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Amtaghri S, Slaoui M, Eddouks M. Phytomedical compounds as promising therapeutic agents for COVID-19 targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: a review. J Pharm Pharmacol 2024:rgae101. [PMID: 39018169 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgae101] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of the present review was to highlight natural product investigations in silico and in vitro to find plants and chemicals that inhibit or stimulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2). BACKGROUND The global reduction of incidents and fatalities attributable to infections with SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most public health problems. In the absence of specific therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), phytocompounds generated from plant extracts may be a promising strategy worth further investigation, motivating researchers to evaluate the safety and anti-SARS-CoV-2 effectiveness of these ingredients. OBJECTIVE To review phytochemicals in silico for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and to assess their safety and effectiveness in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The present review was conducted using various scientific databases and studies on anti-SARS-CoV-2 phytochemicals were analyzed and summarized. The results obtained from the in silico screening were subjected to extraction, isolation, and purification. The in vitro studies on anti-SarcoV-2 were also included in this review. In addition, the results of this research were interpreted, analyzed, and documented on the basis of the bibliographic information obtained. RESULTS This review discusses recent research on using natural remedies to cure or prevent COVID-19 infection. The literature analysis shows that the various herbal preparations (extracts) and purified compounds can block the replication or entrance of the virus directly to carry out their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. It is interesting to note that certain items can prevent SARS-CoV-2 from infecting human cells by blocking the ACE-2 receptor or the serine protease TMPRRS2. Moreover, natural substances have been demonstrated to block proteins involved in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, such as papain- or chymotrypsin-like proteases. CONCLUSION The natural products may have the potential for use singly or in combination as alternative drugs to treat/prevent COVID-19 infection, including blocking or stimulating ACE-2. In addition, their structures may provide indications for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smail Amtaghri
- Team of Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, BP 509, Boutalamine, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
- Energy, Materials and Sustainable Development (EMDD) Team-Higher School of Technology-SALE, Center for Water, Natural Resources Environment and Sustainable Development (CERNE2D), Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Miloudia Slaoui
- Energy, Materials and Sustainable Development (EMDD) Team-Higher School of Technology-SALE, Center for Water, Natural Resources Environment and Sustainable Development (CERNE2D), Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Eddouks
- Team of Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, BP 509, Boutalamine, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
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2
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Wang Z, Fan H, Wu J. Food-Derived Up-Regulators and Activators of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2: A Review. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:12896-12914. [PMID: 38810024 PMCID: PMC11181331 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key enzyme in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), also serving as an amino acid transporter and a receptor for certain coronaviruses. Its primary role is to protect the cardiovascular system via the ACE2/Ang (1-7)/MasR cascade. Given the critical roles of ACE2 in regulating numerous physiological functions, molecules that can upregulate or activate ACE2 show vast therapeutic value. There are only a few ACE2 activators that have been reported, a wide range of molecules, including food-derived compounds, have been reported as ACE2 up-regulators. Effective doses of bioactive peptides range from 10 to 50 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day when orally administered for 1 to 7 weeks. Protein hydrolysates require higher doses at 1000 mg/kg BW/day for 20 days. Phytochemicals and vitamins are effective at doses typically ranging from 10 to 200 mg/kg BW/day for 3 days to 6 months, while Traditional Chinese Medicine requires doses of 1.25 to 12.96 g/kg BW/day for 4 to 8 weeks. ACE2 activation is linked to its hinge-bending region, while upregulation involves various signaling pathways, transcription factors, and epigenetic modulators. Future studies are expected to explore novel roles of ACE2 activators or up-regulators in disease treatments and translate the discovery to bedside applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Wang
- Department
of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 4-10 Ag/For Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada
- Cardiovascular
Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - Hongbing Fan
- Department
of Animal and Food Sciences, University
of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
| | - Jianping Wu
- Department
of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 4-10 Ag/For Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada
- Cardiovascular
Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R7, Canada
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Guo H, Ha S, Botten JW, Xu K, Zhang N, An Z, Strohl WR, Shiver JW, Fu TM. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: Viral Evolution, Immune Evasion, and Alternative Durable Therapeutic Strategies. Viruses 2024; 16:697. [PMID: 38793580 PMCID: PMC11125895 DOI: 10.3390/v16050697] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus has gained dominance worldwide, its continual evolution with unpredictable mutations and patterns has revoked all authorized immunotherapeutics. Rapid viral evolution has also necessitated several rounds of vaccine updates in order to provide adequate immune protection. It remains imperative to understand how Omicron evolves into different subvariants and causes immune escape as this could help reevaluate the current intervention strategies mostly implemented in the clinics as emergency measures to counter the pandemic and, importantly, develop new solutions. Here, we provide a review focusing on the major events of Omicron viral evolution, including the features of spike mutation that lead to immune evasion against monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy and vaccination, and suggest alternative durable options such as the ACE2-based experimental therapies superior to mAbs to address this unprecedented evolution of Omicron virus. In addition, this type of unique ACE2-based virus-trapping molecules can counter all zoonotic SARS coronaviruses, either from unknown animal hosts or from established wild-life reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2, and even seasonal alpha coronavirus NL63 that depends on human ACE2 for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Guo
- IGM Biosciences, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Sha Ha
- IGM Biosciences, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Jason W. Botten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Kai Xu
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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4
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Wu A, Shi K, Wang J, Zhang R, Wang Y. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 entry processes: The promising potential and future of host-targeted small-molecule inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115923. [PMID: 37981443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a huge impact on global health. To respond to rapidly mutating viruses and to prepare for the next pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop small molecule therapies that target critical stages of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Inhibiting the entry process of the virus can effectively control viral infection and play a role in prevention and treatment. Host factors involved in this process, such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, ADAM17, furin, PIKfyve, TPC2, CTSL, AAK1, V-ATPase, HSPG, and NRP1, have been found to be potentially good targets with stability. Through further exploration of the cell entry process of SARS-CoV-2, small-molecule drugs targeting these host factors have been developed. This review focuses on the structural functions of potential host cell targets during the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The research progress, chemical structure, structure-activity relationship, and clinical value of small-molecule inhibitors against COVID-19 are reviewed to provide a reference for the development of small-molecule drugs against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijia Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Kunyu Shi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Ruofei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China.
