Insights into regioselective metabolism of mefenamic acid by cytochrome P450 BM3 mutants through crystallography, docking, molecular dynamics, and free energy calculations.

Cytochrome P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) mutant M11 is able to metabolize a wide range of drugs and drug-like compounds. Among these, M11 was recently found to be able to catalyze formation of human metabolites of mefenamic acid and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Interestingly, single active-site mutations such as V87I were reported to invert regioselectivity in NSAID hydroxylation. In this work, we combine crystallography and molecular simulation to study the effect of single mutations on binding and regioselective metabolism of mefenamic acid by M11 mutants. The heme domain of the protein mutant M11 was expressed, purified, and crystallized, and its X-ray structure was used as template for modeling. A multistep approach was used that combines molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and binding free-energy calculations to address protein flexibility. In this way, preferred binding modes that are consistent with oxidation at the experimentally observed sites of metabolism (SOMs) were identified. Whereas docking could not be used to retrospectively predict experimental trends in regioselectivity, we were able to rank binding modes in line with the preferred SOMs of mefenamic acid by M11 and its mutants by including protein flexibility and dynamics in free-energy computation. In addition, we could obtain structural insights into the change in regioselectivity of mefenamic acid hydroxylation due to single active-site mutations. Our findings confirm that use of MD and binding free-energy calculation is useful for studying biocatalysis in those cases in which enzyme binding is a critical event in determining the selective metabolism of a substrate.

Correction of the F508del-CFTR protein processing defect in vitro by the investigational drug VX-809.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that impair the function of CFTR, an epithelial chloride channel required for proper function of the lung, pancreas, and other organs. Most patients with CF carry the F508del CFTR mutation, which causes defective CFTR protein folding and processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in minimal amounts of CFTR at the cell surface. One strategy to treat these patients is to correct the processing of F508del-CFTR with small molecules. Here we describe the in vitro pharmacology of VX-809, a CFTR corrector that was advanced into clinical development for the treatment of CF. In cultured human bronchial epithelial cells isolated from patients with CF homozygous for F508del, VX-809 improved F508del-CFTR processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and enhanced chloride secretion to approximately 14% of non-CF human bronchial epithelial cells (EC(50), 81 ± 19 nM), a level associated with mild CF in patients with less disruptive CFTR mutations. F508del-CFTR corrected by VX-809 exhibited biochemical and functional characteristics similar to normal CFTR, including biochemical susceptibility to proteolysis, residence time in the plasma membrane, and single-channel open probability. VX-809 was more efficacious and selective for CFTR than previously reported CFTR correctors. VX-809 represents a class of CFTR corrector that specifically addresses the underlying processing defect in F508del-CFTR.

Rescue of CF airway epithelial cell function in vitro by a CFTR potentiator, VX-770.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a protein kinase A (PKA)-activated epithelial anion channel involved in salt and fluid transport in multiple organs, including the lung. Most CF mutations either reduce the number of CFTR channels at the cell surface (e.g., synthesis or processing mutations) or impair channel function (e.g., gating or conductance mutations) or both. There are currently no approved therapies that target CFTR. Here we describe the in vitro pharmacology of VX-770, an orally bioavailable CFTR potentiator in clinical development for the treatment of CF. In recombinant cells VX-770 increased CFTR channel open probability (P(o)) in both the F508del processing mutation and the G551D gating mutation. VX-770 also increased Cl(-) secretion in cultured human CF bronchial epithelia (HBE) carrying the G551D gating mutation on one allele and the F508del processing mutation on the other allele by approximately 10-fold, to approximately 50% of that observed in HBE isolated from individuals without CF. Furthermore, VX-770 reduced excessive Na(+) and fluid absorption to prevent dehydration of the apical surface and increased cilia beating in these epithelial cultures. These results support the hypothesis that pharmacological agents that restore or increase CFTR function can rescue epithelial cell function in human CF airway.

Efficient screening of cytochrome P450 BM3 mutants for their metabolic activity and diversity toward a wide set of drug-like molecules in chemical space.

