Showing papers on "Chemical library published in 2017"

DNA-encoded chemistry: enabling the deeper sampling of chemical space

Abstract: DNA-encoded chemistry enables rapid and inexpensive syntheses and screening of vast chemical libraries, and is generating substantial interest and investment in the pharmaceutical industry. Here, Goodnow and colleagues provide an overview of the steps involved in the generation of DNA-encoded libraries, highlighting key applications and future directions for this technology. DNA-encoded chemical library technologies are increasingly being adopted in drug discovery for hit and lead generation. DNA-encoded chemistry enables the exploration of chemical spaces four to five orders of magnitude more deeply than is achievable by traditional high-throughput screening methods. Operation of this technology requires developing a range of capabilities including aqueous synthetic chemistry, building block acquisition, oligonucleotide conjugation, large-scale molecular biological transformations, selection methodologies, PCR, sequencing, sequence data analysis and the analysis of large chemistry spaces. This Review provides an overview of the development and applications of DNA-encoded chemistry, highlighting the challenges and future directions for the use of this technology.

Discovering Drugs with DNA-Encoded Library Technology: From Concept to Clinic with an Inhibitor of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase.

Abstract: DNA-encoded chemical library technology was developed with the vision of its becoming a transformational platform for drug discovery. The hope was that a new paradigm for the discovery of low-molecular-weight drugs would be enabled by combining the vast molecular diversity achievable with combinatorial chemistry, the information-encoding attributes of DNA, the power of molecular biology, and a streamlined selection-based discovery process. Here, we describe the discovery and early clinical development of GSK2256294, an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH, EPHX2), by using encoded-library technology (ELT). GSK2256294 is an orally bioavailable, potent and selective inhibitor of sEH that has a long half life and produced no serious adverse events in a first-time-in-human clinical study. To our knowledge, GSK2256294 is the first molecule discovered from this technology to enter human clinical testing and represents a realization of the vision that DNA-encoded chemical library technology can efficiently yield molecules with favorable properties that can be readily progressed into high-quality drugs.

Discovery of a Potent BTK Inhibitor with a Novel Binding Mode by Using Parallel Selections with a DNA-Encoded Chemical Library.

Abstract: We have identified and characterized novel potent inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) from a single DNA-encoded library of over 110 million compounds by using multiple parallel selection conditions, including variation in target concentration and addition of known binders to provide competition information. Distinct binding profiles were observed by comparing enrichments of library building block combinations under these conditions; one enriched only at high concentrations of BTK and was competitive with ATP, and another enriched at both high and low concentrations of BTK and was not competitive with ATP. A compound representing the latter profile showed low nanomolar potency in biochemical and cellular BTK assays. Results from kinetic mechanism of action studies were consistent with the selection profiles. Analysis of the co-crystal structure of the most potent compound demonstrated a novel binding mode that revealed a new pocket in BTK. Our results demonstrate that profile-based selection strategies using DNA-encoded libraries form the basis of a new methodology to rapidly identify small molecule inhibitors with novel binding modes to clinically relevant targets.

Relations between effects and structure of small bicyclic molecules on the complex model system saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract: The development of compounds able to modify biological functions largely took advantage of parallel synthesis to generate a broad chemical variance of compounds to be tested for the desired effect(s). The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a model for pharmacological studies since a long time as it represents a relatively simple system to explore the relations among chemical variance and bioactivity. To identify relations between the chemical features of the molecules and their activity, we delved into the effects of a library of small compounds on the viability of a set of S. cerevisiae strains. Thanks to the high degree of chemical diversity of the tested compounds and to the measured effect on the yeast growth rate, we were able to scale-down the chemical library and to gain information on the most effective structures at the substituent level. Our results represent a valuable source for the selection, rational design, and optimization of bioactive compounds.

