Inverse in silico screening for identification of kinase inhibitor targets

Chem Biol. 2007 Nov;14(11):1207-14. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2007.10.010.

Abstract

Protein kinases are clinically relevant, attractive drug targets for cancer. One major problem with kinase inhibitors is broad promiscuity, causing off-target actions and side effects. In silico prediction of targets of a compound would immensely facilitate and accelerate drug development. Using a virtual "inverse" screening approach, where single compounds are docked into protein structures from a database, we identify among known targets of indirubin derivatives phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) as a target of one derivative (6BIO) in particular. This prediction is functionally supported by an in vitro kinase assay, inhibition of intracellular phosphorylation of PDK1-substrates, and inhibition of endothelial cell migration, which highly depends on PDK1. Virtual inverse screening combined with biological tests, thus, is proposed as a valuable tool for the drug discovery process and re-examination of already established kinase inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Oximes / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Oximes
  • PDK1 protein, human
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • indirubin-3'-monoxime
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases