Design, synthesis and biological activity evaluation of novel inhibitors targeting TNKS2, based on docking, virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation studies

Abstract

In recent years, tankyrases (TNKS) have garnered substantial interest as a promising new drug target. An escalating amount of research has been dedicated to the development of TNKS-targeting drugs, highlighting the substantial potential in anti-cancer therapeutics. In this study, a potential TNKS2 lead compound, ZINC11726230, was identified through docking-based virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulation and bioassay. Structural modification of the lead compound, ZINC11726230, yielded two new TNKS2 inhibitors (compound 1-2), which exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 0.013 μM, outperforming the positive control compound G007-LK (IC50 = 0.035 μM). This study offers unique insights into the discovery of effective TNKS2 inhibitors.