201
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Alugubelli YR, Geng ZZ, Yang KS, Shaabani N, Khatua K, Ma XR, Vatansever EC, Cho CC, Ma Y, Blankenship L, Yu G, Sankaran B, Li P, Allen R, Ji H, Xu S, Liu WR. The N -Terminal Carbamate is Key to High Cellular and Antiviral Potency for Boceprevir-Based SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 34981058 DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.18.473330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Boceprevir is an HCV NSP3 inhibitor that has been explored as a repurposed drug for COVID-19. It inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M Pro ) and contains an α-ketoamide warhead, a P1 β-cyclobutylalanyl moiety, a P2 dimethylcyclopropylproline, a P3 tert -butyl-glycine, and a P4 N -terminal tert -butylcarbamide. By introducing modifications at all four positions, we synthesized 20 boceprevir-based M Pro inhibitors including PF-07321332 and characterized their M Pro inhibition potency in test tubes ( in vitro ) and human host cells ( in cellulo ). Crystal structures of M Pro bound with 10 inhibitors and antiviral potency of 4 inhibitors were characterized as well. Replacing the P1 site with a β-(S-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-alanyl (opal) residue and the warhead with an aldehyde leads to high in vitro potency. The original moieties at P2, P3 and the P4 N -terminal cap positions in boceprevir are better than other tested chemical moieties for high in vitro potency. In crystal structures, all inhibitors form a covalent adduct with the M Pro active site cysteine. The P1 opal residue, P2 dimethylcyclopropylproline and P4 N -terminal tert -butylcarbamide make strong hydrophobic interactions with M Pro , explaining high in vitro potency of inhibitors that contain these moieties. A unique observation was made with an inhibitor that contains an P4 N -terminal isovaleramide. In its M Pro complex structure, the P4 N -terminal isovaleramide is tucked deep in a small pocket of M Pro that originally recognizes a P4 alanine side chain in a substrate. Although all inhibitors show high in vitro potency, they have drastically different in cellulo potency in inhibiting ectopically expressed M Pro in human 293T cells. All inhibitors including PF-07321332 with a P4 N -terminal carbamide or amide have low in cellulo potency. This trend is reversed when the P4 N -terminal cap is changed to a carbamate. The installation of a P3 O-tert -butyl-threonine improves in cellulo potency. Three molecules that contain a P4 N -terminal carbamate were advanced to antiviral tests on three SARS-CoV-2 variants. They all have high potency with EC 50 values around 1 μM. A control compound with a nitrile warhead and a P4 N -terminal amide has undetectable antiviral potency. Based on all observations, we conclude that a P4 N -terminal carbamate in a boceprevir derivative is key for high antiviral potency against SARS-CoV-2.
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202
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Zhao Y, Meng X, Cai C, Wang L, Gong H. Synthesis of α‐Ketoamides via Electrochemical Decarboxylative Acylation of Isocyanides Using α‐Ketoacids as an Acyl Source. ASIAN J ORG CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.202100748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zhao
- Xiangtan University Chemistry 411105 Xiangtan CHINA
| | - Xia Meng
- Xiangtan University Chemtistry 411105 Xiangtan CHINA
| | - Changqun Cai
- Xiangtan University Chemistry 411105 Xiangtan CHINA
| | - Lingyun Wang
- Xiangtan University Chemistry 411105 Xiangtan CHINA
| | - Hang Gong
- College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University Chemistry College of Chemistry 411105 Xiangtan CHINA
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203
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Nass Kovacs G. Potential of X-ray free-electron lasers for challenging targets in structure-based drug discovery. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2021; 39:101-110. [PMID: 34906320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
X-ray crystallography has provided the vast majority of three-dimensional macromolecular structures. Most of these are high-resolution structures that enable a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. The standardized workflows and robust infrastructure of synchrotron-based macromolecular crystallography (MX) offer the high throughput essential to cost-conscious investigations in structure- and fragment-based drug discovery. Nonetheless conventional MX is limited by fundamental bottlenecks, in particular X-ray radiation damage, which limits the amount of data extractable from a crystal. While this limit can in principle be circumvented by using larger crystals, crystals of the requisite size often cannot be obtained in sufficient quality. That is especially true for membrane protein crystals, which constitute the majority of current drug targets. This conventional paradigm for MX-suitable samples changed dramatically with the advent of serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) based on the ultra-short and extremely intense X-ray pulses of X-ray Free-Electron Lasers. SFX provides high-resolution structures from tiny crystals and does so with uniquely low levels of radiation damage. This has yielded a number of novel structures for G-protein coupled receptors, one of the most relevant membrane protein superfamilies for drug discovery, as well as tantalizing advances in time-resolved crystallography that elucidate protein dynamics. This article attempts to map the potential of SFX for drug discovery, while providing the reader with an overview of the yet remaining technical challenges associated with such a novel technique as SFX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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204
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Ma C, Xia Z, Sacco MD, Hu Y, Townsend JA, Meng X, Choza J, Tan H, Jang J, Gongora MV, Zhang X, Zhang F, Xiang Y, Marty MT, Chen Y, Wang J. Discovery of Di- and Trihaloacetamides as Covalent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors with High Target Specificity. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:20697-20709. [PMID: 34860011 PMCID: PMC8672434 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) is a validated antiviral drug target of SARS-CoV-2. A number of Mpro inhibitors have now advanced to animal model study and human clinical trials. However, one issue yet to be addressed is the target selectivity over host proteases such as cathepsin L. In this study we describe the rational design of covalent SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors with novel cysteine reactive warheads including dichloroacetamide, dibromoacetamide, tribromoacetamide, 2-bromo-2,2-dichloroacetamide, and 2-chloro-2,2-dibromoacetamide. The promising lead candidates Jun9-62-2R (dichloroacetamide) and Jun9-88-6R (tribromoacetamide) had not only potent enzymatic inhibition and antiviral activity but also significantly improved target specificity over caplain and cathepsins. Compared to GC-376, these new compounds did not inhibit the host cysteine proteases including calpain I, cathepsin B, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, and caspase-3. To the best of our knowledge, they are among the most selective covalent Mpro inhibitors reported thus far. The cocrystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with Jun9-62-2R and Jun9-57-3R reaffirmed our design hypothesis, showing that both compounds form a covalent adduct with the catalytic C145. Overall, these novel compounds represent valuable chemical probes for target validation and drug candidates for further development as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Zilei Xia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Michael Dominic Sacco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Julia Alma Townsend
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Juliana Choza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Haozhou Tan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Janice Jang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Maura V Gongora
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Fushun Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Michael Thomas Marty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
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205
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Gentile F, Fernandez M, Ban F, Ton AT, Mslati H, Perez CF, Leblanc E, Yaacoub JC, Gleave J, Stern A, Wong B, Jean F, Strynadka N, Cherkasov A. Automated discovery of noncovalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease by consensus Deep Docking of 40 billion small molecules. Chem Sci 2021; 12:15960-15974. [PMID: 35024120 PMCID: PMC8672713 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05579h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent explosive growth of 'make-on-demand' chemical libraries brought unprecedented opportunities but also significant challenges to the field of computer-aided drug discovery. To address this expansion of the accessible chemical universe, molecular docking needs to accurately rank billions of chemical structures, calling for the development of automated hit-selecting protocols to minimize human intervention and error. Herein, we report the development of an artificial intelligence-driven virtual screening pipeline that utilizes Deep Docking with Autodock GPU, Glide SP, FRED, ICM and QuickVina2 programs to screen 40 billion molecules against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). This campaign returned a significant number of experimentally confirmed inhibitors of Mpro enzyme, and also enabled to benchmark the performance of twenty-eight hit-selecting strategies of various degrees of stringency and automation. These findings provide new starting scaffolds for hit-to-lead optimization campaigns against Mpro and encourage the development of fully automated end-to-end drug discovery protocols integrating machine learning and human expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Gentile
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Michael Fernandez
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Anh-Tien Ton
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Hazem Mslati
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Carl F Perez
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Eric Leblanc
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Jean Charle Yaacoub
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - James Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
| | | | | | - François Jean
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Natalie Strynadka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, The University of British Columbia 2660 Oak Street Vancouver BC V6H3Z6 Canada
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206
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Kneller DW, Li H, Galanie S, Phillips G, Labbé A, Weiss KL, Zhang Q, Arnould MA, Clyde A, Ma H, Ramanathan A, Jonsson CB, Head MS, Coates L, Louis JM, Bonnesen PV, Kovalevsky A. Structural, Electronic, and Electrostatic Determinants for Inhibitor Binding to Subsites S1 and S2 in SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17366-17383. [PMID: 34705466 PMCID: PMC8565456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Creating small-molecule antivirals specific for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins is crucial to battle coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is an established drug target for the design of protease inhibitors. We performed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of noncovalent compounds that bind in the enzyme's substrate-binding subsites S1 and S2, revealing structural, electronic, and electrostatic determinants of these sites. The study was guided by the X-ray/neutron structure of Mpro complexed with Mcule-5948770040 (compound 1), in which protonation states were directly visualized. Virtual reality-assisted structure analysis and small-molecule building were employed to generate analogues of 1. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays and room-temperature X-ray structures demonstrated the effect of chemical modifications on Mpro inhibition, showing that (1) maintaining correct geometry of an inhibitor's P1 group is essential to preserve the hydrogen bond with the protonated His163; (2) a positively charged linker is preferred; and (3) subsite S2 prefers nonbulky modestly electronegative groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Kneller
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
| | - Hui Li
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Stephanie Galanie
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Gwyndalyn Phillips
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
| | - Audrey Labbé
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Kevin L. Weiss
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
| | - Qiu Zhang
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
| | - Mark A. Arnould
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Austin Clyde
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Data Science and Learning Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Heng Ma
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Data Science and Learning Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Arvind Ramanathan
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Data Science and Learning Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
- Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615
| | - Colleen B. Jonsson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Martha S. Head
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Leighton Coates
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Second Target Station, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - John M. Louis
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892-0520, USA
| | - Peter V. Bonnesen
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Andrey Kovalevsky
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 20585, USA
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207
