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Dixit H, Upadhyay V, Kulharia M, Verma SK. The Study of Metalloproteome of DNA Viruses: Identification, Functional Annotation, and Diversity Analysis of Viral Metal-Binding Proteins. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:4014-4026. [PMID: 39134029 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Metalloproteins are fundamental to diverse biological processes but still lack extensive investigation in viral contexts. This study reveals the prevalence and functional diversity of metal-binding proteins in DNA viruses. Among a subset of 1432 metalloproteins, zinc and magnesium-binding proteins are notably abundant, indicating their importance in viral biology. Furthermore, significant numbers of proteins binding to iron, manganese, copper, nickel, mercury, and cadmium were also detected. Human-infecting viral proteins displayed a rich landscape of metalloproteins, with MeBiPred (964 proteins) and Pfam (666) yielding the highest numbers. Interestingly, many essential viral proteins exhibited metal-binding capabilities, including polymerases, DNA binding proteins, helicases, dUPTase, thymidine kinase, and various structural and accessory proteins. This study sheds light on the ubiquitous presence of metalloproteins, their functional signatures, subcellular placements, and metal-utilization patterns, providing valuable insights into viral biology. A similar metal utilization pattern was observed in similar functional proteins across the various DNA viruses. Furthermore, these findings provide a foundation for identifying potential drug targets for combating viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himisha Dixit
- Centre for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, 176206, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Vipin Upadhyay
- Centre for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, 176206, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Mahesh Kulharia
- Centre for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, 176206, Himachal Pradesh, India
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2
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Grimes SL, Denison MR. The Coronavirus helicase in replication. Virus Res 2024; 346:199401. [PMID: 38796132 PMCID: PMC11177069 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus nonstructural protein (nsp) 13 encodes an RNA helicase (nsp13-HEL) with multiple enzymatic functions, including unwinding and nucleoside phosphatase (NTPase) activities. Attempts for enzymatic inactivation have defined the nsp13-HEL as a critical enzyme for viral replication and a high-priority target for antiviral development. Helicases have been shown to play numerous roles beyond their canonical ATPase and unwinding activities, though these functions are just beginning to be explored in coronavirus biology. Recent genetic and biochemical studies, as well as work in structurally-related helicases, have provided evidence that supports new hypotheses for the helicase's potential role in coronavirus replication. Here, we review several aspects of the coronavirus nsp13-HEL, including its reported and proposed functions in viral replication and highlight fundamental areas of research that may aid the development of helicase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Grimes
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mark R Denison
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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3
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Wei X, Chan CL, Zhou Y, Tang K, Chen J, Wang S, Chan JFW, Yuan S, Li H, Sun H. Mechanistic insights into bismuth(iii) inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 helicase. Chem Sci 2024; 15:10065-10072. [PMID: 38966375 PMCID: PMC11220592 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06961c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a global public health crisis. In addition to vaccines, the development of effective therapy is highly desirable. Targeting a protein that plays a critical role in virus replication may allow pan-spectrum antiviral drugs to be developed. Among SARS-CoV-2 proteins, helicase (i.e., non-structural protein 13) is considered as a promising antiviral drug target due to its highly conserved sequence, unique structure and function. Herein, we demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 helicase as a target of bismuth-based antivirals in virus-infected mammalian cells by a metal-tagged antibody approach. To search for more potent bismuth-based antivirals, we further screened a panel of bismuth compounds towards inhibition of ATPase and DNA unwinding activity of nsp13 and identified a highly potent bismuth compound Bi(5-aminotropolonate)3, namely Bi(Tro-NH2)3 with an IC50 of 30 nM for ATPase. We show that bismuth-based compounds inhibited nsp13 unwinding activity via disrupting the binding of ATP and the DNA substrate to viral helicase. Binding of Bi(iii) to nsp13 also abolished the interaction between nsp12 and nsp13 as evidenced by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Finally, we validate our in vitro data in SARS-CoV-2 infected mammalian cells. Notably, Bi(6-TG)3 exhibited an EC50 of 1.18 ± 0.09 μM with a selective index of 847 in VeroE6-TMPRSS2 infected cells. This study highlights the important role of helicase for the development of more effective antiviral drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Wei
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
- Department of Microbiology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Chun-Lung Chan
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Kaiming Tang
- Department of Microbiology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Jingxin Chen
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Suyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- Department of Microbiology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Heath and Environment, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
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Zhou Y, Shen W, Gao Y, Peng J, Li Q, Wei X, Liu S, Lam FS, Mayol-Llinàs J, Zhao G, Li G, Li Y, Sun H, Cao Y, Li X. Protein-templated ligand discovery via the selection of DNA-encoded dynamic libraries. Nat Chem 2024; 16:543-555. [PMID: 38326646 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01442-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) have become a powerful technology platform in drug discovery. Dual-pharmacophore DELs display two sets of small molecules at the termini of DNA duplexes, thereby enabling the identification of synergistic binders against biological targets, and have been successfully applied in fragment-based ligand discovery and affinity maturation of known ligands. However, dual-pharmacophore DELs identify separate binders that require subsequent linking to obtain the full ligands, which is often challenging. Here we report a protein-templated DEL selection approach that can identify full ligand/inhibitor structures from DNA-encoded dynamic libraries (DEDLs) without the need for subsequent fragment linking. Our approach is based on dynamic DNA hybridization and target-templated in situ ligand synthesis, and it incorporates and encodes the linker structures in the library, along with the building blocks, to be sampled by the target protein. To demonstrate the performance of this method, 4.35-million- and 3.00-million-member DEDLs with different library architectures were prepared, and hit selection was achieved against four therapeutically relevant target proteins.
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Grants
- AoE/P-705/16, 17301118, 17111319, 17303220, 17300321, 17318322, C7005-20G, C7016-22G, and 2122-7S04 Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee (RGC, UGC)
- 21877093, 22222702, and 91953119 National Science Foundation of China | National Natural Science Foundation of China-Yunnan Joint Fund (NSFC-Yunnan Joint Fund)
- Health@InnoHK Innovation and Technology Commission (ITF)
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wenyin Shen
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jianzhao Peng
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qingrong Li
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xueying Wei
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shihao Liu
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fong Sang Lam
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joan Mayol-Llinàs
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guixian Zhao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Li
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yizhou Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Yan Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology Limited, Health@InnoHK, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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5
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Chen J, Zhou Y, Wei X, Xu X, Qin Z, Ong CP, Ye ZW, Jin DY, Boitrel B, Yuan S, Chan JFW, Li H, Sun H. Development of Pan-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents through Allosteric Inhibition of nsp14/nsp10 Complex. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:858-869. [PMID: 37897418 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 functions both as an exoribonuclease (ExoN) together with its critical cofactor nsp10 and as an S-adenosyl methionine-dependent (guanine-N7) methyltransferase (MTase), which makes it an attractive target for the development of pan-anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Herein, we screened a panel of compounds (and drugs) and found that certain compounds, especially Bi(III)-based compounds, could allosterically inhibit both MTase and ExoN activities of nsp14 potently. We further demonstrated that Bi(III) binds to both nsp14 and nsp10, resulting in the release of Zn(II) ions from the enzymes as well as alternation of protein quaternary structures. The in vitro activities of the compounds were also validated in SARS-CoV-2-infected mammalian cells. Importantly, we showed that nsp14 serves as an authentic target of Bi(III)-based antivirals in SARS-CoV-2-infected mammalian cells by quantification of both the protein and inhibitor. This study highlights the importance of nsp14/nsp10 as a potential target for the development of pan-antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Xueying Wei
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhenzhi Qin
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Chon Phin Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Bernard Boitrel
- University of Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR 6226, Rennes 35000, France
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jasper F-W Chan
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
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6
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Marx SK, Mickolajczyk KJ, Craig J, Thomas C, Pfeffer A, Abell S, Carrasco J, Franzi M, Huang J, Kim H, Brinkerhoff H, Kapoor T, Gundlach J, Laszlo A. Observing inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 helicase at single-nucleotide resolution. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9266-9278. [PMID: 37560916 PMCID: PMC10516658 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of SARS-CoV-2 encodes for a helicase (nsp13) that is essential for viral replication and highly conserved across related viruses, making it an attractive antiviral target. Here we use nanopore tweezers, a high-resolution single-molecule technique, to gain detailed insight into how nsp13 turns ATP-hydrolysis into directed motion along nucleic acid strands. We measured nsp13 both as it translocates along single-stranded DNA or unwinds double-stranded DNA. Our data reveal nsp13's single-nucleotide steps, translocating at ∼1000 nt/s or unwinding at ∼100 bp/s. Nanopore tweezers' high spatiotemporal resolution enables detailed kinetic analysis of nsp13 motion. As a proof-of-principle for inhibition studies, we observed nsp13's motion in the presence of the ATPase inhibitor ATPγS. We construct a detailed picture of inhibition in which ATPγS has multiple mechanisms of inhibition. The dominant mechanism of inhibition depends on the application of assisting force. This lays the groundwork for future single-molecule inhibition studies with viral helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinduja K Marx
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Keith J Mickolajczyk
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jonathan M Craig
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Akira M Pfeffer
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sarah J Abell
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Michaela C Franzi
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jesse R Huang
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hwanhee C Kim
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Henry Brinkerhoff
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tarun M Kapoor
