Novel Bayesian classification models for predicting compounds blocking hERG potassium channels

Aim: A large number of drug-induced long QT syndromes are ascribed to blockage of hERG potassium channels. The aim of this study was to construct novel computational models to predict compounds blocking hERG channels. Methods: Doddareddy's hERG blockage data containing 2644 compounds were used, which divided into training (2389) and test (255) sets. Laplacian-corrected Bayesian classification models were constructed using Discovery Studio. The models were internally validated with the training set of compounds, and then applied to the test set for validation. Doddareddy's experimentally validated dataset with 60 compounds was used for external test set validation. Results: A Bayesian classification model considering the effects of four molecular properties (M-w, PPSA, ALogP and pK(a)_basic) as well as extended-connectivity fingerprints (ECFP_14) exhibited a global accuracy (91%), parameter sensitivity (90%) and specificity (92%) in the test set validation, and a global accuracy (58%), parameter sensitivity (61%) and specificity (57%) in the external test set validation. Conclusion: The novel model is better than those in the literatures for predicting compounds blocking hERG channels, and can be used for large-scale prediction.