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. 2010;1(3):110-114.
doi: 10.1021/ml100020e.

Exploring Potential Binding Modes of Small Drug-like Molecules to the Polo-Box Domain of Human Polo-like Kinase 1

Affiliations

Exploring Potential Binding Modes of Small Drug-like Molecules to the Polo-Box Domain of Human Polo-like Kinase 1

Chenzhong Liao et al. ACS Med Chem Lett. 2010.

Abstract

Purpurogallin (PPG) and Poloxin have been reported as inhibitors of the polo-box domain (PBD) of human polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1). However, our experimental results demonstrated that PPG, but not Poloxin, binds to the phospho-binding pocket of the PBD, suggesting that their modes of PBD inhibition are distinct. Induced fit docking (IFD) analyses led us to propose that PPG fills the SpT pocket via pi-pi stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions, thus providing a rationale for designing novel PBD inhibitors. In contrast, Poloxin may fill a different site present near the SpT pocket by forming a covalent bond with a nucleophilic Cys residue.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The binding mode of PLHSpT with the Plk1 PBD.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structures of compounds 14.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Inhibition of Plk1 PBD binding by PLHSpT, PLHST, PPG, and poloxin. O.D., optical density.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Microspecies distribution of PPG calculated by Marvin 5.1.4.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Proposed binding mode of PPG to the Plk1 PBD generated by Schrödinger's IFD protocol (see the text for details).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Binding nature of poloxin and thymoquinone to the Plk1 PBD. (A) Pocket #1 identified by SiteMap 2.3. (B) Proposed mechanisms of PBD inhibition by poloxin and thymoquinone. (C and D) Proposed binding modes of poloxin (C) and thymoquinone (D).

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