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Mule S, Singh A, Greish K, Sahebkar A, Kesharwani P, Shukla R. Drug repurposing strategies and key challenges for COVID-19 management. J Drug Target 2021; 30:413-429. [PMID: 34854327 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2021.2013852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a clinical outcome of viral infection emerged due to strain of beta coronavirus which attacks the type-2 pneumocytes in alveoli via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. There is no satisfactory drug developed against 'SARS-CoV2', highlighting an immediate necessity chemotherapeutic repurposing plan COVID-19. Drug repurposing is a method of selection of approved therapeutics for new use and is considered to be the most effective drug finding strategy since it includes less time and cost to obtain treatment compared to the de novo drug acquisition process. Several drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, teicoplanin, darunavir, ritonavir, nitazoxanide, chloroquine, tocilizumab and favipiravir (FPV) showed their activity against 'SARS-CoV2' in vitro. This review has emphasized on repurposing of drugs, and biologics used in clinical set up for targeting COVID-19 and to evaluate their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety with their future aspect. The key benefit of drug repurposing is the wealth of information related to its safety, and easy accessibility. Altogether repurposing approach allows access to regulatory approval as well as reducing sophisticated safety studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Mule
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli, Lucknow, India
| | - Ajit Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli, Lucknow, India
| | - Khaled Greish
- Nanomedicine Unit, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Al-Jawhara Center for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Disorders, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Rahul Shukla
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Raebareli, Lucknow, India
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208
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Hardenbrook NJ, Zhang P. A structural view of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its assembly. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 52:123-134. [PMID: 34915287 PMCID: PMC8642146 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Structural biology plays a vital role in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and treatment. High-resolution structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and complexes have been obtained. In situ structures of SARS-CoV-2 virus and its assembly are visualized by cryoET.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic that struck in 2019 has left the world crippled with hundreds of millions of cases and millions of people dead. During this time, we have seen unprecedented support and collaboration amongst scientists to respond to this deadly disease. Advances in the field of structural biology, in particular cryoEM and cryo-electron tomography, have allowed unprecedented structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we review the structural work on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and viral components, as well as its cellular assembly process, highlighting some important structural findings that have made significant impact on the protection from and treatment of emerging viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Hardenbrook
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Peijun Zhang
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK; Electron Bio-Imaging Centre, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
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209
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Üstün E, Düşünceli SD, Coşkun F, Özdemir İ. Molybdenum Carbonyl Complexes with Benzimidazole Derivatives Against SARS-CoV-2 by Molecular Docking and DFT/TDDFT Methods. JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL BIOPHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s2737416521500502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Benzimidazole derivative molecules attract attention of scientists due to their bioactivities. The dramatic changes in recorded activities according to the type and position of the substituents motivate synthesis and analysis of new molecules. Commercial benzimidazole-based molecules have been used in therapeutic procedures. It is known that the activities of metal complexes with benzimidazole derivative ligands have different activities when compared to the benzimidazole main structure. Nowadays, one of the most important health problems is COVID-19, which caused the pandemic that we are still experiencing. Although vaccine studies are important to overcome acute problems, regarding the possible post-vaccination adverse effects, the need for new drugs against the virus is obvious. Considering the urgency and the limited facilities during the pandemic, preliminary in silico studies of candidate molecules are essential. In this study, {[bis-(N-benzylbenzimidazole)] tetracarbonylmolybdenum}, {[bis-(N-4-chlorobenzylbenzimidazole)] tetracarbonylmolybdenum} and {[bis-(N-4-methoxybenzylbenzimidazole)] tetracarbonylmolybdenum} were synthesized and characterized. The optimization and the structural analysis of these molecules were performed by DFT/TDDFT methods. The molecules were docked into SARS coronavirus main peptidase (PDB ID: 2gtb), COVID-19 main protease in complex with Z219104216 (PDB ID: 5r82), COVID-19 main protease in complex with an inhibitor N3 (PDB ID: 6lu7) and Papain-like protease of SARS-CoV-2 (PDB ID: 6w9c) crystal structures for evaluation of their anti-viral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvan Üstün
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Ordu University, 52200 Ordu, Turkey
| | - Serpil Demir Düşünceli
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Art and Science, İnönü University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
- Catalysis Research and Application Center, İnönü University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
| | - Feyzullah Coşkun
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Art and Science, İnönü University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
- Catalysis Research and Application Center, İnönü University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
| | - İsmail Özdemir
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Art and Science, İnönü University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
- Catalysis Research and Application Center, İnönü University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
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210
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Sheik Amamuddy O, Afriyie Boateng R, Barozi V, Wavinya Nyamai D, Tastan Bishop Ö. Novel dynamic residue network analysis approaches to study allosteric modulation: SARS-CoV-2 M pro and its evolutionary mutations as a case study. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:6431-6455. [PMID: 34849191 PMCID: PMC8613987 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The rational search for allosteric modulators and the allosteric mechanisms of these modulators in the presence of mutations is a relatively unexplored field. Here, we established novel in silico approaches and applied them to SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) as a case study. First, we identified six potential allosteric modulators. Then, we focused on understanding the allosteric effects of these modulators on each of its protomers. We introduced a new combinatorial approach and dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis algorithms to examine patterns of change and conservation of critical nodes, according to five independent criteria of network centrality. We observed highly conserved network hubs for each averaged DRN metric on the basis of their existence in both protomers in the absence and presence of all ligands (persistent hubs). We also detected ligand specific signal changes. Using eigencentrality (EC) persistent hubs and ligand introduced hubs we identified a residue communication path connecting the allosteric binding site to the catalytic site. Finally, we examined the effects of the mutations on the behavior of the protein in the presence of selected potential allosteric modulators and investigated the ligand stability. One crucial outcome was to show that EC centrality hubs form an allosteric communication path between the allosteric ligand binding site to the active site going through the interface residues of domains I and II; and this path was either weakened or lost in the presence of some of the mutations. Overall, the results revealed crucial aspects that need to be considered in rational computational drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Barozi
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Dorothy Wavinya Nyamai
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Özlem Tastan Bishop
- Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
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211
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Robertson AJ, Courtney JM, Shen Y, Ying J, Bax A. Concordance of X-ray and AlphaFold2 Models of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease with Residual Dipolar Couplings Measured in Solution. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:19306-19310. [PMID: 34757725 PMCID: PMC8592127 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c10588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The
68-kDa homodimeric 3C-like protease of SARS-CoV-2, Mpro (3CLpro/Nsp5), is a promising antiviral drug target. We evaluate
the concordance of models generated by the newly introduced AlphaFold2
structure prediction program with residual dipolar couplings (RDCs)
measured in solution for 15N–1HN and 13C′–1HN atom
pairs. The latter were measured using a new, highly precise TROSY-AntiTROSY
Encoded RDC (TATER) experiment. Three sets of AlphaFold2 models were
evaluated: (1) MproAF, generated using the standard
AlphaFold2 input structural database; (2) MproAFD, where the AlphaFold2 implementation was modified to exclude all
candidate template X-ray structures deposited after Jan 1, 2020; and
(3) MproAFS, which excluded all structures homologous
to coronaviral Mpro. Close agreement between all three
sets of AlphaFold models and experimental RDC data is found for most
of the protein. For residues in well-defined secondary structure,
the agreement decreases somewhat upon Amber relaxation. For these
regions, MproAF agreement exceeds that of most
high-resolution X-ray structures. Residues from domain 2 that comprise
elements of both the active site and the homo-dimerization interface
fit less well across all structures. These results indicate novel
opportunities for combining experimentation with molecular dynamics
simulations, where solution RDCs provide highly precise input for
QM/MM simulations of substrate binding/reaction trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angus J Robertson
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - Joseph M Courtney
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - Yang Shen
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - Jinfa Ying
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
| | - Ad Bax
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0520, United States
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212
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Cantrelle F, Boll E, Brier L, Moschidi D, Belouzard S, Landry V, Leroux F, Dewitte F, Landrieu I, Dubuisson J, Deprez B, Charton J, Hanoulle X. NMR Spectroscopy of the Main Protease of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Fragment‐Based Screening Identify Three Protein Hotspots and an Antiviral Fragment. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202109965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- François‐Xavier Cantrelle
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology 50 avenue Halley F-59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille France
- Univ. Lille INSERM CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Emmanuelle Boll
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology 50 avenue Halley F-59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille France
- Univ. Lille INSERM CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Lucile Brier
- Univ. Lille INSERM Institut Pasteur de Lille U1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems F-59000 Lille France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes EGID University of Lille 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse F-59006 Lille France
| | - Danai Moschidi
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology 50 avenue Halley F-59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille France
- Univ. Lille INSERM CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Sandrine Belouzard
- Univ. Lille CNRS INSERM, CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1019-UMR 9017—CIIL—Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Valérie Landry
- Univ. Lille INSERM Institut Pasteur de Lille U1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems F-59000 Lille France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes EGID University of Lille 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse F-59006 Lille France
| | - Florence Leroux
- Univ. Lille INSERM Institut Pasteur de Lille U1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems F-59000 Lille France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes EGID University of Lille 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse F-59006 Lille France
| | - Frédérique Dewitte
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology 50 avenue Halley F-59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille France
- Univ. Lille INSERM CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Isabelle Landrieu
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology 50 avenue Halley F-59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille France
- Univ. Lille INSERM CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Univ. Lille CNRS INSERM, CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1019-UMR 9017—CIIL—Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
| | - Benoit Deprez
- Univ. Lille INSERM Institut Pasteur de Lille U1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems F-59000 Lille France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes EGID University of Lille 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse F-59006 Lille France
| | - Julie Charton
- Univ. Lille INSERM Institut Pasteur de Lille U1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems F-59000 Lille France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes EGID University of Lille 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse F-59006 Lille France
| | - Xavier Hanoulle
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology 50 avenue Halley F-59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille France
- Univ. Lille INSERM CHU Lille Institut Pasteur de Lille U1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases 1 rue du Professeur Calmette F-59019 Lille France
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213
