scholarly journals Microscale Thermophoresis and Docking Studies Suggest Lapachol and Auraptene are Ligands of IDO1

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1801300
Author(s):  
Serena Fiorito ◽  
Francesco A. Greco ◽  
Alice Coletti ◽  
Daniela Dolciami ◽  
Silvia Viola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Microscale Thermophoresis ◽  
Catalytic Cleft ◽  
Dissociation Constant Kd ◽  
Micromolar Range

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a key target for the development of small molecule immunotherapies in oncology. In this framework, the screening of chemotherapeutic agents to identify compounds binding to IDO1 represents a valuable strategy for the development of multitarget drug candidates that combine synergic immunoregulatory properties to cytotoxic activity. In this study, we report that two natural compounds endowed with anticancer activity, namely lapachol and auraptene, act as IDO1 ligands with dissociation constant (Kd) in the micromolar range of potency. Docking studies provide plausible binding modes of these compounds to the catalytic cleft of IDO1. Our results support the notion that lapachol and auraptene may be considered interesting lead compounds in the immuno-oncology setting.

scholarly journals Computational Improvement of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen Activation through Isostere-Based Substitutions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra V. R. L. Silva ◽  
Pedro J. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Small Molecule Inhibitors ◽  
Protective Antigen ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Computational Work ◽  
Binding Cavity ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

There has recently been interest in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of the oligomerization of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen for therapeutic use. Some of the proposed lead compounds have, however, unfavorable solubility in aqueous medium, which prevents their clinical use. In this computational work, we have designed several hundreds of derivatives with progressively higher hydrosolubility and tested their ability to dock the relevant binding cavity. The highest-ranking docking hits were then subjected to 125 ns-long simulations to ascertain the stability of the binding modes. Several of the potential candidates performed quite disappointingly , but two molecules showed very stable binding modes throughout the complete simulations. Besides the identification of these two promising leads, these molecular dynamics simulations allowed the discovery of several insights that shall prove useful in the further improvement of these candidate towards higher potency and stability.

scholarly journals SMMPPI: a machine learning-based approach for prediction of modulators of protein–protein interactions and its application for identification of novel inhibitors for RBD:hACE2 interactions in SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Gupta ◽  
Debasisa Mohanty
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Test Sets ◽  
Small Molecule Modulators

Abstract Small molecule modulators of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are being pursued as novel anticancer, antiviral and antimicrobial drug candidates. We have utilized a large data set of experimentally validated PPI modulators and developed machine learning classifiers for prediction of new small molecule modulators of PPI. Our analysis reveals that using random forest (RF) classifier, general PPI Modulators independent of PPI family can be predicted with ROC-AUC higher than 0.9, when training and test sets are generated by random split. The performance of the classifier on data sets very different from those used in training has also been estimated by using different state of the art protocols for removing various types of bias in division of data into training and test sets. The family-specific PPIM predictors developed in this work for 11 clinically important PPI families also have prediction accuracies of above 90% in majority of the cases. All these ML-based predictors have been implemented in a freely available software named SMMPPI for prediction of small molecule modulators for clinically relevant PPIs like RBD:hACE2, Bromodomain_Histone, BCL2-Like_BAX/BAK, LEDGF_IN, LFA_ICAM, MDM2-Like_P53, RAS_SOS1, XIAP_Smac, WDR5_MLL1, KEAP1_NRF2 and CD4_gp120. We have identified novel chemical scaffolds as inhibitors for RBD_hACE PPI involved in host cell entry of SARS-CoV-2. Docking studies for some of the compounds reveal that they can inhibit RBD_hACE2 interaction by high affinity binding to interaction hotspots on RBD. Some of these new scaffolds have also been found in SARS-CoV-2 viral growth inhibitors reported recently; however, it is not known if these molecules inhibit the entry phase.

scholarly journals Novel Tetrazole-Based Antimicrobial Agents Targeting Clinical Bacteria Strains: Exploring the Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus DNA Topoisomerase IV and Gyrase

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Piotr Roszkowski ◽  
Jolanta Szymańska-Majchrzak ◽  
Michał Koliński ◽  
Sebastian Kmiecik ◽  
Małgorzata Wrzosek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Topoisomerase Iv ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Antimicrobial Studies ◽  
Initial Stage

Eleven novel imide-tetrazoles were synthesized. In the initial stage of research, in silico structure-based pharmacological prediction was conducted. All compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity using standard and clinical strains. Within the studied group, compounds 1–3 were recognized as leading structures with the most promising results in antimicrobial studies. Minimal inhibitory concentration values for compounds 1, 2, 3 were within the range of 0.8–3.2 μg/mL for standard and clinical Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, showing in some cases higher activity than the reference Ciprofloxacin. Additionally, all three inhibited the growth of all clinical Staphylococci panels: Staphylococcus aureus (T5592; T5591) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (5253; 4243) with MIC values of 0.8 μg/mL. Selected compounds were examined in topoisomerase IV decatenation assay and DNA gyrase supercoiling assay, followed by suitable molecular docking studies to explore the possible binding modes. In summary, the presented transition from substrate imide-thioureas to imide-tetrazole derivatives resulted in significant increase of antimicrobial properties. The compounds 1–3 proposed here provide a promising basis for further exploration towards novel antimicrobial drug candidates.