Combinatorial Drug Discovery in Nanoliter Droplets

Abstract: Multiple drugs are currently used in combination across many therapeutic areas including cancer and infectious disease. Such combinatorial treatments often perturb biological networks to achieve synergistic effects. However, the discovery of new combinatorial treatments is challenged by the sheer scale of combinatorial chemical space. Here we report a high-throughput system for nanoliter-scale phenotypic screening that stabilizes a chemical library in nanoliter droplet emulsions and automates the formulation of chemical combinations en mass using parallel droplet processing. We apply this system to predict synergy between more than 4,000 investigational and approved drugs and a panel of 10 antibiotics against E. coli, a model Gram-negative pathogen. We found a range of drugs not previously indicated for infectious disease that synergize with antibiotics. Our validated hits include drugs that synergize with the antibiotics vancomycin, erythromycin, and novobiocin, which are used against Gram-positive bacteria but are not effective by themselves to resolve Gram-negative infections.

Structure-Guided Screening for Functionally Selective D2 Dopamine Receptor Ligands from a Virtual Chemical Library

Abstract: Functionally selective ligands stabilize conformations of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that induce a preference for signaling via a subset of the intracellular pathways activated by the endogenous agonists. The possibility to fine-tune the functional activity of a receptor provides opportunities to develop drugs that selectively signal via pathways associated with a therapeutic effect and avoid those causing side effects. Animal studies have indicated that ligands displaying functional selectivity at the D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) could be safer and more efficacious drugs against neuropsychiatric diseases. In this work, computational design of functionally selective D2R ligands was explored using structure-based virtual screening. Molecular docking of known functionally selective ligands to a D2R homology model indicated that such compounds were anchored by interactions with the orthosteric site and extended into a common secondary pocket. A tailored virtual library with close to 13 000 compounds b...

Potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and in silico prediction.

Abstract: This paper deals with molecular modeling of new therapeutic agents for treating the Alzheimer's disease. The therapeutic line adopted for this study is the cholinergic hypothesis. To modulate positively the cholinergic function through the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase, a set of candidates was designed from a natural compound extracted from the cashew nutshell liquid, anacardic acid. In silico screening of this chemical library revealed a ligand that is more promising once it is correlated with an active drug through specific topological and electronic descriptors. The protein-ligand docking showed stable binding modes and the binding free energy computed for the active site of the receptor suggests that our ligand presents a potential biological response. Graphical Abstract Representation of the three dimensional structure of the AChE, showing the important binding sites of the Gorge and the conformation of the ligand.

Identification of potent inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) through a pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach.

Abstract: DNA methylation is an epigenetic change that results in the addition of a methyl group at the carbon-5 position of cytosine residues. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors can suppress tumour growth and have significant therapeutic value. However, the established inhibitors are limited in their application due to their substantial cytotoxicity. Additionally, the standard drugs for DNMT inhibition are non-selective cytosine analogues with considerable cytotoxic side-effects. In the present study, we have designed a workflow by integrating various ligand-based and structure-based approaches to discover new agents active against DNMT1. We have derived a pharmacophore model with the help of available DNMT1 inhibitors. Utilising this model, we performed the virtual screening of Maybridge chemical library and the identified hits were then subsequently filtered based on the Naive Bayesian classification model. The molecules that have returned from this classification model were subjected to ensemble based docking. We have selected 10 molecules for the biological assay by inspecting the interactions portrayed by these molecules. Three out of the ten tested compounds have shown DNMT1 inhibitory activity. These compounds were also found to demonstrate potential inhibition of cellular proliferation in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. In the present study, we have utilized a multi-step virtual screening protocol to identify inhibitors of DNMT1, which offers a starting point to develop more potent DNMT1 inhibitors as anti-cancer agents.

Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (MBC) Library: An Efficient Source of New Hits

Abstract: Identification of new hits is one of the biggest challenges in drug discovery. Creating a library of well-characterized drug-like compounds is a key step in this process. Our group has developed an in-house chemical library called the Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (MBC) library. This collection has been successfully used to start several medicinal chemistry programs and developed in an accumulation of more than 30 years of experience in drug design and discovery of new drugs for unmet diseases. It contains over 1000 compounds, mainly heterocyclic scaffolds. In this work, analysis of drug-like properties and comparative study with well-known libraries by using different computer software are presented here.

