
Lead generation for difficult-to-drug targets that have large, featureless, and highly lipophilic or highly polar and/or flexible binding sites is highly challenging. Here, we describe how cores of macrocyclic natural products can serve as a high-quality in silico screening library that provides leads for difficult-to-drug targets. Two iterative rounds of docking of a carefully selected set of natural-product-derived cores led to the discovery of an uncharged macrocyclic inhibitor of the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction, a particularly challenging target due to its highly polar binding site. The inhibitor displays cellular efficacy and is well-positioned for further optimization based on the structure of its complex with Keap1 and synthetic access. We believe that our work will spur interest in using macrocyclic cores for in silico-based lead generation and also inspire the design of future macrocycle screening collections.
Models, Molecular, Biological Products, Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1, Databases, Factual, NF-E2-Related Factor 2, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Läkemedelskemi, Molecular Docking Simulation, Structure-Activity Relationship, Solubility, Drug Discovery, Microsomes, Liver, Data Mining, Humans, Computer Simulation, Polycyclic Compounds, Medicinal Chemistry, PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTION; SMALL MOLECULES; KELCH DOMAIN; PREDICTION; DISCOVERY; INHIBITORS; FRAGMENTS; PROGRAM; BIND; RULE
Models, Molecular, Biological Products, Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1, Databases, Factual, NF-E2-Related Factor 2, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Läkemedelskemi, Molecular Docking Simulation, Structure-Activity Relationship, Solubility, Drug Discovery, Microsomes, Liver, Data Mining, Humans, Computer Simulation, Polycyclic Compounds, Medicinal Chemistry, PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTION; SMALL MOLECULES; KELCH DOMAIN; PREDICTION; DISCOVERY; INHIBITORS; FRAGMENTS; PROGRAM; BIND; RULE
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