A novel class of Hsp90 inhibitors isolated by structure-based virtual screening

A novel class of 3-phenyl-2-styryl-3H-quinazolin-4-one HSP90 inhibitors with in vitro anti-tumor activity are identified by structure-based virtual screening of a chemical database with docking simulations in the N-terminal ATP-binding site, in vitro ATPase assay using yeast HSP90, and cell-based Her2 degradation assay in a consecutive fashion. These results exemplify the usefulness of the structure-based virtual screening with molecular docking in drug discovery. The structural features responsible for a tight binding of the inhibitors in the active site of HSP90 are discussed in detail.