In Search of Novel CDK8 Inhibitors by Virtual Screening
Malika Kumarasiri1, Theodosia Teo1, Mingfeng Yu1
1Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, Sansom Institute for Health Research, Centre for Cancer Biology, and School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
Abstract:
Aberrant activity of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 8 is implicated in various cancers. While CDK8-targeting anticancer drugs are highly sought-after, no CDK8 inhibitor has yet reached clinical trials. Herein a large library of drug-like molecules was computationally screened using two complementary cascades to identify potential CDK8 inhibitors. Thirty-three hits were identified to inhibit CDK8 and seven of them were active against colorectal cancer cell lines. Finally, the primary target was confirmed using three promising hits.
Insights
Researchers computationally screened drug-like molecules to find cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 8 inhibitors for cancer. Thirty-three molecules inhibited CDK8, with seven showing activity against colorectal cancer cells, validating CDK8 as a promising drug target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
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