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5
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Sun F, Liu J, Tariq A, Wang Z, Wu Y, Li L. Unraveling the mechanism of action of cepharanthine for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) from the perspectives of systematic pharmacology. ARAB J CHEM 2023; 16:104722. [PMID: 36910427 PMCID: PMC9987614 DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.104722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products play an irreplaceable role in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved remain elusive. To better understand their potential therapeutic effects, more validation studies are needed to explore underlying mechanisms systematically. This study aims to explore the potential targets of action and signaling pathways of cepharanthine for the treatment of COVID-19. This study revealed that a total of 173 potential targets of action for Cepharanthine and 86 intersectional targets for Cepharanthine against COVID-19 were screened and collected. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis suggested that inflammatory, immune cell and enzyme activities were the critical terms for cepharanthine against COVID-19. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that five pathways associated with COVID-19 were the main signaling pathways for the treatment of COVID-19 via cepharanthine. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggested that 6 core targets were regarded as potential targets for cepharanthine against COVID-19. In brief, the study demonstrates that cepharanthine may play an important role in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection through its harmonious activity against SARS-CoV-2 pathways and multiple related targets. This article provides valuable insights required to respond effectively to concerns of western medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Sun
- Animal-Derived Food Safety Innovation Team, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Chinese Academy of Medical Science Research Unit (2019RU014), Beijing 100017, China
| | - Jinde Liu
- Animal-Derived Food Safety Innovation Team, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ali Tariq
- College of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Zhonglei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Natural Products and Pharmaceutical Intermediates in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Yongning Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Chinese Academy of Medical Science Research Unit (2019RU014), Beijing 100017, China
| | - Lin Li
- Animal-Derived Food Safety Innovation Team, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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6
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Maleksabet H, Rezaee E, Tabatabai SA. Host-Cell Surface Binding Targets in SARS-CoV-2 for Drug Design. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:3583-3591. [PMID: 36420875 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666221123111849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) became a major public health threat to all countries worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 interactions with its receptor are the first step in the invasion of the host cell. The coronavirus spike protein (S) is crucial in binding to receptors on host cells. Additionally, targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral receptors is considered a therapeutic option in this regard. In this review of literature, we summarized five potential host cell receptors, as host-cell surface bindings, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), neuropilin 1 (NRP-1), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), glucose regulated protein-78 (GRP78), and cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among these targets, ACE2 was recognized as the main SARS-CoV-2 receptor, expressed at a low/moderate level in the human respiratory system, which is also involved in SARS-CoV-2 entrance, so the virus may utilize other secondary receptors. Besides ACE2, CD147 was discovered as a novel SARS-CoV-2 receptor, CD147 appears to be an alternate receptor for SARSCoV- 2 infection. NRP-1, as a single-transmembrane glycoprotein, has been recently found to operate as an entrance factor and enhance SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection under in-vitro. DPP4, which was discovered as the first gene clustered with ACE2, may serve as a potential SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding target. GRP78 could be recognized as a secondary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 because it is widely expressed at substantially greater levels, rather than ACE2, in bronchial epithelial cells and the respiratory mucosa. This review highlights recent literature on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Maleksabet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Rezaee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayyed Abbas Tabatabai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Jiang Y, Rubin L, Zhou Z, Zhang H, Su Q, Hou ST, Lazarovici P, Zheng W. Pharmacological therapies and drug development targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 68:13-24. [PMID: 36266222 PMCID: PMC9558743 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The development of therapies for SARS-CoV-2 infection, based on virus biology and pathology, and of large- and small-scale randomized controlled trials, have brought forward several antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs targeting the disease severity. Casirivimab/Imdevimab monoclonal antibodies and convalescent plasma to prevent virus entry, Remdesivir, Molnupiravir, and Paxlovid nucleotide analogs to prevent viral replication, a variety of repurposed JAK-STAT signaling pathway inhibitors, corticosteroids, and recombinant agonists/antagonists of cytokine and interferons have been found to provide clinical benefits in terms of mortality and hospitalization. However, current treatment options face multiple clinical needs, and therefore, in this review, we provide an update on the challenges of the existing therapeutics and highlight drug development strategies for COVID-19 therapy, based on ongoing clinical trials, meta-analyses, and clinical case reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Jiang
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China,Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
| | - Limor Rubin
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Zhiwei Zhou
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- Anesthesia, Critical Care Medicine and Physiology, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qiaozhu Su
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, United Kingdom
| | - Sheng-Tao Hou
- Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China,Correspondence to: Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518055, China
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112002, Israel
| | - Wenhua Zheng
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging and Institute of Translation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China,Correspondence to: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Room 3057, Building E12, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
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8
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Zareei S, Pourmand S, Amanlou M. Design of novel disturbing peptides against ACE2 SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding region by computational approaches. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:996005. [PMID: 36438825 PMCID: PMC9692113 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.996005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2, the virus which is responsible for COVID-19 disease, employs its spike protein to recognize its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and subsequently enters the host cell. In this process, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike has an interface with the α1-helix of the peptidase domain (PD) of ACE2. This study focuses on the disruption of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) of RBD-ACE2. Among the residues in the template (which was extracted from the ACE2), those with unfavorable energies were selected for substitution by mutagenesis. As a result, a library of 140 peptide candidates was constructed and the binding affinity of each candidate was evaluated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations against the α1-helix of ACE2. Finally, the most potent peptides P23 (GFNNYFPHQSYGFMPTNGVGY), P28 (GFNQYFPHQSYGFPPTNGVGY), and P31 (GFNRYFPHQSYGFCPTNGVGY) were selected and their dynamic behaviors were studied. The results showed peptide inhibitors increased the radius, surface accessible area, and overall mobility of residues of the protein. However, no significant alteration was seen in the key residues in the active site. Meanwhile, they can be proposed as promising agents against COVID-19 by suppressing the viral attachment and curbing the infection at its early stage. The designed peptides showed potency against beta, gamma, delta, and omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Zareei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Pourmand
