stafford KAJ, Shah RR, Tape D, Theodoulou NH, Tomlinson L, Ukuser S, Wall ID, Wellaway N, White G. Identification and Optimization of a Ligand-Efficient Benzoazepinone Bromodomain and Extra Terminal (BET) Family Acetyl-Lysine Mimetic into the Oral Candidate Quality Molecule I-BET432. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15174-15207. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Niall A. Anderson
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Paul Bamborough
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Andrew Baxter
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Chun-wa Chung
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Rosa Cookson
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Peter D. Craggs
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Toryn Dalton
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - Laurie J. Gordon
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Heather F. Gray
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Matthew W. Gray
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Richard Gregory
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - David J. Hirst
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Craig Jamieson
- WestCHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Thomas Graham Building, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, U.K
| | | | | | - David Lugo
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Grant McGonagle
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | | | - Darren L. Poole
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Rab K. Prinjha
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - Inmaculada Rioja
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Gail Seal
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - Rishi R. Shah
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Daniel Tape
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - Laura Tomlinson
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Sabri Ukuser
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Ian D. Wall
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Natalie Wellaway
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Gemma White
- GSK, Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
McAulay K, Bilsland A, Bon M. Reactivity of Covalent Fragments and Their Role in Fragment Based Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1366. [PMID: 36355538 PMCID: PMC9694498 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragment based drug discovery has long been used for the identification of new ligands and interest in targeted covalent inhibitors has continued to grow in recent years, with high profile drugs such as osimertinib and sotorasib gaining FDA approval. It is therefore unsurprising that covalent fragment-based approaches have become popular and have recently led to the identification of novel targets and binding sites, as well as ligands for targets previously thought to be 'undruggable'. Understanding the properties of such covalent fragments is important, and characterizing and/or predicting reactivity can be highly useful. This review aims to discuss the requirements for an electrophilic fragment library and the importance of differing warhead reactivity. Successful case studies from the world of drug discovery are then be examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten McAulay
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Alan Bilsland
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Marta Bon
- Cancer Research Horizons—Therapeutic Innovation, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Exscientia, The Schrödinger Building, Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Vaaltyn MC, Mateos‐Jimenez M, Müller R, Mackay CL, Edkins AL, Clarke DJ, Veale CGL. Native Mass Spectrometry-Guided Screening Identifies Hit Fragments for HOP-HSP90 PPI Inhibition. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200322. [PMID: 36017658 PMCID: PMC9826382 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary medicinal chemistry considers fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) and inhibition of protein-protein interactions (PPI) as important means of expanding the volume of druggable chemical space. However, the ability to robustly identify valid fragments and PPI inhibitors is an enormous challenge, requiring the application of sensitive biophysical methodology. Accordingly, in this study, we exploited the speed and sensitivity of nanoelectrospray (nano-ESI) native mass spectrometry to identify a small collection of fragments which bind to the TPR2AB domain of HOP. Follow-up biophysical assessment of a small selection of binding fragments confirmed binding to the single TPR2A domain, and that this binding translated into PPI inhibitory activity between TPR2A and the HSP90 C-terminal domain. An in-silico assessment of binding fragments at the PPI interfacial region, provided valuable structural insight for future fragment elaboration strategies, including the identification of losartan as a weak, albeit dose-dependent inhibitor of the target PPI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaelone C. Vaaltyn
- The Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit (BioBRU) Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology DepartmentRhodes UniversityMakhanda6139South Africa
| | - Maria Mateos‐Jimenez
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH93FJUK
| | - Ronel Müller
- School of Chemistry and PhysicsUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalScottsville3209South Africa
| | - C. Logan Mackay
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH93FJUK
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- The Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit (BioBRU) Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology DepartmentRhodes UniversityMakhanda6139South Africa
| | - David J. Clarke
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryJoseph Black Building, David Brewster RoadEdinburghEH93FJUK
| | - Clinton G. L. Veale
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Cape Town RondeboschCape Town7700South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bon M, Bilsland A, Bower J, McAulay K. Fragment-based drug discovery-the importance of high-quality molecule libraries. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3761-3777. [PMID: 35749608 PMCID: PMC9627785 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is now established as a complementary approach to high-throughput screening (HTS). Contrary to HTS, where large libraries of drug-like molecules are screened, FBDD screens involve smaller and less complex molecules which, despite a low affinity to protein targets, display more 'atom-efficient' binding interactions than larger molecules. Fragment hits can, therefore, serve as a more efficient start point for subsequent optimisation, particularly for hard-to-drug targets. Since the number of possible molecules increases exponentially with molecular size, small fragment libraries allow for a proportionately greater coverage of their respective 'chemical space' compared with larger HTS libraries comprising larger molecules. However, good library design is essential to ensure optimal chemical and pharmacophore diversity, molecular complexity, and physicochemical characteristics. In this review, we describe our views on fragment library design, and on what constitutes a good fragment from a medicinal and computational chemistry perspective. We highlight emerging chemical and computational technologies in FBDD and discuss strategies for optimising fragment hits. The impact of novel FBDD approaches is already being felt, with the recent approval of the covalent KRASG12C inhibitor sotorasib highlighting the utility of FBDD against targets that were long considered undruggable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bon