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Cantrelle F, Boll E, Brier L, Moschidi D, Belouzard S, Landry V, Leroux F, Dewitte F, Landrieu I, Dubuisson J, Deprez B, Charton J, Hanoulle X. NMR Spectroscopy of the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 and Fragment-Based Screening Identify Three Protein Hotspots and an Antiviral Fragment. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:25428-25435. [PMID: 34570415 PMCID: PMC8653025 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202109965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The main protease (3CLp) of the SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of the main targets for drug development. To be active, 3CLp relies on a complex interplay between dimerization, active site flexibility, and allosteric regulation. The deciphering of these mechanisms is a crucial step to enable the search for inhibitors. In this context, using NMR spectroscopy, we studied the conformation of dimeric 3CLp from the SARS-CoV-2 and monitored ligand binding, based on NMR signal assignments. We performed a fragment-based screening that led to the identification of 38 fragment hits. Their binding sites showed three hotspots on 3CLp, two in the substrate binding pocket and one at the dimer interface. F01 is a non-covalent inhibitor of the 3CLp and has antiviral activity in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. This study sheds light on the complex structure-function relationships of 3CLp and constitutes a strong basis to assist in developing potent 3CLp inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- François‐Xavier Cantrelle
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology50 avenue HalleyF-59658 Villeneuve d'AscqLilleFrance
- Univ. LilleINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Emmanuelle Boll
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology50 avenue HalleyF-59658 Villeneuve d'AscqLilleFrance
- Univ. LilleINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Lucile Brier
- Univ. LilleINSERMInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living SystemsF-59000LilleFrance
- European Genomic Institute for DiabetesEGIDUniversity of Lille3 rue du Professeur LaguesseF-59006LilleFrance
| | - Danai Moschidi
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology50 avenue HalleyF-59658 Villeneuve d'AscqLilleFrance
- Univ. LilleINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Sandrine Belouzard
- Univ. LilleCNRSINSERM, CHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1019-UMR 9017—CIIL—Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Valérie Landry
- Univ. LilleINSERMInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living SystemsF-59000LilleFrance
- European Genomic Institute for DiabetesEGIDUniversity of Lille3 rue du Professeur LaguesseF-59006LilleFrance
| | - Florence Leroux
- Univ. LilleINSERMInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living SystemsF-59000LilleFrance
- European Genomic Institute for DiabetesEGIDUniversity of Lille3 rue du Professeur LaguesseF-59006LilleFrance
| | - Frédérique Dewitte
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology50 avenue HalleyF-59658 Villeneuve d'AscqLilleFrance
- Univ. LilleINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Isabelle Landrieu
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology50 avenue HalleyF-59658 Villeneuve d'AscqLilleFrance
- Univ. LilleINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Univ. LilleCNRSINSERM, CHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1019-UMR 9017—CIIL—Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
| | - Benoit Deprez
- Univ. LilleINSERMInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living SystemsF-59000LilleFrance
- European Genomic Institute for DiabetesEGIDUniversity of Lille3 rue du Professeur LaguesseF-59006LilleFrance
| | - Julie Charton
- Univ. LilleINSERMInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1177—Drugs and Molecules for Living SystemsF-59000LilleFrance
- European Genomic Institute for DiabetesEGIDUniversity of Lille3 rue du Professeur LaguesseF-59006LilleFrance
| | - Xavier Hanoulle
- CNRS ERL9002—BSI—Integrative Structural Biology50 avenue HalleyF-59658 Villeneuve d'AscqLilleFrance
- Univ. LilleINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1167—RID-AGE—Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases1 rue du Professeur CalmetteF-59019LilleFrance
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214
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Chiliveri SC, Robertson AJ, Shen Y, Torchia DA, Bax A. Advances in NMR Spectroscopy of Weakly Aligned Biomolecular Systems. Chem Rev 2021; 122:9307-9330. [PMID: 34766756 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The measurement and application of residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) in solution NMR studies of biological macromolecules has become well established over the past quarter of a century. Numerous methods for generating the requisite anisotropic orientational molecular distribution have been demonstrated, each with its specific strengths and weaknesses. In parallel, an enormous number of pulse schemes have been introduced to measure the many different types of RDCs, ranging from the most widely measured backbone amide 15N-1H RDCs, to 1H-1H RDCs and couplings between low-γ nuclei. Applications of RDCs range from structure validation and refinement to the determination of relative domain orientations, the measurement of backbone and domain motions, and de novo structure determination. Nevertheless, it appears that the power of the RDC methodology remains underutilized. This review aims to highlight the practical aspects of sample preparation and RDC measurement while describing some of the most straightforward applications that take advantage of the exceptionally precise information contained in such data. Some emphasis will be placed on more recent developments that enable the accurate measurement of RDCs in larger systems, which is key to the ongoing shift in focus of biological NMR spectroscopy from structure determination toward gaining improved understanding of how molecular flexibility drives protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Chaitanya Chiliveri
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Angus J Robertson
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Yang Shen
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Dennis A Torchia
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Ad Bax
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
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215
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A natural product compound inhibits coronaviral replication in vitro by binding to the conserved Nsp9 SARS-CoV-2 protein. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101362. [PMID: 34756886 PMCID: PMC8553373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Nsp9 replicase is a conserved coronaviral protein that acts as an essential accessory component of the multi-subunit viral replication/transcription complex. Nsp9 is the predominant substrate for the essential nucleotidylation activity of Nsp12. Compounds specifically interfering with this viral activity would facilitate its study. Using a native mass-spectrometry-based approach to screen a natural product library for Nsp9 binders, we identified an ent-kaurane natural product, oridonin, capable of binding to purified SARS-CoV-2 Nsp9 with micromolar affinities. By determining the crystal structure of the Nsp9-oridonin complex, we showed that oridonin binds through a conserved site near Nsp9’s C-terminal GxxxG-helix. In enzymatic assays, oridonin’s binding to Nsp9 reduces its potential to act as substrate for Nsp12’s Nidovirus RdRp-Associated Nucleotidyl transferase (NiRAN) domain. We also showed using in vitro cellular assays oridonin, while cytotoxic at higher doses has broad antiviral activity, reducing viral titer following infection with either SARS-CoV-2 or, to a lesser extent, MERS-CoV. Accordingly, these preliminary findings suggest that the oridonin molecular scaffold may have the potential to be developed into an antiviral compound to inhibit the function of Nsp9 during coronaviral replication.
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216
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Ebrahim A, Riley BT, Kumaran D, Andi B, Fuchs MR, McSweeney S, Keedy DA. The temperature-dependent conformational ensemble of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M pro). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.05.03.437411. [PMID: 33972941 PMCID: PMC8109201 DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.03.437411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, instigated by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, continues to plague the globe. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease, or Mpro, is a promising target for development of novel antiviral therapeutics. Previous X-ray crystal structures of Mpro were obtained at cryogenic temperature or room temperature only. Here we report a series of high-resolution crystal structures of unliganded Mpro across multiple temperatures from cryogenic to physiological, and another at high humidity. We interrogate these datasets with parsimonious multiconformer models, multi-copy ensemble models, and isomorphous difference density maps. Our analysis reveals a temperature-dependent conformational landscape for Mpro, including mobile solvent interleaved between the catalytic dyad, mercurial conformational heterogeneity in a key substrate-binding loop, and a far-reaching intramolecular network bridging the active site and dimer interface. Our results may inspire new strategies for antiviral drug development to counter-punch COVID-19 and combat future coronavirus pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ebrahim
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, England
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031
| | - Blake T. Riley
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031
| | - Desigan Kumaran
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
| | - Babak Andi
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory (NVBL), US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Martin R. Fuchs
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
| | - Sean McSweeney
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
- National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory (NVBL), US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Daniel A. Keedy
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, New York, NY 10031
- Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry, The Graduate Center – City University of New York, New York, NY 10016
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217
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Yuce M, Cicek E, Inan T, Dag AB, Kurkcuoglu O, Sungur FA. Repurposing of FDA-approved drugs against active site and potential allosteric drug-binding sites of COVID-19 main protease. Proteins 2021; 89:1425-1441. [PMID: 34169568 PMCID: PMC8441840 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) still has serious negative effects on health, social life, and economics. Recently, vaccines from various companies have been urgently approved to control SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, any specific antiviral drug has not been confirmed so far for regular treatment. An important target is the main protease (Mpro ), which plays a major role in replication of the virus. In this study, Gaussian and residue network models are employed to reveal two distinct potential allosteric sites on Mpro that can be evaluated as drug targets besides the active site. Then, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs are docked to three distinct sites with flexible docking using AutoDock Vina to identify potential drug candidates. Fourteen best molecule hits for the active site of Mpro are determined. Six of these also exhibit high docking scores for the potential allosteric regions. Full-atom molecular dynamics simulations with MM-GBSA method indicate that compounds docked to active and potential allosteric sites form stable interactions with high binding free energy (∆Gbind ) values. ∆Gbind values reach -52.06 kcal/mol for the active site, -51.08 kcal/mol for the potential allosteric site 1, and - 42.93 kcal/mol for the potential allosteric site 2. Energy decomposition calculations per residue elucidate key binding residues stabilizing the ligands that can further serve to design pharmacophores. This systematic and efficient computational analysis successfully determines ivermectine, diosmin, and selinexor currently subjected to clinical trials, and further proposes bromocriptine, elbasvir as Mpro inhibitor candidates to be evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Yuce
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Erdem Cicek
- Computational Science and Engineering DivisionInformatics Institute, Istanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Tugce Inan
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Aslihan Basak Dag
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Ozge Kurkcuoglu
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Fethiye Aylin Sungur
- Computational Science and Engineering DivisionInformatics Institute, Istanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
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218
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Natural Apocarotenoids and Their Synthetic Glycopeptide Conjugates Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Replication. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111111. [PMID: 34832893 PMCID: PMC8619593 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The protracted global COVID-19 pandemic urges the development of new drugs against the causative agent SARS-CoV-2. The clinically used glycopeptide antibiotic, teicoplanin, emerged as a potential antiviral, and its efficacy was improved with lipophilic modifications. This prompted us to prepare new lipophilic apocarotenoid conjugates of teicoplanin, its pseudoaglycone and the related ristocetin aglycone. Their antiviral effect was tested against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells, using a cell viability assay and quantitative PCR of the viral RNA, confirming their micromolar inhibitory activity against viral replication. Interestingly, two of the parent apocarotenoids, bixin and β-apo-8′carotenoic acid, exerted remarkable anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Mechanistic studies involved cathepsin L and B, as well as the main protease 3CLPro, and the results were rationalized by computational studies. Glycopeptide conjugates show dual inhibitory action, while apocarotenoids have mostly cathepsin B and L affinity. Since teicoplanin is a marketed antibiotic and the natural bixin is an approved, cheap and widely used red colorant food additive, these readily available compounds and their conjugates as potential antivirals are worthy of further exploration.