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Massoud Amanlou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Gul I, Zhai S, Zhong X, Chen Q, Yuan X, Du Z, Chen Z, Raheem MA, Deng L, Leeansyah E, Zhang C, Yu D, Qin P. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2-Based Biosensing Modalities and Devices for Coronavirus Detection. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12110984. [PMID: 36354493 PMCID: PMC9688389 DOI: 10.3390/bios12110984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are a critical and valuable weapon for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response. SARS-CoV-2 invasion is primarily mediated by human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Recent developments in ACE2-based SARS-CoV-2 detection modalities accentuate the potential of this natural host-virus interaction for developing point-of-care (POC) COVID-19 diagnostic systems. Although research on harnessing ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 detection is in its infancy, some interesting biosensing devices have been developed, showing the commercial viability of this intriguing new approach. The exquisite performance of the reported ACE2-based COVID-19 biosensors provides opportunities for researchers to develop rapid detection tools suitable for virus detection at points of entry, workplaces, or congregate scenarios in order to effectively implement pandemic control and management plans. However, to be considered as an emerging approach, the rationale for ACE2-based biosensing needs to be critically and comprehensively surveyed and discussed. Herein, we review the recent status of ACE2-based detection methods, the signal transduction principles in ACE2 biosensors and the development trend in the future. We discuss the challenges to development of ACE2-biosensors and delineate prospects for their use, along with recommended solutions and suggestions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ijaz Gul
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shiyao Zhai
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhong
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qun Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Yuan
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhicheng Du
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhenglin Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Muhammad Akmal Raheem
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lin Deng
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Edwin Leeansyah
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Canyang Zhang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmei Yu
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, School of Mechanical, Electrical & Information Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China
| | - Peiwu Qin
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
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10
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Marcic M, Marcic L, Lovric Kojundzic S, Marinovic Guic M, Marcic B, Caljkusic K. Chronic Endothelial Dysfunction after COVID-19 Infection Shown by Transcranial Color-Coded Doppler: A Cross-Sectional Study. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2550. [PMID: 36289812 PMCID: PMC9599030 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 often causes damage to many other organs, especially in severe forms of the disease. Long-term consequences after COVID-19 are common and often have neurological symptoms. Cerebral vasoreactivity may be impaired after acute COVID-19 and in our study, we wanted to show how constant and reversible are the changes in brain vasoreactivity after infection. This cross-sectional observational study included 49 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and mild neurological symptoms 300 days after the onset of the disease. We used a transcranial color-coded Doppler (TCCD) and a breath-holding test (BHT) to examine cerebral vasoreactivity and brain endothelial function. We analyzed the parameters of the flow rate through the middle cerebral artery (MCA): peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI), and we calculated the breath-holding index (BHI). Subjects after COVID-19 infection had lower measured velocity parameters through MCA at rest period and after BHT, lower relative increases of flow velocities after BHT, and lower BHI. We showed that subjects, 300 days after COVID-19, still have impaired cerebral vasoreactivity measured by TCCD and they have chronic endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marino Marcic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Split, Spinciceva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Ljiljana Marcic
- Department of Radiology, Polyclinic Medikol, Soltanska 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
- University Department of Health Studies, University of Split, Rudera Boskovica 35, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Sanja Lovric Kojundzic
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Center Split, Spinciceva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Maja Marinovic Guic
- University Department of Health Studies, University of Split, Rudera Boskovica 35, 21000 Split, Croatia
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Center Split, Spinciceva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Barbara Marcic
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Kresimir Caljkusic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Split, Spinciceva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
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11
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Jin S, He X, Ma L, Zhuang Z, Wang Y, Lin M, Cai S, Wei L, Wang Z, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Sun L, Li C, Xie W, Zhao Y, Songyang Z, Peng K, Zhao J, Cui J. Suppression of ACE2 SUMOylation protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection through TOLLIP-mediated selective autophagy. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5204. [PMID: 36057605 PMCID: PMC9440653 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to investigating the virology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), discovering the host–virus dependencies are essential to identify and design effective antiviral therapy strategy. Here, we report that the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, ACE2, conjugates with small ubiquitin-like modifier 3 (SUMO3) and provide evidence indicating that prevention of ACE2 SUMOylation can block SARS-CoV-2 infection. E3 SUMO ligase PIAS4 prompts the SUMOylation and stabilization of ACE2, whereas deSUMOylation enzyme SENP3 reverses this process. Conjugation of SUMO3 with ACE2 at lysine (K) 187 hampers the K48-linked ubiquitination of ACE2, thus suppressing its subsequent cargo receptor TOLLIP-dependent autophagic degradation. TOLLIP deficiency results in the stabilization of ACE2 and elevated SARS-CoV-2 infection. In conclusion, our findings suggest selective autophagic degradation of ACE2 orchestrated by SUMOylation and ubiquitination as a potential way to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS- CoV-2 hijacks ACE2 for cell entry. Here, the authors report that dynamic SUMOylation modulates the TOLLIP-directed selective autophagic degradation of ACE2 and suggest SUMOylation inhibition as a potential intervention against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouheng Jin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xing He
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510182, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510182, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Meng Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sihui Cai
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Wei
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheyu Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiyao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510182, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaoxing Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunwei Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihong Xie
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510182, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Cui
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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12
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Hochuli J, Jain S, Melo-Filho C, Sessions ZL, Bobrowski T, Choe J, Zheng J, Eastman R, Talley DC, Rai G, Simeonov A, Tropsha A, Muratov EN, Baljinnyam B, Zakharov AV. Allosteric Binders of ACE2 Are Promising Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:468-478. [PMID: 35821746 PMCID: PMC9236207 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had enormous health, economic, and social consequences. Vaccines have been successful in reducing rates of infection and hospitalization, but there is still a need for acute treatment of the disease. We investigate whether compounds that bind the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein can decrease SARS-CoV-2 replication without impacting ACE2's natural enzymatic function. Initial screening of a diversity library resulted in hit compounds active in an ACE2-binding assay, which showed little inhibition of ACE2 enzymatic activity (116 actives, success rate ∼4%), suggesting they were allosteric binders. Subsequent application of in silico techniques boosted success rates to ∼14% and resulted in 73 novel confirmed ACE2 binders with K d values as low as 6 nM. A subsequent SARS-CoV-2 assay revealed that five of these compounds inhibit the viral life cycle in human cells. Further effort is required to completely elucidate the antiviral mechanism of these ACE2-binders, but they present a valuable starting point for both the development of acute treatments for COVID-19 and research into the host-directed therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua
E. Hochuli
- Molecular
Modeling Laboratory, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Curriculum
in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Sankalp Jain
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Cleber Melo-Filho
- Molecular
Modeling Laboratory, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zoe L. Sessions
- Molecular
Modeling Laboratory, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Tesia Bobrowski
- Molecular
Modeling Laboratory, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jun Choe
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Johnny Zheng
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Richard Eastman
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Daniel C. Talley
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Ganesha Rai
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Alexander Tropsha
- Molecular
Modeling Laboratory, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Eugene N. Muratov
- Molecular
Modeling Laboratory, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Bolormaa Baljinnyam
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Alexey V. Zakharov
- National
Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
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13
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Cecon E, Fernandois D, Renault N, Coelho CFF, Wenzel J, Bedart C, Izabelle C, Gallet S, Le Poder S, Klonjkowski B, Schwaninger M, Prevot V, Dam J, Jockers R. Melatonin drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry into the brain and virus-induced damage of cerebral small vessels. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:361. [PMID: 35697820 PMCID: PMC9191404 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04390-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a complex disease with short- and long-term respiratory, inflammatory and neurological symptoms that are triggered by the infection with SARS-CoV-2. Invasion of the brain by SARS-CoV-2 has been observed in humans and is postulated to be involved in post-COVID state. Brain infection is particularly pronounced in the K18-hACE2 mouse model of COVID-19. Prevention of brain infection in the acute phase of the disease might thus be of therapeutic relevance to prevent long-lasting symptoms of COVID-19. We previously showed that melatonin or two prescribed structural analogs, agomelatine and ramelteon delay the onset of severe clinical symptoms and improve survival of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice. Here, we show that treatment of K18-hACE2 mice with melatonin and two melatonin-derived marketed drugs, agomelatine and ramelteon, prevents SARS-CoV-2 entry in the brain, thereby reducing virus-induced damage of small cerebral vessels, immune cell infiltration and brain inflammation. Molecular modeling analyses complemented by experimental studies in cells showed that SARS-CoV-2 entry in endothelial cells is prevented by melatonin binding to an allosteric-binding site on human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), thus interfering with ACE2 function as an entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Our findings open new perspectives for the repurposing of melatonergic drugs and its clinically used analogs in the prevention of brain infection by SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19-related long-term neurological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Cecon
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Daniela Fernandois
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 Days for Health, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Renault
- Univ Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, U-1286 - INFINTE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Caio Fernando Ferreira Coelho
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 Days for Health, Lille, France
| | - Jan Wenzel
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Corentin Bedart
- Univ Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, U-1286 - INFINTE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, 59000, Lille, France.,Par'Immune, Bio-incubateur Eurasanté, 70 rue du Dr. Yersin, 59120, Loos-Lez-Lille, France
| | - Charlotte Izabelle
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Gallet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 Days for Health, Lille, France
| | - Sophie Le Poder
- UMR Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Bernard Klonjkowski
- UMR Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 Days for Health, Lille, France
| | - Julie Dam
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Ralf Jockers
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, 75014, Paris, France.
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14
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Zhang L, Ghosh SK, Basavarajappa SC, Chen Y, Shrestha P, Penfield J, Brewer A, Ramakrishnan P, Buck M, Weinberg A. HBD-2 binds SARS-CoV-2 RBD and blocks viral entry: Strategy to combat COVID-19. iScience 2022; 25:103856. [PMID: 35128350 PMCID: PMC8808565 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
New approaches to complement vaccination are needed to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and stop COVID-19-related deaths and medical complications. Human beta defensin 2 (hBD-2) is a naturally occurring epithelial cell-derived host defense peptide that has anti-viral properties. Our comprehensive in-silico studies demonstrate that hBD-2 binds the site on the CoV-2-RBD that docks with the ACE2 receptor. Biophysical measurements confirm that hBD-2 indeed binds to the CoV-2-receptor-binding domain (RBD) (KD ∼ 2μM by surface plasmon resonance), preventing it from binding to ACE2-expressing cells. Importantly, hBD-2 shows specificity by blocking CoV-2/spike pseudoviral infection, but not VSVG-mediated infection, of ACE2-expressing human cells with an IC50 of 2.8 ± 0.4 μM. These promising findings offer opportunities to develop hBD-2 and/or its derivatives and mimetics to safely and effectively use as agents to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Zhang
- Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA
| | - Santosh K. Ghosh
- Biological Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | | | - Yinghua Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Pravesh Shrestha
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jackson Penfield
- Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA
| | - Ann Brewer
- Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA
| | - Parameswaran Ramakrishnan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Aaron Weinberg
- Biological Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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15
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Hochuli JE, Jain S, Melo-filho C, Sessions ZL, Bobrowski T, Choe J, Zheng J, Eastman R, Talley DC, Rai G, Simeonov A, Tropsha A, Muratov EN, Baljinnyam B, Zakharov AV. Allosteric binders of ACE2 are promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.. [PMID: 35313579 PMCID: PMC8936107 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.15.484484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has had enormous health, economic, and social consequences. Vaccines have been successful in reducing rates of infection and hospitalization, but there is still a need for an acute treatment for the disease. We investigate whether compounds that bind the human ACE2 protein can interrupt SARS-CoV-2 replication without damaging ACE2’s natural enzymatic function. Initial compounds were screened for binding to ACE2 but little interruption of ACE2 enzymatic activity. This set of compounds was extended by application of quantitative structure-activity analysis, which resulted in 512 virtual hits for further confirmatory screening. A subsequent SARS-CoV-2 replication assay revealed that five of these compounds inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells. Further effort is required to completely determine the antiviral mechanism of these compounds, but they serve as a strong starting point for both development of acute treatments for COVID-19 and research into the mechanism of infection.Abstract FigureTOC Graphic: Overall study design.
