Comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA) to study hydrogen-bonding properties and to score combinatorial libraries.

Comparative molecular field analysis has been applied to a data set of thermolysin inhibitors. Fields expressed in terms of molecular similarity indices (CoMSIA) have been used instead of the usually applied Lennard-Jones- and Coulomb-type potentials (CoMFA). Five different properties, assumed to cover the major contributions responsible for ligand binding, have been considered: steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic, and hydrogen-bond donor or acceptor properties. The statistical evaluation of the field properties by PLS analysis reveals a similar predictive potential to CoMFA. However, significantly improved and easily interpretable contour maps are obtained. The features in these maps intuitively suggest where to modify a molecular structure in terms of physicochemical properties and functional groups in order to improve its binding affinity. They can also be interpreted with respect to the known structural protein environment of thermolysin. Most of the highlighted regions in the maps are mirrored by features in the surrounding environment required for binding. Using the derived correlation model, different members of a combinatorial library designed for thermolysin inhibition have been scored for affinity. The results obtained demonstrate the prediction power of the CoMSIA method.