- Cancer Research HorizonsCancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
| | - Alan Bilsland
- Cancer Research HorizonsCancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
| | - Justin Bower
- Cancer Research HorizonsCancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
| | - Kirsten McAulay
- Cancer Research HorizonsCancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Narayanan D, Tran KT, Pallesen JS, Solbak SMØ, Qin Y, Mukminova E, Luchini M, Vasilyeva KO, González Chichón D, Goutsiou G, Poulsen C, Haapanen N, Popowicz GM, Sattler M, Olagnier D, Gajhede M, Bach A. Development of Noncovalent Small-Molecule Keap1-Nrf2 Inhibitors by Fragment-Based Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14481-14526. [PMID: 36263945 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its repressor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), constitutes a promising strategy for treating diseases involving oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, a fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) campaign resulted in novel, high-affinity (Ki = 280 nM), and cell-active noncovalent small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors. We screened 2500 fragments using orthogonal assays─fluorescence polarization (FP), thermal shift assay (TSA), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)─and validated the hits by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR, leading to 28 high-priority hits. Thirteen co-structures showed fragments binding mainly in the P4 and P5 subpockets of Keap1's Kelch domain, and three fluorenone-based fragments featuring a novel binding mode were optimized by structure-based drug discovery. We thereby disclose several fragment hits, including their binding modes, and show how FBDD can be performed to find new small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dilip Narayanan
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim T Tran
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob S Pallesen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara M Ø Solbak
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yuting Qin
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elina Mukminova
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martina Luchini
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristina O Vasilyeva
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorleta González Chichón
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Georgia Goutsiou
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Poulsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Nanna Haapanen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.,Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.,Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - David Olagnier
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Michael Gajhede
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Bach
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Doolan JA, Williams GT, Hilton KLF, Chaudhari R, Fossey JS, Goult BT, Hiscock JR. Advancements in antimicrobial nanoscale materials and self-assembling systems. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:8696-8755. [PMID: 36190355 PMCID: PMC9575517 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00915j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is directly responsible for more deaths per year than either HIV/AIDS or malaria and is predicted to incur a cumulative societal financial burden of at least $100 trillion between 2014 and 2050. Already heralded as one of the greatest threats to human health, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections due to factors including increased global antibiotic/antimicrobial use. Thus an urgent need for novel therapeutics to combat what some have termed the 'silent pandemic' is evident. This review acts as a repository of research and an overview of the novel therapeutic strategies being developed to overcome antimicrobial resistance, with a focus on self-assembling systems and nanoscale materials. The fundamental mechanisms of action, as well as the key advantages and disadvantages of each system are discussed, and attention is drawn to key examples within each field. As a result, this review provides a guide to the further design and development of antimicrobial systems, and outlines the interdisciplinary techniques required to translate this fundamental research towards the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Doolan
- School of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK.
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - George T Williams
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Kira L F Hilton
- School of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK.
| | - Rajas Chaudhari
- School of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK.
| | - John S Fossey
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Benjamin T Goult
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - Jennifer R Hiscock
- School of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kennedy C, McPhie K, Rittinger K. Targeting the ubiquitin system by fragment-based drug discovery. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1019636. [PMID: 36275626 PMCID: PMC9580268 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1019636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin system contains a wealth of potential drug targets for many diseases and conditions, including neurodegenerative, immune, metabolic and developmental diseases, as well as multiple cancers. Despite years of research, relatively few clinical inhibitors or specific chemical probes for proteins within the ubiquitin system exist, with many interesting target proteins yet to be explored. Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) offers efficient and broad coverage of chemical space with small libraries, using covalent and non-covalent approaches. Coupled with advances in structural biology and proteomics, FBDD now provides a thorough screening platform for inhibitor discovery within the ubiquitin system. In this mini review, we summarise the current scope of FBDD and how it has been applied to ubiquitin-activating (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating (E2), ubiquitin ligase (E3) and deubiquitinating (DUB) enzymes. We also discuss the newest frontiers of FBDD and how they could be applied to enable inhibitor and novel chemical probe discovery and provide functional insight into the ubiquitin system.
