title: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study of inositol phosphorylceramide synthase - inhibitor complex in leishmaniasis: Insight into the structure based drug design.
abstract: Inositol phosphorylceramide synthase (IPCS) has emerged as an important, interesting and attractive target in the sphingolipid metabolism ofLeishmania.IPCS catalyzes the conversion of ceramide to IPC which forms the most predominant sphingolipid inLeishmania. IPCS has no mammalian equivalent and also plays an important role in maintaining the infectivity and viability of the parasite. The present study explores the possibility of targeting IPCS; development of suitable inhibitors for the same would serve as a treatment strategy for the infectious disease leishmaniasis. Five coumarin derivatives were developed as inhibitors of IPCS protein. Molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes of IPCS with these inhibitors were performed which provided insights into the binding modes of the inhibitors.In vitroscreening of the top three compounds has resulted in the identification of one of the compounds (compound 3) which shows little cytotoxic effects. This compound therefore represents a good starting point for furtherin vivoexperimentation and could possibly serve as an important drug candidate for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Vineetha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mandlik
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Shailza
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Coumarin derivatives; Drug Inhibitor design; IPCS (Inositol phosphorylceramide synthase); Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Molecular docking; Molecular dynamics simulation; Sphingolipid metabolism