Virtual filtering of ZINC15 database for LSD1
Virtual screening of LSD1 must be applied to named ligands in natural databases with biological properties and functions for sale. First, we selected 17,931 ligands from the ZINC15 database and then created a reference ligand based on the chemical structure of LSD1. The created ligands were docked with 17931 ligands in LibDock, and it was discovered that 2280 ligands could be successfully linked to LSD1. Polar hotspots and apolar hotspots were formed after 2280 ligands were libdocked with LSD1. We choose the best pose of the hot spot for scoring and get the LibDock score. Tranylcypromine is an effective LSD1 inhibitor that can bind to LSD1 [14]. It can inhibit LSD1 from altering the transcriptional activity of the EWS/FLI signaling pathway and indirectly achieve the effect of treating Ewing sarcoma. Ultimately, we selected the top 30 compounds in the LibDock score for the next steps (Table 1).
ADME properties of ligands
According to the definition of water solubility, 13 compounds have good solubility in water. ZINC000004654957, ZINC000014658375, ZINC000008689957, ZINC000001721178, ZINC000002585906, ZINC000002563374 all have high blood-brain barrier permeability. Tranylcypromine and 26 compounds were identified as non-inhibitors of CYP2D6 with significant effects on drug metabolism. For liver toxicity, 20 compounds and Tranylcypromine were found to be nontoxic. Lastly, we also discovered that six compounds showed strong absorption when bound to plasma proteins, and 20 compounds had terrific absorption levels in the human gut (Table 2).
After that, we must consider the safety of the compounds. The TOPKAT module can detect the toxicity of the top 30 compounds and Tranylcypromine, such as potential features of developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity in rodents, and mutagenicity of Ames (Table 3). After the operation of TOPKAT, it can be seen that 20 compounds are non-mutant, and ten compounds have no developmental toxicity. The high rodent carcinogenicity of Tranylcypromine is only expressed in female rats but not in mice and male rats. Combined with the above results, the hepatotoxicity and Ames mutagenicity of ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 are at low levels, and they can be considered safe drugs. ZINC000001651126, ZINC000000001083, and Tranylcypromine can be put into a more in-depth study based on their similar chemical structures (Figure 2).
Ligand-binding analysis
We found that LSD1 could be used to explore the ligand-binding mechanism of candidate compounds. In the CDOCKER module, we attach ZINC000001651126, ZINC000000001083, and Tranylcypromine to the molecular structure of LSD1 one by one and start the computation of CDOCKER potential energy (Figure 3). The CDOCKER potential of Tranylcypromine was higher than that of ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 (Table 4), and compared with Tranylcypromine, LSD1 could bind to ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 with higher affinity. Hydrogen bonding and π-related interactions can be calculated and can be found in the structures of the compounds (Figures 3 and 4), ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083, both showing several bond acceptor and donor atoms. They form several pairs of π-related interactions and hydrogen bonds with LSD1 in the complex (Tables 5 and 6).
Molecular dynamics simulations
We explore molecular dynamics simulations when considering how to evaluate the stability of ligand-LSD1 in the natural environment. We can use the CDOCKER module in molecular docking experiments to retrieve the original conformation. The potential energy and RMSD images of each complex are also listed in Figure 5. The traces of ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 reach equilibrium after 90 ps. The potential energies and RMSDs of these two complexes stabilized over time. Briefly, both ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 can interact with LSD1 to form complexes that can occur stably in natural environments that alter LSD1.
ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 inhibited the proliferation of Ewing sarcoma cells
In vitro, we examined the impact of ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 on the growth of Ewing sarcoma cells (Figure 6A). The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay findings revealed that the viability of RD-ES cells declined with increasing drug concentration (P<0.05).
ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 lower LSD1 expression in Ewing's sarcoma cells
We employed Western blotting to assess LSD1 expression levels in Ewing sarcoma cells in order to confirm the effects of ZINC000001651126 AND ZINC000000001083 on LSD1. Western blotting results revealed that LSD1 expression decreased as drug concentration increased. LSD1 is involved in various biological processes such as Ewing sarcoma cell growth and metastasis. ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 reduce the expression level of LSD1, and the growth and metabolism of Ewing sarcoma cells are greatly inhibited (Figure 6B).
ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 inhibited the migration of Ewing sarcoma cells
Using a scratch test, it was shown that ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 had an impact on the invasion and migration of Ewing sarcoma cells. When compared to the ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 groups, the scratch area in the control group was dramatically reduced 24 hours later (Figure 6C). The control group saw a greater degree of reduction even though the scratch area of the ZINC000001651126 group, the ZINC000000001083 group, and the control group all decreased with time. These findings suggest that ZINC000001651126 and ZINC000000001083 possibly inhibit Ewing sarcoma cell invasion and migration.