Binding Pattern and Structural Interactome of the Anticancer Drug 5-Fluorouracil: A Critical Review

En-Shyh Lin1, Cheng-Yang Huang2,3

  • 1Department of Beauty Science, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Taichung City 403, Taiwan.

Insights

This review details how the chemotherapy drug 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) binds to proteins, identifying key P-type and R-type residues. Understanding these 5-FU protein interactions aids in discovering new therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapy agent with over 60 years of clinical application.
  • A comprehensive understanding of 5-FU's protein binding interactions remains incomplete.
  • Identifying specific protein binding patterns is crucial for understanding its mechanism and potential new therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and analyze the binding patterns of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) with proteins.
  • To classify 5-FU binding modes based on interacting amino acid residues.
  • To provide a structural basis for the interactions of 5-FU with its protein targets.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of available protein-ligand complex structures containing 5-FU.
  • Classification of interacting amino acid residues into P-type (positively charged: Arg, Lys) and R-type (aromatic: Phe, Tyr, Trp, His).
  • Categorization of 5-FU binding modes into three types based on residue interactions within 4 Å.

Main Results:

  • Two primary groups of residues, P-type and R-type, were identified as frequently interacting with 5-FU.
  • 5-FU binding modes were classified into Type 1 (P-R type), Type 2 (P type), and Type 3 (R type).
  • Out of 14 analyzed structures, 8 were Type 1, 2 were Type 2, and 4 were Type 3, with specific 5-FU atoms (N1, N3, O4, F5) showing high interaction frequencies.

Conclusions:

  • The study establishes a classification system for 5-FU protein binding modes based on structural analysis.
  • Identified P-type and R-type residues and their interaction patterns offer insights into 5-FU's binding preferences.
  • This structural interactome analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of 5-FU's molecular interactions and potential for drug development.