Predicting a Drug's Membrane Permeability: A Computational Model Validated With in Vitro Permeability Assay Data

J Phys Chem B. 2017 May 25;121(20):5228-5237. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b02914. Epub 2017 May 12.

Abstract

Membrane permeability is a key property to consider during the drug design process, and particularly vital when dealing with small molecules that have intracellular targets as their efficacy highly depends on their ability to cross the membrane. In this work, we describe the use of umbrella sampling molecular dynamics (MD) computational modeling to comprehensively assess the passive permeability profile of a range of compounds through a lipid bilayer. The model was initially calibrated through in vitro validation studies employing a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA). The model was subsequently evaluated for its quantitative prediction of permeability profiles for a series of custom synthesized and closely related compounds. The results exhibited substantially improved agreement with the PAMPA data, relative to alternative existing methods. Our work introduces a computational model that underwent progressive molding and fine-tuning as a result of its synergistic collaboration with numerous in vitro PAMPA permeability assays. The presented computational model introduces itself as a useful, predictive tool for permeability prediction.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane Permeability*
  • Diffusion
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemical synthesis
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / metabolism*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations