Abstract

Background: The anticancer properties of natural products calactin, calotropin and calotoxin are well established. However, the mechanisms of their action are unclear and the molecular targets pertinent to them are not detailed. In this study, potential anti-cancer targets of these compounds have been identified using reverse screening approaches that may provide valuable insights into anticancer drug development.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the potential anticancer targets of calactin, calotropin and calotoxin using reverse screening strategy.

Methods: The ligands were screened for potential targets based on their shape similarity and pharmacophore model matching. The overlapping targets obtained from both methods were verified using the reverse docking approach and validated by docking analysis. MM/PBSA calculation was performed to predict binding affinities between ligand and confirmed targets.

Results: Interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase [ITK] was confirmed as a potential target of calactin (Ki= -10.3 kcal/mol), calotropin (Ki= -8.7 kcal/mol) and calotoxin (Ki= -10.2 kcal/mol). The ligands interacted with hinge region residues such as Met438 and Asp500 which occupy the highly conserved ATP binding site. Binding energies of calactin (ΔEbind = -29.18 kJ/mol), calotropin (-28.57 kJ/mol) and calotoxin (-21.21 kJ/mol) with ITK were higher than (more negative) positive control sunitinib (-15.03 kJ/mol) and standard staurosporine (-21.09 kJ/mol). Besides this, Interstitial collagenase [MMP1] was confirmed as a potential target of calotoxin (Ki= -8.2 kcal/mol). However the binding energy (ΔEbind = -11.89 kJ/mol) was lower compared to positive control batimastat (-21.07 kJ/mol).

Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed ITK as a potential target for calactin, calotropin and calotoxin. These compounds can therefore be used as lead molecules for the development of novel ITK inhibitors, which may have immense therapeutic applications as immune-suppressants and as anticancer drugs.

Keywords: Calactin, calotropin, calotoxin, interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase [ITK], ITK inhibitors, reverse docking, anticancer, immune-suppressants.

Graphical Abstract