Collapse
|
48
|
Kitel R, Rodríguez I, del Corte X, Atmaj J, Żarnik M, Surmiak E, Muszak D, Magiera-Mularz K, Popowicz GM, Holak TA, Musielak B. Exploring the Surface of the Ectodomain of the PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint with Small-Molecule Fragments. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2655-2663. [PMID: 36073782 PMCID: PMC9486809 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Development of small molecules targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 interface is advancing both in industry and academia, but only a few have reached early-stage clinical trials. Here, we take a closer look at the general druggability of PD-L1 using in silico hot spot mapping and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based characterization. We found that the conformational elasticity of the PD-L1 surface strongly influences the formation of hot spots. We deconstructed several generations of known inhibitors into fragments and examined their binding properties using differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) and protein-based nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These biophysical analyses showed that not all fragments bind to the PD-L1 ectodomain despite having the biphenyl scaffold. Although most of the binding fragments induced PD-L1 oligomerization, two compounds, TAH35 and TAH36, retain the monomeric state of proteins upon binding. Additionally, the presence of the entire ectodomain did not affect the binding of the hit compounds and dimerization of PD-L1. The data demonstrated here provide important information on the PD-L1 druggability and the structure-activity relationship of the biphenyl core moiety and therefore may aid in the design of novel inhibitors and focused fragment libraries for PD-L1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Kitel
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ismael Rodríguez
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Xabier del Corte
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica I, Centro de Investigación
y Estudios Avanzados “Lucio Lascaray” − Facultad
de Farmacia, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU Paseo de la Universidad
7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Jack Atmaj
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Żarnik
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Damian Muszak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz M. Popowicz
- Institute
of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum
München, Ingolstädter
Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tad A. Holak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogdan Musielak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland,
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Forces Driving a Magic Bullet to Its Target: Revisiting the Role of Thermodynamics in Drug Design, Development, and Optimization. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091438. [PMID: 36143474 PMCID: PMC9504344 DOI: 10.3390/life12091438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug discovery strategies have advanced significantly towards prioritizing target selectivity to achieve the longstanding goal of identifying “magic bullets” amongst thousands of chemical molecules screened for therapeutic efficacy. A myriad of emerging and existing health threats, including the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, alarming increase in bacterial resistance, and potentially fatal chronic ailments, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration, have incentivized the discovery of novel therapeutics in treatment regimens. The design, development, and optimization of lead compounds represent an arduous and time-consuming process that necessitates the assessment of specific criteria and metrics derived via multidisciplinary approaches incorporating functional, structural, and energetic properties. The present review focuses on specific methodologies and technologies aimed at advancing drug development with particular emphasis on the role of thermodynamics in elucidating the underlying forces governing ligand–target interaction selectivity and specificity. In the pursuit of novel therapeutics, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) has been utilized extensively over the past two decades to bolster drug discovery efforts, yielding information-rich thermodynamic binding signatures. A wealth of studies recognizes the need for mining thermodynamic databases to critically examine and evaluate prospective drug candidates on the basis of available metrics. The ultimate power and utility of thermodynamics within drug discovery strategies reside in the characterization and comparison of intrinsic binding signatures that facilitate the elucidation of structural–energetic correlations which assist in lead compound identification and optimization to improve overall therapeutic efficacy.
Collapse
|
50
|
Togre NS, Vargas AM, Bhargavi G, Mallakuntla MK, Tiwari S. Fragment-Based Drug Discovery against Mycobacteria: The Success and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810669. [PMID: 36142582 PMCID: PMC9500838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of drug-resistant mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), poses an increasing global threat that urgently demands the development of new potent anti-mycobacterial drugs. One of the approaches toward the identification of new drugs is fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), which is the most ingenious among other drug discovery models, such as structure-based drug design (SBDD) and high-throughput screening. Specialized techniques, such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and many others, are part of the drug discovery approach to combat the Mtb and NTM global menaces. Moreover, the primary drawbacks of traditional methods, such as the limited measurement of biomolecular toxicity and uncertain bioavailability evaluation, are successfully overcome by the FBDD approach. The current review focuses on the recognition of fragment-based drug discovery as a popular approach using virtual, computational, and biophysical methods to identify potent fragment molecules. FBDD focuses on designing optimal inhibitors against potential therapeutic targets of NTM and Mtb (PurC, ArgB, MmpL3, and TrmD). Additionally, we have elaborated on the challenges associated with the FBDD approach in the identification and development of novel compounds. Insights into the applications and overcoming the challenges of FBDD approaches will aid in the identification of potential therapeutic compounds to treat drug-sensitive and drug-resistant NTMs and Mtb infections.
Collapse
|