Molecular field extrema as descriptors of biological activity: definition and validation.
The paper describes the generation of four types of three-dimensional molecular field descriptors or 'field points' as extrema of electrostatic, steric, and hydrophobic fields. These field points are used to define the properties necessary for a molecule to bind in a characteristic way into a specified active site. The hypothesis is that compounds showing a similar field point pattern are likely to bind at the same target site regardless of structure. The methodology to test this idea is illustrated using HIV NNRTI and thrombin ligands and validated across seven other targets. From the in silico comparisons of field point overlays, the experimentally observed binding poses of these ligands in their respective sites can be reproduced from pairwise comparisons.
Cresset Biomolecular Discovery Ltd., Spirella Building, Letchworth, Hertfordshire SG6 1ET, United Kingdom.
Tim
T
Cheeseright
Mark
M
Mackey
Sally
S
Rose
Andy
A
Vinter
D000465:Algorithms; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D015195:Drug Design; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D013917:Thrombin