Docking, 3D-QSAR studies and in silico ADME prediction on c-Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Docking simulations and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) analysis were performed on a wide set of c-Src inhibitors. The study was conducted using a structure-based alignment and by applying the GRID/GOLPE approach. The present 3D-QSAR investigation proved to be of good statistical value, displaying r(2), q(2) and cross-validation SDEP values of 0.94, 0.84 and 0.42, respectively. Moreover, such a model also proved to be capable of predicting the activities of an external test set of compounds. The availability of the 3D structure of the target made possible the interpretation of steric and electrostatic maps within the binding site environment and provided useful insight into the structural requirements for inhibitory activity against c-Src. Two regions whose occupation by hydrophobic portions of ligands would favourably affect the activity were clearly identified. Moreover, hydrogen bond interactions involving residues Met343, Asp406 and Ser347 emerged as playing a key role in determining the affinity of the active inhibitors toward c-Src. Furthermore, the inhibitors bearing a basic nitrogen provided enhanced potency through protonation and salt bridge formation with Asp350. A preliminary pharmacokinetic profile of the molecules under analysis was also drawn on the basis of Volsurf predictions.