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16
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Shin Y, Jeong K, Lee J, Lee HJ, Yim J, Kim J, Kim S, Park SB. Inhibition of ACE2-Spike Interaction by an ACE2 Binder Suppresses SARS-CoV-2 Entry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202115695. [PMID: 35043545 PMCID: PMC9011661 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants is a significant concern in developing effective therapeutics and vaccines in the middle of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we have identified a novel small molecule that inhibited the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike RBDs and ACE2 by modulating ACE2 without impairing its enzymatic activity necessary for normal physiological functions. Furthermore, the identified compounds suppressed viral infection in cultured cells by inhibiting the entry of ancestral and variant SARS-CoV-2. Our study suggests that targeting ACE2 could be a novel therapeutic strategy to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells and prevent the development of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young‐Hee Shin
- CRI Center for Chemical ProteomicsDepartment of ChemistrySeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering & BiotechnologyKorea Polytechnic UniversitySiheung15073Korea
| | - Kiyoung Jeong
- CRI Center for Chemical ProteomicsDepartment of ChemistrySeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Korea
| | - Jihye Lee
- Zoonotic Virus LaboratoryInstitut Pasteur KoreaSeongnam13488Korea
| | - Hyo Jung Lee
- Zoonotic Virus LaboratoryInstitut Pasteur KoreaSeongnam13488Korea
| | - Junhyeong Yim
- Department of Biophysics and Chemical BiologySeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Korea
| | - Jonghoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Integrative Institute of Basic ScienceSoongsil UniversitySeoul06978Korea
| | - Seungtaek Kim
- Zoonotic Virus LaboratoryInstitut Pasteur KoreaSeongnam13488Korea
| | - Seung Bum Park
- CRI Center for Chemical ProteomicsDepartment of ChemistrySeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Korea
- Department of Biophysics and Chemical BiologySeoul National UniversitySeoul08826Korea
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17
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Tea Polyphenols Prevent and Intervene in COVID-19 through Intestinal Microbiota. Foods 2022; 11:foods11040506. [PMID: 35205982 PMCID: PMC8871045 DOI: 10.3390/foods11040506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although all countries have taken corresponding measures, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still ravaging the world. To consolidate the existing anti-epidemic results and further strengthen the prevention and control measures against the new coronavirus, we are now actively pioneering a novel research idea of regulating the intestinal microbiota through tea polyphenols for reference. Although studies have long revealed the regulatory effect of tea polyphenols on the intestinal microbiota to various gastrointestinal inflammations, little is known about the prevention and intervention of COVID-19. This review summarizes the possible mechanism of the influence of tea polyphenols on COVID-19 mediated by the intestinal microbiota. In this review, the latest studies of tea polyphenols exhibiting their own antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities and protective effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier are combed through and summarized. Among them, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the main monomers of catechins, may be activated as nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The agent inhibits the expression of ACE2 (a cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2) and TMPRSS2 to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, inhibiting the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, preliminary reasoning and judgments have been made about the possible mechanism of the effect of tea polyphenols on the COVID-19 control and prevention mediated by the microbiota. These results may be of great significance to the future exploration of specialized research in this field.
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18
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Shin Y, Jeong K, Lee J, Lee HJ, Yim J, Kim J, Kim S, Park SB. Inhibition of ACE2‐Spike Interaction by an ACE2 Binder Suppresses SARS‐CoV‐2 Entry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Young‐Hee Shin
- CRI Center for Chemical Proteomics Department of Chemistry Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology Korea Polytechnic University Siheung 15073 Korea
| | - Kiyoung Jeong
- CRI Center for Chemical Proteomics Department of Chemistry Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Korea
| | - Jihye Lee
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory Institut Pasteur Korea Seongnam 13488 Korea
| | - Hyo Jung Lee
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory Institut Pasteur Korea Seongnam 13488 Korea
| | - Junhyeong Yim
- Department of Biophysics and Chemical Biology Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Korea
| | - Jonghoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Integrative Institute of Basic Science Soongsil University Seoul 06978 Korea
| | - Seungtaek Kim
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory Institut Pasteur Korea Seongnam 13488 Korea
| | - Seung Bum Park
- CRI Center for Chemical Proteomics Department of Chemistry Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Korea
- Department of Biophysics and Chemical Biology Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Korea
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19
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Song Y, Qayyum S, Greer RA, Slominski RM, Raman C, Slominski AT, Song Y. Vitamin D3 and its hydroxyderivatives as promising drugs against COVID-19: a computational study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:11594-11610. [PMID: 34415218 PMCID: PMC8858339 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1964601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The epidemiologic correlation between the poor prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vitamin D deficiency has been observed worldwide, however, their molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used combined molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy analyses to investigate the potentials of vitamin D3 and its hydroxyderivatives as TMPRSS2 inhibitor and to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as well as to unveil molecular and structural basis of 1,25(OH)2D3 capability to inhibit ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 RBD interactions. The results show that vitamin D3 and its hydroxyderivatives are favorable to bind active site of TMPRSS2 and the binding site(s) between ACE2 and SARS-CoV2-RBD, which indicate that vitamin D3 and its biologically active hydroxyderivatives can serve as TMPRSS2 inhibitor and can inhibit ACE2 binding of SARS-CoV-2 RBD to prevent SARS-CoV-2 entry. Interaction of 1,25(OH)2D3 with SARS-CoV-2 RBD and ACE2 resulted in the conformation and dynamical motion changes of the binding surfaces between SARS-CoV-2 RBD and ACE2 to interrupt the binding of SARS-CoV-2 RBD with ACE2. The interaction of 1,25(OH)2D3 with TMPRSS2 also caused the conformational and dynamical motion changes of TMPRSS2, which could affect TMPRSS2 to prime SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. Our results propose that vitamin D3 and its biologically active hydroxyderivatives are promising drugs or adjuvants in the treatment of COVID-19. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Song
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shariq Qayyum
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rory A. Greer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Radomir M. Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA,Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Chander Raman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA,Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Andrzej T. Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Chemoprevention Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yuhua Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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20
