Title:Identification of Potential MEK1 Inhibitors by Pharmacophore-based Virtual Screening and MD Simulations
Volume: 11
Issue: 7
Author(s): Huanhuan Shi, Lu Zhou, Guangkai Bao, Qianying Yi, Suwen Zhou, Yahui Tian and Xiaoli Li
Affiliation:
Keywords:
3D-QSAR, Allosteric binding cavity, MD simulations, MEK1, Molecular docking, Virtual screening.
Abstract: MEK proteins play a critical role in tumor proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Hence MEK1 inhibitors
are of particular importance in the treatment of related diseases. The present study describes pharmacophore-based 3DQSAR
model generation based on 82 known inhibitors of MEK1 allosteric binding cavity. The best pharmacophore model
developed consisted of four features, namely AHHR. The model was used as a query to screen the databases of almost 1.3
million compounds. Finally, 8 hits were indentified and the docking study manifested that these compounds interacted
with MEK1 well. Finally, 10 ns MD simulations of the obtained ligand-receptor system were performed. The stable binding
mode of the system was determined. Our results showed that the identified 8 hits would be useful for the development
of potent MEK1 agents.
