Leveraging structural and 2D-QSAR to investigate the role of functional group substitutions, conserved surface residues and desolvation in triggering the small molecule-induced dimerization of hPD-L1.

ABSTRACT: Small molecules are rising as a new generation of immune checkpoints' inhibitors, with compounds targeting the human Programmed death-ligand 1 (hPD-L1) protein are pioneering this area of research. Promising examples include the recently disclosed compounds from Bristol-Myers-Squibb (BMS). These molecules bind specifically to hPD-L1 through a unique mode of action. They induce dimerization between two hPD-L1 monomers through the hPD-1 binding interface in each monomer, thereby inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. While the recently reported crystal structures of such small molecules bound to hPD-L1 reveal valuable insights regarding their molecular interactions, there is still limited information about the dynamics driving this unusual complex formation. The current study provides an in-depth c

SUBMITTER: Ahmed M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9238240 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature