3D-QSAR and Docking Studies of Selective GSK-3β Inhibitors. Comparison with a Thieno[2,3-<i>b</i>]pyrrolizinone Derivative, a New Potential Lead for GSK-3β Ligands

Abstract

The three-dimensional structures of 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimides, selective GSK-3beta inhibitors, were correlated to their biological affinities by 3D-QSAR studies (CoMFA method). The cocrystallographic data of GSK-3beta vs 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide allowed us to compare 3D-QSAR results to experimental intermolecular interactions. The results of the CoMFA analysis did not really correspond to the interactions recorded in the active site, but they characterized fundamental features (areas of the active site) of the interactions ligand-receptor. These studies were the starting point to analyze a new GSK-3beta ligand, a thieno[2,3-b]pyrrolizinone derivative. This comparison based on docking and simulation approaches allowed us to confirm one preferential orientation of this ligand inside the active site, explaining the relationship with the reference 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide derivatives and its biological affinity.