Potency Prediction of β‑Secretase (BACE-1) Inhibitors Using Density Functional Methods

Scoring potency is a main challenge for structure based drug design. Inductive effects of subtle variations in the ligand are not possible to accurately predict by classical computational chemistry methods. In this study, the problem of predicting potency of ligands with electronic variations participating in key interactions with the protein was addressed. The potency was predicted for a large set of cyclic amidine and guanidine cores extracted from β-secretase (BACE-1) inhibitors. All cores were of similar size and had equal interaction motifs but were diverse with respect to electronic substitutions. A density functional theory approach, in combination with a representation of the active site of a protein using only key residues, was shown to be predictive. This computational approach was used to guide and support drug design, within the time frame of a normal drug discovery design cycle

Low estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with poor outcomes in patients who suffered a large artery atherosclerosis stroke

[[abstract]]Objectives: The relationship between low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the outcome of ischemic stroke remains controversial, despite the close association between kidney dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Methods: This study conducted subgroup analysis using data from the prospective Taiwan Stroke Registry to investigate the relationship between eGFR at the time of admission and 6-month functional outcomes in patients with the large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) subtype of acute ischemic stroke. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and outcomes were defined as modified Rankin Scale and mortality status at 6 months post stroke. Results: Of the 8052 patients with the LAA subtype of acute ischemic stroke in this study, 3312 (41.1%) had eGFR 15 and eGFR <15mL/min/1.73m2, compared with those with NIHSS 0-5 and eGFR 60-119mL/min/1.73m2. Conclusions: Low eGFR was significantly and independently associated with 6-month functional outcomes and mortality in patients with the LAA subtype of acute ischemic stroke. The deleterious relationship between low eGFR levels and mortality following stroke was exacerbated by its synergistic association with stroke severity

Toward β‑Secretase‑1 Inhibitors with Improved Isoform Selectivity

BACE1 is responsible for the first step in APP proteolysis, leading to toxic Aβ production, and has been indicated to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The related isoform BACE2 is thought to be involved in processing of the pigment cell-specific melanocyte protein. To avoid potential effects on pigmentation, we investigated the feasibility for developing isoform-selective BACE1 inhibitors. Cocrystal structures of 47 compounds were analyzed and clustered according to their selectivity profiles. Selective BACE1 inhibitors were found to exhibit two distinct conformational features proximal to the flap and the S3 subpocket. Several new molecules were designed and tested to make use of this observation. The combination of a pyrimidinyl C-ring and a methylcyclohexyl element resulted in lead molecule <b>28</b>, which exhibited ∼50-fold selectivity. Compared to a nonselective BACE1/2 inhibitor, <b>28</b> showed significantly less inhibition of PMEL processing in human melanocytes, indicating good functional selectivity of this inhibitor class