TitleAn in silico approach towards the identification of novel inhibitors of the TLR-4 signaling pathway.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsMahita J, Harini K, Pichika MRao, Sowdhamini R
JournalJ Biomol Struct Dyn
Volume34
Issue6
Pagination1345-62
Date Published2016 Jun
ISSN1538-0254
Abstract

Precise functioning and fine-tuning of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is a critical requirement for the smooth functioning of the innate immune system, since aberrant TLR4 activation causes excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferons. This can result in life threatening conditions such as septic shock and other inflammatory disorders. The TRIF-related adaptor molecule (TRAM) adaptor protein is unique to the TLR4 signaling pathway and abrogation of TRAM-mediated TLR4 signaling is a promising strategy for developing therapeutics aimed at disrupting TRAM interactions with other components of the TLR4 signaling complex. The VIPER motif from the vaccinia virus-producing protein, A46 has been reported to disrupt TRAM-TLR4 interactions. We have exploited this information, in combination with homology modeling and docking approaches, to identify a potential binding site on TRAM lined by the BB loop and αC helix. Virtual screening of commercially available small molecules targeting the binding site enabled to short-list 12 small molecules to abrogate TRAM-mediated TLR4 signaling. Molecular dynamics and molecular mechanics calculations have been performed for the analysis of these receptor-ligand interactions.

DOI10.1080/07391102.2015.1079243
Alternate JournalJ. Biomol. Struct. Dyn.
PubMed ID26264972