Design of Novel Ras Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors Based on Virtual Screening and Docking Studies

Inhibition of the protein-modifying enzyme farnesyltransferase is considered as a major emerging strategy in cancer therapy because of the involvement of farnesylated proteins in oncogensis. We studied the structure-activity relationship of a novel class of CAAX-peptidomimetic farnesyltransferase inhibitors based on the benzophenone scaffold. FlexX docking of inhibitors confirmed reasonable fit of the molecule into the peptide binding site of farnesyltransferase. We also performed a virtual screening with LeadQuest chemical library databases to idenfity novel inhibitors of farnesyltransferase. (omitted)