Interactions between cycloguanil derivatives and wild type and resistance-associated mutant Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductases

Abstract

Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and quantum chemical calculations were performed on cycloguanil (Cyc) derivatives of the wild type and the quadruple mutant (Asn51Ile, Cys59Arg, Ser108Asn, Ile164Leu) of Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (PfDHFR). The represented CoMFA models of wild type ($r_{\text{cv}}^{2} = 0.727$ and r ² = 0.985) and mutant type ($r_{\text{cv}}^{2} = 0.786$ and r ² = 0.979) can describe the differences of the Cyc structural requirements for the two types of PfDHFR enzymes and can be useful to guide the design of new inhibitors. Moreover, the obtained particular interaction energies between the Cyc and the surrounding residues in the binding pocket indicated that Asn108 of mutant enzyme was the cause of Cyc resistance by producing steric clash with p-Cl of Cyc. Consequently, comparing the energy contributions with the potent flexible WR99210 inhibitor, it was found that the key mutant residue, Asn108, demonstrates attractive interaction with this inhibitor and some residues, Leu46, Ile112, Pro113, Phe116, and Leu119, seem to perform as second binding site with WR99210. Therefore, quantum chemical calculations can be useful for investigating residue interactions to clarify the cause of drug resistance.

Graphical Abstract

CoMFA steric contour maps of Cyc derivatives against the quadruple mutant PfDHFR.

Electrostatic van der Waals surface interaction of Cyc and the key resistance residue Asn108.