Small molecule screen in embryonic zebrafish using modular variations to target segmentation

Abstract: Small molecule in vivo phenotypic screening is used to identify drugs or biological activities by directly assessing effects in intact organisms. However, current screening designs may not exploit the full potential of chemical libraries due to false negatives. Here, we demonstrate a modular small molecule screen in embryonic zebrafish that varies concentration, genotype and timing to target segmentation disorders, birth defects that affect the spinal column. By testing each small molecule in multiple interrelated ways, this screen recovers compounds that a standard screening design would have missed, increasing the hit frequency from the chemical library three-fold. We identify molecular pathways and segmentation phenotypes, which we share in an open-access annotated database. These hits provide insight into human vertebral segmentation disorders and myopathies. This modular screening strategy is applicable to other developmental questions and disease models, highlighting the power of relatively small chemical libraries to accelerate gene discovery and disease study.

Screening a protein kinase inhibitor library against Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract: Protein kinases have been shown to be key drug targets, especially in the area of oncology. It is of interest to explore the possibilities of protein kinases as a potential target class in Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria. However, protein kinase biology in malaria is still being investigated. Therefore, rather than assaying against individual protein kinases, a library of 4731 compounds with protein kinase inhibitor-like scaffolds was screened against the causative parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. This approach is more holistic and considers the whole kinome, making it possible to identify compounds that inhibit more than one P. falciparum protein kinase, or indeed other malaria targets. As a result of this screen, 9 active compound series were identified; further validation was carried out on 4 of these series, with 3 being progressed into hits to lead chemistry. The detailed evaluation of one of these series is described. This screening approach proved to be an effective way to identify series for further optimisation against malaria. Compound optimisation was carried out in the absence of knowledge of the molecular target. Some of the series had to be halted for various reasons. Mode of action studies to find the molecular target may be useful when problems prevent further chemical optimisation. Progressible series were identified through phenotypic screening of a relatively small focused kinase scaffold chemical library.

A Non-imaging High Throughput Approach to Chemical Library Screening at the Unmodified Adenosine-A3 Receptor in Living Cells.

Abstract: Recent advances in fluorescent ligand technology have enabled the study of G protein-coupled receptors in their native environment without the need for genetic modification such as addition of N-terminal fluorescent or bioluminescent tags. Here, we have used a non-imaging plate reader (PHERAstar FS) to monitor the binding of fluorescent ligands to the human adenosine-A3 receptor (A3AR; CA200645 and AV039), stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells. To verify that this method was suitable for the study of other GPCRs, assays at the human adenosine-A1 receptor, and β1 and β2 adrenoceptors (β1AR and β2AR; BODIPY-TMR-CGP-12177) were also carried out. Affinity values determined for the binding of the fluorescent ligands CA200645 and AV039 to A3AR for a range of classical adenosine receptor antagonists were consistent with A3AR pharmacology and correlated well (R2 = 0.94) with equivalent data obtained using a confocal imaging plate reader (ImageXpress Ultra). The binding of BODIPY-TMR-CGP-12177 to the β1AR was potently inhibited by low concentrations of the β1-selective antagonist CGP 20712A (pKi 9.68) but not by the β2-selective antagonist ICI 118551(pKi 7.40). Furthermore, in experiments conducted in CHO K1 cells expressing the β2AR this affinity order was reversed with ICI 118551 showing the highest affinity (pKi 8.73) and CGP20712A (pKi 5.68) the lowest affinity. To determine whether the faster data acquisition of the non-imaging plate reader (∼3 min per 96-well plate) was suitable for high throughput screening (HTS), we screened the LOPAC library for inhibitors of the binding of CA200645 to the A3AR. From the initial 1,263 compounds evaluated, 67 hits (defined as those that inhibited the total binding of 25 nM CA200645 by ≥40%) were identified. All compounds within the library that had medium to high affinity for the A3AR (pKi ≥6) were successfully identified. We found three novel compounds in the library that displayed unexpected sub-micromolar affinity for the A3AR. These were K114 (pKi 6.43), retinoic acid p-hydroxyanilide (pKi 6.13) and SU 6556 (pKi 6.17). Molecular docking of these latter three LOPAC library members provided a plausible set of binding poses within the vicinity of the established orthosteric A3AR binding pocket. A plate reader based library screening using an untagged receptor is therefore possible using fluorescent ligand opening the possibility of its use in compound screening at natively expressed receptors.

Virtual Screening Against Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1 in Quest of Novel Apoptosis Inhibitors

Abstract: Inhibition of apoptosis is a potential therapy to treat human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease), stroke, and sepsis. Due to the lack of druggable targets, it remains a major challenge to discover apoptosis inhibitors. The recent repositioning of a marketed drug (i.e., terazosin) as an anti-apoptotic agent uncovered a novel target (i.e., human phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (hPgk1)). In this study, we developed a virtual screening (VS) pipeline based on the X-ray structure of Pgk1/terazosin complex and applied it to a screening campaign for potential anti-apoptotic agents. The hierarchical filters in the pipeline (i.e., similarity search, a pharmacophore model, a shape-based model, and molecular docking) rendered 13 potential hits from Specs chemical library. By using PC12 cells (exposed to rotenone) as a cell model for bioassay, we first identified that AK-918/42829299, AN-465/41520984, and AT-051/43421517 were able to protect PC12 cells from rotenone-induced cell death. Molecular docking suggested these hit compounds were likely to bind to hPgk1 in a similar mode to terazosin. In summary, we not only present a versatile VS pipeline for potential apoptosis inhibitors discovery, but also provide three novel-scaffold hit compounds that are worthy of further development and biological study.

ScreenCube: A 3D Printed System for Rapid and Cost-Effective Chemical Screening in Adult Zebrafish

Abstract: Phenotype-based small molecule screens in zebrafish embryos and larvae have been successful in accelerating pathway and therapeutic discovery for diverse biological processes. Yet, the application of chemical screens to adult physiologies has been relatively limited due to additional demands on cost, space, and labor associated with screens in adult animals. In this study, we present a 3D printed system and methods for intermittent drug dosing that enable rapid and cost-effective chemical administration in adult zebrafish. Using prefilled screening plates, the system enables dosing of 96 fish in ∼3 min, with a 10-fold reduction in drug quantity compared to that used in previous chemical screens in adult zebrafish. We characterize water quality kinetics during immersion in the system and use these kinetics to rationally design intermittent dosing regimens that result in 100% fish survival. As a demonstration of system fidelity, we show the potential to identify two known chemical inhibitors of adu...

Approaches for discovering novel bioactive small molecules targeting autophagy.

Abstract: Introduction: In recent years, development of novel bioactive small molecules targeting autophagy has been implicated for autophagy-related disease treatment. Screening new small molecules regulating autophagy allows for the discovery of novel autophagy machinery and therapeutic agents.Areas covered: Two major screening methods for novel autophagy modulators are introduced in this review, namely target based screening and phenotype based screening. With increasing attention focused on chemical compound libraries, coupled with the development of new assay systems, this review attempts to provide an efficient strategy to explore autophagy biology and discover small molecules for the treatment of autophagy-related diseases.Expert opinion: Adopting an appropriate autophagy screening strategy is important for developing small molecules capable of treating neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Phenotype based screening and target based screening were both used for developing effective small molecules....

Discovery of novel dual VEGFR2 and Src inhibitors using a multistep virtual screening approach

Abstract: Aim: Simultaneous inhibition of VEGFR2 and Src may enhance the efficacy of VEGFR2-targeted cancer therapeutics. Hence, development of dual inhibitors on VEGFR2 and Src can be a useful strategy for such treatments. Materials & methods: A multistep virtual screening protocol, comprising ligand-based support vector machines method, drug-likeness rules filter and structure-based molecular docking, was developed and employed to identify dual inhibitors of VEGFR2 and Src from a large commercial chemical library. Kinase inhibitory assays and cell viability assays were then used for experimental validation. Results: A set of compounds belonging to six different molecular scaffolds was identified and sent for biological evaluation. Compound 3c belonging to the 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine scaffold exhibited good antiproliferative effect and dual-target activities against VEGFR2 and Src. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the ability of the multistep virtual screening approach to identify novel multitarget agents.

