3D-QSAR, Virtual Screening, Docking and Design of Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors with Enhanced Antiproliferative Activity
Jelena Oluić1, Katarina Nikolic1, Jelica Vucicevic1
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11000 Belgrade. Serbia.
Aim And Objective:
Altered activity of PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the most common aberrations found in various forms of neoplastic lesions. Dual inhibition of PI3K and mTOR represents a reasonably attractive concept in potential cancer treatment. The main aim of this work was to design novel PI3K/mTOR inhibitors with enhanced antiproliferative activity.
Materials And Methods:
3D-QSAR pharmacophore modeling studies were performed on two groups comprised of 37 and 48 dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Obtained 3D-pharmacophores were used in design of new dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Based on the in silico ADMET data, structure-based virtual screening and docking studies, the most promising novel candidates were selected.
Results:
Four reliable PLS models with good statistical parameters (q2 = 0.72, r2 pred = 0.93; q2 = 0.81, r2 pred= 0.88 for 3D-QSAR (mTOR) models and q2 = 0.79, r2pred = 0.93; q2 = 0.79, r2 pred = 0.94 for 3D-QSAR (PI3K) models) were obtained and new highly selective and potent dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors were designed. Further in silico ADMET profiling of the designed compounds selected the most promising novel PI3K/mTOR inhibitors as drug candidates. Results of the 3D-QSAR studies were confirmed by structure-based virtual screening protocol that identified selected designed compounds as a best fit for PI3K and mTOR receptors. Molecular docking studies on PI3K and mTOR crystal structures revealed the key active site residues involved in binding of PI3K/mTOR ligands.
Conclusion:
After combining the results of 3D-QSAR, ADMET profiling, virtual screening and docking, compounds 56-57 and 56-62 were chosen as the most promising new dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors.
Insights
Researchers designed novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors for cancer treatment. Promising drug candidates were identified using 3D-QSAR, virtual screening, and docking, showing enhanced antiproliferative activity.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Computational Drug Design
- Oncology
Background:
- Aberrant PI3K/mTOR signaling is common in cancers.
- Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition is a promising cancer therapy strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- Design novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors.
- Enhance antiproliferative activity against neoplastic lesions.
Main Methods:
- 3D-QSAR pharmacophore modeling was applied to existing inhibitors.
- In silico ADMET, virtual screening, and docking were used for novel compound selection.
Main Results:
- Four reliable 3D-QSAR models for PI3K and mTOR were developed.
- Novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors were designed with high potency and selectivity.
- Virtual screening and docking confirmed designed compounds fit PI3K and mTOR active sites.
Conclusions:
- Compounds 56-57 and 56-62 were identified as the most promising novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors.
- The study successfully designed potent inhibitors for potential cancer treatment.
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