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Okada S, Fukai Y, Tanoue Y, Nasser H, Fukuda T, Ikeda T, Saitoh H. Basic structure and cytocompatibility of giant membrane vesicles derived from paraformaldehyde-exposed human cells. J Biochem 2021; 171:339-347. [PMID: 34928331 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Exposure of cultured mammalian cells to paraformaldehyde (PFA) is an effective approach to induce membrane blebs, which is followed by their detachment from the cellular cortex to yield giant membrane vesicles in extracellular spaces. Although PFA-induced giant vesicles have attracted significant interest in the field of cell membrane dynamics, their biochemical components and cytocompatibility remain largely unknown. In this report, we exposed human cervical cancer HeLa cells to PFA under metal-free buffer conditions to produce giant vesicles. We analyzed the components and structure of the purified PFA-induced giant vesicles. Co-culturing PFA-induced giant vesicles with exponentially growing HeLa cells resulted in docking of a significant number of the giant vesicles to the cell surface with seemingly no cytotoxicity. Intriguingly, we found that pre-treatment of HeLa cells with peptide-N-glycosidase and neuraminidase was effective in facilitating cellular uptake of constituents residing inside the vesicles. The results revealed further details about the effect of PFA on cell membranes and provide insights for studying the interaction between PFA-induced giant vesicles and cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saya Okada
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuta Fukai
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Tanoue
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hesham Nasser
- Divison of Molecular Virology & Genetics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41511, Egypt
| | - Takaichi Fukuda
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Terumasa Ikeda
- Divison of Molecular Virology & Genetics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hisato Saitoh
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology (FAST), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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21
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Healy EF, Lilic M. A model for COVID-19-induced dysregulation of ACE2 shedding by ADAM17. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 573:158-163. [PMID: 34416436 PMCID: PMC8364680 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldesterone system (RAAS) that mediates numerous effects in the cardiovascular system. It is also the cellular point of contact for the coronavirus spike protein. Cleavage of the receptor is both important to its physiological function as well as being necessary for cell entry by the virus. Shedding of ACE2 by the metalloprotease ADAM17 releases a catalytically active soluble form of ACE2, but cleavage by the serine protease TMPRSS2 is necessary for virion internalization. Complicating the issue is the observation that circulating ACE2 can also bind to the virus effectively blocking attachment to the membrane-bound receptor. This work investigates the possibility that the inflammatory response to coronavirus infection can abrogate shedding by ADAM17, thereby favoring cleavage by TMPRSS2 and thus cell entry by the virion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn F Healy
- Department of Chemistry, St. Edward's University, Austin, TX 78704, USA.
| | - Marko Lilic
- Department of Chemistry, St. Edward's University, Austin, TX 78704, USA
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22
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Uyar A, Dickson A. Perturbation of ACE2 Structural Ensembles by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 17:5896-5906. [PMID: 34383488 PMCID: PMC8370119 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The human ACE2 enzyme serves as a critical first recognition point of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In particular, the extracellular domain of ACE2 interacts directly with the S1 tailspike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virion through a broad protein-protein interface. Although this interaction has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, these structures do not reveal significant differences in the ACE2 structure upon S1 protein binding. In this work, using several all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we show persistent differences in the ACE2 structure upon binding. These differences are determined with the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) machine learning method and validated using independent training and testing datasets, including long trajectories generated by D. E. Shaw Research on the Anton 2 supercomputer. In addition, long trajectories for 78 potent ACE2-binding compounds, also generated by D. E. Shaw Research, were projected onto the LDA classification vector in order to determine whether the ligand-bound ACE2 structures were compatible with S1 protein binding. This allows us to predict which compounds are "apo-like" versus "complex-like" and to pinpoint long-range ligand-induced allosteric changes in the ACE2 structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzu Uyar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Alex Dickson
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan 48824, United States.,Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan 48824, United States
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23
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Bhattarai A, Pawnikar S, Miao Y. Mechanism of Ligand Recognition by Human ACE2 Receptor. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:4814-4822. [PMID: 33999630 PMCID: PMC8146134 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a key role in renin-angiotensin system regulation and amino acid homeostasis. Human ACE2 acts as the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. ACE2 is also widely expressed in epithelial cells of the lungs, heart, kidney, and pancreas. It is considered an important drug target for treating SARS-CoV-2 as well as pulmonary diseases, heart failure, hypertension, renal diseases, and diabetes. Despite the critical importance, the mechanism of ligand binding to the human ACE2 receptor remains unknown. Here, we have addressed this challenge through all-atom simulations using a novel ligand Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (LiGaMD) method. Microsecond time scale LiGaMD simulations have unprecedentedly captured multiple times of spontaneous binding and unbinding of a potent inhibitor MLN-4760 in the ACE2 receptor. With ligand far away in the unbound state, the ACE2 receptor samples distinct Open, Partially Open, Closed, and Fully Closed conformations. Upon ligand binding to the active site, conformational ensemble of the ACE2 receptor is biased toward the Closed state as observed in the X-ray experimental structure. The LiGaMD simulations thus suggest a conformational selection mechanism for ligand recognition by the highly flexible ACE2 receptor, which is expected to facilitate rational drug design targeting human ACE2 against coronaviruses and other related human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurba Bhattarai
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Shristi Pawnikar
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
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24
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Luo R, Delaunay‐Moisan A, Timmis K, Danchin A. SARS-CoV-2 biology and variants: anticipation of viral evolution and what needs to be done. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:2339-2363. [PMID: 33769683 PMCID: PMC8251359 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The global propagation of SARS-CoV-2 and the detection of a large number of variants, some of which have replaced the original clade to become dominant, underscores the fact that the virus is actively exploring its evolutionary space. The longer high levels of viral multiplication occur - permitted by high levels of transmission -, the more the virus can adapt to the human host and find ways to success. The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting in different parts of the world, emphasizing that transmission containment measures that are being imposed are not adequate. Part of the consideration in determining containment measures is the rationale that vaccination will soon stop transmission and allow a return to normality. However, vaccines themselves represent a selection pressure for evolution of vaccine-resistant variants, so the coupling of a policy of permitting high levels of transmission/virus multiplication during vaccine roll-out with the expectation that vaccines will deal with the pandemic, is unrealistic. In the absence of effective antivirals, it is not improbable that SARS-CoV-2 infection prophylaxis will involve an annual vaccination campaign against 'dominant' viral variants, similar to influenza prophylaxis. Living with COVID-19 will be an issue of SARS-CoV-2 variants and evolution. It is therefore crucial to understand how SARS-CoV-2 evolves and what constrains its evolution, in order to anticipate the variants that will emerge. Thus far, the focus has been on the receptor-binding spike protein, but the virus is complex, encoding 26 proteins which interact with a large number of host factors, so the possibilities for evolution are manifold and not predictable a priori. However, if we are to mount the best defence against COVID-19, we must mount it against the variants, and to do this, we must have knowledge about the evolutionary possibilities of the virus. In addition to the generic cellular interactions of the virus, there are extensive polymorphisms in humans (e.g. Lewis, HLA, etc.), some distributed within most or all populations, some restricted to specific ethnic populations and these variations pose additional opportunities for/constraints on viral evolution. We now have the wherewithal - viral genome sequencing, protein structure determination/modelling, protein interaction analysis - to functionally characterize viral variants, but access to comprehensive genome data is extremely uneven. Yet, to develop an understanding of the impacts of such evolution on transmission and disease, we must link it to transmission (viral epidemiology) and disease data (patient clinical data), and the population granularities of these. In this editorial, we explore key facets of viral biology and the influence of relevant aspects of human polymorphisms, human behaviour, geography and climate and, based on this, derive a series of recommendations to monitor viral evolution and predict the types of variants that are likely to arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibang Luo
- Department of Computer ScienceThe University of Hong KongBonham RoadPokfulamHong Kong
| | - Agnès Delaunay‐Moisan
- Université Paris‐Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)Gif‐sur‐Yvette91198France
| | - Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnical University of BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
| | - Antoine Danchin
- Kodikos Labs, Institut Cochin, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint‐JacquesParis75014France
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Kashing Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Hong Kong21 Sassoon RoadHong Kong
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25
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Saulle I, Marventano I, Saresella M, Vanetti C, Garziano M, Fenizia C, Trabattoni D, Clerici M, Biasin M. ERAPs Reduce In Vitro HIV Infection by Activating Innate Immune Response. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:1609-1617. [PMID: 33619214 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant human (rh) ERAP2-treated PBMCs are less susceptible to in vitro HIV-1 infection even when CD8+ T cells are depleted. We therefore investigated whether ERAP2 can trigger other immunocompetent cells, boosting their antiviral potential. To this end, human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) differentiated from PBMCs of 15 healthy donors were in vitro HIV-1 infected in the presence/absence of 100 ng/ml of rhERAP2, rhERAP1, or rhERAP1+rhERAP2. Notably, rhERAP2 treatment resulted in a 7-fold reduction of HIV-1 replication in MDMs (p < 0.05). This antiviral activity was associated with an increased mRNA expression of CD80, IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α (p < 0.01 for cytokine) in in vitro ERAP2-treated HIV-1-infected MDMs and a greater release of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 (p < 0.01 for each cytokine). The rhERAPs addition also induced the functional inflammasome activation by ASC speck formation in monocytes (p < 0.01) and in THP1-derived macrophages (p < 0.01) as well as a rise in the percentage of activated classical (CD14+CD16-HLA-DRII+CCR7+) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+HLA-DRII+CCR7+) monocytes (p < 0.02). Finally, THP-1-derived macrophages showed an increased phagocytosis following all ERAPs treatments. The discovery that ERAPs are able to trigger several antiviral mechanisms in monocyte/macrophages suggests that their anti-HIV potential is not limited to their canonical role in Ag presentation and CD8+ T cell activation. These findings pose the premise to further investigate the role of ERAPs in both innate and adaptive immunostimulatory pathways and suggest their potential use in novel preventive and therapeutic approaches against HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Saulle
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; and
| | | | | | - Claudia Vanetti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; and
| | - Micaela Garziano
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Fenizia
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; and
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; and.,Fondazione IRCCS Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Biasin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy;
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26
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Nussinov R, Jang H, Gursoy A, Keskin O, Gaponenko V. Inhibition of Nonfunctional Ras. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:121-133. [PMID: 33440168 PMCID: PMC7897307 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intuitively, functional states should be targeted; not nonfunctional ones. So why could drugging the inactive K-Ras4BG12Cwork-but drugging the inactive kinase will likely not? The reason is the distinct oncogenic mechanisms. Kinase driver mutations work by stabilizing the active state and/or destabilizing the inactive state. Either way, oncogenic kinases are mostly in the active state. Ras driver mutations work by quelling its deactivation mechanisms, GTP hydrolysis, and nucleotide exchange. Covalent inhibitors that bind to the inactive GDP-bound K-Ras4BG12C conformation can thus work. By contrast, in kinases, allosteric inhibitors work by altering the active-site conformation to favor orthosteric drugs. From the translational standpoint this distinction is vital: it expedites effective pharmaceutical development and extends the drug classification based on the mechanism of action. Collectively, here we postulate that drug action relates to blocking the mechanism of activation, not to whether the protein is in the active or inactive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Attila Gursoy
- Department of Computer Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Keskin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Vadim Gaponenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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27
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Zhang L, Ghosh SK, Basavarajappa SC, Muller-Greven J, Penfield J, Brewer A, Ramakrishnan P, Buck M, Weinberg A. Molecular dynamics simulations and functional studies reveal that hBD-2 binds SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and blocks viral entry into ACE2 expressing cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.01.07.425621. [PMID: 33442698 PMCID: PMC7805467 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.07.425621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
New approaches to complement vaccination are needed to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and stop COVID-19 related deaths and long-term medical complications. Human beta defensin 2 (hBD-2) is a naturally occurring epithelial cell derived host defense peptide that has antiviral properties. Our comprehensive in-silico studies demonstrate that hBD-2 binds the site on the CoV-2-RBD that docks with the ACE2 receptor. Biophysical and biochemical assays confirm that hBD-2 indeed binds to the CoV-2-receptor binding domain (RBD) (KD ~ 300 nM), preventing it from binding to ACE2 expressing cells. Importantly, hBD-2 shows specificity by blocking CoV-2/spike pseudoviral infection, but not VSV-G mediated infection, of ACE2 expressing human cells with an IC50 of 2.4± 0.1 μM. These promising findings offer opportunities to develop hBD-2 and/or its derivatives and mimetics to safely and effectively use as novel agents to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Zhang
- Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505
- contributed equally
| | - Santosh K. Ghosh
- Biological Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44124
- contributed equally
| | - Shrikanth C. Basavarajappa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44124
- contributed equally
| | - Jeannine Muller-Greven
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44124
| | - Jackson Penfield
- Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505
| | - Ann Brewer
- Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505
| | | | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44124
| | - Aaron Weinberg
- Biological Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44124
- Lead contact
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28