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jens H Gundlach
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Andrew H Laszlo
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Rosário JDS, Moreira FH, Rosa LHF, Guerra W, Silva-Caldeira PP. Biological Activities of Bismuth Compounds: An Overview of the New Findings and the Old Challenges Not Yet Overcome. Molecules 2023; 28:5921. [PMID: 37570891 PMCID: PMC10421188 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Bismuth-based drugs have been used primarily to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori and other gastrointestinal ailments. Combined with antibiotics, these drugs also possess synergistic activity, making them ideal for multiple therapy regimens and overcoming bacterial resistance. Compounds based on bismuth have a low cost, are safe for human use, and some of them are also effective against tumoral cells, leishmaniasis, fungi, and viruses. However, these compounds have limited bioavailability in physiological environments. As a result, there is a growing interest in developing new bismuth compounds and approaches to overcome this challenge. Considering the beneficial properties of bismuth and the importance of discovering new drugs, this review focused on the last decade's updates involving bismuth compounds, especially those with potent activity and low toxicity, desirable characteristics for developing new drugs. In addition, bismuth-based compounds with dual activity were also highlighted, as well as their modes of action and structure-activity relationship, among other relevant discoveries. In this way, we hope this review provides a fertile ground for rationalizing new bismuth-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jânia dos Santos Rosário
- Department of Chemistry, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil
| | - Fábio Henrique Moreira
- Department of Chemistry, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil
| | - Lara Hewilin Fernandes Rosa
- Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Uberlândia 38400-142, MG, Brazil
| | - Wendell Guerra
- Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Uberlândia 38400-142, MG, Brazil
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8
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Yang J, Yue L, Shen B, Yang Z, Shao J, Miao Y, Ouyang R, Hu Y. Exploring the Inhibitory Effect of AgBiS 2 Nanoparticles on Influenza Viruses. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10223. [PMID: 37373369 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses are respiratory pathogens that are major threats to human health. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, the use of traditional anti-influenza drugs has been hindered. Therefore, the development of new antiviral drugs is critical. In this article, AgBiS2 nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature, using the bimetallic properties of the material itself to explore its inhibitory effect on the influenza virus. By comparing the synthesized Bi2S3 and Ag2S nanoparticles, it is found that after adding the silver element, the synthesized AgBiS2 nanoparticles have a significantly better inhibitory effect on influenza virus infection than Bi2S3 and Ag2S nanoparticles. Recent studies have shown that the inhibitory effect of AgBiS2 nanoparticles on the influenza virus mainly occurs in the stages of influenza virus-cell internalization and intracellular replication. In addition, it is found that AgBiS2 nanoparticles also have prominent antiviral properties against α and β coronaviruses, indicating that AgBiS2 nanoparticles have significant potential in inhibiting viral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlei Yang
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lihuan Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bei Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhu Yang
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiang Shao
- Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities of Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuqing Miao
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Ruizhuo Ouyang
- Institute of Bismuth and Rhenium Science, School Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Yihong Hu
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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9
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Mehyar N. Coronaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 helicase inhibitors: A systematic review of in vitro studies. J Virus Erad 2023:100327. [PMID: 37363132 PMCID: PMC10214743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2023.100327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 significantly increased the need to find inhibitors that target the essential enzymes for virus replication in the host cells. This systematic review was conducted to identify potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 helicases that have been tested by in vitro methods. The inhibition mechanisms of these compounds were discussed in this review, in addition to their cytotoxic and viral infection protection properties. Methods The databases PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched using different combinations of the keywords "helicase", "nsp13", "inhibitors", "coronaviridae", "coronaviruses", "virus replication", "replication", and "antagonists and inhibitors". Results By the end of this search, a total of 6854 articles had been identified. Thirty-one articles were included in this review. These studies reported the inhibitory effects of 309 compounds on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 helicase activities measured by in vitro methods. Helicase inhibitors were categorized according to the type of coronavirus and the type of tested enzymatic activity, nature, approval, inhibition level, cytotoxicity, and viral infection protection effects. These inhibitors are classified according to the site of their interaction with the coronavirus helicases into four types: zinc-binding site inhibitors, nucleic acid binding site inhibitors, nucleotide-binding site inhibitors, and inhibitors with no clear interaction site. Conclusion Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that helicase inhibitors have a high potential as antiviral agents. Several helicase inhibitors tested in vitro showed good antiviral activities while maintaining moderate cytotoxicity. These inhibitors should be clinically investigated to determine their efficiency in treating different coronavirus infections, particularly COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimer Mehyar
- King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Mukherjee S, Manna S, Som N, Dhara S. Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanocomposites for Nanotheranostics: Special Focus on Preventing Emerging Variants of SARS-COV-2. BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS & DEVICES (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37363138 PMCID: PMC10187951 DOI: 10.1007/s44174-023-00077-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide emerging cases of various respiratory viral diseases and the current escalation of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) make people considerably attentive to controlling these viruses through innovative methods. Most re-emerging respiratory diseases envelop RNA viruses that employ attachment between the virus and host cell to get an entry form using the host cell machinery. Emerging variants of COVD-19 also bring about a constant threat to public health as it has wide infectivity and can quickly spread to infect humans. This review focuses on insights into the current investigations to prevent the progression of incipient variants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) along with similar enveloped RNA viruses that cause respiratory illness in humans and animals. Nanotheranostics is a trailblazing arena of nanomedicine that simultaneously helps prevent or treat diseases and diagnoses. Nanoparticle coating and nanofibers were extensively explored, preventing viral contaminations. Several studies have proven the virucidal activities of metal nanoparticles like copper, silver, and titanium against respiratory viral pathogens. Worldwide many researchers have shown surfaces coated with ionic nanoparticles like zinc or titanium act as potent antiviral agents against RNA viruses. Carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles (NPs), polymeric and metallic nanoparticles have also been explored in the field of nanotheranostics in viral detection. In this review, we have comprehensively discussed different types of metallic, ionic, organic nanoparticles and their hybrids showing substantial antiviral properties to stop the progression of the novel coronavirus disease focused on three key classes: prevention, diagnostics, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Mukherjee
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Souvik Manna
- Clinical Microbiology & Antibiotic Research Laboratory, CSIR - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nivedita Som
- Department of Bioinformatics, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Santanu Dhara
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
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11
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Gopal J, Muthu M, Sivanesan I. A Comprehensive Survey on the Expediated Anti-COVID-19 Options Enabled by Metal Complexes-Tasks and Trials. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083354. [PMID: 37110587 PMCID: PMC10143858 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Contemporary pharmacology dating back to the late 19th/early 20th centuries has benefitted largely from the incorporation of metal complexes. Various biological attributes have been successfully realized using metal/metal complex-based drugs. Among anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral applications, anticancer applications have extracted the maximum benefit from the metal complex, Cisplatin. The following review has compiled the various antiviral benefits harnessed through inputs from metal complexes. As a result of exploiting the pharmacological aspects of metal complexes, the anti-COVID-19 deliverables have been summarized. The challenges ahead, the gaps in this research area, the need to improvise incorporating nanoaspects in metal complexes, and the need to test metal complex-based drugs in clinical trials have been discussed and deliberated. The pandemic shook the entire world and claimed quite a percentage of the global population. Metal complex-based drugs are already established for their antiviral property with respect to enveloped viruses and extrapolating them for COVID-19 can be an effective way to manipulate drug resistance and mutant issues that the current anti-COVID-19 drugs are facing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Gopal
- Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manikandan Muthu
- Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
- Department of Bioresources and Food Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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12
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Metallo-antiviral aspirants: Answer to the upcoming virusoutbreak. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY REPORTS 2023; 8:100104. [PMID: 37035854 PMCID: PMC10070197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmcr.2023.100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
In light of the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, about one million research papers (articles, reviews, communications, etc.) were published in the last one and a half years. It was also noticed that in the past few years; infectious diseases, mainly those of viral origin, burdened the public health systems worldwide. The current wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has unmasked critical demand for compounds that can be swiftly mobilized for the treatment of re-emerging or emerging viral infections. With the potential chemical and structural characteristics of organic motifs, the coordination compounds might be a promising and flexible option for drug development. Their therapeutic consequence may be tuned by varying metal nature and its oxidation number, ligands characteristics, and stereochemistry of the species formed. The emerging successes of cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy inspire researchers to make new efforts for studying metallodrugs as antivirals. Metal-based compounds have immense therapeutic potential in terms of structural diversity and possible mechanisms of action; therefore, they might offer an excellent opportunity to achieve new antivirals. This review is an attempt to summarize the current status of antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2 from the available literature sources, discuss the specific challenges and solutions in the development of metal-based antivirals, and also talk about the possibility to accelerate discovery efforts in this direction.