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219
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Natural Products-Based Drug Design against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro 3CLpro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111739. [PMID: 34769170 PMCID: PMC8583940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has received global attention due to the serious threat it poses to public health. Since the outbreak in December 2019, millions of people have been affected and its rapid global spread has led to an upsurge in the search for treatment. To discover hit compounds that can be used alone or in combination with repositioned drugs, we first analyzed the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of natural products from Brazil's semiarid region. After, we analyzed the site prediction and druggability of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), followed by docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The best SARS-CoV-2 Mpro complexes revealed that other sites were accessed, confirming that our approach could be employed as a suitable starting protocol for ligand prioritization, reinforcing the importance of catalytic cysteine-histidine residues and providing new structural data that could increase the antiviral development mainly against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we selected 10 molecules that could be in vitro assayed in response to COVID-19. Two compounds (b01 and b02) suggest a better potential for interaction with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and could be further studied.
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220
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Chan HTH, Moesser MA, Walters RK, Malla TR, Twidale RM, John T, Deeks HM, Johnston-Wood T, Mikhailov V, Sessions RB, Dawson W, Salah E, Lukacik P, Strain-Damerell C, Owen CD, Nakajima T, Świderek K, Lodola A, Moliner V, Glowacki DR, Spencer J, Walsh MA, Schofield CJ, Genovese L, Shoemark DK, Mulholland AJ, Duarte F, Morris GM. Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 M pro peptide inhibitors from modelling substrate and ligand binding. Chem Sci 2021; 12:13686-13703. [PMID: 34760153 PMCID: PMC8549791 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03628a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is central to viral maturation and is a promising drug target, but little is known about structural aspects of how it binds to its 11 natural cleavage sites. We used biophysical and crystallographic data and an array of biomolecular simulation techniques, including automated docking, molecular dynamics (MD) and interactive MD in virtual reality, QM/MM, and linear-scaling DFT, to investigate the molecular features underlying recognition of the natural Mpro substrates. We extensively analysed the subsite interactions of modelled 11-residue cleavage site peptides, crystallographic ligands, and docked COVID Moonshot-designed covalent inhibitors. Our modelling studies reveal remarkable consistency in the hydrogen bonding patterns of the natural Mpro substrates, particularly on the N-terminal side of the scissile bond. They highlight the critical role of interactions beyond the immediate active site in recognition and catalysis, in particular plasticity at the S2 site. Building on our initial Mpro-substrate models, we used predictive saturation variation scanning (PreSaVS) to design peptides with improved affinity. Non-denaturing mass spectrometry and other biophysical analyses confirm these new and effective 'peptibitors' inhibit Mpro competitively. Our combined results provide new insights and highlight opportunities for the development of Mpro inhibitors as anti-COVID-19 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Henry Chan
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Marc A Moesser
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford 24-29 St Giles' Oxford OX1 3LB UK
| | - Rebecca K Walters
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Intangible Realities Laboratory, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Tika R Malla
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Rebecca M Twidale
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Tobias John
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Helen M Deeks
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Intangible Realities Laboratory, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Tristan Johnston-Wood
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Victor Mikhailov
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Richard B Sessions
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - William Dawson
- RIKEN Center for Computational Science 7-1-26 Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku Kobe Hyogo 650-0047 Japan
| | - Eidarus Salah
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Petra Lukacik
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0DE UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0FA UK
| | - Claire Strain-Damerell
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0DE UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0FA UK
| | - C David Owen
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0DE UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0FA UK
| | - Takahito Nakajima
- RIKEN Center for Computational Science 7-1-26 Minatojima-minami-machi, Chuo-ku Kobe Hyogo 650-0047 Japan
| | - Katarzyna Świderek
- Biocomp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I 12071 Castello Spain
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Vicent Moliner
- Biocomp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I 12071 Castello Spain
| | - David R Glowacki
- Intangible Realities Laboratory, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - James Spencer
- Intangible Realities Laboratory, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Martin A Walsh
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0DE UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Didcot OX11 0FA UK
| | - Christopher J Schofield
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Luigi Genovese
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, IRIG-MEM-L_Sim 38000 Grenoble France
| | - Deborah K Shoemark
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Adrian J Mulholland
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Fernanda Duarte
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Garrett M Morris
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford 24-29 St Giles' Oxford OX1 3LB UK
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221
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Sarkar A, Mandal K. Repurposing an Antiviral Drug against SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202107481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arighna Sarkar
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad 36/p Gopanpally Hyderabad Telangana 500046 India
| | - Kalyaneswar Mandal
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad 36/p Gopanpally Hyderabad Telangana 500046 India
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222
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Sarkar A, Mandal K. Repurposing an Antiviral Drug against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:23492-23494. [PMID: 34545983 PMCID: PMC8652770 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202107481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This article highlights recent pioneering work by Günther et al. towards the discovery of potential repurposed antiviral compounds (peptidomimetic and non-peptidic) against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro ). The antiviral activity of the most potent drugs is discussed along with their binding mode to Mpro as observed through X-ray crystallographic screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arighna Sarkar
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary SciencesTata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad36/p GopanpallyHyderabadTelangana500046India
| | - Kalyaneswar Mandal
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary SciencesTata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad36/p GopanpallyHyderabadTelangana500046India
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223
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Saied EM, El-Maradny YA, Osman AA, Darwish AMG, Abo Nahas HH, Niedbała G, Piekutowska M, Abdel-Rahman MA, Balbool BA, Abdel-Azeem AM. A Comprehensive Review about the Molecular Structure of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Insights into Natural Products against COVID-19. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1759. [PMID: 34834174 PMCID: PMC8624722 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the world suffered from the emergence of COVID-19 infection, one of the most difficult pandemics in recent history. Millions of confirmed deaths from this pandemic have been reported worldwide. This disaster was caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is the last discovered member of the family of Coronaviridae. Various studies have shown that natural compounds have effective antiviral properties against coronaviruses by inhibiting multiple viral targets, including spike proteins and viral enzymes. This review presents the classification and a detailed explanation of the SARS-CoV-2 molecular characteristics and structure-function relationships. We present all currently available crystal structures of different SARS-CoV-2 proteins and emphasized on the crystal structure of different virus proteins and the binding modes of their ligands. This review also discusses the various therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 treatment and available vaccinations. In addition, we highlight and compare the existing data about natural compounds extracted from algae, fungi, plants, and scorpion venom that were used as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we discuss the repurposing of select approved therapeutic agents that have been used in the treatment of other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essa M. Saied
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yousra A. El-Maradny
- Microbiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21526, Egypt;
| | - Alaa A. Osman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, New Giza University, Newgiza, km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo 12256, Egypt;
| | - Amira M. G. Darwish
- Food Technology Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt;
| | - Hebatallah H. Abo Nahas
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (H.H.A.N.); (M.A.A.-R.)
| | - Gniewko Niedbała
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Piekutowska
- Department of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Partyzantów 27, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland;
| | - Mohamed A. Abdel-Rahman
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (H.H.A.N.); (M.A.A.-R.)
