Applying deep learning to iterative screening of medium-sized molecules for protein-protein interaction-targeted drug discovery

Chem Commun (Camb). 2023 May 30;59(44):6722-6725. doi: 10.1039/d3cc01283b.

Abstract

We combined a library of medium-sized molecules with iterative screening using multiple machine learning algorithms that were ligand-based, which resulted in a large increase of the hit rate against a protein-protein interaction target. This was demonstrated by inhibition assays using a PPI target, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2), and a deep neural network model based on the first-round assay data showed a highest hit rate of 27.3%. Using the models, we identified novel active and non-flat compounds far from public datasets, expanding the chemical space.

MeSH terms

  • Deep Learning*
  • Drug Discovery / methods
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / chemistry
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / chemistry
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2