Can Antimalarial Phytochemicals be a Possible Cure for COVID-19? Molecular Docking Studies of Some Phytochemicals to SARS-CoV-2 3C-like Protease

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamul Hasan ◽  
Khoshnur Jannat ◽  
Tohmina Afroze Bondhon ◽  
Rownak Jahan ◽  
Md Shahadat Hossan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
High Binding ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Acridone Alkaloid ◽  
First Time

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of reported anti-malarial phytochemicals as lead compounds for possible drug development against COVID-19. Methods: An in silico approach was used in this study to determine through molecular docking the binding affinities and site of binding of these phytochemicals to the 3C-like protease of COVID-19 which is considered as the main protease of the virus. Results: A number of anti-malarial phytochemicals like apigenin-7-O-glucoside, decurvisine, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, sargabolide J, and shizukaols A, B, F, and G showed predicted high binding energies with G values of -8.0 kcal/mol or higher. Shizukaols F and B demonstrated the best binding energies of -9.5 and -9.8, respectively. The acridone alkaloid 5-hydroxynoracronycine also gave a predicted high binding energy of -7.9 kcal/mol. Conclusion: This is for the first time that decursivine and several shizukaols were reported as potential anti-viral agents. These compounds merit further studies to determine whether they can be effective drug candidates against COVID-19.

scholarly journals Molecular docking, chemo-informatic properties, alpha-amylase, and lipase inhibition studies of benzodioxol derivatives

BMC Chemistry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Hawash ◽  
Nidal Jaradat ◽  
Suhaib Shekfeh ◽  
Murad Abualhasan ◽  
Ahmad M. Eid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Alpha Amylase ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Lipinski’S Rule ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Lipase Enzyme ◽  
Lipinski’S Rule Of Five

AbstractCurrently, available therapies for diabetes could not achieve normal sugar values in a high percentage of treated patients. In this research project, a series of 17 benzodioxole derivatives were evaluated as antidiabetic agents; that belong to three different groups were evaluated against lipase and alpha-amylase (α-amylase) enzymes. The results showed that 14 compounds have potent inhibitory activities against α-amylase with IC50 values below 10 µg/ml. Among these compounds, 4f was the most potent compound with an IC50 value of 1.11 µg/ml compared to the anti-glycemic agent acarbose (IC50 6.47 µg/ml). On the contrary, these compounds showed weak or negligible activities against lipase enzyme. However, compound 6a showed the best inhibitory anti-lipase activity with IC50 44.1 µg/ml. Moreover, all the synthesized compounds were undergone Molinspiration calculation, and the result showed that all compounds obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five. Molecular docking studies were performed to illustrate the binding interactions between the benzodioxole derivatives and α-amylase enzyme pocket. Related to the obtained results it was clear that the carboxylic acid, benzodioxole ring, halogen or methoxy substituted aryl are important for the anti-amylase activities. The potent inhibitory results of some of the synthesized compounds suggest that these molecules should go further in vivo evaluation. It also suggests the benzodioxole derivatives as lead compounds for developing new drug candidates.

Novel effective antibacterial small-molecules against Staphylococcus and Enterococcus strains

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 1205-1211
Author(s):  
Kaveh Yasrebi ◽  
Nico Schade ◽  
Emmanuel Tola Adeniyi ◽  
Björn Wecklein ◽  
Alba Ymeraj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Antibacterial Drug ◽  
The Novel ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Ring Open ◽  
Novel Antibiotics

Background: Resistance developments against established antibiotics are an emerging problem for antibacterial therapies. Novel antibiotics are urgently needed. Materials & methods: We developed novel small-molecule antibacterials which are easily accessible in a simple one-pot synthesis. The central cyclopentaindole core is substituted with two indole residues. Various indole and cyclopentane substituents have been introduced. Additionally, first indole substituted propene compounds as ring-open variants of the cyclopentaindoles have been yielded and evaluated as antibacterials against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus strains. Results: Most effective compounds have been those with a bromo cyclopentane and a chloro indole substitution. First lead compounds were identified with promising activities similar to that observed in vitro for last resort antibiotics, so that the novel compounds enriche the pool of perspective small-molecule antibacterial drug candidates.

