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Shape Similarity by Fractal Dimensionality: An Application in the de novo Design of (−)‐Englerin A Mimetics
Author(s) -
Friedrich Lukas,
Byrne Ryan,
Treder Aaron,
Singh Inderjeet,
Bauer Christoph,
Gudermann Thomas,
Mederos y Schnitzler Michael,
Storch Ursula,
Schneider Gisbert
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.202000017
Subject(s) - transient receptor potential channel , virtual screening , trpm8 , biological system , chemistry , fractal , structural similarity , similarity (geometry) , computational biology , biophysics , computer science , biology , drug discovery , biochemistry , artificial intelligence , mathematics , receptor , mathematical analysis , trpv1 , image (mathematics)
Molecular shape and pharmacological function are interconnected. To capture shape, the fractal dimensionality concept was employed, providing a natural similarity measure for the virtual screening of de novo generated small molecules mimicking the structurally complex natural product (−)‐englerin A. Two of the top‐ranking designs were synthesized and tested for their ability to modulate transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels which are cellular targets of (−)‐englerin A. Intracellular calcium assays and electrophysiological whole‐cell measurements of TRPC4 and TRPM8 channels revealed potent inhibitory effects of one of the computer‐generated compounds. Four derivatives of this identified hit compound had comparable effects on TRPC4 and TRPM8. The results of this study corroborate the use of fractal dimensionality as an innovative shape‐based molecular representation for molecular scaffold‐hopping.