Quantitative structure-activity relationship study on the MMP-13 inhibitory activity of fused pyrimidine derivatives possessing a 1,2,4-Triazol-3-yl group as a ZBG

QSAR study has been carried out on the MMP-13 inhibitory activity of fused pyrimidine derivatives possessing a1,2,4-triazol-3-yl group as a ZBG in 0D- to 2D-Dragon descriptors. The derived QSAR models have revealed that the number of Sulfur atoms (descriptor nS), Balaban mean square distance index (descriptor MSD), molecular electrotopological variation (descriptor DELS), structural information content index of neighborhood symmetry of 2nd and 3rd order (descriptors SIC2 and SIC3), average valence connectivity index chi-4 (descriptor X4Av) in addition to 1st order Galvez topological charge index (descriptor JGI1) and global topological charge index (descriptor JGT) played a pivotal role in rationalization of MMP-13 inhibition activity of titled compounds. Atomic properties such as mass and volume in terms of atomic properties weighted descriptors MATS5m and MATS3v, and certain atom centred fragments such as CH2RX (descriptor C-006), X--CX--X (descriptor C-044), H attached to heteroatom (descriptor H-050) and H attached to C0(sp3) with 1X attached to next C (descriptor H-052) are also predominant to explain MMP-13 inhibition actions of fused pyrimidines. PLS analysis has also corroborated the dominance of CP-MLR identified descriptors. Applicability domain analysis revealed that the suggested model matches the high-quality parameters with good fitting power and the capability of assessing external data and all of the compounds was within the applicability domain of the proposed model and were evaluated correctly.

In Silico Prediction of O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitory Potency of Base Analogs with QSAR and Machine Learning Methods

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a unique DNA repair enzyme, can confer resistance to DNA anticancer alkylating agents that modify the O6-position of guanine. Thus, inhibition of MGMT activity in tumors has a great interest for cancer researchers because it can significantly improve the anticancer efficacy of such alkylating agents. In this study, we performed a quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and classification study based on a total of 134 base analogs related to their ED50 values (50% inhibitory concentration) against MGMT. Molecular information of all compounds were described by quantum chemical descriptors and Dragon descriptors. Genetic algorithm (GA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis were combined to develop QSAR models. Classification models were generated by seven machine-learning methods based on six types of molecular fingerprints. Performances of all developed models were assessed by internal and external validation techniques. The best QSAR model was obtained with Q2Loo = 0.83, R2 = 0.87, Q2ext = 0.67, and R2ext = 0.69 based on 84 compounds. The results from QSAR studies indicated topological charge indices, polarizability, ionization potential (IP), and number of primary aromatic amines are main contributors for MGMT inhibition of base analogs. For classification studies, the accuracies of 10-fold cross-validation ranged from 0.750 to 0.885 for top ten models. The range of accuracy for the external test set ranged from 0.800 to 0.880 except for PubChem-Tree model, suggesting a satisfactory predictive ability. Three models (Ext-SVM, Ext-Tree and Graph-RF) showed high and reliable predictive accuracy for both training and external test sets. In addition, several representative substructures for characterizing MGMT inhibitors were identified by information gain and substructure frequency analysis method. Our studies might be useful for further study to design and rapidly identify potential MGMT inhibitors.

QSAR and Classification Study on Prediction of Acute Oral Toxicity of N-Nitroso Compounds

To better understand the mechanism of in vivo toxicity of N-nitroso compounds (NNCs), the toxicity data of 80 NNCs related to their rat acute oral toxicity data (50% lethal dose concentration, LD50) were used to establish quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and classification models. Quantum chemistry methods calculated descriptors and Dragon descriptors were combined to describe the molecular information of all compounds. Genetic algorithm (GA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were combined to develop QSAR models. Fingerprints and machine learning methods were used to establish classification models. The quality and predictive performance of all established models were evaluated by internal and external validation techniques. The best GA-MLR-based QSAR model containing eight molecular descriptors was obtained with Q2loo = 0.7533, R2 = 0.8071, Q2ext = 0.7041 and R2ext = 0.7195. The results derived from QSAR studies showed that the acute oral toxicity of NNCs mainly depends on three factors, namely, the polarizability, the ionization potential (IP) and the presence/absence and frequency of C–O bond. For classification studies, the best model was obtained using the MACCS keys fingerprint combined with artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm. The classification models suggested that several representative substructures, including nitrile, hetero N nonbasic, alkylchloride and amine-containing fragments are main contributors for the high toxicity of NNCs. Overall, the developed QSAR and classification models of the rat acute oral toxicity of NNCs showed satisfying predictive abilities. The results provide an insight into the understanding of the toxicity mechanism of NNCs in vivo, which might be used for a preliminary assessment of NNCs toxicity to mammals.

