Unraveling individual host–guest interactions in molecular recognition from first principles quantum mechanics: Insights into the nature of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist binding

Drug binding to a protein target is governed by a complex pattern of noncovalent interactions between the ligand and the residues in the protein's binding pocket. Here we introduce a generally applicable, parameter-free, computational method that allows for the identification, quantification, and analysis of the key ligand–residue interactions responsible for molecular recognition. Our strategy relies on Local Energy Decomposition analysis at the “gold-standard” coupled cluster DLPNO-CCSD(T) level. In the study case shown in this paper, nicotine and imidacloprid binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, our approach provides new insights into how individual amino acids in the active site determine sensitivity and selectivity of the ligands, extending and refining classical pharmacophore hypotheses. By inference, the method is applicable to any kind of host/guest interactions with potential applications in industrial biocatalysis and protein engineering.