In Silico Searching for Alternative Lead Compounds to Treat Type 2 Diabetes through a QSAR and Molecular Dynamics Study

Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1) stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. An advantage of therapies that target FFA1 is their reduced risk of hypoglycemia relative to common type 2 diabetes treatments. In this work, quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) approach was used to...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nicolás Cabrera, Sebastián A. Cuesta, José R. Mora, Luis Calle, Edgar A. Márquez, Roland Kaunas, José Luis Paz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/2/232
Description
Summary:Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1) stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. An advantage of therapies that target FFA1 is their reduced risk of hypoglycemia relative to common type 2 diabetes treatments. In this work, quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) approach was used to construct models to identify possible FFA1 agonists by applying four different machine-learning algorithms. The best model (M2) meets the Tropsha’s test requirements and has the statistics parameters R<sup>2</sup> = 0.843, Q<sup>2</sup><sub>CV</sub> = 0.785, and Q<sup>2</sup><sub>ext</sub> = 0.855. Also, coverage of 100% of the test set based on the applicability domain analysis was obtained. Furthermore, a deep analysis based on the ADME predictions, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was performed. The lipophilicity and the residue interactions were used as relevant criteria for selecting a candidate from the screening of the DiaNat and DrugBank databases. Finally, the FDA-approved drugs bilastine, bromfenac, and fenofibric acid are suggested as potential and lead FFA1 agonists.
ISSN:1999-4923