Abstract
Aim: This study investigated our Enzymelinks, COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1 and COX-2-10aa-PGIS, as cellular cross-screening targets for quick identification of lead compounds to inhibit inflammatory PGE(2) biosynthesis while maintaining prostacyclin synthesis. Methods: We integrated virtual and wet cross-screening using Enzymelinks to rapidly identify lead compounds from a large compound library. Results: From 380,000 compounds virtually cross-screened with the Enzymelinks, 1576 compounds were identified and used for wet cross-screening using HEK293 cells that overexpressed individual Enzymelinks as targets. The top 15 lead compounds that inhibited mPGES-1 activity were identified. The top compound that specifically inhibited inflammatory PGE(2) biosynthesis alone without affecting COX-2 coupled to PGI(2) synthase (PGIS) for PGI(2) biosynthesis was obtained. Conclusion: Enzymelink technology could advance cyclooxygenase pathway-targeted drug discovery to a significant degree.