New insights into the binding mode of melanin concentrating hormone receptor-1 antagonists: homology modeling and explicit membrane molecular dynamics simulation study

J Chem Inf Model. 2011 Mar 28;51(3):635-46. doi: 10.1021/ci100355c. Epub 2011 Mar 3.

Abstract

Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic 19-amino-acid peptide expressed mainly in the hypothalamus. It is involved in the control of feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, and body weight. Administration of MCH-R1 antagonists has been proved to reduce food intake and cause weight loss in animal models. In the present study, a homology model of the human MCH-R1 was constructed using the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin (PDB: 1u19) as a template. Based on the observation that MCH-R1 can bind ligands of high chemical diversity, the initial model was subjected to an extensive ligand-supported refinement using antagonists of different chemotypes. The refinement process involved stepwise energy minimizations and molecular dynamics simulations. The refined model was inserted into a pre-equilibrated DPPC/TIP3P membrane system and then simulated for 20 ns in complex with structurally diverse antagonists. This protocol was able to explain the SAR of MCH-R1 antagonists with diverse chemical structures. Moreover, it reveals new insights into the critical recognition sites within the receptor. This work represents the first detailed study of molecular dynamics of MCH-R1 inserted into a membrane-aqueous environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hypothalamic Hormones / chemistry
  • Melanins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Melanins / chemistry
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Pituitary Hormones / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Pituitary Hormones / chemistry

Substances

  • Hypothalamic Hormones
  • Melanins
  • Pituitary Hormones
  • melanin-concentrating hormone