| | - Bassem A. Balbool
- Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Giza 12585, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed M. Abdel-Azeem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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224
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Hijikata A, Shionyu C, Nakae S, Shionyu M, Ota M, Kanaya S, Shirai T. Current status of structure-based drug repurposing against COVID-19 by targeting SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Biophys Physicobiol 2021; 18:226-240. [PMID: 34745807 PMCID: PMC8550875 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v18.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
More than one and half years have passed, as of August 2021, since the COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019. While the recent success of vaccine developments likely reduces the severe cases, there is still a strong requirement of safety and effective therapeutic drugs for overcoming the unprecedented situation. Here we review the recent progress and the status of the drug discovery against COVID-19 with emphasizing a structure-based perspective. Structural data regarding the SARS-CoV-2 proteome has been rapidly accumulated in the Protein Data Bank, and up to 68% of the total amino acid residues encoded in the genome were covered by the structural data. Despite a global effort of in silico and in vitro screenings for drug repurposing, there is only a limited number of drugs had been successfully authorized by drug regulation organizations. Although many approved drugs and natural compounds, which exhibited antiviral activity in vitro, were considered potential drugs against COVID-19, a further multidisciplinary investigation is required for understanding the mechanisms underlying the antiviral effects of the drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hijikata
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Clara Shionyu
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Setsu Nakae
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Masafumi Shionyu
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
| | - Motonori Ota
- Department of Complex Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Shigehiko Kanaya
- Computational Biology Lab. Division of Information Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Shirai
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829, Japan
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225
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A cyclic peptide inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 221:113530. [PMID: 34023738 PMCID: PMC8096527 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents the design and study of a first-in-class cyclic peptide inhibitor against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). The cyclic peptide inhibitor is designed to mimic the conformation of a substrate at a C-terminal autolytic cleavage site of Mpro. The cyclic peptide contains a [4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl]-acetic acid (AEPA) linker that is designed to enforce a conformation that mimics a peptide substrate of Mpro. In vitro evaluation of the cyclic peptide inhibitor reveals that the inhibitor exhibits modest activity against Mpro and does not appear to be cleaved by the enzyme. Conformational searching predicts that the cyclic peptide inhibitor is fairly rigid, adopting a favorable conformation for binding to the active site of Mpro. Computational docking to the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro suggests that the cyclic peptide inhibitor can bind the active site of Mpro in the predicted manner. Molecular dynamics simulations provide further insights into how the cyclic peptide inhibitor may bind the active site of Mpro. Although the activity of the cyclic peptide inhibitor is modest, its design and study lays the groundwork for the development of additional cyclic peptide inhibitors against Mpro with improved activities.
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226
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Ahmad S, Usman Mirza M, Yean Kee L, Nazir M, Abdul Rahman N, Trant JF, Abdullah I. Fragment-based in silico design of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:604-619. [PMID: 34148292 PMCID: PMC8444677 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
3CLpro is essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication and infection; its inhibition using small molecules is a potential therapeutic strategy. In this study, a comprehensive crystallography-guided fragment-based drug discovery approach was employed to design new inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. All small molecules co-crystallized with SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank were used as inputs. Fragments sitting in the binding pocket (87) were grouped into eight geographical types. They were interactively coupled using various synthetically reasonable linkers to generate larger molecules with divalent binding modes taking advantage of two different fragments' interactions. In total, 1,251 compounds were proposed, and 7,158 stereoisomers were screened using Glide (standard precision and extra precision), AutoDock Vina, and Prime MMGBSA. The top 22 hits having conformations approaching the linear combination of their constituent fragments were selected for MD simulation on Desmond. MD simulation suggested 15 of these did adopt conformations very close to their constituent pieces with far higher binding affinity than either constituent domain alone. These structures could provide a starting point for the further design of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors with improved binding, and structures are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfraz Ahmad
- Drug Design Development Research GroupDepartment of ChemistryFaculty of ScienceUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | | | - Lee Yean Kee
- Drug Design Development Research GroupDepartment of ChemistryFaculty of ScienceUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Mamoona Nazir
- Department of PharmacyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Noorsaadah Abdul Rahman
- Drug Design Development Research GroupDepartment of ChemistryFaculty of ScienceUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - John F. Trant
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of WindsorWindsorONCanada
| | - Iskandar Abdullah
- Drug Design Development Research GroupDepartment of ChemistryFaculty of ScienceUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
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227
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Shindo N, Ojida A. Recent progress in covalent warheads for in vivo targeting of endogenous proteins. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 47:116386. [PMID: 34509863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Covalent drugs exert potent and durable activity by chemical modification of the endogenous target protein in vivo. To maximize the pharmacological efficacy while alleviating the risk of toxicity due to nonspecific off-target reactions, current covalent drug discovery focuses on the development of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs), wherein a reactive group (warhead) is strategically incorporated onto a reversible ligand of the target protein to facilitate specific covalent engagement. Various aspects of warheads, such as intrinsic reactivity, chemoselectivity, mode of reaction, and reversibility of the covalent engagement, would affect the target selectivity of TCIs. Although TCIs clinically approved to date largely rely on Michael acceptor-type electrophiles for cysteine targeting, a wide array of novel warheads have been devised and tested in TCI development in recent years. In this short review, we provide an overview of recent progress in chemistry for selective covalent targeting of proteins and their applications in TCI designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Shindo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akio Ojida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku Fukuoka, Japan.
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228
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Al-Wahaibi LH, Mostafa A, Mostafa YA, Abou-Ghadir OF, Abdelazeem AH, Gouda AM, Kutkat O, Abo Shama NM, Shehata M, Gomaa HAM, Abdelrahman MH, Mohamed FAM, Gu X, Ali MA, Trembleau L, Youssif BGM. Discovery of novel oxazole-based macrocycles as anti-coronaviral agents targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Bioorg Chem 2021; 116:105363. [PMID: 34555629 PMCID: PMC8445767 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We have discovered a family of synthetic oxazole-based macrocycles to be active against SARS-CoV-2. The synthesis, pharmacological properties, and docking studies of the compounds are reported in this study. The structure of the new macrocycles was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Compounds 13, 14, and 15a-c were evaluated for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity on SARS-COV-2 (NRC-03-nhCoV) virus in Vero-E6 cells. Isopropyl triester 13 and triacid 14 demonstrated superior inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2 compared to carboxamides 15a-c. MTT cytotoxicity assays showed that the CC50 (50% cytotoxicity concentration) of 13, 14, and 15a-c ranged from 159.1 to 741.8 μM and their safety indices ranged from 2.50 to 39.1. Study of the viral inhibition via different mechanisms of action (viral adsorption, replication, or virucidal property) showed that 14 had mild virucidal (60%) and inhibitory effects on virus adsorption (66%) at 20 μM concentrations. Compound 13 displayed several inhibitory effects at three levels, but the potency of its action is primarily virucidal. The inhibitory activity of compounds 13, 14, and 15a-c against the enzyme SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was evaluated. Isopropyl triester 13 had a significant inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with an IC50 of 2.58 µM. Large substituents on the macrocyclic template significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of the compounds. Study of the docking of the compounds in the SARS CoV-2-Mpro active site showed that the most potent macrocycles 13 and 14 exhibited the best fit and highest affinity for the active site binding pocket. Taken together, the present study shows that the new macrocyclic compounds constitute a new family of SARS CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors that are worth being further optimized and developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamya H Al-Wahaibi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Yaser A Mostafa
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Ola F Abou-Ghadir
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Abdelazeem
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh 11681, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Gouda
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Omnia Kutkat
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Noura M Abo Shama
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Shehata
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hesham A M Gomaa
- Pharmacology Department, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa H Abdelrahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt; Chemistry Department, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Fatma A M Mohamed
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21321, Egypt
| | - Xuyuan Gu
- Chemistry Department, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Laurent Trembleau
- Chemistry Department, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom.
| | - Bahaa G M Youssif
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt.
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229
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Virtual Alanine Scan of the Main Protease Active Site in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189837. [PMID: 34576002 PMCID: PMC8466562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro) have been proposed as potential therapeutic agents for COVID-19. Studying effects of amino acid mutations in the conformation of drug targets is necessary for anticipating drug resistance. In this study, with the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro complexed with a non-covalent inhibitor, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to determine the conformation of the complex when single amino acid residue in the active site is mutated. As a model of amino acid mutation, we constructed mutant proteins with one residue in the active site mutated to alanine. This method is called virtual alanine scan. The results of the MD simulations showed that the conformation and configuration of the ligand was changed for mutants H163A and E166A, although the structure of the whole protein and of the catalytic dyad did not change significantly, suggesting that mutations in His163 and Glu166 may be linked to drug resistance.
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230
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DNA-encoded chemistry technology yields expedient access to SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2111172118. [PMID: 34426525 PMCID: PMC8433497 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111172118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has killed more than 4 million humans globally, but there is no bona fide Food and Drug Administration-approved drug-like molecule to impede the COVID-19 pandemic. The sluggish pace of traditional therapeutic discovery is poorly suited to producing targeted treatments against rapidly evolving viruses. Here, we used an affinity-based screen of 4 billion DNA-encoded molecules en masse to identify a potent class of virus-specific inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) without extensive and time-consuming medicinal chemistry. CDD-1714, the initial three-building-block screening hit (molecular weight [MW] = 542.5 g/mol), was a potent inhibitor (inhibition constant [K i] = 20 nM). CDD-1713, a smaller two-building-block analog (MW = 353.3 g/mol) of CDD-1714, is a reversible covalent inhibitor of Mpro (K i = 45 nM) that binds in the protease pocket, has specificity over human proteases, and shows in vitro efficacy in a SARS-CoV-2 infectivity model. Subsequently, key regions of CDD-1713 that were necessary for inhibitory activity were identified and a potent (K i = 37 nM), smaller (MW = 323.4 g/mol), and metabolically more stable analog (CDD-1976) was generated. Thus, screening of DNA-encoded chemical libraries can accelerate the discovery of efficacious drug-like inhibitors of emerging viral disease targets.
