3D-QSAR Studies on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)Inhibitors: a Molecular Design in Hypertensive Agents

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is known to be primarily responsible for hypertension. Threedimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models have been constructed using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) for a series of 28 ACE inhibitors. The availability of ACE crystal structure (1UZF) provided the plausible biological orientation of inhibitors to ACE active site (C-domain). Alignment for CoMFA obtained by docking ligands to 1UZF protein using FlexX program showed better statistical model as compared to superposition of corresponding atoms. The statistical parameters indicate reasonable models for both CoMFA ($q^2$ = 0.530, $r^2$ = 0.998) and CoMSIA ($q^2$ = 0.518, $r^2$ = 0.990). The 3D-QSAR analyses provide valuable information for the design of ACE inhibitors with potent activity towards C-domain of ACE. The group substitutions involving the phenyl ring and carbon chain at the propionyl and sulfonyl moieties of captopril are essential for better activity against ACE.