Molecular modelling studies on d-annulated benzazepinones as VEGF-R2 kinase inhibitors using docking and 3D-QSAR

Chemotypes comprising the d-annulated 1,3-dihydro-2H-1-benzazepin-2-one scaffold derived from the paullone structure were found to be potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) kinase inhibitors. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and docking studies were performed on a series of d-annulated benzazepinones with VEGF-R2 kinase inhibition activities. The comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis models using 32 molecules in the training set gave r(2)(cv) values of 0.811 and 0.769, r(2) values of 0.962 and 0.953, respectively. 3D contour maps generated from the two models revealed that the electron-withdrawing groups at R(1) and the bulky, electron-withdrawing as well as hydrogen bond donor groups at R(2) position are favourable; the bulky, hydrogen bond acceptor substituent at R(3) and the minor groups at R(4) position may benefit the potency. We have designed a series of novel VEGF-R2 inhibitors by utilizing the SAR results revealed in the present study, which were predicted with excellent potencies in the developed models. The results may aid in designing of potential VEGF-R2 inhibitors with better activities.