Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modeling of Reversible MAO Inhibitors

Abstract

Proper elucidation of drug-target interaction is one of the most significant steps at the early stages of the drug development research. Computer-aided drug design tools have substantial contribution to this stage. In this chapter, we specifically concentrate on the computational methods widely used to develop reversible inhibitors for monoamine oxidase (MAO) isozymes. In this context, current computational techniques in identifying the best drug candidates showing high potency are discussed. The protocols of structure-based drug design methodologies, namely, molecular docking, in silico screening, and molecular dynamics simulations, are presented. Employing case studies of safinamide binding to MAO B, we demonstrate how to use AutoDock 4.2.6 and NAMD software packages.