2y57

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Optimization of fragment hits toward high-affinity lead compounds is a crucial aspect of fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD). In the current study, we have successfully optimized a fragment by growing into a ligand-inducible subpocket of the binding site of acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP). This protein is a soluble homologue of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of Cys-loop receptors. The fragment optimization was monitored with X-ray structures of ligand complexes and systematic thermodynamic analyses using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Using site-directed mutagenesis and AChBP from different species, we find that specific changes in thermodynamic binding profiles, are indicative of interactions with the ligand-inducible subpocket of AChBP. This study illustrates that thermodynamic analysis provides valuable information on ligand binding modes and is complementary to affinity data when guiding rational structure- and fragment-based discovery approaches.

Fragment growing induces conformational changes in acetylcholine-binding protein: a structural and thermodynamic analysis.,Edink E, Rucktooa P, Retra K, Akdemir A, Nahar T, Zuiderveld O, van Elk R, Janssen E, van Nierop P, van Muijlwijk-Koezen J, Smit AB, Sixma TK, Leurs R, de Esch IJ J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Apr 13;133(14):5363-71. Epub 2011 Feb 15. PMID:21322593^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.