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13
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Dixit H, Kulharia M, Verma SK. Metalloproteome of human-infective RNA viruses: a study towards understanding the role of metal ions in virology. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad020. [PMID: 37653445 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metalloproteins and metal-based inhibitors have been shown to effectively combat infectious diseases, particularly those caused by RNA viruses. In this study, a diverse set of bioinformatics methods was employed to identify metal-binding proteins of human RNA viruses. Seventy-three viral proteins with a high probability of being metal-binding proteins were identified. These proteins included 40 zinc-, 47 magnesium- and 14 manganese-binding proteins belonging to 29 viral species and eight significant viral families, including Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae and Retroviridae. Further functional characterization has revealed that these proteins play a critical role in several viral processes, including viral replication, fusion and host viral entry. They fall under the essential categories of viral proteins, including polymerase and protease enzymes. Magnesium ion is abundantly predicted to interact with these viral enzymes, followed by zinc. In addition, this study also examined the evolutionary aspects of predicted viral metalloproteins, offering essential insights into the metal utilization patterns among different viral species. The analysis indicates that the metal utilization patterns are conserved within the functional classes of the proteins. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide significant knowledge on viral metalloproteins that can serve as a valuable foundation for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himisha Dixit
- Centre for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra 176206, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Mahesh Kulharia
- Centre for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra 176206, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Shailender Kumar Verma
- Centre for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra 176206, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi 110007, Delhi, India
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14
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Halma MTJ, Wever MJA, Abeln S, Roche D, Wuite GJL. Therapeutic potential of compounds targeting SARS-CoV-2 helicase. Front Chem 2022; 10:1062352. [PMID: 36561139 PMCID: PMC9763700 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1062352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The economical and societal impact of COVID-19 has made the development of vaccines and drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection a priority. While the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been widely explored as a drug target, the SARS-CoV-2 helicase (nsp13) does not have any approved medication. The helicase shares 99.8% similarity with its SARS-CoV-1 homolog and was shown to be essential for viral replication. This review summarizes and builds on existing research on inhibitors of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 helicases. Our analysis on the toxicity and specificity of these compounds, set the road going forward for the repurposing of existing drugs and the development of new SARS-CoV-2 helicase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. J. Halma
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- LUMICKS B. V., Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mark J. A. Wever
- DCM, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Edelris, Lyon, France
| | - Sanne Abeln
- Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Gijs J. L. Wuite
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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15
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Medicinal bismuth: Bismuth-organic frameworks as pharmaceutically privileged compounds. Tetrahedron 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2022.133117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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16
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Schons AB, Correa JS, Appelt P, Meneguzzi D, Cunha MAA, Bittencourt C, Toma HE, Anaissi FJ. Eco-Friendly Synthesis of an Oxovanadium(IV)- bis(abietate) Complex with Antimicrobial Action. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196679. [PMID: 36235216 PMCID: PMC9573124 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for less expensive and viable products is always one of the challenges for research development. Commonly, the synthesis of coordination compounds involves expensive ligands, through expensive and low-yield routes, in addition to generating toxic and unusable residues. In this work, the organic ligand used is derived from the resin of a reforestation tree, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii. The synthesis method used Pinus resin and an aqueous solution of vanadium(III) chloride at a temperature of 80 °C. The procedure does not involve organic solvents and does not generate toxic residues, thus imparting the complex formation reaction a green chemistry character. The synthesis resulted in an unprecedented oxovanadium(IV)-bis(abietate) complex, which was characterized by mass spectrometry (MS), chemical analysis (CHN), vibrational (FTIR) and electronic spectra (VISIBLE), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal analysis (TG/DTA). Colorimetric studies were performed according to the CIELAB color space. The structural formula found, consisted of a complex containing two abietate ligands, [VO(C20H29O2)2]. The VO(IV)-bis(abietate) complex was applied against microorganisms and showed promising results in antibacterial and antifungal activity. The best result of inhibitory action was against the strains of Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and L. monocytogenes, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 62.5 and 125 μmol L−1, respectively. For Gram-negative strains the results were 500 μmol L−1 for E. coli; and 1000 μmol L−1 for Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. Antifungal activity was performed against Candida albicans, where the MIC was 15.62 μmol L−1, and for C. tropicalis it was 62.5 μmol L−1. According to the MFC analysis, the complex presented, in addition to the fungistatic action, a fungicidal action, as there was no growth of fungi on the plates tested. The results found for the tests demonstrate that the VO(IV)-bis(abietate) complex has great potential as an antimicrobial and mainly antifungal agent. In this way, the pigmented ink with antimicrobial activity could be used in environments with a potential risk of contamination, preventing the spread of microorganisms harmful to health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline B. Schons
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, UNICENTRO, Alameda Elio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Jamille S. Correa
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, UNICENTRO, Alameda Elio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Patricia Appelt
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, UNICENTRO, Alameda Elio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
| | - Daiane Meneguzzi
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, UTFPR, Via do Conhecimento, KM 01, Fraron, Pato Branco 85503-390, PR, Brazil
| | - Mário A. A. Cunha
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, UTFPR, Via do Conhecimento, KM 01, Fraron, Pato Branco 85503-390, PR, Brazil
| | - Carla Bittencourt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Henrique E. Toma
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Fauze J. Anaissi
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, UNICENTRO, Alameda Elio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, 838, Guarapuava 85040-167, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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17
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Tolbatov I, Storchi L, Marrone A. Structural Reshaping of the Zinc-Finger Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 Protein Using Bismuth(III) Ions: A Multilevel Computational Study. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:15664-15677. [PMID: 36125417 PMCID: PMC9514052 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The identification of novel therapeutics against the
pandemic SARS-CoV-2
infection is an indispensable new address of current scientific research.
In the search for anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents as alternatives to the vaccine
or immune therapeutics whose efficacy naturally degrades with the
occurrence of new variants, the salts of Bi3+ have been
found to decrease the activity of the Zn2+-dependent non-structural
protein 13 (nsp13) helicase, a key component of the SARS-CoV-2 molecular
tool kit. Here, we present a multilevel computational investigation
based on the articulation of DFT calculations, classical MD simulations,
and MIF analyses, focused on the examination of the effects of Bi3+/Zn2+ exchange on the structure and molecular
interaction features of the nsp13 protein. Our calculations confirmed
that Bi3+ ions can replace Zn2+ in the zinc-finger
metal centers and cause slight but appreciable structural modifications
in the zinc-binding domain of nsp13. Nevertheless, by employing an
in-house-developed ATOMIF tool, we evidenced that such a Bi3+/Zn2+ exchange may decrease the extension of a specific
hydrophobic portion of nsp13, responsible for the interaction with
the nsp12 protein. The present study provides for a detailed, atomistic
insight into the potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of Bi3+ and, more generally, evidences the hampering of the nsp13–nsp12
interaction as a plausible therapeutic strategy. The Zn2+/Bi3+ exchange
in the zinc
finger domains of SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 hampers the viral machinery
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Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire de L'Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB), Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), Avenue Alain Savary 9, Dijon 21000, France
| | - Loriano Storchi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università"G D'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Via Dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università"G D'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Via Dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66100, Italy
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18
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Abstract
The first appearance of SARS-CoV-2 is dated back to 2019. This new member of the coronavirus family has caused more than 5 million deaths worldwide up until the end of January 2022. At the moment, and after intensive vaccination programmes throughout the world, the pandemic is still active, whilst new mutations constantly appear. Researchers are working intensively to discover antiviral drugs to combat the severe cases in intensive care units, giving the overloaded hospital units a breather. Alongside various research projects focusing on developing small pharmaceutical molecules, a significant proportion of the research community has shifted towards paying attention to metal drugs. In this small review, we make brief reference to the use of metal drugs in therapeutics and provide some examples of metal drugs that are of extreme interest in the current pandemic. At the same time, we will also examine some of their promising mechanisms of action and possible effectiveness against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriacos Ioannou
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Manos C Vlasiou
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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19
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Abstract
Zinc is an essential element for human health. Among its many functions, zinc(II) modulates the immune response to infections and, at high concentrations or in the presence of ionophores, inhibits the replication of various RNA viruses. Structural biology studies on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) revealed that zinc(II) is the most common metal ion that binds to viral proteins. However, the number of zinc(II)-binding sites identified by experimental methods is far from exhaustive, as metal ions may be lost during protein purification protocols. To better define the zinc(II)-binding proteome of coronavirus, we leveraged the wealth of deposited structural data and state-of-the-art bioinformatics methods. Through this in silico approach, 15 experimental zinc(II) sites were identified and a further 22 were predicted in Spike, open reading frame (ORF)3a/d, ORF8, and several nonstructural proteins, highlighting an essential role of zinc(II) in viral replication. Furthermore, the structural relationships between viral and eukaryotic sites (typically zinc fingers) indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can compete with human proteins for zinc(II) binding. Given the double-edged effect of zinc(II) ions, both essential and toxic to coronavirus, only the complete elucidation of the structural and regulatory zinc(II)-binding sites can guide selective antiviral strategies based on zinc supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Andreini
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Fabio Arnesano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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20
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Li H, Yuan S, Wei X, Sun H. Metal-based strategies for the fight against COVID-19. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:7466-7482. [PMID: 35730442 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01772e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The emerging COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has claimed over six million lives globally to date. Despite the availability of vaccines, the pandemic still cannot be fully controlled owing to rapid mutation of the virus that renders enhanced transmissibility and antibody evasion. This is thus an unmet need to develop safe and effective therapeutic options for COVID-19, in particular, remedies that can be used at home. Considering the great success of multi-targeted cocktail therapy for the treatment of viral infections, metal-based drugs might represent a unique and new source of antivirals that resemble a cocktail therapy in terms of their mode of actions. In this review, we first summarize the role that metal ions played in SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and pathogenesis, then highlight the chemistry of metal-based strategies in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection, including both metal displacement and chelation based approaches. Finally, we outline a perspective and direction on how to design and develop metal-based antivirals for the fight against the current or future coronavirus pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Li
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xueying Wei
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Department of Microbiology and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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21
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Development of Metal Complexes for Treatment of Coronaviruses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126418. [PMID: 35742870 PMCID: PMC9223400 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2) is a global epidemic. This pandemic, which has been linked to high rates of death, has forced some countries throughout the world to implement complete lockdowns in order to contain the spread of infection. Because of the advent of new coronavirus variants, it is critical to find effective treatments and vaccines to prevent the virus’s rapid spread over the world. In this regard, metal complexes have attained immense interest as antibody modifiers and antiviral therapies, and they have a lot of promise towards SARS-CoV-2 and their suggested mechanisms of action are discussed, i.e., a new series of metal complexes’ medicinal vital role in treatment of specific proteins or SARS-CoV-2 are described. The structures of the obtained metal complexes were fully elucidated by different analytical and spectroscopic techniques also. Molecular docking and pharmacophore studies presented that most of complexes studied influenced good binding affinity to the main protease SARS-CoV-2, which also was attained as from the RCSB pdb (Protein Data Bank) data PDB ID: 6 W41, to expect the action of metal complexes in contradiction of COVID-19. Experimental research is required to determine the pharmacokinetics of most of the complexes analyzed for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-related disease. Finally, the toxicity of a metal-containing inorganic complex will thus be discussed by its capability to transfer metals which may bind with targeted site.
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22
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Re-sensitization of mcr carrying multidrug resistant bacteria to colistin by silver. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119417119. [PMID: 35263219 PMCID: PMC8931383 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119417119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Superbugs carrying a mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr) are jeopardizing the clinical efficacy of the last-line antibiotic colistin. The development of MCR inhibitors is urgently required to cope with antibiotic-resistance emergencies. Here, we show that silver (Ag+) fully restores the susceptibility of mcr-1–carrying superbugs against colistin both in vitro and in vivo. We found an unprecedented tetra-silver center in the active-site pocket of MCR-1 through the substitution of the essential Zn2+ ions in the intact enzyme, leading to the prevention of substrate binding (i.e. the dysfunction of MCR-1 in transferring phosphorylethanolamine to lipid A). Importantly, the ability of Ag+ to suppress resistance evolution extends the lifespan of currently used antibiotics, providing a strategy to treat infections by mcr-positive bacteria. Colistin is considered the last-line antimicrobial for the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. The emergence and spread of superbugs carrying the mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr) have become the most serious and urgent threat to healthcare. Here, we discover that silver (Ag+), including silver nanoparticles, could restore colistin efficacy against mcr-positive bacteria. We show that Ag+ inhibits the activity of the MCR-1 enzyme via substitution of Zn2+ in the active site. Unexpectedly, a tetra-silver center was found in the active-site pocket of MCR-1 as revealed by the X-ray structure of the Ag-bound MCR-1, resulting in the prevention of substrate binding. Moreover, Ag+ effectively slows down the development of higher-level resistance and reduces mutation frequency. Importantly, the combined use of Ag+ at a low concentration with colistin could relieve dermonecrotic lesions and reduce the bacterial load of mice infected with mcr-1–carrying pathogens. This study depicts a mechanism of Ag+ inhibition of MCR enzymes and demonstrates the potentials of Ag+ as broad-spectrum inhibitors for the treatment of mcr-positive bacterial infection in combination with colistin.
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23
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Zeng H, Gao X, Xu G, Zhang S, Cheng L, Xiao T, Zu W, Zhang Z. SARS-CoV-2 helicase NSP13 hijacks the host protein EWSR1 to promote viral replication by enhancing RNA unwinding activity. INFECTIOUS MEDICINE 2022. [PMCID: PMC8868009 DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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24
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Kumar S, Vinella D, De Reuse H. Nickel, an essential virulence determinant of Helicobacter pylori: Transport and trafficking pathways and their targeting by bismuth. Adv Microb Physiol 2022; 80:1-33. [PMID: 35489790 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Metal acquisition and intracellular trafficking are crucial for all cells and metal ions have been recognized as virulence determinants in bacterial pathogens. Nickel is required for the pathogenicity of H. pylori. This bacterial pathogen colonizes the stomach of about half of the human population worldwide and is associated with gastric cancer that is responsible for 800,000 deaths per year. H. pylori possesses two nickel-enzymes that are essential for in vivo colonization, a [NiFe] hydrogenase and an abundant urease responsible for resistance to gastric acidity. Because of these two enzymes, survival of H. pylori relies on an important supply of nickel, implying tight control strategies to avoid its toxic accumulation or deprivation. H. pylori possesses original mechanisms for nickel uptake, distribution, storage and trafficking that will be discussed in this review. During evolution, acquisition of nickel transporters and specific nickel-binding proteins has been a decisive event to allow Helicobacter species to become able to colonize the stomach. Accordingly, many of the factors involved in these mechanisms are required for mouse colonization by H. pylori. These mechanisms are controlled at different levels including protein interaction networks, transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation. Bismuth is another metal used in combination with antibiotics to efficiently treat H. pylori infections. Although the precise mode of action of bismuth is unknown, many targets have been identified in H. pylori and there is growing evidence that bismuth interferes with the essential nickel pathways. Understanding the metal pathways will help improve treatments against H. pylori and other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumith Kumar
- Unité Pathogenèse de Helicobacter, CNRS UMR6047, Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Daniel Vinella
- Unité Pathogenèse de Helicobacter, CNRS UMR6047, Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hilde De Reuse
- Unité Pathogenèse de Helicobacter, CNRS UMR6047, Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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25
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Kory P, Meduri GU, Iglesias J, Varon J, Cadegiani FA, Marik PE. "MATH+" Multi-Modal Hospital Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 Infection: Clinical and Scientific Rationale. J Clin Med Res 2022; 14:53-79. [PMID: 35317360 PMCID: PMC8912998 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr4658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China. The greatest impact that COVID-19 had was on intensive care units (ICUs), given that approximately 20% of hospitalized cases developed acute respiratory failure (ARF) requiring ICU admission. Based on the assumption that COVID-19 represented a viral pneumonia and no anti-coronaviral therapy existed, nearly all national and international health care societies recommended "supportive care only" avoiding other therapies outside of randomized controlled trials, with a specific prohibition against the use of corticosteroids in treatment. However, early studies of COVID-19-associated ARF reported inexplicably high mortality rates, with frequent prolonged durations of mechanical ventilation (MV), even from centers expert in such supportive care strategies. These reports led the authors to form a clinical expert panel called the Front-Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (www.flccc.net). The panel collaboratively reviewed the emerging clinical, radiographic, and pathological reports of COVID-19 while initiating multiple discussions among a wide clinical network of front-line clinical ICU experts from initial outbreak areas in China, Italy, and New York. Based on the shared early impressions of "what was working and what wasn't working", the increasing medical journal publications and the rapidly accumulating personal clinical experiences with COVID-19 patients, a treatment protocol was created for the hospitalized patients based on the core therapies of methylprednisolone, ascorbic acid, thiamine, heparin and non-antiviral co-interventions (MATH+). This manuscript reviews the scientific and clinical rationale behind MATH+ based on published in-vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical data in support of each medicine, with a special emphasis of studies supporting their use in the treatment of patients with viral syndromes and COVID-19 specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Kory
- Front Line Critical Care Consortium (FLCCC.org), Washington DC, USA
| | | | - Jose Iglesias
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Hackensack School of Medicine at Seton Hall, NJ, USA
| | - Joseph Varon
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Paul E. Marik
- Front Line Critical Care Consortium (FLCCC.org), Washington DC, USA
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Wang R, Chan JFW, Wang S, Li H, Zhao J, Ip TKY, Zuo Z, Yuen KY, Yuan S, Sun H. Orally administered bismuth drug together with N-acetyl cysteine as a broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus cocktail therapy. Chem Sci 2022; 13:2238-2248. [PMID: 35310492 PMCID: PMC8864717 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04515f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A cocktail therapy comprising bismuth drugs and N-acetyl-l-cysteine is reported to suppress the replication of SARS-CoV-2 via the oral route. The broad-spectrum inhibitory activities of the combination upon key viral cysteine enzymes are verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runming Wang
- Department of Chemistry, CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Suyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Chemistry, CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Jiajia Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tiffany Ka-Yan Ip
- Department of Chemistry, CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Zuo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry, CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
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In Vitro Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity of Selected Metal Compounds and Potential Molecular Basis for Their Actions Based on Computational Study. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121858. [PMID: 34944502 PMCID: PMC8699537 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121858] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-based drugs represent a rich source of chemical substances of potential interest for the treatment of COVID-19. To this end, we have developed a small but representative panel of nine metal compounds, including both synthesized and commercially available complexes, suitable for medical application and tested them in vitro against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The screening revealed that three compounds from the panel, i.e., the organogold(III) compound Aubipyc, the ruthenium(III) complex KP1019, and antimony trichloride (SbCl3), are endowed with notable antiviral properties and an acceptable cytotoxicity profile. These initial findings prompted us to perform a computational study to unveil the likely molecular basis of their antiviral actions. Calculations evidenced that the metalation of nucleophile sites in SARS-CoV-2 proteins or nucleobase strands, induced by Aubipyc, SbCl3, and KP1019, is likely to occur. Remarkably, we found that only the deprotonated forms of Cys and Sec residues can react favorably with these metallodrugs. The mechanistic implications of these findings are discussed.
