In silico and in vitro investigation of dual targeting Prima-1 MET as precision therapeutic against lungs cancer.

This study emphasizes the explorations of binding of Prima-1 ^MET with two targets, p53 a tumor suppressor protein, and tyrosine kinase of epidermal growth factor receptor. In silico investigations reveal that Prima-1 ^MET showed robust binding with both targets. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated the binding affinity of Prima-1 ^MET with p53 and tyrosine kinase was found to be -38.601 kJ/mol and -38.976 kJ/mol. In addition, the stability of Prima-1 ^MET was explored by molecular dynamics simulation. Prima-1 ^MET attains stability in the binding site of the respective protein till the simulation period is over. Moreover, the free binding energy Δ G _bind was calculated by the molecular mechanics Poisson Boltzmann surface area method. The Δ G _bind of Prima-1 ^MET with tyrosine kinase was found to be -58.585 ± 0.327 kJ/mol and with p53 it was -35.910 ± 0.335 kJ/mol. Next, cytotoxicity of the Prima-1 ^MET was evaluated using multiple cancer cell lines and the IC ₅₀ value were ranging between 4.5 and 30 μM. The cell death was identified by apoptosis assay. Further, the p53 and tyrosine kinase expression was monitored using immunofluorescence techniques, it was found Prima-1 ^MET induces the expression of p53 protein and mimics the level of tyrosine kinase oncogenic target. Also, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane potential activity of Prima-1 ^MET was evaluated by using a lung cancer cell line. A significant decrease in intracellular ROS was observed and resulted in disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. This study uncovers the underlying mechanism of Prima-1 ^MET and could be helpful to design further leads against lung cancers.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.