Designing Out PXR Activity on Drug Discovery Projects: A Review of Structure-Based Methods, Empirical and Computational Approaches

J Med Chem. 2021 May 27;64(10):6413-6522. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02245. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

This perspective discusses the role of pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) in drug discovery and the impact of its activation on CYP3A4 induction. The use of structural biology to reduce PXR activity on drug discovery projects has become more common in recent years. Analysis of this work highlights several important molecular interactions, and the resultant structural modifications to reduce PXR activity are summarized. The computational approaches undertaken to support the design of new drugs devoid of PXR activation potential are also discussed. Finally, the SAR of empirical design strategies to reduce PXR activity is reviewed, and the key SAR transformations are discussed and summarized. In conclusion, this perspective demonstrates that PXR activity can be greatly diminished or negated on active drug discovery projects with the knowledge now available. This perspective should be useful to anyone who seeks to reduce PXR activity on a drug discovery project.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / metabolism
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Pregnane X Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Pregnane X Receptor / metabolism*
  • Rifampin / chemistry
  • Rifampin / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Pregnane X Receptor
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Rifampin