Characterization of the interactions between coumarin-derivatives and acetylcholinesterase: Examination by NMR and docking simulations

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia and a significant threat to the elderly populations, especially in the Western world. The rapid hydrolysis of the principal neurotransmitter into choline and acetate by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at synapses causes the loss of cognitive response that becomes the real cause of AD. Therefore, inhibition of AChE is the most fundamental therapy among currently available treatments for AD. In this context, we designed and performed molecular recognitions studies of coumarin-based inhibitors towards AChE. STD NMR and Tr-NOESY applications were utilized to evaluate the binding epitope, the dissociation constant (K_D) and bound conformations of these inhibitors within this inhibitor-AChE complex. Compound 1, which has a similar inhibition activity to tacrine (a current drug) led in this study as a stronger binder with K_D = 30 μM ,even greater than tacrine (K_D = 140 μM). Moreover, docking simulations mimic NMR results and provided evidence of synchronizing binding of compound 1 with three sites; the peripheral anionic site, the bottom of the gorge, and the catalytic site. Therefore, we envisioned from our experimental and theoretical results that coumarin-based inhibitors containing a piperidinyl scaffold might be a potential drug candidates for AD in the future.

Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Alzheimer’s disease; Inhibitors-protein; Recognition study; STD-NMR; Tr-NOESY.