Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of N-propylsulfonyl indole-linked hydrazinecarbothioamides as selective ecto-5′-nucleotidase and NTPDase inhibitors

= 1.6 µM) emerging as the most promising derivatives, showing strong potency and isoform selectivity. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that both electronic and steric features of substituents significantly influence activity and enzyme preference. Molecular docking studies performed on e-5'NT demonstrated that active compounds adopt consistent binding modes within the catalytic pocket, stabilized by key residues such as Asp-506, Phe-500, Phe-417 and Arg-395. Binding free energy calculations (MM-GBSA) supported strong ligand-protein interactions ( ~ - 70 kcal/mol). The docking protocol was validated by redocking, yielding an RMSD value well below the accepted threshold. Molecular dynamics simulations (500 ns) confirmed stable complex formation, with low RMSD values (~ 1-3 Å), limited residue fluctuations, and persistent interactions with catalytic residues. Surface and compactness parameters (rGyr, SASA) remained stable, indicating consistent ligand accommodation. In silico ADME analysis suggested favorable drug-like properties for most compounds, particularly for the lead candidates. Overall, these findings identify 5n and 5o as the most promising lead compounds, supported by both experimental and computational results, and highlight this scaffold as a valuable platform for the development of selective ectonucleotidase inhibitors.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-05-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-50728-3
Primary Topic
Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
Type
article
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article

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of N-propylsulfonyl indole-linked hydrazinecarbothioamides as selective ecto-5′-nucleotidase and NTPDase inhibitors

Halil Şenol, Zahra Batool, Rima D. Alharthy, Zahid Shafiq et al.
Scientific Reports
Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
article

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of N-propylsulfonyl indole-linked hydrazinecarbothioamides as selective ecto-5′-nucleotidase and NTPDase inhibitors

Halil Şenol, Zahra Batool, Rima D. Alharthy, Zahid Shafiq, Nicolly Espíndola Gelsleichter, Talha Islam, Julie Pelletier, Mostafa A Ismail, Jean Sévigny, Jamshed Iqbal, Shireen Mona Dutt, Ajmal Khan, Mariya Al-Rashida
article en

Abstract

= 1.6 µM) emerging as the most promising derivatives, showing strong potency and isoform selectivity. Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that both electronic and steric features of substituents significantly influence activity and enzyme preference. Molecular docking studies performed on e-5'NT demonstrated that active compounds adopt consistent binding modes within the catalytic pocket, stabilized by key residues such as Asp-506, Phe-500, Phe-417 and Arg-395. Binding free energy calculations (MM-GBSA) supported strong ligand-protein interactions ( ~ - 70 kcal/mol). The docking protocol was validated by redocking, yielding an RMSD value well below the accepted threshold. Molecular dynamics simulations (500 ns) confirmed stable complex formation, with low RMSD values (~ 1-3 Å), limited residue fluctuations, and persistent interactions with catalytic residues. Surface and compactness parameters (rGyr, SASA) remained stable, indicating consistent ligand accommodation. In silico ADME analysis suggested favorable drug-like properties for most compounds, particularly for the lead candidates. Overall, these findings identify 5n and 5o as the most promising lead compounds, supported by both experimental and computational results, and highlight this scaffold as a valuable platform for the development of selective ectonucleotidase inhibitors.

Scientific ReportsVol. 16(1)
Bahauddin Zakariya University (PK), COMSATS University Islamabad (PK), King Abdulaziz University (SA), University of Nizwa (OM), Forman Christian College (PK), Bezmiâlem Vakıf Üniversitesi (TR), Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (PK), Korea University (JP), Université Laval (CA), King Khalid University (SA)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
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