Privileged Structures in the Design of Potential Drug Candidates for Neglected Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 4323-4354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Lima Leite ◽  
José Wanderlan Pontes Espíndola ◽  
Marcos Veríssimo de Oliveira Cardoso ◽  
Gevanio Bezerra de Oliveira Filho
Keyword(s):  
Biologically Active ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Methods Of Synthesis ◽  
Current Therapies ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Privileged Structures

Background: Privileged motifs are recurring in a wide range of biologically active compounds that reach different pharmaceutical targets and pathways and could represent a suitable start point to access potential candidates in the neglected diseases field. The current therapies to treat these diseases are based in drugs that lack of the desired effectiveness, affordable methods of synthesis and allow a way to emergence of resistant strains. Due the lack of financial return, only few pharmaceutical companies have been investing in research for new therapeutics for neglected diseases (ND). Methods: Based on the literature search from 2002 to 2016, we discuss how six privileged motifs, focusing phthalimide, isatin, indole, thiosemicarbazone, thiazole, and thiazolidinone are particularly recurrent in compounds active against some of neglected diseases. Results: It was observed that attention was paid particularly for Chagas disease, malaria, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, dengue, African sleeping sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis - HAT) and toxoplasmosis. It was possible to verify that, among the ND, antitrypanosomal and antiplasmodial activities were between the most searched. Besides, thiosemicarbazone moiety seems to be the most versatile and frequently explored scaffold. As well, phthalimide, isatin, thiazole, and thiazolidone nucleus have been also explored in the ND field. Conclusion: Some described compounds, appear to be promising drug candidates, while others could represent a valuable inspiration in the research for new lead compounds.

Recent Advances and Computational Approaches in Peptide Drug Discovery

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (31) ◽  
pp. 3358-3366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha S. Maurya ◽  
Sandeep Kushwaha ◽  
Ashutosh Mani
Keyword(s):  
Docking Studies ◽  
Computational Approaches ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Stability Of Complexes ◽  
Therapeutic Peptides ◽  
Target Binding ◽  
Druggable Targets

Background: Drug design and development is a vast field that requires huge investment along with a long duration for providing approval to suitable drug candidates. With the advancement in the field of genomics, the information about druggable targets is being updated at a fast rate which is helpful in finding a cure for various diseases. Methods: There are certain biochemicals as well as physiological advantages of using peptide-based therapeutics. Additionally, the limitations of peptide-based drugs can be overcome by modulating the properties of peptide molecules through various biomolecular engineering techniques. Recent advances in computational approaches have been helpful in studying the effect of peptide drugs on the biomolecular targets. Receptor – ligand-based molecular docking studies have made it easy to screen compatible inhibitors against a target.Furthermore, there are simulation tools available to evaluate stability of complexes at the molecular level. Machine learning methods have added a new edge by enabling accurate prediction of therapeutic peptides. Results: Peptide-based drugs are expected to take over many popular drugs in the near future due to their biosafety, lower off-target binding chances and multifunctional properties. Conclusion: This article summarises the latest developments in the field of peptide-based therapeutics related to their usage, tools, and databases.

Current Approaches to Drug Discovery for Chagas Disease: Methodological Advances

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 509-520
Author(s):  
Cauê B. Scarim ◽  
Chung M. Chin
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Compound Libraries ◽  
Screening Assays ◽  
Cruzi Infection

Background: In recent years, there has been an improvement in the in vitro and in vivo methodology for the screening of anti-chagasic compounds. Millions of compounds can now have their activity evaluated (in large compound libraries) by means of high throughput in vitro screening assays. Objective: Current approaches to drug discovery for Chagas disease. Method: This review article examines the contribution of these methodological advances in medicinal chemistry in the last four years, focusing on Trypanosoma cruzi infection, obtained from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Results: Here, we have shown that the promise is increasing each year for more lead compounds for the development of a new drug against Chagas disease. Conclusion: There is increased optimism among those working with the objective to find new drug candidates for optimal treatments against Chagas disease.

Inhibitor Binding Sites in the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1017-1030
Author(s):  
Haonan Zhang ◽  
Zhengquan Gao ◽  
Chunxiao Meng ◽  
Xiangqian Li ◽  
Dayong Shi
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Cellular Activity ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Inhibitor Binding ◽  
Protein Tyrosine

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP-2) has long been proposed as a cancer drug target. Several small-molecule compounds with different mechanisms of SHP-2 inhibition have been reported, but none are commercially available. Pool selectivity over protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) and a lack of cellular activity have hindered the development of selective SHP-2 inhibitors. In this review, we describe the binding modes of existing inhibitors and SHP-2 binding sites, summarize the characteristics of the sites involved in selectivity, and identify the suitable groups for interaction with the binding sites.

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