Journal : J. Med. Chem.
Title : Development of molecular probes for the identification of extra interaction sites in the mid-gorge and peripheral sites of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Rational design of novel, selective, and highly potent BuChE inhibitors.
Year : 2005
Volume : 48
Issue : 6
First Page : 1919
Last Page : 1929
Authors : Campiani G, Fattorusso C, Butini S, Gaeta A, Agnusdei M, Gemma S, Persico M, Catalanotti B, Savini L, Nacci V, Novellino E, Holloway HW, Greig NH, Belinskaya T, Fedorko JM, Saxena A.
Abstract : Tacrine heterobivalent ligands were designed as novel and reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases. On the basis of the investigation of the active site gorge topology of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and by using flexible docking procedures, molecular modeling studies formulated the hypothesis of extra interaction sites in the active gorge of hBuChE, namely, a mid-gorge interaction site and a peripheral interaction site. The design strategy led to novel BuChE inhibitors, balancing potency and selectivity. Among the compounds identified, the heterobivalent ligand 4m, containing an amide nitrogen and a sulfur atom at the 8-membered tether level, is one of the most potent and selective BuChE inhibitors described to date. The novel inhibitors, bearing postulated key features, validated the hypothesis of the presence of extra interaction sites within the hBuChE active site gorge.
