Function-specific virtual screening for GPCR ligands using a combined scoring method

Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 24:6:28288. doi: 10.1038/srep28288.

Abstract

The ability of scoring functions to correctly select and rank docking poses of small molecules in protein binding sites is highly target dependent, which presents a challenge for structure-based drug discovery. Here we describe a virtual screening method that combines an energy-based docking scoring function with a molecular interaction fingerprint (IFP) to identify new ligands based on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) crystal structures. The consensus scoring method is prospectively evaluated by: 1) the discovery of chemically novel, fragment-like, high affinity histamine H1 receptor (H1R) antagonists/inverse agonists, 2) the selective structure-based identification of ß2-adrenoceptor (ß2R) agonists, and 3) the experimental validation and comparison of the combined and individual scoring approaches. Systematic retrospective virtual screening simulations allowed the definition of scoring cut-offs for the identification of H1R and ß2R ligands and the selection of an optimal ß-adrenoceptor crystal structure for the discrimination between ß2R agonists and antagonists. The consensus approach resulted in the experimental validation of 53% of the ß2R and 73% of the H1R virtual screening hits with up to nanomolar affinities and potencies. The selective identification of ß2R agonists shows the possibilities of structure-based prediction of GPCR ligand function by integrating protein-ligand binding mode information.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / chemistry
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / chemistry
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Binding Sites
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Histamine Agonists / chemistry
  • Histamine Agonists / pharmacology
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / chemistry
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Protein Binding
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / chemistry
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Histamine H1 / chemistry
  • Receptors, Histamine H1 / genetics
  • Receptors, Histamine H1 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • User-Computer Interface*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Histamine Agonists
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Histamine H1
  • Recombinant Proteins