In Silico Pharmacophore Model for Tabun-Inhibites Acetylcholinesterase Reactivators: A study of Their Stereoelectronic Properties

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) function in the nervous system, causing acute intoxication. If untreated, death can result. Inhibited AChE can be reactivated by oximes, antidotes for OP exposure. However, OP intoxication caused by the nerve agent tabun (GA) is particularly resistant to oximes, which poorly reactivate GA-inhibited AChE. In an attempt to develop a rational strategy for the discovery and design of novel reactivators with lower toxicity and increased efficacy in reactivating GA-inhibited AChE, we developed the first in silico pharmacophore model for binding affinity of GA-inhibited AChE from a set of 11 oximes. Oximes were analyzed for stereoelectronic profiles and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship pharmacophores using ab initio quantum chemical and pharmacophore generation methods. Quantum chemical methods were sequentially used from semiempirical AM1 to hierarchical ab initio calculations to determine the stereoelectronic properties of nine oximes exhibiting affinity for binding to GA-inhibited AChE in vivo. The calculated stereoelectronic properties led us to develop the in silico pharmacophore model using CATALYST methodology. Specific stereoelectronic profiles including the distance between bisquarternary nitrogen atoms of the pyridinium ring in the oximes, hydrophilicity, surface area, nucleophilicity of the oxime oxygen, and location of the molecular orbitals on the isosurfaces have important roles for potencies for reactivating GA-inhibited AChE.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA510962

Entities

People

  • Apurba K. Bhattacharjee
  • Kamil Kuca
  • Kamil Musilek
  • Richard K. Gordon

Organizations

  • Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acetylcholinesterases
  • Algorithms
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Crystal Structure
  • Electrons
  • Enzymes
  • First Principles Calculations
  • Geometry
  • Hydrogen Bonds
  • Hydrophobic Properties
  • Materials
  • Molecules
  • Nerve Agents
  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Test Sets
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Neurotoxicology
  • Quantum Chemistry

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Computing
  • Space