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Sabbioni E, Groppi F, Di Gioacchino M, Petrarca C, Manenti S. Metallobiochemistry of ultratrace levels of bismuth in the rat I. Metabolic patterns of 205+206Bi 3+ in the blood. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2021; 68:126760. [PMID: 33895056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of the applications of bismuth (Bi) is rapidly and remarkably increasing, enhancing the chance to increase the levels to which humans are normally daily exposed. The interest to Bi comes also from the potential of Bi-based nanoparticles (BiNPs) for industrial and biomedical purposes. Like other metal-based NPs used in nanomedicine, BiNPs may release ultratrace amounts of Bi ions when injected. The metabolic fate and toxicity of these ions still needs to be evaluated. At present, knowledge of Bi metabolism in laboratory animals refers almost solely to studies under unnatural "extreme" exposures, i.e. pharmacologically relevant high-doses (up to thousand mg kg-1) in relation to its medical use, or infinitesimal-doses (pg kg-1 as non-carrier-added Bi radioisotopes) for radiobiology protection, diagnostic and radiotherapeutic purposes. No specific study exists on the "metabolic patterns" in animal models exposed to levels of Bi, i.e. at "environmental dose exposure" that reflect the human daily exposure (μg kg-1). METHODOLOGY Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0.8 μg Bi kg-1 bw as 205+206Bi(NO)3 alone or in combination with 59Fe for radiolabelling of iron proteins. The use of 205+206Bi radiotracers allowed the detection and measurement down to pg fg-1 of the element in the blood biochemical compartments and protein fractions as isolated by differential centrifugation, size exclusion- and ion exchange chromatography, electrophoresis, solvent extraction, precipitation and dialysis. RESULTS 24 h after the administration, the blood concentration of Bi was 0.18 ng mL-1, with a repartition plasma/red blod cells (RBC) in a ratio of 2:1. Elution profiles of plasma from gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 showed four pools of Bi-binder proteins with different molecular sizes (> 300 kDa, 160 kDa, 70 kDa and < 6.5 kDa). In the 70 kDa fraction transferrin and albumin were identified as biomolecule carriers for Bi. In red blood cells, Bi was distributed between cytosol and membranes (ghosts) in a ratio of about 5:1. In the cytosol, low molecular components (LMWC) and the hemoglobin associated the Bi in a ratio of about 1.8:1. In the hemoglobin molecule, Bi was bound to the beta polypeptide chain of the globin. In the ghosts, Bi was detected at more than one site of the protein fraction, with no binding with lipids. Dialysis experiments and the consistently high recovery (80-90 %) of 206Bi from chromatography of 206Bi-containing biocomponents suggest that Bi was firmly complexed at physiological pH with a low degree of breaking during the applications of experimental protocols for the isolation of the 206Bi-biocomplexes. These latter were sensitive to acid buffer pH 5, and to the presence of complexing agents in the dialysis fluid. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of an environmental biochemical toxicology approach, we have undertaken a study on the metabolic patterns of Bi3+ ions in rats at tissue, subcellular and molecular level with the identification of cellular Bi-binding components. As a first part of the study the present work reports the results concerned with the metabolic fate of ultratrace levels of 205+206Bi(NO)3 in the blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Sabbioni
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Luigi Polacchi 11, Chieti, I-66100, Italy; LASA, Department of Physics, Università Degli Studi di Milano and INFN-Milano, Via F.lli Cervi 201, Segrate, MI, I-20090, Italy
| | - Flavia Groppi
- Department of Physics, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, Milano, I-20133, Italy; LASA, Department of Physics, Università Degli Studi di Milano and INFN-Milano, Via F.lli Cervi 201, Segrate, MI, I-20090, Italy
| | - Mario Di Gioacchino
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Luigi Polacchi 11, Chieti, I-66100, Italy; Institute of Clinical Immunotherapy and Advanced Biological Treatments, Piazza Pierangeli 1, Pescara, Rectorate of Leonardo da Vinci Telematic University, Largo San Rocco 11 Torrevecchia Teatina, CH, Italy
| | - Claudia Petrarca
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Luigi Polacchi 11, Chieti, I-66100, Italy; Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, via Luigi Polacchi 11, Chieti, I-66100, Italy
| | - Simone Manenti
- Department of Physics, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, Milano, I-20133, Italy; LASA, Department of Physics, Università Degli Studi di Milano and INFN-Milano, Via F.lli Cervi 201, Segrate, MI, I-20090, Italy.
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Kim M, Cho H, Ahn DG, Jung HG, Seo HY, Kim JS, Lee YJ, Choi JY, Park IH, Shin JS, Kim SJ, Oh JW. In Vitro Replication Inhibitory Activity of Xanthorrhizol against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111725. [PMID: 34829954 PMCID: PMC8615586 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111725] [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: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of the large number of repositioned drugs and direct-acting antivirals in clinical trials for the management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are few cost-effective therapeutic options for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SCoV2) infection. In this paper, we show that xanthorrhizol (XNT), a bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid compound isolated from the Curcuma xanthorrhizza Roxb., a ginger-line plant of the family Zingiberaceae, displays a potent antiviral efficacy in vitro against SCoV2 and other related coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 (SCoV1) and a common cold-causing human coronavirus. XNT reduced infectious SCoV2 titer by ~3-log10 at 20 μM and interfered with the replication of the SCoV1 subgenomic replicon, while it had no significant antiviral effects against hepatitis C virus and noroviruses. Further, XNT exerted similar antiviral functions against SCoV2 variants, such as a GH clade strain and a delta strain currently predominant worldwide. Neither SCoV2 entry into cells nor the enzymatic activity of viral RNA polymerase (Nsp12), RNA helicase (Nsp13), or the 3CL main protease (Nsp5) was inhibited by XNT. While its CoV replication inhibitory mechanism remains elusive, our results demonstrate that the traditional folk medicine XNT could be a promising antiviral candidate that inhibits a broad range of SCoV2 variants of concern and other related CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwoo Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Hee Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Dae-Gyun Ahn
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Hae-Gwang Jung
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Han Young Seo
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Youn-Jung Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (J.Y.C.)
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (J.Y.C.)
| | - In Ho Park
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (I.H.P.); (J.-S.S.)
| | - Jeon-Soo Shin
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (I.H.P.); (J.-S.S.)
- Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Kim
- Center for Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea;
| | - Jong-Won Oh
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.K.); (H.C.); (D.-G.A.); (H.-G.J.); (H.Y.S.); (J.-S.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2123-2881; Fax: +82-2-362-7265
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Griffith DM, Li H, Werrett MV, Andrews PC, Sun H. Medicinal chemistry and biomedical applications of bismuth-based compounds and nanoparticles. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12037-12069. [PMID: 34533144 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00031k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bismuth as a relatively non-toxic and inexpensive metal with exceptional properties has numerous biomedical applications. Bismuth-based compounds are used extensively as medicines for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including dyspepsia, gastric ulcers and H. pylori infections. Recently, its medicinal application was further extended to potential treatments of viral infection, multidrug resistant microbial infections, cancer and also imaging, drug delivery and biosensing. In this review we have highlighted the unique chemistry and biological chemistry of bismuth-209 as a prelude to sections covering the unique antibacterial activity of bismuth including a description of research undertaken to date to elucidate key molecular mechanisms of action against H. pylori, the development of novel compounds to treat infection from microbes beyond H. pylori and the significant role bismuth compounds can play as resistance breakers. Furthermore we have provided an account of the potential therapeutic application of bismuth-213 in targeted alpha therapy as well as a summary of the biomedical applications of bismuth-based nanoparticles and composites. Ultimately this review aims to provide the state of the art, highlight the untapped biomedical potential of bismuth and encourage original contributions to this exciting and important field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M Griffith
- Department of Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.,SSPC, Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre, Ireland
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics for Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | | | - Philip C Andrews
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics for Health and Environment, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
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Zanza C, Tassi MF, Romenskaya T, Piccolella F, Abenavoli L, Franceschi F, Piccioni A, Ojetti V, Saviano A, Canonico B, Montanari M, Zamai L, Artico M, Robba C, Racca F, Longhitano Y. Lock, Stock and Barrel: Role of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Coronavirus Disease 2019. Cells 2021; 10:1752. [PMID: 34359922 PMCID: PMC8306543 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the end of 2019, the medical-scientific community has been facing a terrible pandemic caused by a new airborne viral agent known as SARS-CoV2. Already in the early stages of the pandemic, following the discovery that the virus uses the ACE2 cell receptor as a molecular target to infect the cells of our body, it was hypothesized that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Since then, numerous studies have been published on the subject, but the exact role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is still a matter of debate. RAAS represents an important protagonist in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, providing the virus with the receptor of entry into host cells and determining its organotropism. Furthermore, following infection, the virus is able to cause an increase in plasma ACE2 activity, compromising the normal function of the RAAS. This dysfunction could contribute to the establishment of the thrombo-inflammatory state characteristic of severe forms of COVID-19. Drugs targeting RAAS represent promising therapeutic options for COVID-19 sufferers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Zanza
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foundation of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.F.); (A.P.); (V.O.); (A.S.)