Understanding the Chromatographic Properties and Cytotoxicity of Hidrazinoselenazole Compounds by Computational Study

Selenium compounds have been proven to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities. A series of fifteen synthesized hidrazinoselenazole was investigated to assess the chromatographic properties as function of structural features and the cytotoxicity as function of chromatographic properties and/or structural descriptors. The investigated chromatographic properties were retention factor, specific surface area of the solvent and chromatographic hydrophobicity index. The 3D model of the compounds was optimized using Hartree-Fock DFT/B3LYP method, 6-31+G* basis set both in vacuum and water with Spartan software (v.8). Furthermore, several quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) descriptors were calculated with Spartan and Dragon (v. 5.5) software. Full search approach was used to construct simple and multiple linear regression models. No reliable model was identified for specific surface area of the solvent. The models with higher performances in estimation and prediction for retention factor and chromatographic hydrophobicity index proved the ones with Dragon descriptors and molecules optimized in water (retention factor: rloo2 (loo = leave-one-out analysis) = 0.9244; rtr2 (tr = training set) = 0.9652; rts2 (ts = test set) = 0.9606; chromatographic hydrophobicity index: rloo2 = 0.9489; rtr2 = 0.9592; rts2 = 0.9669). The cytotoxicity proved related neither to chromatographic properties nor with compounds� structural characteristics.

QSAR Analysis for Antioxidant Activity of Dipicolinic Acid Derivatives

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to derive robust and reliable QSAR models for clarification and prediction of antioxidant activity of 43 heterocyclic and Schiff bases dipicolinic acid derivatives. According to the best obtained QSAR model, structures of new compounds with possible great activities should be proposed. Methods: Molecular descriptors were calculated by DRAGON and ADMEWORKS from optimized molecular structure and two algorithms were used for creating the training and test sets in both set of descriptors. Regression analysis and validation of models were performed using QSARINS. Results: The model with best internal validation result was obtained by DRAGON descriptors (MATS4m, EEig03d, BELm4, Mor10p), split by ranking method (R2 = 0.805; R2 ext = 0.833; F = 30.914). The model with best external validation result was obtained by ADMEWORKS descriptors (NDB, MATS5p, MDEN33, TPSA), split by random method (R2 = 0.692; R2 ext = 0.848; F = 16.818). Conclusion: Important structural requirements for great antioxidant activity are: low number of double bonds in molecules; absence of tertial nitrogen atoms; higher number of hydrogen bond donors; enhanced molecular polarity; and symmetrical moiety. Two new compounds with potentially great antioxidant activities were proposed.

Classification models of structure - P-glycoprotein activity of drugs

Thirty three classification models of substrate specificity of 177 drugs to P-glycoprotein have been created using of the linear discriminant analysis, random forest and support vector machine methods. QSAR modeling was carried out using 2 strategies. The first strategy consisted in search of all possible combinations from 1¸5 descriptors on the basis of 7 most significant molecular descriptors with clear physico-chemical interpretation. In the second case forward selection procedure up to 5 descriptors, starting from the best single descriptor was used. This strategy was applied to a set of 387 DRAGON descriptors. It was found that only one of 33 models has necessary statistical parameters. This model was designed by means of the linear discriminant analysis on the basis of a single descriptor of H-bond (SCad). The model has good statistical characteristics as evidenced by results to both internal cross-validation, and external validation with application of 44 new chemicals. This confirms an important role of hydrogen bond in the processes connected with penetration of chemical compounds through a blood-brain barrier

Rodent Carcinogenicity Dataset

The rodent carcinogenicity dataset was compiled from the Carcinogenic Potency Database (CPDBAS) and was applied for the classification of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for the prediction of carcinogenicity based on the counter-propagation artificial neural network (CP ANN) algorithm. The models were developed within EU-funded project CAESAR for regulatory use. The dataset contains the following information: common information about chemicals (ID, chemical name, and their CASRN), molecular structure information (SDF files and SMILES), and carcinogenic (toxicological) properties information: carcinogenic potency (TD50_Rat_mg; carcinogen/noncarcinogen) and structural alert (SA) for carcinogenicity based on mechanistic data. Molecular structure information was used to get chemometrics information to calculate molecular descriptors (254 MDL and 784 Dragon descriptors), which were further used in predictive QSAR modeling. The dataset presented in the paper can be used in future research in oncology, ecology, or chemicals' risk assessment.

Mode of action prediction of ligands of steroid hormone receptors

The several predictive models based on two well-known methods PASS and SIMCA were created. These models predict a type of physiological response of steroid compounds binding to nuclear receptors of steroid hormones. We considered 10 variants: the agonists and the antagonists of estrogen, progesterone, androgen, glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors respectively. Two different sets of descriptors were used during SIMCA (the Dragon descriptors and indices of similarity). The results of discriminant analysis are good enough with average accuracy of 80-85%.

QSAR study for anti-HIV-1 activities of HEPT derivatives using MLR and PLS

A QSAR study using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and a Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology was performed for a series of 127 derivatives of 1-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)-timine (HEPT), a potent inhibitor of the of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). To explore the relationship between a pool of HEPT derivative descriptors (as independent variables) and anti-HIV-1 activity expressed as log (1/EC50), as dependent variable) MLR and PLS methods have been employed. Using Dragon descriptors, the present study aims to develop a predictive and robust QSAR model for predicting anti-HIV activity of the HEPT derivatives for better understanding the molecular features of these compounds important for their biological activity. According to the squared correlation coefficients, which had values between 0.826 and 0.809 for the MLR and PLS methods, the results demonstrate almost identical qualities and good predictive ability for both MLR and PLS models. After dividing the dataset into training and test sets, the model predictability was tested by several parameters, including the Golbraikh-Tropsha external criteria and the goodness of fit tested with the Y-randomization test.