title: MetaSite: understanding metabolism in human cytochromes from the perspective of the chemist.
abstract: Identification of metabolic biotransformations can significantly affect the drug discovery process. Since bioavailability, activity, toxicity, distribution, and final elimination all depend on metabolic biotransformations, it would be extremely advantageous if this information could be produced early in the discovery phase. Once obtained, this information can help chemists to judge whether a potential candidate should be eliminated from the pipeline or modified to improve chemical stability or safety of new compounds. The use of in silico methods to predict the site of metabolism in phase I cytochrome-mediated reactions is a starting point in any metabolic pathway prediction. This paper presents a new method, specifically designed for chemists, that provides the cytochrome involved and the site of metabolism for any human cytochrome P450 (CYP) mediated reaction acting on new substrates. The methodology can be applied automatically to all the cytochromes for which 3D structure is known and can be used by chemists to detect positions that should be protected in order to avoid metabolic degradation or to check the suitability of a new scaffold or prodrug. The fully automated procedure is also a valuable new tool in early ADME-Tox assays (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion toxicity assays), where drug safety and metabolic profile patterns must be evaluated as soon, and as early, as possible.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Chemometrics and Cheminformatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 10, I-06123 Perugia, Italy. gabri@chemiome.chm.unipg.it
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cruciani
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carosati
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Boeck
authors.forename: Kantharaj
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ethirajulu
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mackie
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vianello
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001384:Azetidines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D005054:Eugenol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D010797:Phthalimides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D001384:Azetidines; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010797:Phthalimides; D011412:Propanolamines; C016434:ethylamphetamine; C095487:1,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(3-phenylpropyl)-2-azetidinone; D005054:Eugenol; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D004110:Diltiazem; C084811:bunitrolol; C098874:4,5-dianilinophthalimide