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231
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Tarannum H, Rashmi Km, Nandi S. Exploring the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and RdRp targets by updating current structure-based drug design utilizing co-crystals to combat COVID-19. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 23:802-817. [PMID: 34488580 DOI: 10.2174/1389450122666210906154849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the novel strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) engulfs millions of death worldwide. It has directly hit the socio-economic status of the affected countries. There are more than 219 countries badly affected by the COVID-19. There are no particular small molecule inhibitors to combat the dreadful virus. Many antivirals, antimalarials, antiparasitic, antibacterials, immunosuppressive anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulatory agents have been repurposed for the treatment of COVID19. But the exact mechanism of action of these drugs towards COVID-19 targets has not been experimented with yet. Under the effect of chemotherapeutics, the virus may change its genetic material and produces various strains, which are the main reasons behind the dreadful attack of COVID-19. The nuclear genetic components are composed of main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) which are responsible for producing nascent virion and viral replication in the host cells. To explore the biochemical mechanisms of various small molecule inhibitors, structure-based drug design can be attempted utilizing NMR crystallography. The process identifies and validates the target protein involved in the disease pathogenesis by the binding of a chemical ligand at a well-defined pocket on the protein surface. In this way, the mode of binding of the ligands inside the target cavity can be predicted for the design of potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heena Tarannum
- Six Sigma Institute of Technology and Science, Dineshpur, Rudrapur-263153. India
| | - Rashmi Km
- Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kashipur-244713. India
| | - Sisir Nandi
- Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kashipur-244713. India
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232
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Asada K, Komatsu M, Shimoyama R, Takasawa K, Shinkai N, Sakai A, Bolatkan A, Yamada M, Takahashi S, Machino H, Kobayashi K, Kaneko S, Hamamoto R. Application of Artificial Intelligence in COVID-19 Diagnosis and Therapeutics. J Pers Med 2021; 11:886. [PMID: 34575663 PMCID: PMC8471764 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began at the end of December 2019, giving rise to a high rate of infections and causing COVID-19-associated deaths worldwide. It was first reported in Wuhan, China, and since then, not only global leaders, organizations, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies, but also researchers, have directed their efforts toward overcoming this threat. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has recently surged internationally and has been applied to diverse aspects of many problems. The benefits of using AI are now widely accepted, and many studies have shown great success in medical research on tasks, such as the classification, detection, and prediction of disease, or even patient outcome. In fact, AI technology has been actively employed in various ways in COVID-19 research, and several clinical applications of AI-equipped medical devices for the diagnosis of COVID-19 have already been reported. Hence, in this review, we summarize the latest studies that focus on medical imaging analysis, drug discovery, and therapeutics such as vaccine development and public health decision-making using AI. This survey clarifies the advantages of using AI in the fight against COVID-19 and provides future directions for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic using AI techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Asada
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Masaaki Komatsu
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Ryo Shimoyama
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Ken Takasawa
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Norio Shinkai
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
- Department of NCC Cancer Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Akira Sakai
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
- Department of NCC Cancer Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Amina Bolatkan
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Masayoshi Yamada
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
- Department of Endoscopy, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Hidenori Machino
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Kazuma Kobayashi
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Syuzo Kaneko
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
| | - Ryuji Hamamoto
- Cancer Translational Research Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0027, Japan; (K.A.); (M.K.); (R.S.); (K.T.); (N.S.); (A.B.); (S.T.); (H.M.); (K.K.); (S.K.)
- Division of Medical AI Research and Development, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan; (A.S.); (M.Y.)
- Department of NCC Cancer Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
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233
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Serafim RAM, Elkins JM, Zuercher WJ, Laufer SA, Gehringer M. Chemical Probes for Understudied Kinases: Challenges and Opportunities. J Med Chem 2021; 65:1132-1170. [PMID: 34477374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Over 20 years after the approval of the first-in-class protein kinase inhibitor imatinib, the biological function of a significant fraction of the human kinome remains poorly understood while most research continues to be focused on few well-validated targets. Given the strong genetic evidence for involvement of many kinases in health and disease, the understudied fraction of the kinome holds a large and unexplored potential for future therapies. Specific chemical probes are indispensable tools to interrogate biology enabling proper preclinical validation of novel kinase targets. In this Perspective, we highlight recent case studies illustrating the development of high-quality chemical probes for less-studied kinases and their application in target validation. We spotlight emerging techniques and approaches employed in the generation of chemical probes for protein kinases and beyond and discuss the associated challenges and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A M Serafim
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Elkins
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - William J Zuercher
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stefan A Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided & Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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234
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Sub-Micromolar Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro by Natural Compounds. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090892. [PMID: 34577592 PMCID: PMC8465303 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting the main protease 3CLpro is the most common strategy in the search for antiviral drugs to fight the infection from SARS-CoV-2. We report that the natural compound eugenol is able to hamper in vitro the enzymatic activity of 3CLpro, the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, with an inhibition constant in the sub-micromolar range (Ki = 0.81 μM). Two phenylpropene analogs were also tested: the same effect was observed for estragole with a lower potency (Ki = 4.1 μM), whereas anethole was less active. The binding efficiency index of these compounds is remarkably favorable due also to their small molecular mass (MW < 165 Da). We envision that nanomolar inhibition of 3CLpro is widely accessible within the chemical space of simple natural compounds.
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235
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Sreeramulu S, Richter C, Berg H, Wirtz Martin MA, Ceylan B, Matzel T, Adam J, Altincekic N, Azzaoui K, Bains JK, Blommers MJJ, Ferner J, Fürtig B, Göbel M, Grün JT, Hengesbach M, Hohmann KF, Hymon D, Knezic B, Martins JN, Mertinkus KR, Niesteruk A, Peter SA, Pyper DJ, Qureshi NS, Scheffer U, Schlundt A, Schnieders R, Stirnal E, Sudakov A, Tröster A, Vögele J, Wacker A, Weigand JE, Wirmer‐Bartoschek J, Wöhnert J, Schwalbe H. Exploring the Druggability of Conserved RNA Regulatory Elements in the SARS‐CoV‐2 Genome. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202103693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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236
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Sreeramulu S, Richter C, Berg H, Wirtz Martin MA, Ceylan B, Matzel T, Adam J, Altincekic N, Azzaoui K, Bains JK, Blommers MJJ, Ferner J, Fürtig B, Göbel M, Grün JT, Hengesbach M, Hohmann KF, Hymon D, Knezic B, Martins JN, Mertinkus KR, Niesteruk A, Peter SA, Pyper DJ, Qureshi NS, Scheffer U, Schlundt A, Schnieders R, Stirnal E, Sudakov A, Tröster A, Vögele J, Wacker A, Weigand JE, Wirmer‐Bartoschek J, Wöhnert J, Schwalbe H. Exploring the Druggability of Conserved RNA Regulatory Elements in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:19191-19200. [PMID: 34161644 PMCID: PMC8426693 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202103693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 contains a positive single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 30 000 nucleotides. Within this genome, 15 RNA elements were identified as conserved between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. By nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we previously determined that these elements fold independently, in line with data from in vivo and ex-vivo structural probing experiments. These elements contain non-base-paired regions that potentially harbor ligand-binding pockets. Here, we performed an NMR-based screening of a poised fragment library of 768 compounds for binding to these RNAs, employing three different 1 H-based 1D NMR binding assays. The screening identified common as well as RNA-element specific hits. The results allow selection of the most promising of the 15 RNA elements as putative drug targets. Based on the identified hits, we derive key functional units and groups in ligands for effective targeting of the RNA of SARS-CoV-2.
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237
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Durdagi S, Dağ Ç, Dogan B, Yigin M, Avsar T, Buyukdag C, Erol I, Ertem FB, Calis S, Yildirim G, Orhan MD, Guven O, Aksoydan B, Destan E, Sahin K, Besler SO, Oktay L, Shafiei A, Tolu I, Ayan E, Yuksel B, Peksen AB, Gocenler O, Yucel AD, Can O, Ozabrahamyan S, Olkan A, Erdemoglu E, Aksit F, Tanisali G, Yefanov OM, Barty A, Tolstikova A, Ketawala GK, Botha S, Dao EH, Hayes B, Liang M, Seaberg MH, Hunter MS, Batyuk A, Mariani V, Su Z, Poitevin F, Yoon CH, Kupitz C, Sierra RG, Snell EH, DeMirci H. Near-physiological-temperature serial crystallography reveals conformations of SARS-CoV-2 main protease active site for improved drug repurposing. Structure 2021; 29:1382-1396.e6. [PMID: 34403647 PMCID: PMC8367086 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 198 million reported infections and more than 4 million deaths as of July 2021 (covid19.who.int). Research to identify effective therapies for COVID-19 includes: (1) designing a vaccine as future protection; (2) de novo drug discovery; and (3) identifying existing drugs to repurpose them as effective and immediate treatments. To assist in drug repurposing and design, we determine two apo structures of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease at ambient temperature by serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography. We employ detailed molecular simulations of selected known main protease inhibitors with the structures and compare binding modes and energies. The combined structural and molecular modeling studies not only reveal the dynamics of small molecules targeting the main protease but also provide invaluable opportunities for drug repurposing and structure-based drug design strategies against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serdar Durdagi
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey.
| | - Çağdaş Dağ
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Berna Dogan
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Merve Yigin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Timucin Avsar
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Cengizhan Buyukdag
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ismail Erol
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey; Department of Chemistry, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
| | - Fatma Betul Ertem
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Seyma Calis
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey; Department of Molecular Biology - Genetics and Biotechnology, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
| | - Gunseli Yildirim
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Muge D Orhan
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Omur Guven
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Busecan Aksoydan
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey; Neuroscience Program, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Ebru Destan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Kader Sahin
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Sabri O Besler
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Lalehan Oktay
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Alaleh Shafiei
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ilayda Tolu
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Esra Ayan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Busra Yuksel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ayse B Peksen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Oktay Gocenler
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ali D Yucel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Can
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Serena Ozabrahamyan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Alpsu Olkan
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey; School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey
| | - Ece Erdemoglu
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey; Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin 33070, Turkey
| | - Fulya Aksit
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Tanisali
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | | | - Anton Barty
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Notkestrasse 85, Hamburg 22607, Germany
| | | | - Gihan K Ketawala
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA; Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Sabine Botha
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA; Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - E Han Dao
- Stanford PULSE Institute, SLAC National Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Brandon Hayes
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Mengning Liang
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Matthew H Seaberg
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Mark S Hunter
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Alex Batyuk
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Valerio Mariani
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Zhen Su
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Frederic Poitevin
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Chun Hong Yoon
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Christopher Kupitz
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Raymond G Sierra
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Edward H Snell
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, University at Buffalo, 700 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY, USA; Materials Design and Innovation, SUNY at Buffalo, 700 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hasan DeMirci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey; Stanford PULSE Institute, SLAC National Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Koc University Isbank Center for Infectious Diseases (KUISCID), 34450, Istanbul, Turkey.