In the present study, the diversity of a library of drug-metabolizing bacterial cytochrome P450 (P450) BM3 mutants was evaluated by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based screening method. A strategy was designed to identify a minimal set of BM3 mutants that displays differences in regio- and stereoselectivities and is suitable to metabolize a large fraction of drug chemistry space. We first screened the activities of six structurally diverse BM3 mutants toward a library of 43 marketed drugs (encompassing a wide range of human P450 phenotypes, cLogP values, charges, and molecular weights) using a rapid LC-MS method with an automated method development and data-processing system. Significant differences in metabolic activity were found for the mutants tested and based on this drug library screen; nine structurally diverse probe drugs were selected that were subsequently used to study the metabolism of a library of 14 BM3 mutants in more detail. Using this alternative screening strategy, we were able to select a minimal set of BM3 mutants with high metabolic activities and diversity with respect to substrate specificity and regiospecificity that could produce both human relevant and BM3 unique drug metabolites. This panel of four mutants (M02, MT35, MT38, and MT43) was capable of producing P450-mediated metabolites for 41 of the 43 drugs tested while metabolizing 77% of the drugs by more than 20%. We observed this as the first step in our approach to use of bacterial P450 enzymes as general reagents for lead diversification in the drug development process and the biosynthesis of drug(-like) metabolites.

High throughput P450 inhibition screens in early drug discovery.

This review of high throughput (HT) P450 inhibition technologies and their impact on early drug discovery finds the field at a mature stage. The relationship between P450 inhibition and drug-drug interactions is well understood. A wide variety of P450 inhibition detection technologies are readily available off-the-shelf, but what seems still to be missing is a general agreement on how much weight one should give to the various types of early discovery HT P450 inhibition data. Method-dependent potency differences are a cause of concern, and to resolve this issue the authors advocate calibration of the HT methods with a large set of marketed drugs.

Progress in computational methods for the prediction of ADMET properties.

This review surveys recent progress in the development and application of computational techniques for the prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADMET) properties, including intestinal permeability, blood-brain barrier penetration, active transport/efflux, aqueous solubility, metabolism and toxicity. While much effort continues to be expended in this field with some success on existing datasets, perhaps the most pressing need at this time is for larger, high-quality sets of experimental data to provide a sound basis for model building.

Predicting passive transport in silico--history, hype, hope.

The development of computational tools for the prediction of passive transport is reviewed with particular reference to four diverse approaches: the rule-of-5, polar surface area, Volsurf and Abraham's General Solvation Equation. To illustrate the current state of the art, several examples of the application of in silico methods in drug design projects drawn from the recent medicinal chemistry literature are presented. In conclusion, the current challenges facing practitioners of this discipline are outlined and possible directions towards their resolution are suggested.

A computational ensemble pharmacophore model for identifying substrates of P-glycoprotein.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) functions as a drug efflux pump, mediating multidrug resistance and limiting the efficacy of many drugs. Clearly, identification of potential P-gp substrate liability early in the drug discovery process would be advantageous. We describe a multiple-pharmacophore model that can discriminate between substrates and nonsubstrates of P-gp with an accuracy of 63%. The application of this filter allows large virtual libraries to be screened efficiently for compounds less likely to be transported by P-gp.

Informative library design as an efficient strategy to identify and optimize leads: application to cyclin-dependent kinase 2 antagonists.

The application of an informative, iterative library design strategy is presented for lead identification and optimization. The computational algorithm underlying informative design systematically uses data from both active and inactive compounds and maximizes the information gained from subsequent design-synthesis-screening cycles. Retrospective analysis of a released dataset of 17 550 compounds and corresponding cyclin-dependent kinase-2 activities showed that informative library design yields significant enrichments of active compounds and efficiently discovers novel chemotypes in comparison with commonly used diversity-similarity protocols.

Evaluation of a novel shape-based computational filter for lead evolution: application to thrombin inhibitors.

A novel shape-feature-based computational method is described and used to rapidly filter compound libraries. The computational model, built using three-dimensional conformations of active and inactive molecules, consists of a collection of whole molecule shapes and chemical feature positions that are ranked according to their correlation with activity. A small ensemble of these shapes and features is used to filter virtual compound libraries. The method is applied to two thrombin data sets and is shown to be efficient in identifying novel scaffolds with enhanced hit rates.

Performance of 3D-database molecular docking studies into homology models.

The performance of docking studies into protein active sites constructed by homology model building was investigated using CDK2 and factor VIIa screening data sets. When the sequence identity between model and template near the binding site area is greater than approximately 50%, roughly 5 times more active compounds are identified than would be found randomly. This performance is comparable to docking to crystal structures.

Arylamidrazones as novel corticotropin releasing factor receptor antagonists.

