In silico analysis of interaction of compounds, containing photoactivatable groups,with human CYP7 enzymes

In silico analysis of “protein–ligand” complexes of human CYP7 enzymes with modified borondipyrrometene (BODIPY) and steroids, containing photo-activated crosslinking groups, wasperformed in order to identify structural peculiarities of their interaction. It was found that BODIPY molecules and DHEA derivative with diazirine group are able to bind tightly with human steroid-hydroxylases. Binding affinity is comparable with corresponding values for essential ligands of the enzymes. Binding mode of the modified steroid corresponds to the binding mode of essential CYP7 ligands, so formation of hydroxylated products is possible. It was found that presence of both diazirine and NBD groups in a molecule significantly increases affinity of the compound in case of CYP7A1 and, especially, CYP7B1. Amino acid residues, located in a close proximity with photo-activated groups were detected, that can form covalent adducts with them. The obtained results can shed light on the mechanism of interaction of the compounds with recombinant human CYP7 enzymes in vitro. The results can also be used for the identification of modified amino acids of the proteins that are formed under photoactivation of the compounds in vitro.