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238
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Grifagni D, Calderone V, Giuntini S, Cantini F, Fragai M, Banci L. SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibition by a zinc ion: structural features and hints for drug design. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:7910-7913. [PMID: 34278402 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02956h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Structural data on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with a zinc-containing organic inhibitor are already present in the literature and gave hints on the presence of a zinc binding site involving the catalytically relevant cysteine and histidine residues. In this paper, the structural basis of ionic zinc binding to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The zinc binding affinity and its ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease have been investigated. These findings provide solid ground for the design of potent and selective metal-conjugated inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Grifagni
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy.
| | - Vito Calderone
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuntini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy.
| | - Francesca Cantini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Lucia Banci
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
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239
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Sutanto F, Shaabani S, Oerlemans R, Eris D, Patil P, Hadian M, Wang M, Sharpe ME, Groves MR, Dömling A. Combining High-Throughput Synthesis and High-Throughput Protein Crystallography for Accelerated Hit Identification. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:18231-18239. [PMID: 34097796 PMCID: PMC8456925 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202105584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protein crystallography (PX) is widely used to drive advanced stages of drug optimization or to discover medicinal chemistry starting points by fragment soaking. However, recent progress in PX could allow for a more integrated role into early drug discovery. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the interplay of high throughput synthesis and high throughput PX. We describe a practical multicomponent reaction approach to acrylamides and -esters from diverse building blocks suitable for mmol scale synthesis on 96-well format and on a high-throughput nanoscale format in a highly automated fashion. High-throughput PX of our libraries efficiently yielded potent covalent inhibitors of the main protease of the COVID-19 causing agent, SARS-CoV-2. Our results demonstrate, that the marriage of in situ HT synthesis of (covalent) libraires and HT PX has the potential to accelerate hit finding and to provide meaningful strategies for medicinal chemistry projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fandi Sutanto
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Shabnam Shaabani
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Rick Oerlemans
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Deniz Eris
- Photon Science DivisionPaul Scherrer InstituteSwitzerland
| | - Pravin Patil
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Mojgan Hadian
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Meitian Wang
- Photon Science DivisionPaul Scherrer InstituteSwitzerland
| | | | - Matthew R. Groves
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Alexander Dömling
- University of GroningenDepartment of Drug DesignA. Deusinglaan 19713AVGroningenThe Netherlands
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240
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Sutanto F, Shaabani S, Oerlemans R, Eris D, Patil P, Hadian M, Wang M, Sharpe ME, Groves MR, Dömling A. Combining High‐Throughput Synthesis and High‐Throughput Protein Crystallography for Accelerated Hit Identification. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202105584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fandi Sutanto
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Shabnam Shaabani
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Rick Oerlemans
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Deniz Eris
- Photon Science Division Paul Scherrer Institute Switzerland
| | - Pravin Patil
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Mojgan Hadian
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Meitian Wang
- Photon Science Division Paul Scherrer Institute Switzerland
| | | | - Matthew R. Groves
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Dömling
- University of Groningen Department of Drug Design A. Deusinglaan 1 9713 AV Groningen The Netherlands
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Abstract
CoVID-19 is a multi-symptomatic disease which has made a global impact due to its ability to spread rapidly, and its relatively high mortality rate. Beyond the heroic efforts to develop vaccines, which we do not discuss herein, the response of scientists and clinicians to this complex problem has reflected the need to detect CoVID-19 rapidly, to diagnose patients likely to show adverse symptoms, and to treat severe and critical CoVID-19. Here we aim to encapsulate these varied and sometimes conflicting approaches and the resulting data in terms of chemistry and biology. In the process we highlight emerging concepts, and potential future applications that may arise out of this immense effort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yimon Aye
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)1015LausanneSwitzerland
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242
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Inhibition of Cysteine Proteases by 6,6'-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) from Nuphar lutea. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26164743. [PMID: 34443335 PMCID: PMC8399019 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity of inhibition by 6,6′-dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) on cysteine proteases was demonstrated in this work. There were differences in the extent of inhibition, reflecting active site structural-steric and biochemical differences. Cathepsin S (IC50 = 3.2 μM) was most sensitive to inhibition by DTBN compared to Cathepsin B, L and papain (IC50 = 1359.4, 13.2 and 70.4 μM respectively). DTBN is inactive for the inhibition of Mpro of SARS-CoV-2. Docking simulations suggested a mechanism of interaction that was further supported by the biochemical results. In the docking results, it was shown that the cysteine sulphur of Cathepsin S, L and B was in close proximity to the DTBN thiaspirane ring, potentially forming the necessary conditions for a nucleophilic attack to form a disulfide bond. Covalent docking and molecular dynamic simulations were performed to validate disulfide bond formation and to determine the stability of Cathepsins-DTBN complexes, respectively. The lack of reactivity of DTBN against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was attributed to a mismatch of the binding conformation of DTBN to the catalytic binding site of Mpro. Thus, gradations in reactivity among the tested Cathepsins may be conducive for a mechanism-based search for derivatives of nupharidine against COVID-19. This could be an alternative strategy to the large-scale screening of electrophilic inhibitors.
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243
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Cox RM, Plemper RK. The impact of high-resolution structural data on stemming the COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 49:127-138. [PMID: 34130040 PMCID: PMC8173484 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on human health and the world economy. The response of the scientific community was unparalleled, and a combined global effort has resulted in the creation of vaccines in a shorter time frame than previously unimaginable. Reflecting this concerted effort, the structural analysis of the etiological agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has progressed with an unprecedented pace. Since the onset of the pandemic, over 1000 high-resolution structures of a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 proteins have been solved and made publicly available. These structures have aided in the identification of numerous potential druggable targets and have contributed to the design of different vaccine candidates. This opinion article will discuss the impact of high-resolution structures in understanding SARS-CoV-2 biology and explore their role in the development of vaccines and antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Cox
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Richard K Plemper
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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244
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Agamennone M, Nicoli A, Bayer S, Weber V, Borro L, Gupta S, Fantacuzzi M, Di Pizio A. Protein-protein interactions at a glance: Protocols for the visualization of biomolecular interactions. Methods Cell Biol 2021; 166:271-307. [PMID: 34752337 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a key role in many biological processes and are intriguing targets for drug discovery campaigns. Advancements in experimental and computational techniques are leading to a growth of data accessibility, and, with it, an increased need for the analysis of PPIs. In this respect, visualization tools are essential instruments to represent and analyze biomolecular interactions. In this chapter, we reviewed some of the available tools, highlighting their features, and describing their functions with practical information on their usage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Nicoli
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bayer
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Verena Weber
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Luca Borro
- Department of Imaging, Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shailendra Gupta
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
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245
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Jiménez-Avalos G, Vargas-Ruiz AP, Delgado-Pease NE, Olivos-Ramirez GE, Sheen P, Fernández-Díaz M, Quiliano M, Zimic M. Comprehensive virtual screening of 4.8 k flavonoids reveals novel insights into allosteric inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 M PRO. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15452. [PMID: 34326429 PMCID: PMC8322093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94951-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 main protease is a common target for inhibition assays due to its high conservation among coronaviruses. Since flavonoids show antiviral activity, several in silico works have proposed them as potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. Nonetheless, there is reason to doubt certain results given the lack of consideration for flavonoid promiscuity or main protease plasticity, usage of short library sizes, absence of control molecules and/or the limitation of the methodology to a single target site. Here, we report a virtual screening study where dorsilurin E, euchrenone a11, sanggenol O and CHEMBL2171598 are proposed to inhibit main protease through different pathways. Remarkably, novel structural mechanisms were observed after sanggenol O and CHEMBL2171598 bound to experimentally proven allosteric sites. The former drastically affected the active site, while the latter triggered a hinge movement which has been previously reported for an inactive SARS-CoV main protease mutant. The use of a curated database of 4.8 k flavonoids, combining two well-known docking software (AutoDock Vina and AutoDock4.2), molecular dynamics and MMPBSA, guaranteed an adequate analysis and robust interpretation. These criteria can be considered for future screening campaigns against SARS-CoV-2 main protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Jiménez-Avalos
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), 15102, Lima, Peru.
| | - A Paula Vargas-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), 15102, Lima, Peru
| | - Nicolás E Delgado-Pease
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), 15102, Lima, Peru
| | - Gustavo E Olivos-Ramirez
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), 15102, Lima, Peru
| | - Patricia Sheen
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), 15102, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Miguel Quiliano
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Research and Innovation, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), 15023, Lima, Peru
| | - Mirko Zimic
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Departamento de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), 15102, Lima, Peru.
