Computational screening, ensemble docking and pharmacophore analysis of potential gefitinib analogues against epidermal growth factor receptor

Abstract

The observable mutated isoforms of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are important considerable therapeutic benchmarks in moderating the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, quinazoline-based ATP competitive inhibitors have been developed against the EGFR; however, these imply the mutation probabilities, which contribute to the discovery of high probable novel inhibitors for EGFR mutants. Therefore, SAR-based bioactivity analysis, molecular docking and computational toxicogenomics approaches were performed to identify and evaluate new analogs of gefitinib against the ligand-binding domain of the EGFR double-mutated model. From the diverse groups of molecular clustering and molecular screening strategies, top high-binding gefitinib-analogues were identified and studied against EGFR core cavity through three-phase ensemble docking approach. Resulted high possible leads showed good binding orientations than gefitinib (positive control) thus they were subjected to pharmacophore analysis that possesses possible molecular assets to tight binding with EGFR domain. Residues Ser720, Arg841 and Trp880 were observed as novel hot spots and involved in H-bonds, pi-stacking and π-cation interactions that contribute additional electrostatic potency to sustain stability and complexity of protein-ligand complexes, thus they have ability to profoundly adopted by pharmacophoric features. Furthermore, lead molecules have an inhibition percent probability, anticancer potency, toxic impacts, flexible pharmacokinetics, potential gene-chemical interactions towards EGFR were revealed by computational systems biology tools. Our multiple screening strategies confirmed that the druggable sub-pocket was crucial to strong EGFR-ligand binding. The essential pharmacophoric features of ligands provided viewpoints for new inhibitors envisaging, and predicted scaffolds could used as anticancer agents against selected EGFR mutated isoforms.

Keywords:

• Epidermal growth factor receptor
• gefitinib
• non-small cell lung cancer
• molecular screening
• ensemble docking
• computational system biology applications

Acknowledgements

Y. Suneetha is thankful to Human Resource Development for Health Research, New Delhi (F.No.V0.25011/542-HRD/2016-HR) to carry out this work and also very grateful to journal editor and potential reviewers.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests.

Additional information

Funding

B. Uma Devi (F1–17.1/2012–13/RGNF-2012–13-SC-AND-32761/(SA-III/WEBSITE)) and K. Kranthi Kumar (F1–17.1/2013–14/RGNF-2013–14-SC-AND-40670/(SAIII/Website)) are grateful to University Grants Commission (UGC) New Delhi, India for awarding research fellowship as Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF).