Exploring QSAR of melatonin receptor ligand benzofuran derivatives using E-state index

Considering the recent challenge to the medicinal chemists for the development of selective melatonin receptor ligands, an attempt has been made to explore physicochemical requirements of benzofuran derivatives for binding with human MT1 and MT2 receptor subtypes and also to explore selectivity requirements. In this study, E-states of different common atoms of the molecules (calculated according to Kier and Hall) and physicochemical parameters (partition coefficient and molar refractivity) were used as independent variables along with suitable dummy parameters. The best equation describing MT1 binding affinity [n=34, Q2=0.670, Ra2=0.790, R2=0.822, R=0.907, s=0.609, F=25.8 (df 5, 28)] suggests that the binding affinity decreases as the value of n (number of CH2 spacer beside R2) increases while it increases with rise in electrotopological state values of different atoms of the benzofuran ring. Again, presence of methoxy group at R1 and hydrogen, unsubstituted phenyl or fluoro-substituted phenyl group at R2 is conducive to the MT1 binding affinity. The binding affinity decreases if furyl substitution at R3 position is present. The best equation describing MT2 binding affinity [n=34, Q2=0.602, Ra2=0.755, R2=0.792, R=0.890, s=0.584, F=21.3 (df 5, 28)] shows that the MT2 binding affinity depends on the similar factors as described for MT1 binding affinity; however, the contributions of the factors for the two affinities are different to some extent as evidenced from the regression coefficients. Among the selectivity relations, the best equation [n=33, Q2=0.496, Ra2=0.681, R2=0.721, R=0.849, s=0.458, F=18.1 (df 4, 28)] suggests that MT2 binding increases with increase in value of n, presence of methoxy group at R1, and E-state values of different atoms of the benzofuran ring, while it decreases in presence of furyl group at R3 position.