Docking studies on α_vβ₃ integrin ligands: Pharmacophore refinement and implications for drug design

Starting from the first crystal structure of the extracellular segment of the α_vβ₃ integrin receptor with a cyclic RGD ligand bound to the active site, structural models for the interactions of known ligands with the α_vβ₃ integrin receptor were generated by automated computational docking. The obtained complexes were evaluated for their consistency with structure-activity relationships and site-directed mutagenesis data. A comparison between the calculated interaction free energies and the experimental biological activities was also made. All the possible interactions of the investigated compounds at the active site and the probable ligand binding conformations provide an improved basis for structure-based rational ligand design. Additionally, our docking results allow a further validation and refinement of the pharmacophore model previously postulated by us.