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Computationally Empowered Workflow Identifies Novel Covalent Allosteric Binders for KRAS G12C
Author(s) -
Mortier Jérémie,
Friberg Anders,
Badock Volker,
Moosmayer Dieter,
Schroeder Jens,
Steigemann Patrick,
Siegel Franziska,
Gradl Stefan,
Bauser Marcus,
Hillig Roman C.,
Briem Hans,
Eis Knut,
Bader Benjamin,
Nguyen Duy,
Christ Clara D.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemmedchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.817
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1860-7187
pISSN - 1860-7179
DOI - 10.1002/cmdc.201900727
Subject(s) - kras , allosteric regulation , pharmacophore , druggability , docking (animal) , workflow , chemistry , molecular dynamics , computational biology , virtual screening , computer science , mutation , biochemistry , biology , computational chemistry , medicine , enzyme , nursing , database , gene
Abstract Due to its frequent mutations in multiple lethal cancers, KRAS is one of the most‐studied anticancer targets nowadays. Since the discovery of the druggable allosteric binding site containing a G12C mutation, KRAS G12C has been the focus of attention in oncology research. We report here a computationally driven approach aimed at identifying novel and selective KRAS G12C covalent inhibitors. The workflow involved initial enumeration of virtual molecules tailored for the KRAS allosteric binding site. Tools such as pharmacophore modeling, docking, and free‐energy perturbations were deployed to prioritize the compounds with the best profiles. The synthesized naphthyridinone scaffold showed the ability to react with G12C and inhibit KRAS G12C . Analogues were prepared to establish structure‐activity relationships, while molecular dynamics simulations and crystallization of the inhibitor‐KRAS G12C complex highlighted an unprecedented binding mode.