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (T.R.); (F.P.); (F.R.); (Y.L.)
- Foundation Ospedale Alba-Bra and Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, Pietro and Michele Ferrero Hospital, 12051 Verduno, Italy
| | - Michele Fidel Tassi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy;
| | - Tatsiana Romenskaya
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (T.R.); (F.P.); (F.R.); (Y.L.)
| | - Fabio Piccolella
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (T.R.); (F.P.); (F.R.); (Y.L.)
| | - Ludovico Abenavoli
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Francesco Franceschi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foundation of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.F.); (A.P.); (V.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Piccioni
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foundation of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.F.); (A.P.); (V.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Veronica Ojetti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foundation of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.F.); (A.P.); (V.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Angela Saviano
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Foundation of Policlinico Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.F.); (A.P.); (V.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Barbara Canonico
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (B.C.); (M.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Mariele Montanari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (B.C.); (M.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Loris Zamai
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (B.C.); (M.M.); (L.Z.)
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)-Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), 67100 Assergi L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Chiara Robba
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Racca
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (T.R.); (F.P.); (F.R.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yaroslava Longhitano
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (T.R.); (F.P.); (F.R.); (Y.L.)
- Foundation Ospedale Alba-Bra and Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, Pietro and Michele Ferrero Hospital, 12051 Verduno, Italy
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Liu C, Shin J, Son S, Choe Y, Farokhzad N, Tang Z, Xiao Y, Kong N, Xie T, Kim JS, Tao W. Pnictogens in medicinal chemistry: evolution from erstwhile drugs to emerging layered photonic nanomedicine. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:2260-2279. [PMID: 33367452 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01175d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pnictogens (the non-metal phosphorus, metalloids arsenic and antimony, and metal bismuth) possess diverse chemical characteristics that support the formation of extended molecular structures. As witnessed by the centuries-old (and ongoing) clinical utilities, pnictogen-based compounds have secured their places in history as "magic bullet" therapeutic drugs in medicinal contexts. Moreover, with the development of recent metalloproteomics and bio-coordination chemistry, the pnictogen-based drugs functionally binding to proteins/enzymes in biological systems have been underlaid for "drug repurposing" with promising opportunities. Furthermore, advances in the modern materials science and nonotechnology have stimulated a revolution in other newly discovered forms of pnictogens-phosphorene, arsenene, antimonene, and bismuthine (layered pnictogens). Based on their favorable optoelectronic properties, layered pnictogens have shown dramatic superiority as emerging photonic nanomedicines for the treatment of various diseases. This tutorial review outlines the history and mechanism of action of ancient pnictogen-based drugs (e.g., arsenical compounds in traditional Chinese medicine) and their repurposing into modern therapeutics. Then, the revolutionary use of emerging layered pnictogens as photonic nanomedicines, alongside assessments of their in vivo biosafety, is discussed. Finally, the challenges to further development of pnictogens are set forth and insights for further exploration of their appealing properties are offered. This tutorial review may also provide some deep insights into the fields of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicines from the perspective of materials science and nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Liu
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Jinwoo Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | - Subin Son
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | - Youmi Choe
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | | | - Zhongmin Tang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yufen Xiao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Tian Xie
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China. and Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Shiryaev VA, Klimochkin YN. Main Chemotypes of SARS-CoV-2 Reproduction Inhibitors. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [PMCID: PMC8188765 DOI: 10.1134/s107042802105002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced scientists all over the world to focus their effort on searching for targeted drugs for coronavirus chemotherapy. The present review is an attempt to systematize low-molecular-weight compounds, including well-known pharmaceuticals and natural substances that have exhibited high anti-coronavirus activity, not in terms of action on their targets, but in terms of their structural type.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. A. Shiryaev
- Samara State Technical University, 443100 Samara, Russia
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34
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Spratt AN, Gallazzi F, Quinn TP, Lorson CL, Sönnerborg A, Singh K. Coronavirus helicases: attractive and unique targets of antiviral drug-development and therapeutic patents. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:339-350. [PMID: 33593200 PMCID: PMC8074651 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1884224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Coronaviruses encode a helicase that is essential for viral replication and represents an excellent antiviral target. However, only a few coronavirus helicase inhibitors have been patented. These patents include drug-like compound SSYA10-001, aryl diketo acids (ADK), and dihydroxychromones. Additionally, adamantane-derived bananins, natural flavonoids, one acrylamide derivative [(E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)acrylamide], a purine derivative (7-ethyl-8-mercapto-3-methyl-3,7-dihydro-1 H-purine-2,6-dione), and a few bismuth complexes. The IC50 of patented inhibitors ranges between 0.82 μM and 8.95 μM, depending upon the assays used. Considering the urgency of clinical interventions against Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), it is important to consider developing antiviral portfolios consisting of small molecules. Areas covered: This review examines coronavirus helicases as antiviral targets, and the potential of previously patented and experimental compounds to inhibit the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) helicase. Expert opinion: Small molecule coronavirus helicase inhibitors represent attractive pharmacological modalities for the treatment of coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Rightfully so, the current emphasis is focused upon the development of vaccines. However, vaccines may not work for everyone and broad-based adoption of vaccinations is an increasingly challenging societal endeavor. Therefore, it is important to develop additional pharmacological antivirals against the highly conserved coronavirus helicases to broadly protect against this and subsequent coronavirus epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin N Spratt
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Fabio Gallazzi
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas P Quinn
- cDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,dDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Anders Sönnerborg
- eDivision of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,fDepartment of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,gSanctum Therapeutics Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA, USA
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35
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Zamai L. Upregulation of the Renin-Angiotensin System Pathways and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Rationale for the Administration of Zinc-Chelating Agents in COVID-19 Patients. Cells 2021; 10:506. [PMID: 33673459 PMCID: PMC7997276 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The article describes the rationale for the administration of zinc-chelating agents in COVID-19 patients. In a previous work I have highlighted that the binding of the SARS-CoV spike proteins to the zinc-metalloprotease ACE2 has been shown to induce ACE2 shedding by activating the zinc-metalloprotease ADAM17, which ultimately leads to systemic upregulation of ACE2 activity. Moreover, based on experimental models, it was also shown the detrimental effect of the excessive systemic activity of ACE2 through its downstream pathways, which leads to "clinical" manifestations resembling COVID-19. In this regard, strong upregulation of circulating ACE2 activity was recently reported in COVID-19 patients, thus supporting the previous hypothesis that COVID-19 may derive from upregulation of ACE2 activity. Based on this, a reasonable hypothesis of using inhibitors that curb the upregulation of both ACE2 and ADAM17 zinc-metalloprotease activities and consequent positive feedback-loops (initially triggered by SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently sustained independently on viral trigger) is proposed as therapy for COVID-19. In particular, zinc-chelating agents such as citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) alone or in combination are expected to act in protecting from COVID-19 at different levels thanks to their both anticoagulant properties and inhibitory activity on zinc-metalloproteases. Several arguments are presented in support of this hypothesis and based on the current knowledge of both beneficial/harmful effects and cost/effectiveness, the use of chelating agents in the prevention and therapy of COVID-19 is proposed. In this regard, clinical trials (currently absent) employing citrate/EDTA in COVID-19 are urgently needed in order to shed more light on the efficacy of zinc chelators against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Zamai
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy;
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)-Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), Assergi, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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Servidio C, Stellacci F. Therapeutic approaches against coronaviruses acute respiratory syndrome. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00691. [PMID: 33378565 PMCID: PMC7773137 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses represent global health threat. In this century, they have already caused two epidemics and one serious pandemic. Although, at present, there are no approved drugs and therapies for the treatment and prevention of human coronaviruses, several agents, FDA-approved, and preclinical, have shown in vitro and/or in vivo antiviral activity. An in-depth analysis of the current situation leads to the identification of several potential drugs that could have an impact on the fight against coronaviruses infections. In this review, we discuss the virology of human coronaviruses highlighting the main biological targets and summarize the current state-of-the-art of possible therapeutic options to inhibit coronaviruses infections. We mostly focus on FDA-approved and preclinical drugs targeting viral conserved elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Servidio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition SciencesUniversity of CalabriaRendeItaly
- Institute of MaterialsEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Francesco Stellacci
- Institute of MaterialsEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
- Bioengineering Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
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37