- Farmacológicos Veterinarios - FARVET S.A.C. Chincha, Lima, Peru.
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246
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Llanos MA, Gantner ME, Rodriguez S, Alberca LN, Bellera CL, Talevi A, Gavernet L. Strengths and Weaknesses of Docking Simulations in the SARS-CoV-2 Era: the Main Protease (Mpro) Case Study. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3758-3770. [PMID: 34313128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The scientific community is working against the clock to arrive at therapeutic interventions to treat patients with COVID-19. Among the strategies for drug discovery, virtual screening approaches have the capacity to search potential hits within millions of chemical structures in days, with the appropriate computing infrastructure. In this article, we first analyzed the published research targeting the inhibition of the main protease (Mpro), one of the most studied targets of SARS-CoV-2, by docking-based methods. An alarming finding was the lack of an adequate validation of the docking protocols (i.e., pose prediction and virtual screening accuracy) before applying them in virtual screening campaigns. The performance of the docking protocols was tested at some level in 57.7% of the 168 investigations analyzed. However, we found only three examples of a complete retrospective analysis of the scoring functions to quantify the virtual screening accuracy of the methods. Moreover, only two publications reported some experimental evaluation of the proposed hits until preparing this manuscript. All of these findings led us to carry out a retrospective performance validation of three different docking protocols, through the analysis of their pose prediction and screening accuracy. Surprisingly, we found that even though all tested docking protocols have a good pose prediction, their screening accuracy is quite limited as they fail to correctly rank a test set of compounds. These results highlight the importance of conducting an adequate validation of the docking protocols before carrying out virtual screening campaigns, and to experimentally confirm the predictions made by the models before drawing bold conclusions. Finally, successful structure-based drug discovery investigations published during the redaction of this manuscript allow us to propose the inclusion of target flexibility and consensus scoring as alternatives to improve the accuracy of the methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Llanos
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa E Gantner
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas N Alberca
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina L Bellera
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alan Talevi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Gavernet
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of La Plata (UNLP), 47&115, La Plata (B1900ADU), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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247
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da Cunha LNOL, Tizziani T, Souza GB, Moreira MA, Neto JSS, Dos Santos CVD, de Carvalho MG, Dalmarco EM, Turqueti LB, Scotti MT, Scotti L, de Assis FF, Braga A, Sandjo LP. Natural Products with tandem Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulatory and Anti-SARS-CoV/2 effects: A Drug Discovery Perspective against SARS-CoV-2. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:2530-2564. [PMID: 34313197 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210726094955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is still causing victims with long-term health consequences, mass deaths, and collapsing healthcare systems around the world. The disease has no efficient drugs. However, previous studies revealed that SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV have 96% and 86.5% similarities in cysteine proteases (3CLpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) sequences, respectively. This resemblance could be significant in the search for drug candidates with antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2. OBJECTIVE This paper is a compilation of natural products that inhibit SARS-CoV 3CLpro and PLpro and, concomitantly, reduce inflammation and/or modulate the immune system as a perspective strategy for COVID-19 drug discovery. It also presents in silico studies performed on these selected natural products using SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and PLpro as targets to propose a list of hit compounds. METHOD The plant metabolites were selected in the literature based on their biological activities on SARS-CoV proteins, inflammatory mediators, and immune response. The consensus docking analysis was performed using four different packages. RESULTS Seventy-nine compounds reported in the literature with inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV proteins were reported as anti-inflammatory agents. Fourteen of them showed in previous studies immunomodulatory effects. Five and six of these compounds showed significant in silico consensus as drug candidates that can inhibit PLpro and 3CLpro, respectively. Our findings corroborated recent results reported on anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the literature. CONCLUSION This study revealed that amentoflavone, rubranoside B, savinin, psoralidin, hirsutenone, and papyriflavonol A are good drug candidate for the search of antibiotics against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana N O Leal da Cunha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Tiago Tizziani
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gabriella B Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Monalisa A Moreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - José S S Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Carlos V D Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Maryelle G de Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M Dalmarco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, CCS, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B Turqueti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products Federal University of Paraíba Cidade Universitária-Castelo Branco III, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products Federal University of Paraíba Cidade Universitária-Castelo Branco III, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Francisco F de Assis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Antonio Braga
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Louis Pergaud Sandjo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, CFM, Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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248
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Vergoten G, Bailly C. In silico analysis of echinocandins binding to the main proteases of coronaviruses PEDV (3CL pro) and SARS-CoV-2 (M pro). In Silico Pharmacol 2021; 9:41. [PMID: 34230874 PMCID: PMC8248761 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-021-00101-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are two highly pathogenic viruses causing tremendous damages to the swine and human populations, respectively. Vaccines are available to prevent contamination and to limit dissemination of these two coronaviruses, but efficient and widely affordable treatments are needed. Recently, four natural products targeting the 3C-like protease (3CLpro) of PEDV and inhibiting replication of the virus in vitro have been identified: tomatidine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, buddlejasaponin IVb and pneumocandin B0. We have evaluated the interaction of these compounds with 3CLpro of PEDV and with the structurally similar main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. The molecular docking analysis indicated that the echinocandin-type lipopeptide pneumocandin B0 can generate much more stable complexes with both proteases compared to tomatidine. The empirical energy of interaction (ΔE) calculated with pneumocandin B0 bound to Mpro is extremely high, comparable to that measured with known antiviral drugs. Pneumocandin B0 and its analogue capsofungin appeared a little less adapted to interact with 3CLpro compared to Mpro. In contrast, the antifungal drug micafungin bearing an unfused tricyclic side chain, emerges as a better ligand of 3CLpro of PEDV compared to Mpro of SARS-CoV-2, based on our calculations. Collectively, the analysis underlines the benefit of echinocandin-type antifungal drugs as potential inhibitors of PEDV and SARS-CoV-2 main proteases. These clinically important antifungal natural products deserve further studies as antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Vergoten
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Inserm, INFINITE-U1286, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), University of Lille, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, BP-83, 59006 Lille, France
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249
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Silva JRA, Kruger HG, Molfetta FA. Drug repurposing and computational modeling for discovery of inhibitors of the main protease (M pro) of SARS-CoV-2. RSC Adv 2021; 11:23450-23458. [PMID: 35479789 PMCID: PMC9036595 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03956c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro or 3CLpro) is a conserved cysteine protease from the coronaviruses and started to be considered an important drug target for developing antivirals, as it produced a deadly outbreak of COVID-19. Herein, we used a combination of drug reposition and computational modeling approaches including molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the calculated binding free energy to evaluate a set of drugs in complex with the Mpro enzyme. Particularly, our results show that darunavir and triptorelin drugs have favorable binding free energy (-63.70 and -77.28 kcal mol-1, respectively) in complex with the Mpro enzyme. Based on the results, the structural and energetic features that explain why some drugs can be repositioned to inhibit Mpro from SARS-CoV-2 were exposed. These features should be considered for the design of novel Mpro inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Rogério A Silva
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará Belém Pará 66075-110 Brazil
| | - Hendrik G Kruger
- Catalysis and Peptide Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban 4000 South Africa
| | - Fábio A Molfetta
- Laboratório de Modelagem Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará CP 11101 60075-110 Belém PA Brazil
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250
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Pohl MO, Busnadiego I, Marrafino F, Wiedmer L, Hunziker A, Fernbach S, Glas I, Moroz-Omori EV, Hale BG, Caflisch A, Stertz S. Combined computational and cellular screening identifies synergistic inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by lenvatinib and remdesivir. J Gen Virol 2021; 102:001625. [PMID: 34319869 PMCID: PMC8491895 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid repurposing of existing drugs as new therapeutics for COVID-19 has been an important strategy in the management of disease severity during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Here, we used high-throughput docking to screen 6000 compounds within the DrugBank library for their potential to bind and inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease, a chymotrypsin-like enzyme that is essential for viral replication. For 19 candidate hits, parallel in vitro fluorescence-based protease-inhibition assays and Vero-CCL81 cell-based SARS-CoV-2 replication-inhibition assays were performed. One hit, diclazuril (an investigational anti-protozoal compound), was validated as a SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease inhibitor in vitro (IC50 value of 29 µM) and modestly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero-CCL81 cells. Another hit, lenvatinib (approved for use in humans as an anti-cancer treatment), could not be validated as a SARS-CoV-2 3 CL main protease inhibitor in vitro, but serendipitously exhibited a striking functional synergy with the approved nucleoside analogue remdesivir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication, albeit this was specific to Vero-CCL81 cells. Lenvatinib is a broadly-acting host receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor, but the synergistic effect with remdesivir was not observed with other approved RTK inhibitors (such as pazopanib or sunitinib), suggesting that the mechanism-of-action is independent of host RTKs. Furthermore, time-of-addition studies revealed that lenvatinib/remdesivir synergy probably targets SARS-CoV-2 replication subsequent to host-cell entry. Our work shows that combining computational and cellular screening is a means to identify existing drugs with repurposing potential as antiviral compounds. Future studies could be aimed at understanding and optimizing the lenvatinib/remdesivir synergistic mechanism as a therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie O. Pohl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Idoia Busnadiego
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Marrafino
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano SA, 84084, Italy
| | - Lars Wiedmer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annika Hunziker
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Fernbach
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Glas
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena V. Moroz-Omori
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin G. Hale
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silke Stertz
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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