5-HT2 Receptor Subfamily and the Halogen Bond Promise

J Chem Inf Model. 2021 Oct 25;61(10):5001-5012. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00466. Epub 2021 Oct 7.

Abstract

The binding of C-4-halogenated 1-(4-X-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOX) serotonin agonist psychedelics at all three 5-HT2 receptor subtypes is up to two orders of magnitude stronger for X = Cl, Br, or I (but not F) than when C-4 bears a hydrogen atom and more than expected from their hydrophobicities. Our docking and molecular dynamics simulations agree with the fact that increasing the polarizability of halogens results in halogen-oxygen distances to specific backbone C═O groups, and C-X···O angles, in ranges expected for halogen bonds (XBs), which could contribute to the high affinities observed. Good linear correlations are found for each receptor type, indicating that the binding pocket-ligand affinity is enhanced as the XB interaction becomes stronger (i.e., I ≈ Br > Cl > F). It is also striking to note how the linear equations unveil that the receptor's response on the strength of the XB interaction is quite similar among 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, whereas the 5-HT2B's sensitivity is less. The calculated dipole polarizabilities in the binding pocket of the receptors reflect the experimental affinity values, indicating that less-polarizable and harder binding sites are more prone to XB formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Halogens*
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Serotonin*

Substances

  • Halogens
  • Ligands
  • Serotonin