Comprehensive Modeling and Discovery of Mebendazole as a Novel TRAF2- and NCK-interacting Kinase Inhibitor

Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 21:6:33534. doi: 10.1038/srep33534.

Abstract

TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) represents one of the crucial targets for Wnt-activated colorectal cancer. In this study, we curated two datasets and conducted a comprehensive modeling study to explore novel TNIK inhibitors with desirable biopharmaceutical properties. With Dataset I, we derived Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) and variable-selection k-nearest neighbor models, from which 3D-molecular fields and 2D-descriptors critical for the TNIK inhibitor activity were revealed. Based on Dataset II, predictive CoMSIA-SIMCA (Soft Independent Modelling by Class Analogy) models were obtained and employed to screen 1,448 FDA-approved small molecule drugs. Upon experimental evaluations, we discovered that mebendazole, an approved anthelmintic drug, could selectively inhibit TNIK kinase activity with a dissociation constant Kd = ~1 μM. The subsequent CoMSIA and kNN analyses indicated that mebendazole bears the favorable molecular features that are needed to bind and inhibit TNIK.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dasatinib / pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Germinal Center Kinases
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Ligands
  • Mebendazole / chemistry
  • Mebendazole / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Germinal Center Kinases
  • Ligands
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2
  • Mebendazole
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TNIK protein, human
  • Dasatinib