Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biochemical Evaluation for the Identification of Novel Trypanosoma brucei Aldolase Inhibitors

Curr Top Med Chem. 2018;18(5):397-405. doi: 10.2174/1568026618666180427150428.

Abstract

Introduction: The glycolytic enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase is a validated molecular target in human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) drug discovery, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Herein, a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) approach to the identification of novel T. brucei aldolase inhibitors is described. Distinct molecular docking algorithms were used to screen more than 500,000 compounds against the X-ray structure of the enzyme. This SBVS strategy led to the selection of a series of molecules which were evaluated for their activity on recombinant T. brucei aldolase. The effort led to the discovery of structurally new ligands able to inhibit the catalytic activity of the enzyme.

Results: The predicted binding conformations were additionally investigated in molecular dynamics simulations, which provided useful insights into the enzyme-inhibitor intermolecular interactions.

Conclusion: The molecular modeling results along with the enzyme inhibition data generated practical knowledge to be explored in further structure-based drug design efforts in HAT drug discovery.

Keywords: Drug discovery; Human African trypanosomiasis; Molecular docking; Molecular dynamics; Sleeping sickness..

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde-Lyases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Aldehyde-Lyases / metabolism
  • Benzofurans / chemical synthesis
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Naphthols / chemical synthesis
  • Naphthols / chemistry
  • Naphthols / pharmacology*
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / drug effects*
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / enzymology*

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Naphthols
  • Aldehyde-Lyases