Title:In Silico Design of Novel Sirtuin 1 Enzyme Activators for the Treatment of Age-related Diseases and Life Span
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Tugba Ertan-Bolelli and Kayhan Bolelli*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara,Turkey
Keywords:
Aged-related disease, life span, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, sirtuin, virtual screening.
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of the study was to develop new SIRT1 activator compounds, for this aim,
we used virtual screening and molecular dynamics methods, which have been important tools for
new hit compound searches.
Background: Recently, with the progress of computing technology, it has been possible to obtain
higher efficiency and lower costs for drug discovery. With in silico research and drug design, there
is a reduction in time-consuming and expensive experimental work. An NAD+ dependent histone
deacetylase enzyme, Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), is involved in a variety of human disorders such as type II
diabetes, cancer, obesity, and aging. Activation of SIRT1 could be useful for longevity and treating
metabolic disorders.
Objective: We used computational methods to develop new SIRT1 activator compounds.
Methods: Firstly, virtual screening studies on the human SIRT1 enzyme were carried out. We used
approximately 150.000 commercially available compounds from the Zinc database, which include
FDA-approved drugs. According to virtual screening results, we selected seven potent activators.
Then we compared these hit compounds with known activators by using docking methods. One of
these hit compounds, acebutolol, is an FDA-approved drug, and was selected for additional studies
using molecular dynamics simulations.
Results: Seven hit compounds were identified with database screening. Each showed strong interactions
with SIRT1, and acebutolol formed H-bonds with the important active site residues, Asn226
and/or Glu230 during the dynamics simulation.
Conclusion: Based on our in silico studies, the seven most promising compounds, especially acebutolol,
showed promising SIRT1 activator potency. The results may be used to design new selective
and more potent SIRT1 activator drugs.