Modeling of the D2 dopamine receptor arylpiperazine binding site for 1-{2-[5-(1H-benzimidazole-2-thione)]ethyl}-4-arylpiperazines

Docking of several 1-{2-[5-(1H-benzimidazole-2-thione)]ethyl}-4- and 1-benzylarylpiperazines to the D 2 dopamine receptor (DAR) was examined. The binding pocket of the D 2 DAR defined according to Teeter and DuRand [1] was extended using the Insight II software. It was found that (i) the interaction of the protonated N1 of the piperazine ring with Asp86, (ii) the hydrogen bond formation between the benzimidazole part of the ligand and Ser141, as well as Ser122, and (iii) the edge-to-face interactions of the aromatic ring or arylpiperazine part of the ligand with Phe178, Tyr216 and Trp182 of the receptor represent the mayor stabilizing forces. Besides, the hydrogen bond acceptor group in position 2 of the phenylpiperazine aromatic ring could form one more hydrogen bond with Trp182. Bulky substituents in position 4 are not tolerated, due to the unfavorable sterical interaction with Phe178. Substituents in positions 2 and 3 are sterically well tolerated. Electron-attractive groups (F, Cl, CF 3 , and NO 2 ) decreased, while electron donors (-OMe) and the second aromatic ring (naphthyl) increased the binding affinity, as compared to that of the parent compound 1. This can be explained by strong edge-to-face interactions of negative electrostatic surface potential (ESP) in the center of aromatic residues of the ligand with positive-ESP protons in the aromatic residues of the receptor. Thus, besides the salt bridges and hydrogen bonds, edge-to-face interactions significantly contribute to arylpiperazine ligands forming complexes with the D 2 DAR