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The role of chemical biology in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. Biochem J 2021; 478:157-177. [PMID: 33439990 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200514] [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] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since late 2019, biomedical labs all over the world have been struggling to cope with the 'new normal' and to find ways in which they can contribute to the fight against COVID-19. In this unique situation where a biomedical issue dominates people's lives and the news cycle, chemical biology has a great deal to contribute. This review will describe the importance of science at the chemistry/biology interface to both understand and combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
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Wathore R, Gupta A, Bherwani H, Labhasetwar N. Understanding air and water borne transmission and survival of coronavirus: Insights and way forward for SARS-CoV-2. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 749:141486. [PMID: 32827813 PMCID: PMC7402210 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in unprecedented disease burden, healthcare costs, and economic impacts worldwide. Despite several measures, SARS-CoV-2 has been extremely impactful due to its extraordinary infection potential mainly through coronavirus-borne saliva respiratory and droplet nuclei of an infected person and its considerable stability on surfaces. Although the disease has affected over 180 countries, its extent and control are significantly different across the globe, making it a strong case for exploration of its behavior and dependence across various environmental pathways and its interactions with the virus. This has spurred efforts to characterize the coronavirus and understand the factors impacting its transmission and survival such as aerosols, air quality, meteorology, chemical compositions and characteristics of particles and surfaces, which are directly or indirectly associated with coronaviruses infection spread. Nonetheless, many peer-reviewed articles have studied these aspects but mostly in isolation; a complete array of coronavirus survival and transmission from an infected individual through air- and water-borne channels and its subsequent intractions with environmental factors, surfaces, particulates and chemicals is not comprehensively explored. Particulate matter (PM) is omnipresent with variable concentrations, structures and composition, while most of the surfaces are also covered by PM of different characteristics. Learning from the earlier coronavirus studies, including SARS and MERS, an attempt has been made to understand the survival of SARS-CoV-2 outside of the host body and discuss the probable air and water-borne transmission routes and its interactions with the outside environment. The present work 1) Helps appreciate the role of PM, its chemical constituents and surface characteristics and 2) Further identifies gaps in this field and suggests possible domains to work upon for better understanding of transmission and survival of this novel coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Wathore
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, India
| | - Ankit Gupta
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, India
| | - Hemant Bherwani
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, India
| | - Nitin Labhasetwar
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, India.
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Kory P, Meduri GU, Iglesias J, Varon J, Marik PE. Clinical and Scientific Rationale for the "MATH+" Hospital Treatment Protocol for COVID-19. J Intensive Care Med 2020; 36:135-156. [PMID: 33317385 DOI: 10.1177/0885066620973585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In December 2019, COVID-19, a severe respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. The greatest impact that COVID-19 had was on intensive care units (ICUs), given that approximately 20% of hospitalized cases developed acute respiratory failure (ARF) requiring ICU admission. Based on the assumption that COVID-19 represented a viral pneumonia and no anti-coronaviral therapy existed, nearly all national and international health care societies' recommended "supportive care only" avoiding other therapies outside of randomized controlled trials, with a specific prohibition against the use of corticosteroids in treatment. However, early studies of COVID-19-associated ARF reported inexplicably high mortality rates, with frequent prolonged durations of mechanical ventilation (MV), even from centers expert in such supportive care strategies. These reports led the authors to form a clinical expert panel called the Front-Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (www.flccc.net). The panel collaboratively reviewed the emerging clinical, radiographic, and pathological reports of COVID-19 while initiating multiple discussions among a wide clinical network of front-line clinical ICU experts from initial outbreak areas in China, Italy, and New York. Based on the shared early impressions of "what was working and what wasn't working," the increasing medical journal publications and the rapidly accumulating personal clinical experiences with COVID-19 patients, a treatment protocol was created for the hospitalized patients based on the core therapies of methylprednisolone, ascorbic acid, thiamine, heparin and co-interventions (MATH+). This manuscript reviews the scientific and clinical rationale behind MATH+ based on published in-vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical data in support of each medicine, with a special emphasis of studies supporting their use in the treatment of patients with viral syndromes and COVID-19 specifically. The review concludes with a comparison of published multi-national mortality data with MATH+ center outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Kory
- 22392Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - G Umberto Meduri
- Memphis VA Medical Center, 12326University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jose Iglesias
- Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Hackensack School of Medicine at Seton Hall, NJ, USA
| | - Joseph Varon
- 12340University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paul E Marik
- 6040Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
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Vlachakis D, Papakonstantinou E, Mitsis T, Pierouli K, Diakou I, Chrousos G, Bacopoulou F. Molecular mechanisms of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and potential anti-COVID19 pharmacological targets since the outbreak of the pandemic. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111805. [PMID: 33038452 PMCID: PMC7543766 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a severe threat against public health and global economies. COVID-19, the disease caused by this virus, is highly contagious and has led to an ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 affects, mainly, the respiratory system, with most severe cases primarily showcasing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Currently, no targeted therapy exists, and since the number of infections and death toll keeps rising, it has become a necessity to study possible therapeutic targets. Antiviral drugs can target various stages of the viral infection, and in the case of SARS-CoV-2, both structural and non-structural proteins have been proposed as potential drug targets. This review focuses on the most researched SARS-CoV-2 proteins, their structure, function, and possible therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece; University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - George Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece.
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Anthony EJ, Bolitho EM, Bridgewater HE, Carter OWL, Donnelly JM, Imberti C, Lant EC, Lermyte F, Needham RJ, Palau M, Sadler PJ, Shi H, Wang FX, Zhang WY, Zhang Z. Metallodrugs are unique: opportunities and challenges of discovery and development. Chem Sci 2020; 11:12888-12917. [PMID: 34123239 PMCID: PMC8163330 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc04082g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metals play vital roles in nutrients and medicines and provide chemical functionalities that are not accessible to purely organic compounds. At least 10 metals are essential for human life and about 46 other non-essential metals (including radionuclides) are also used in drug therapies and diagnostic agents. These include platinum drugs (in 50% of cancer chemotherapies), lithium (bipolar disorders), silver (antimicrobials), and bismuth (broad-spectrum antibiotics). While the quest for novel and better drugs is now as urgent as ever, drug discovery and development pipelines established for organic drugs and based on target identification and high-throughput screening of compound libraries are less effective when applied to metallodrugs. Metallodrugs are often prodrugs which undergo activation by ligand substitution or redox reactions, and are multi-targeting, all of which need to be considered when establishing structure-activity relationships. We focus on early-stage in vitro drug discovery, highlighting the challenges of evaluating anticancer, antimicrobial and antiviral metallo-pharmacophores in cultured cells, and identifying their targets. We highlight advances in the application of metal-specific techniques that can assist the preclinical development, including synchrotron X-ray spectro(micro)scopy, luminescence, and mass spectrometry-based methods, combined with proteomic and genomic (metallomic) approaches. A deeper understanding of the behavior of metals and metallodrugs in biological systems is not only key to the design of novel agents with unique mechanisms of action, but also to new understanding of clinically-established drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Anthony
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Elizabeth M Bolitho
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Hannah E Bridgewater
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Oliver W L Carter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Jane M Donnelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Cinzia Imberti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Edward C Lant
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Frederik Lermyte
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt Alarich-Weiss-Strasse 4 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Russell J Needham
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Marta Palau
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Peter J Sadler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Huayun Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Fang-Xin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Wen-Ying Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Zijin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
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Resensitizing carbapenem- and colistin-resistant bacteria to antibiotics using auranofin. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5263. [PMID: 33067430 PMCID: PMC7568570 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18939-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Global emergence of Gram-negative bacteria carrying the plasmid-borne resistance genes, blaMBL and mcr, raises a significant challenge to the treatment of life-threatening infections by the antibiotics, carbapenem and colistin (COL). Here, we identify an antirheumatic drug, auranofin (AUR) as a dual inhibitor of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and mobilized colistin resistance (MCRs), two resistance enzymes that have distinct structures and substrates. We demonstrate that AUR irreversibly abrogates both enzyme activity via the displacement of Zn(II) cofactors from their active sites. We further show that AUR synergizes with antibiotics on killing a broad spectrum of carbapenem and/or COL resistant bacterial strains, and slows down the development of β-lactam and COL resistance. Combination of AUR and COL rescues all mice infected by Escherichia coli co-expressing MCR-1 and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 5 (NDM-5). Our findings provide potential therapeutic strategy to combine AUR with antibiotics for combating superbugs co-producing MBLs and MCRs. Multi-drug resistant pathogens remain a serious public health threat. Here, Sun and colleagues identify a role for auranofin, which is normally used as a drug for rheumatoid arthritis, for reversing antibiotic resistance to carbapenem and colistin.
