Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective

Abstract Cancer stands as one of the most difficult health challenges, posing significant dangers due to its ability to proliferate uncontrollably and spread throughout the body. CXCR2 is a G-protein coupled receptor that has significant interference in tumor development and metastasis. Its overexpr...

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Main Authors: Khadija Zaki, Kamal Tabti, Mohamed Ouabane, Hanane Zaki, Abdelouahid Sbai, Chakib Sekkate, Tahar Lakhlifi, Mohammed Bouachrine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Chemistry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00205-z
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author Khadija Zaki
Kamal Tabti
Mohamed Ouabane
Hanane Zaki
Abdelouahid Sbai
Chakib Sekkate
Tahar Lakhlifi
Mohammed Bouachrine
author_facet Khadija Zaki
Kamal Tabti
Mohamed Ouabane
Hanane Zaki
Abdelouahid Sbai
Chakib Sekkate
Tahar Lakhlifi
Mohammed Bouachrine
author_sort Khadija Zaki
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cancer stands as one of the most difficult health challenges, posing significant dangers due to its ability to proliferate uncontrollably and spread throughout the body. CXCR2 is a G-protein coupled receptor that has significant interference in tumor development and metastasis. Its overexpression is related to poor prognosis in various cancer types and malignancies, and its inhibition suppresses tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of several cancers. Its therapeutic target potential directed us to the study of thirty thiourea derivatives with CXCR2 inhibition activity using the 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship method, where an explaining CoMSIA model was derived. The visualization of the model's contour maps highlighted the positive effect of introducing substituents with bulky hydrophobic effects on the ester moiety and hydrophobic effects on the thiourea moiety, using them we designed thirteen new antagonists with enhanced activities. Furthermore, the binding mode investigation of the newly designed molecules, using molecular docking, revealed strong interactions with active site residues and extra hydrogen bonds. Moreover, dynamic simulation confirmed their stability and sustainability resulting in a desirable outcome of limited protein mobility. Moreover, continued refinement of the highly effective compound candidates will establish a critical theoretical foundation for creating and developing new CXCR2 inhibitors.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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spelling doaj-art-5465a8fd7bec4b97b4f9f093337fcb1c2025-08-20T02:29:46ZengSpringerDiscover Chemistry3005-11932025-05-012112110.1007/s44371-025-00205-zExploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspectiveKhadija Zaki0Kamal Tabti1Mohamed Ouabane2Hanane Zaki3Abdelouahid Sbai4Chakib Sekkate5Tahar Lakhlifi6Mohammed Bouachrine7Molecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail UniversityMolecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail UniversityMolecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail UniversityBiotechnology, Bioresources and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Higher School of Technology, Sultan Moulay Sliman UniversityMolecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail UniversityChemistry-Biology Applied to the Environment URL CNRT 13, department of chemistry, Faculty of Science, My Ismail UniversityMolecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail UniversityMolecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail UniversityAbstract Cancer stands as one of the most difficult health challenges, posing significant dangers due to its ability to proliferate uncontrollably and spread throughout the body. CXCR2 is a G-protein coupled receptor that has significant interference in tumor development and metastasis. Its overexpression is related to poor prognosis in various cancer types and malignancies, and its inhibition suppresses tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of several cancers. Its therapeutic target potential directed us to the study of thirty thiourea derivatives with CXCR2 inhibition activity using the 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship method, where an explaining CoMSIA model was derived. The visualization of the model's contour maps highlighted the positive effect of introducing substituents with bulky hydrophobic effects on the ester moiety and hydrophobic effects on the thiourea moiety, using them we designed thirteen new antagonists with enhanced activities. Furthermore, the binding mode investigation of the newly designed molecules, using molecular docking, revealed strong interactions with active site residues and extra hydrogen bonds. Moreover, dynamic simulation confirmed their stability and sustainability resulting in a desirable outcome of limited protein mobility. Moreover, continued refinement of the highly effective compound candidates will establish a critical theoretical foundation for creating and developing new CXCR2 inhibitors.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00205-zCXCR23D-QSARCoMSIAMolecular dockingMolecular dynamics
spellingShingle Khadija Zaki
Kamal Tabti
Mohamed Ouabane
Hanane Zaki
Abdelouahid Sbai
Chakib Sekkate
Tahar Lakhlifi
Mohammed Bouachrine
Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective
Discover Chemistry
CXCR2
3D-QSAR
CoMSIA
Molecular docking
Molecular dynamics
title Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective
title_full Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective
title_fullStr Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective
title_short Exploring the anti-tumor mechanisms of thiourea-derived CXCR2 antagonists: a computational perspective
title_sort exploring the anti tumor mechanisms of thiourea derived cxcr2 antagonists a computational perspective
topic CXCR2
3D-QSAR
CoMSIA
Molecular docking
Molecular dynamics
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-025-00205-z
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