High-Throughput and In Silico Screening in Drug Discovery

Abstract: The process of drug discovery involves multiple branches of science. Discovery of novel molecule with biological modulation activity is a time-consuming and expensive process. High-throughput and in silico tools can reduce time and cost in drug discovery. The aim of high-throughput screening is to identify bioactive molecule from large compound collection and further development of active compounds to leads. There are two types of assay in high-throughput drug discovery: biochemical- and cell-based assays. Choice of assay depends on nature of target and assay feasibilities. Assay method should detect active compound from chemical library. Assay optimization and validation steps reduce false-positive and false-negative results. The assay results must be statistically validated to ensure reliability of results. The good assay design and implementation will give optimal results.In silico tools in drug discovery facilitate hit identification, hit to lead development, and optimization of druggability (improvement absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties). High-throughput and in silico screening can be streamlined for hit identification and lead development. Streamlining of these methods reduces cost and time of drug discovery process. The wise use of these high-throughput methods can lead to discovery of drug with good potency and low toxicity profile.

Identification of a novel class of small compounds with anti-tuberculosis activity by in silico structure-based drug screening.

Abstract: The enzymes responsible for biotin biosynthesis in mycobacteria have been considered as potential drug targets owing to the important role in infection and cell survival that the biotin synthetic pathway plays in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Among the enzymes that comprise mycobacterium biotin biosynthesis systems, 7,8-diaminopelargonic acid synthase (DAPAS) plays an essential role during the stationary phase in bacterial growth In this study, compounds that inhibit mycobacterial DAPAS were screened in the virtual chemical library using an in silico structure-based drug screening (SBDS) technique, and the antimycobacterial activity of the selected compounds was validated experimentally The DOCK-GOLD programs utilized by in silico SBDS facilitated the identification of a compound, referred to as KMD6, with potent inhibitory effects on the growth of model mycobacteria (M smegmatis) The subsequent compound search, which was based on the structural features of KMD6, resulted in identification of three additional active compounds, designated as KMDs3, KMDs9 and KMDs10 The inhibitory effect of these compounds was comparable to that of isoniazid, which is a first-line antituberculosis drug The high antimycobacterial activity of KMD6, KMDs9 and KMDs10 was maintained on the experiment with M tuberculosis Of the active compounds identified, KMDs9 would be a promising pharmacophore, owing to its long-term antimycobacterial effect and lack of cytotoxicity

In Silico Development of Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors

Abstract: Quorum sensing (QS) is a chemical communication between bacteria, with which bacteria sense the population of their own species. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a class of universal quorum-sensing molecules, which is used by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The inhibition of AI-2-mediated QS has various practical applications, including the prevention of the formation of biofilm in dental gums. In this work, we develop a computational protocol for developing AI-2 inhibitors. A challenging aspect of such an endeavor is that the receptor undergoes a large conformational change upon ligand binding. We combine several methods such as molecular docking with multiple conformations, molecular dynamics simulations, and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann computation, in order to estimate binding affinity of candidate molecules to a quorum-sensing receptor. We apply our method to rank the substances in a chemical library. We indeed find a molecule that has a higher affinity than previously known ligands, thus showing the feasibility of the protocol for the development of quorum-sensing inhibitors.

A diversity-oriented library of fluorophore-modified receptors constructed from a chemical library of synthetic fluorophores

Abstract: One of the key determinants to successfully obtain a useful biosensor is wide variation of fluorophores attached to a given receptor. Thus, use of a larger fluorophore-modified receptor library provides a higher probability of obtaining a practically useful biosensor. However, no effective method has yet been developed for constructing such a diverse library of fluorophore-modified receptors. Herein, we report a method for constructing fluorophore-modified receptors using a chemical library of synthetic fluorophores with a thiol-reactive group. This library was converted into a library of fluorophore-modified ATP-binding ribonucleopeptide (RNP) receptors by introducing the fluorophores to the Rev peptide of the RNP complex via alkylation of the thiol group. This method enabled the construction of 263 fluorophore-modified ATP-binding RNP receptors and allowed for the selection of suitable receptor-based fluorescent sensors targeting ATP.

Novel chloroacetamido compound CWR-J02 is an anti-inflammatory glutaredoxin-1 inhibitor

Abstract: Glutaredoxin (Grx1) is a ubiquitously expressed thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase that specifically catalyzes reduction of S-glutathionylated substrates. Grx1 is known to be a key regulator of pro-inflammatory signaling, and Grx1 silencing inhibits inflammation in inflammatory disease models. Therefore, we anticipate that inhibition of Grx1 could be an anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy. We used a rapid screening approach to test 504 novel electrophilic compounds for inhibition of Grx1, which has a highly reactive active-site cysteine residue (pKa 3.5). From this chemical library a chloroacetamido compound, CWR-J02, was identified as a potential lead compound to be characterized. CWR-J02 inhibited isolated Grx1 with an IC50 value of 32 μM in the presence of 1 mM glutathione. Mass spectrometric analysis documented preferential adduction of CWR-J02 to the active site Cys-22 of Grx1, and molecular dynamics simulation identified a potential non-covalent binding site. Treatment of the BV2 microglial cell line with CWR-J02 led to inhibition of intracellular Grx1 activity with an IC50 value (37 μM). CWR-J02 treatment decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory gene transcription in the microglial cells in a parallel concentration-dependent manner, documenting the anti-inflammatory potential of CWR-J02. Exploiting the alkyne moiety of CWR-J02, we used click chemistry to link biotin azide to CWR-J02-adducted proteins, isolating them with streptavidin beads. Tandem mass spectrometric analysis identified many CWR-J02-reactive proteins, including Grx1 and several mediators of inflammatory activation. Taken together, these data identify CWR-J02 as an intracellularly effective Grx1 inhibitor that may elicit its anti-inflammatory action in a synergistic manner by also disabling other pro-inflammatory mediators. The CWR-J02 molecule provides a starting point for developing more selective Grx1 inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents for therapeutic development.

Tagless encoded chemical library

Abstract: Described is a method for screening an encoded chemical library, which library comprises a plurality of different chemical structures each releasably linked to an encoding tag, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing said library of tagged chemical structures; (b) releasing each chemical structure from its tag to produce a plurality of free, tagless chemical structures (TCSs); (c) screening the TCSs by contacting them with a assay system under conditions whereby a spatial association between each TCS and its tag is maintained, to produce a plurality of different screened TCSs each spatially associated with its tag; and (d) identifying a screened TCS by decoding a tag that is spatially associated therewith.

Encode solid phase compound library with polynucleotide based barcoding

Abstract: Provided herein are polynucleotide encoded chemical libraries comprising one or more bead members, wherein the beads comprise: a chemical moiety comprising a compound library member; a polynucleotide moiety comprising an oligonucleotide encoding the compound library member, and a barcode identifying the bead; and a l inking moiety, linking the chemical moiety to the polynucleotide moiety. Also provided herein are methods of making and using the polynucleotide barcoded chemical libraries, as well as kits comprising the barcoded chemical library.

Array-based peptide libraries for therapeutic antibody characterization

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, chemical library and simulation system for performing in situ patterned chemistry. Methods, systems and assays comprising the use of the synthesized chemical libraries, which increase explored protein space in a knowledge-based manner, are also provided for characterizing antibody-target interactions including: identifying target proteins of antibodies, characterizing antibody-binding regions in target proteins, identifying linear and structural epitopes in target proteins, and determining the propensity of antibody binding to target proteins.

The Discovery of Novel Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase ε Inhibitors Using a High-throughput Screening Approach

Abstract: Protein tyrosine phosphatase epsilon (PTPe) is important for signal transduction in osteoclasts, and is considered to be an attractive drug target for the treatment of osteoporosis. We identified 11 potent PTPe inhibitors based on three chemical scaffolds through the high-throughput screening of a chemical library. As these compounds are structurally diverse with high bioavailability, they warrant further investigation in the near future. The discovery of these inhibitors and the relationship between their structure and inhibitory activity toward PTPe is discussed in detail.

Virtual High-Throughput Screening for Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors

Abstract: Structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) is a common method for the fast identification of hit structures at the beginning of a medicinal chemistry program in drug discovery. The SBVS, described in this manuscript, is focused on finding small molecule hits that can be further utilized as a starting point for the development of inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) via structure-based molecular design. We intended to identify a set of structurally diverse hits, which occupy all subsites (S1'-S3', S2, and S3) centering the zinc containing binding site of MMP-13, by the virtual screening of a chemical library comprising more than ten million commercially available compounds. In total, 23 compounds were found as potential MMP-13 inhibitors using Glide docking followed by the analysis of the structural interaction fingerprints (SIFt) of the docked structures.