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Abstract
Traditional organic antimicrobials mainly act on specific biochemical processes such as replication, transcription and translation. However, the emergence and wide spread of microbial resistance is a growing threat for human beings. Therefore, it is highly necessary to design strategies for the development of new drugs in order to target multiple cellular processes that should improve their efficiency against several microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses or fungi. The present review is focused on recent advances and findings of new antimicrobial strategies based on metal complexes. Recent studies indicate that some metal ions cause different types of damages to microbial cells as a result of membrane degradation, protein dysfunction and oxidative stress. These unique modes of action, combined with the wide range of three-dimensional geometries that metal complexes can adopt, make them suitable for the development of new antimicrobial drugs.
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Metallodrug ranitidine bismuth citrate suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication and relieves virus-associated pneumonia in Syrian hamsters. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:1439-1448. [PMID: 33028965 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-00802-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is causing a pandemic of COVID-19, with high infectivity and significant mortality1. Currently, therapeutic options for COVID-19 are limited. Historically, metal compounds have found use as antimicrobial agents, but their antiviral activities have rarely been explored. Here, we test a set of metallodrugs and related compounds, and identify ranitidine bismuth citrate, a commonly used drug for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, as a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent, both in vitro and in vivo. Ranitidine bismuth citrate exhibited low cytotoxicity and protected SARS-CoV-2-infected cells with a high selectivity index of 975. Importantly, ranitidine bismuth citrate suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication, leading to decreased viral loads in both upper and lower respiratory tracts, and relieved virus-associated pneumonia in a golden Syrian hamster model. In vitro studies showed that ranitidine bismuth citrate and its related compounds exhibited inhibition towards both the ATPase (IC50 = 0.69 µM) and DNA-unwinding (IC50 = 0.70 µM) activities of the SARS-CoV-2 helicase via an irreversible displacement of zinc(II) ions from the enzyme by bismuth(III) ions. Our findings highlight viral helicase as a druggable target and the clinical potential of bismuth(III) drugs or other metallodrugs for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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45
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Beeraka NM, Sadhu SP, Madhunapantula SV, Rao Pragada R, Svistunov AA, Nikolenko VN, Mikhaleva LM, Aliev G. Strategies for Targeting SARS CoV-2: Small Molecule Inhibitors-The Current Status. Front Immunol 2020; 11:552925. [PMID: 33072093 PMCID: PMC7531039 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.552925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced Coronavirus Disease - 19 (COVID-19) cases have been increasing at an alarming rate (7.4 million positive cases as on June 11 2020), causing high mortality (4,17,956 deaths as on June 11 2020) and economic loss (a 3.2% shrink in global economy in 2020) across 212 countries globally. The clinical manifestations of this disease are pneumonia, lung injury, inflammation, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Currently, there is no vaccine or effective pharmacological agents available for the prevention/treatment of SARS-CoV2 infections. Moreover, development of a suitable vaccine is a challenging task due to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and Th-2 immunopathology, which aggravates infection with SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the emerging SARS-CoV-2 strain exhibits several distinct genomic and structural patterns compared to other coronavirus strains, making the development of a suitable vaccine even more difficult. Therefore, the identification of novel small molecule inhibitors (NSMIs) that can interfere with viral entry or viral propagation is of special interest and is vital in managing already infected cases. SARS-CoV-2 infection is mediated by the binding of viral Spike proteins (S-protein) to human cells through a 2-step process, which involves Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) and Transmembrane Serine Protease (TMPRSS)-2. Therefore, the development of novel inhibitors of ACE2/TMPRSS2 is likely to be beneficial in combating SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, the usage of ACE-2 inhibitors to block the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry requires additional studies as there are conflicting findings and severe health complications reported for these inhibitors in patients. Hence, the current interest is shifted toward the development of NSMIs, which includes natural antiviral phytochemicals and Nrf-2 activators to manage a SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is imperative to investigate the efficacy of existing antiviral phytochemicals and Nrf-2 activators to mitigate the SARS-CoV-2-mediated oxidative stress. Therefore, in this review, we have reviewed structural features of SARS-CoV-2 with special emphasis on key molecular targets and their known modulators that can be considered for the development of NSMIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narasimha M. Beeraka
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR), JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore, India
| | - Surya P. Sadhu
- AU College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - SubbaRao V. Madhunapantula
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR), JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore, India
- Special Interest Group in Cancer Biology and Cancer Stem Cells (SIG-CBCSC), JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore, India
| | | | - Andrey A. Svistunov
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Nikolenko
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- Department of Normal and Topographic Anatomy, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- GALLY International Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Cirri D, Pratesi A, Marzo T, Messori L. Metallo therapeutics for COVID-19. Exploiting metal-based compounds for the discovery of new antiviral drugs. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:39-46. [PMID: 32915656 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1819236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge for the rapid discovery of drugs against this life-threatening disease. Owing to the peculiar features of the metal centers that are currently used in medicinal chemistry, metallodrugs might offer an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal. AREAS COVERED Two main strategies for developing metal-based drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 are herein illustrated. Firstly, a few clinically approved metallodrugs could be evaluated in patients according to a 'drug repurposing' approach. To this respect, the gold drug auranofin seems a promising candidate, but some other clinically established metal compounds are worthy of a careful evaluation as well. On the other hand, libraries of inorganic compounds, featuring a large chemical diversity, should be screened to identify the most effective molecules. This second strategy might be assisted by a pathway-driven discovery approach arising from a preliminary knowledge of the mode of action, exploitable to inhibit the functional activities of the key viral proteins. Also, attention must be paid to selectivity and toxicity issues. EXPERT OPINION The medicinal inorganic chemistry community may offer a valuable contribution against COVID-19. The screening of metallodrugs' libraries can expand the explored 'chemical space' and increase the chance of finding effective anti-COVID agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Cirri
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy.,Laboratory of Metals in Medicine (Metmed), Department of Chemistry "U. Schiff", University of Florence , Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Laboratory of Metals in Medicine (Metmed), Department of Chemistry "U. Schiff", University of Florence , Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Ghosh R, Chatterjee S, Dubey S, Lavie CJ. Famotidine Against SARS-CoV2: A Hope or Hype? Mayo Clin Proc 2020; 95:1797-1799. [PMID: 32753153 PMCID: PMC7275146 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Ghosh
- Department of General Medicine, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhankar Chatterjee
- Department of General Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Souvik Dubey
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Carl J Lavie
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
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SARS-Coronavirus-2 Nsp13 Possesses NTPase and RNA Helicase Activities That Can Be Inhibited by Bismuth Salts. Virol Sin 2020; 35:321-329. [PMID: 32500504 PMCID: PMC7271831 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-020-00242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global public health emergency. SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of COVID-19, is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae. For RNA viruses, virus-encoded RNA helicases have long been recognized to play pivotal roles during viral life cycles by facilitating the correct folding and replication of viral RNAs. Here, our studies show that SARS-CoV-2-encoded nonstructural protein 13 (nsp13) possesses the nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase (NTPase) and RNA helicase activities that can hydrolyze all types of NTPs and unwind RNA helices dependently of the presence of NTP, and further characterize the biochemical characteristics of these two enzymatic activities associated with SARS-CoV-2 nsp13. Moreover, we found that some bismuth salts could effectively inhibit both the NTPase and RNA helicase activities of SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our findings demonstrate the NTPase and helicase activities of SARS-CoV-2 nsp13, which may play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 replication and serve as a target for antivirals.
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Liu W, Zhang S, Nekhai S, Liu S. Depriving Iron Supply to the Virus Represents a Promising Adjuvant Therapeutic Against Viral Survival. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 7:13-19. [PMID: 32318324 PMCID: PMC7169647 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-020-00140-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW The ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in China is lifting widespread concerns. Thus, therapeutic options are urgently needed, and will be discussed in this review. RECENT FINDINGS Iron-containing enzymes are required for viruses most likely including coronaviruses (CoVs) to complete their replication process. Moreover, poor prognosis occurred in the conditions of iron overload for patients upon infections of viruses. Thus, limiting iron represents a promising adjuvant strategy in treating viral infection through oral uptake or venous injection of iron chelators, or through the manipulation of the key iron regulators. For example, treatment with iron chelator deferiprone has been shown to prolong the survival of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Increasing intracellular iron efflux via increasing iron exporter ferroportin expression also exhibits antiviral effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The implications of other metals besides iron are also briefly discussed. SUMMARY For even though we know little about iron regulation in COVID-19 patients thus far, it could be deduced from other viral infections that iron chelation might be an alternative beneficial adjuvant in treating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Shuping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250062 China
- Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Center, Jinan, 250062 China
- University Creative Research Initiatives Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250062 China
| | - Sergei Nekhai
- Center for Sickle Cell Disease and Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059 USA
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
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