The arylamidrazones have been found to be potent corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists structurally distinct from previously reported CRF1 antagonists. Attempts to modify the arylamidrazone core suggested an important role for the anilino NH moiety. The right-hand-side 2-nitro feature in lead 1 could be replaced with substituents methyl, chloro, cyano, or trifluoromethyl with a 4- to 10-fold reduction in receptor binding. With appropriate left-hand-side modifications, this potency loss could be recovered.

Comparing performance of computational tools for combinatorial library design.

In using computational tools for library design it is necessary to understand the performance and limitations of available methods. This letter reports systematic comparisons of applying ligand-based and structure-based tools across therapeutic project-derived data sets. Included are assessments of performance in real-world iterative design applications and the utility of target structural information. The results suggest that combining screening and target structure information is robust; further, a well-designed screening library can compensate for lacking structural information.

N-phenylphenylglycines as novel corticotropin releasing factor receptor antagonists.

Screening of a computationally designed synthetic library led to the discovery of the N-phenylphenylglycines (NPPGs) as a novel class of human corticotropin releasing factor (h-CRF(1)) antagonists. Several NPPGs with greater potency than the original hit 1 were rapidly identified, and resolution of the racemate demonstrated that only the R-enantiomer displays activity. This structural class represents the first example of a non-peptide CRF(1) antagonist with a stereochemically distinct receptor binding affinity.

Unique overlap in the prerequisites for thrombin inhibition and oral bioavailability resulting in potent oral antithrombotics.

Despite intense research over the last 10 years, aided by the availability of X-ray structures of enzyme-inhibitor complexes, only very few truly orally active thrombin inhibitors have been found. We conducted a comprehensive study starting with peptide transition state analogues (TSA). Both hydrophobic nonpeptide analogues as well as hydrophilic peptidic analogues were synthesized. The bioavailability in rats and dogs could be drastically altered depending on the overall charge distribution in the molecule. Compound 27, a tripeptide TSA inhibitor of thrombin, showed an oral bioavailability of 32% in rats and 71% in dogs, elimination half-lives being 58 and 108 min, respectively. The thrombin inhibition constant of compound 27 was 1.1 nM, and in an in vivo arterial flow model, the ED(50) was 5.4 nmol/kg.min, comparable to known non-TSA inhibitors. A molecular design was found that combines antithrombotic efficiency with oral bioavailability at low dosages.

Design of a gene family screening library targeting G-protein coupled receptors.

An iterative process for the design of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) gene family screening library has been developed. A key element of this process is the computational generation of pharmacophore descriptors of known GPCR ligands. Subsequent iterative analysis allows prioritization of scaffolds and sub-libraries for inclusion in the library. The final library, which consisted of 13,769 compounds, displayed a 2.6% hit rate when screened against the micro-opioid receptor.

Coupling structure-based design with combinatorial chemistry: application of active site derived pharmacophores with informative library design.

Protein structural information is combined with combinatorial library design in the following protocol. Active site maps are generated from protein structures. All possible 2-, 3- and 4-point pharmacophores are enumerated from the active site map and encoded as bit strings. The pharmacophores define a design space that can be used to select compounds using an informative library design tool. The method was evaluated against a collection of compounds assayed previously against a cyclin-dependent kinase target, CDK-2, starting with 23 X-ray co-crystal structures. Performance was assessed based on the number of active scaffolds selected after four rounds of iterative informative library design. The method selects compounds from 12 out of the 15 active scaffolds from the CDK-2 library and outperforms a two-dimensional similarity search and docking calculations.

In silico prediction of drug safety: despite progress there is abundant room for improvement.

Predictive models for drug safety are crucial for helping to avoid costly late-stage failures. We review recent work on models for genotoxicity, liver toxicity, CYP450 inhibition and cardiotoxicity. These models have improved somewhat in recent years, and research has expanded into new frontiers, such as the prediction of liver toxicity. However, much more needs to be done.:

Discovery of N-(2,4-di-tert-butyl-5-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide (VX-770, ivacaftor), a potent and orally bioavailable CFTR potentiator.

Quinolinone-3-carboxamide 1, a novel CFTR potentiator, was discovered using high-throughput screening in NIH-3T3 cells expressing the F508del-CFTR mutation. Extensive medicinal chemistry and iterative structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to evaluate potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties resulted in the identification of N-(2,4-di-tert-butyl-5-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide (VX-770, 48, ivacaftor), an investigational drug candidate approved by the FDA for the treatment of CF patients 6 years of age and older carrying the G551D mutation.