Development of docking-based 3D-QSAR models for PPARgamma full agonists

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has become an attractive molecular target for drugs that aim to treat diabetes mellitus type II, and its therapeutic potency against skin cancer and other skin diseases is also currently being explored. To study the relationship between the structure of several PPARγ full agonists and the trans-activation activity of PPARγ, we have performed a three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study of tyrosine-based derivatives, based on the 3D alignment of conformations obtained by docking. Highly predictive 3D-QSAR models, with Pearson-R values of 0.86 and 0.90, were obtained for the transactivation activity and binding affinity of PPARγ, respectively. These models are in good agreement with the structural characteristics of the binding pocket of PPARγ and provide some structural insights for the improvement of PPARγ full agonist bioactivities.

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► PPARγ full agonists are promising therapeutic agents for a variety of skin disorders.
► The binding portion from PPARγ agonists is essential for the transactivation activity.
► Additional hydrophobic interactions are also important for increasing this activity.