In Silico Repositioning of Dopamine Modulators with Possible Application to Schizophrenia: Pharmacophore Mapping, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Analysis.

We have performed theoretical calculations with 70 drugs that have been considered in 231 clinical trials as possible candidates to repurpose drugs for schizophrenia based on their interactions with the dopaminergic system. A hypothesis of shared pharmacophore features was formulated to support our calculations. To do so, we have used the crystal structure of the D2-like dopamine receptor in complex with risperidone, eticlopride, and nemonapride. Linagliptin, citalopram, flunarizine, sildenafil, minocycline, and duloxetine were the drugs that best fit with our model. Molecular docking calculations, molecular dynamics outcomes, blood-brain barrier penetration, and human intestinal absorption were studied and compared with the results. From the six drugs selected in the shared pharmacophore features input, flunarizine showed the best docking score with D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptors and had high stability during molecular dynamics simulations. Flunarizine is a frequently used medication to treat migraines and vertigo. However, its antipsychotic properties have been previously hypothesized, particularly because of its possible ability to block the D2 dopamine receptors.

The Ehrenfest force topology: a physically intuitive approach for analyzing chemical interactions.

Modified ANO-RCC basis sets are used to determine twelve molecular graphs of the Ehrenfest force for H2, CH4, CH2O, CH3NO, C2H2, C2H4, C3H3NO, N4H4, H2O, (H2O)2, (H2O)4 and (H2O)6. The molecular graphs include all types of topological critical points and a mix of bonding types is chosen to include sigma-, π- and hydrogen-bonding. We then compare a wide range of point properties: charge density, trace of the Hessian, eigenvalues, ellipticity, stiffness, total local energy and the eigenvectors are calculated at the bond critical points (BCPs) and compared for the Ehrenfest, QTAIM and stress tensor schemes. QTAIM is found to be the only partitioning scheme that can differentiate between shared- and closed-shell chemical bond types. Only the results from the Ehrenfest force partitioning, however, are demonstrated to be physically intuitive. This is demonstrated for the water molecule, the water-dimer and the water clusters (H2O)4 and (H2O)6. In particular, both the stiffness and the trace of the Hessians of the appropriate quantities of the sigma-bond BCPs for the water clusters are found to depend on the quantum topology dimension of the molecular graph. The behavior of all the stress tensor point properties is found to be erratic. This is explained by the ambiguity in the theoretical definition of the stress tensor. As a complementary approach the Ehrenfest force provides a new indicator of the mixed chemical character of the hydrogen-bond BCP, which arises from the collinear donor sigma-bond donating a degree of covalent character to the hydrogen-bond. This indicator takes the form of the relative orientation of the shallowest direction of the Ehrenfest potential of the hydrogen-bond BCPs and the corresponding direction for the collinear sigma-bond BCP.

Funciones de cottorno para árboles como medida e similitud entre campos escalaares moleculares. un estudo de similitud molecular / Contour tree fucctions over molcular scalar fields representations. a moleculaar similarity study / Funções de conorrno de árvore em representaçõe de campos escalares molecularees. um estudo de similaridade molecular

En este trabajo se implementó una función de contorno de un árbol para establecer medidas de similitud molecular. El estudio se realizó con 73 moléculas orgánicas divididas en 8 grupos funcionales optimizadas con un nivel de teoría DFT//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) a las cuales se les calculó el Potencial Electrostático Molecular y el Laplaciano de la Densidad Electrónica en una rejilla tridimensional. A partir de los valores de estas propiedades, caracterizando y codificando según su topología, se generaron grafos (árboles) que se compararon a través de la función propuesta. La caracterización y clasificación de las moléculas orgánicas con el Potencial Electrostático Molecular muestra una separación correspondiente a moléculas que en su estructura poseen heteroátomos con funciones químicas por lo menos estructuralmente similares, y con el Laplaciano de la Densidad Electrónica se obtuvo como resultado una clasificación acorde con el número de pares de electrones libres asociados a los heteroátomos en las moléculas y a la naturaleza de los átomos que los aportan. Lo anterior evidencia que las funciones de contorno de árbol propuestas en el estudio son una alternativa rápida para clasificar a grosso modo moléculas orgánicas.

In this job, Contour Tree Functions were implemented to establish molecular similarity measures. The study was carried by using 73 organic molecules, divided in 8 functional groups and optimized at theory level DFT//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p). The molecular electrostatic potential and the Laplacian of the electron density in a 3D grid for each one were calculated. From the values of these properties, characterizing and encoding the topology, we generated graphs (trees) that are compared with the proposed function. The characterization and classification of the organic molecules with the molecular electrostatic potential show a separation corresponding to molecules that have heteroatoms in their structure with at least similar chemical functions; with the Laplacian of the electron density we achieved a classification according to the number of free pairs of electrons associated to the heteroatoms in the molecules and to the nature provided by the heteroatoms. This is evidence that Contour Tree Functions proposed in this study are a quick alternative to broadly classify organic molecules.

Neste trabalho, funções de contorno de árvore foram implementadas para estabelecer medidas de similaridade molecular. O estudo foi conduzido com 73 moléculas orgânicas, divididas em 8 grupos funcionais, otimizadas com nível de teoria DFT//B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) para que eles calculassem o potencial eletrostático molecular e o Laplaciano da densidade de elétrons em uma grade tridimensional. A partir dos valores dessas propriedades, caracterização e codificação da topologia, geramos gráficos (árvores) que são comparados com a função proposta. A caracterização e classificação de moléculas orgânicas com potencial eletrostático molecular mostra uma separação correspondente ás moléculas que possuem heteroátomos em sua estrutura com funções químicas, pelo menos, estruturalmente semelhantes. Com o Laplaciano da densidade de elétrons foi obtido como resultado consistente com a classificação do número de pares de elétrons livres associados com heteroátomos nas moléculas e a natureza dos átomos que contribuem. Essa é uma evidência de que as funções de contorno de árvore proposto no estudo são uma alternativa rápida para classificar, grosso modo, moléculas orgânicas.