Identification of Potential MEK1 Inhibitors by Pharmacophore-based Virtual Screening and MD Simulations

MEK proteins play a critical role in tumor proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Hence MEK1 inhibitors are of particular importance in the treatment of related diseases. The present study describes pharmacophore-based 3DQSAR model generation based on 82 known inhibitors of MEK1 allosteric binding cavity. The best pharmacophore model developed consisted of four features, namely AHHR. The model was used as a query to screen the databases of almost 1.3 million compounds. Finally, 8 hits were indentified and the docking study manifested that these compounds interacted with MEK1 well. Finally, 10 ns MD simulations of the obtained ligand-receptor system were performed. The stable binding mode of the system was determined. Our results showed that the identified 8 hits would be useful for the development of potent MEK1 agents.