Exploration of the binding of curcumin analogues to human P450 2C9 based on docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to investigate the interactions of curcumin analogues (CAs) with human cytochrome P450 2 C9 (CYP2C9 or 2 C9) and the conformations of their binding sites. In order to examine conformations of CAs/2 C9 and interaction characteristics of their binding sites, RMSDs, RMSFs, and B-factors are computed, and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between CAs and 2 C9 are analyzed and discussed. Results demonstrate that the most CAs studied lie 4 ∼ 15 Å above the heme of CYP2C9. The presence of CAs makes some residues in bound CYP2C9s become more flexible. In the binding sites of A0/2 C9 and C0/2 C9, the formation of H-bond networks (or CA-water-residue bridges) enhances the interactions between CAs and 2 C9. The stronger inhibitory effects of A0, B0, and C0 on 2 C9 can be ascribed to stronger electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in the binding sites of CAs/2 C9.