#101 Computational investigation of inhibitors of PIM-1 kinase triazolo-pyridazines as anticancer agents: A molecular modelling approach

Abstract

PIM kinases are members of the class of kinase family serine/ threonine kinases, which play a crucial role in cancer development. As there is no drug in the market against PIM-1, kinase has transpired as a budding and captivating target for discovering new anticancer agents targeting PIM-1 kinase. The current research pondered the development of new PIM-1 kinase inhibitors by applying a ligand-based drug discovery approach and structure-based drug discovery approach involving 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, and dynamics simulation. This study, association with structural properties and biological activity, was undertaken using 3D-QSAR analysis. 3D-QSAR was performed employing thirty-five molecules from the literature using Vlife Science MDS software. Molecular docking was performed using the Glide suite of Schrodinger and molecular dynamics using GROMACS software. The results of the molecular docking studies were visualized through the Maestro suite. The 3D-QSAR model was generated with the help of 35 compounds from which the best model manifested an appreciating cross-validation coefficient (q²) of 0.8866 and conventional correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.9298, respectively. Moreover, the value of the predicted correlation coefficient (r² pred) was obtained as 0.7878, respectively. The molecular docking analysis demonstrated that the analogs under study occupied the active site of the PIM-1 kinase receptor. Interactions with LYS67 in the catalytic region, ASP186 in the DFG motif, and GLU171 were noticed with numerous compounds. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulation study stated the ligand portrayed the strong conformational stability within the active site of PIM-1 kinase protein, forming a maximum of two hydrogen bonds until 100 ns. Overall outcomes of the study revealed that applications of the ligand-based drug discovery approach and structure-based drug discovery strategy conceivably applied to discovering new PIM-1 kinase inhibitors as anticancer agents.