Binding of the Anticancer Prodrug Cb1954 to the Activating Enzyme Nqo2 Revealed by the Crystal Structure of Their Complex.
Abu Khader, M.M., Heap, J.T., De Matteis, C., Kellam, B., Doughty, S.W., Minton, N., Paoli, M.(2005) J Med Chem 48: 7714
- PubMed: 16302811 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jm050730n
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2BZS - PubMed Abstract: 
CB1954 is an attractive prodrug for directed-enzyme prodrug therapy (DEPT) and a conventional prodrug against tumors in which the enzyme NQO2 is highly expressed. We have determined the crystal structure of the NQO2-CB1954 complex to 2.0 A resolution. The binding of the prodrug is governed by hydrophobic forces, while two key electrostatic contacts determine the specific orientation of the ligand. The structure also reveals an unfavorable interaction, therefore suggesting possible avenues for DEPT-tailored engineering studies.
Organizational Affiliation: 
School of Pharmacy and The Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.