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Dai W, Cao D, Zhang W, Wei Y, Ding D, Li B, Gao Y, Zhao L, Jiang Y, Kong X. Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Key Candidate Genes and Cytokine Pathways Involved in COVID-19 After Rhinovirus Infection in Asthma Patients. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e928861. [PMID: 33315853 PMCID: PMC7747473 DOI: 10.12659/msm.928861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rhinovirus (RV) is the most common pathogen involved in asthma, and COVID-19, caused by SARS-COV-2, may be more severe in asthma patients. Here, we applied integrated bioinformatics to identify potential key genes and cytokine pathways after RV infection in asthma, and analyzed changes in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the cellular receptor of SARS-COV-2. Material/Methods The gene expression profile dataset GSE149273 was downloaded from NCBI-GEO, which included 90 samples of non-infected, RVA, and RVC. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using t tests in the limma R package, and subsequently investigated by GO, KEGG, and DO analysis. Moreover, the expression of ACE2 and the proportion of immune cells were further analyzed to determine the effects of RV on cytokines. Results A total of 555 DEGs of RVA and 421 of RVC were identified. There were 415 DEGs in RVA and RVC, of which 406 were upregulated and 9 were downregulated. The functional enrichment analysis showed that most DEGs were obviously enriched in cytokines, and were mainly enriched in “influenza” and “hepatitis C, chronic”. In addition, the expression of ACE2 increased significantly and the proportion of immune cytokines significantly changed after RV infection. Our results suggest that RV can activate the cytokine pathway associated with COVID-19 by increasing ACE2. Conclusions The DEGs and related cytokine pathways after asthma RV infection identified using integrated bioinformatics in this study elucidate the potential link between RV and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Dawei Cao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yangyang Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Daqing Ding
- Department of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Bei Li
- Department of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Lixuan Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
| | - Xiaomei Kong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China (mainland)
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29
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Hadi-Alijanvand H, Rouhani M. Studying the Effects of ACE2 Mutations on the Stability, Dynamics, and Dissociation Process of SARS-CoV-2 S1/hACE2 Complexes. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:4609-4623. [PMID: 32786692 PMCID: PMC7640954 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
A highly infectious coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread in many countries. This virus recognizes its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), using the receptor binding domain of its spike protein subunit S1. Many missense mutations are reported in various human populations for the ACE2 gene. In the current study, we predict the affinity of many ACE2 variants for binding to S1 protein using different computational approaches. The dissociation process of S1 from some variants of ACE2 is studied in the current work by molecular dynamics approaches. We study the relation between structural dynamics of ACE2 in closed and open states and its affinity for S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Hadi-Alijanvand
- Department of Biological
Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies
in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran
| | - Maryam Rouhani
- Department of Biological
Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies
in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran
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30
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Bhattarai A, Pawnikar S, Miao Y. Mechanism of ligand recognition by human ACE2 receptor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 33140043 PMCID: PMC7605550 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.30.362749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a key role in renin-angiotensin system regulation and amino acid homeostasis. Human ACE2 acts as the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. ACE2 is also widely expressed in epithelial cells of lungs, heart, kidney and pancreas. It is considered an important drug target for treating SARS-CoV-2, as well as pulmonary diseases, heart failure, hypertension, renal diseases and diabetes. Despite the critical importance, the mechanism of ligand binding to the human ACE2 receptor remains unknown. Here, we address this challenge through all-atom simulations using a novel ligand Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (LiGaMD) method. Microsecond LiGaMD simulations have successfully captured both binding and unbinding of the MLN-4760 inhibitor in the ACE2 receptor. In the ligand unbound state, the ACE2 receptor samples distinct Open, Partially Open and Closed conformations. Ligand binding biases the receptor conformational ensemble towards the Closed state. The LiGaMD simulations thus suggest a conformational selection mechanism for ligand recognition by the ACE2 receptor. Our simulation findings are expected to facilitate rational drug design of ACE2 against coronaviruses and other related human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurba Bhattarai
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Shristi Pawnikar
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Center for Computational Biology and Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
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31
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Saponaro F, Rutigliano G, Sestito S, Bandini L, Storti B, Bizzarri R, Zucchi R. ACE2 in the Era of SARS-CoV-2: Controversies and Novel Perspectives. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:588618. [PMID: 33195436 PMCID: PMC7556165 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.588618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is related to ACE but turned out to counteract several pathophysiological actions of ACE. ACE2 exerts antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects and reduces lung inflammation. ACE2 is subjected to extensive transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulation by epigenetic mechanisms and microRNAs. Also, ACE2 expression is regulated post-translationally by glycosylation, phosphorylation, and shedding from the plasma membrane. ACE2 protein is ubiquitous across mammalian tissues, prominently in the cardiovascular system, kidney, and intestine. ACE2 expression in the respiratory tract is of particular interest, in light of the discovery that ACE2 serves as the initial cellular target of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronaviruses, including the recent SARS-CoV2, responsible of the COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an intense effort has been made to elucidate the biochemical determinants of SARS-CoV2-ACE2 interaction. It has been determined that SARS-CoV2 engages with ACE2 through its spike (S) protein, which consists of two subunits: S1, that mediates binding to the host receptor; S2, that induces fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane and delivery of the viral genome. Owing to the role of ACE2 in SARS-CoV2 pathogenicity, it has been speculated that medical conditions, i.e., hypertension, and/or drugs, i.e., ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, known to influence ACE2 density could alter the fate of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The debate is still open and will only be solved when results of properly designed experimental and clinical investigations will be made public. An interesting observation is, however that, upon infection, ACE2 activity is reduced either by downregulation or by shedding. These events might precipitate the so-called "cytokine storm" that characterizes the most severe COVID-19 forms. As evidence accumulates, ACE2 appears a druggable target in the attempt to limit virus entry and replication. Strategies aimed at blocking ACE2 with antibodies, small molecules or peptides, or at neutralizing the virus by competitive binding with exogenously administered ACE2, are currently under investigations. In this review, we will present an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge on ACE2 biochemistry and pathophysiology, outlining open issues in the context of COVID-19 disease and potential experimental and clinical developments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simona Sestito
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Storti
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and CNR-NANO, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ranieri Bizzarri
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore and CNR-NANO, Pisa, Italy
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