In Silico Design of Novel Sirtuin 1 Enzyme Activators for the Treatment of Age-related Diseases and Life Span.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop new SIRT1 activator compounds, for this aim, we used virtual screening and molecular dynamics methods, which have been important tools for new hit compound searches. Recently, with the progress of computing technology, it has been possible to obtain higher efficiency and lower costs for drug discovery. With in silico research and drug design, there is a reduction in time-consuming and expensive experimental work. An NAD+ dependent histone deacetylase enzyme, Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), is involved in a variety of human disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, obesity, and aging. Activation of SIRT1 could be useful for longevity and treating metabolic disorders. We used computational methods to develop new SIRT1 activator compounds. Firstly, virtual screening studies on the human SIRT1 enzyme were carried out. We used approximately 150.000 commercially available compounds from the Zinc database, which include FDA-approved drugs. According to virtual screening results, we selected seven potent activators. Then we compared these hit compounds with known activators by using docking methods. One of these hit compounds, acebutolol, is an FDA-approved drug, and was selected for additional studies using molecular dynamics simulations. Seven hit compounds were identified with database screening. Each showed strong interactions with SIRT1, and acebutolol formed H-bonds with the important active site residues, Asn226 and/or Glu230 during the dynamics simulation. Based on our in silico studies, the seven most promising compounds, especially acebutolol, showed promising SIRT1 activator potency. The results may be used to design new selective and more potent SIRT1 activator drugs.