PyRod Enables Rational Homology Model-Based Virtual Screening Against MCHR1

Several encouraging pre-clinical results highlight the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1) as promising target for anti-obesity drug development. Currently however, experimentally resolved structures of MCHR1 are not available, which complicates rational drug design campaigns. In this study, we aimed at developing accurate, homologymodel-based 3D pharmacophores against MCHR1. We show that traditional approaches involving docking of known active small molecules are hindered by the flexibility of binding pocket residues. Instead, we derived three-dimensional pharmacophores from molecular dynamics simulations by employing our novel open-source software PyRod. In a retrospective evaluation, the generated 3D pharmacophores were highly predictive returning up to 35 % of active molecules and showing an early enrichment (EF1) of up to 27.6. Furthermore, PyRod pharmacophores demonstrate higher sensitivity than ligand-based pharmacophores and deliver structural insights, which are key to rational lead optimization.