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Roy U. Computational Investigation of Selected Spike Protein Mutations in SARS-CoV-2: Delta, Omicron, and Some Circulating Subvariants. Pathogens 2023; 13:10. [PMID: 38276156 PMCID: PMC10820870 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010010] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants recently reported, the Delta variant has generated the most perilous and widespread effects. Another variant, Omicron, has been identified specifically for its high transmissibility. Omicron contains numerous spike (S) protein mutations and numbers much larger than those of its predecessor variants. In this report, the author has discussed some essential structural aspects and time-based structure changes of a selected set of spike protein mutations within the Delta and Omicron variants. The expected impact of multiple point mutations within the spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD) and S1 of these variants are examined. Additionally, the RBDs of the more recently emerged subvariants BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.12.1 are discussed. Within the latter group, BA.5 represents the most prevalent form of SARS-CoV-2 globally until recently. This computational work also briefly explores the temporal mutation profile for the currently circulating variants of interest (VOIs), variants under monitoring (VUMs), and variants being monitored (VBMs) including XBB.1.5, BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBF, EG.5 (or Eris), and BA.2.86 (or Pirola). It is expected that these structural data can facilitate the tasks of identifying drug targets and neutralizing antibodies for the evolving variants/subvariants of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Roy
- Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
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El-Fakharany EM, El-Gendi H, El-Maradny YA, Abu-Serie MM, Abdel-Wahhab KG, Shabana ME, Ashry M. Inhibitory effect of lactoferrin-coated zinc nanoparticles on SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry along with improvement of lung fibrosis induced in adult male albino rats. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 245:125552. [PMID: 37356684 PMCID: PMC10290166 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125552] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2019-new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a major global challenge caused by a pandemic disease, named 'COVID-19' with no effective and selective therapy available so far. COVID-19-associated mortality is directly related to the inability to suppress the viral infection and the uncontrolled inflammatory response. So, we investigated the antiviral efficiency of the nanofabricated and well-characterized lactoferrin-coated zinc nanoparticles (Lf-Zn-NPs) on SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry into host cells. Lf-Zn-NPs showed potent inhibition of the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells by inhibition of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor. This inhibitory activity of Lf-Zn-NPs to target the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the ACE2 receptor offers potent protection against COVID-19 outbreaks. Moreover, the administration of Lf-Zn-NPs markedly improved lung fibrosis disorders, as supported by histopathological findings and monitored by the significant reduction in the values of CRP, LDH, ferritin, and D-dimer, with a remarkable rise in CD4+, lung SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels. Lf-Zn-NPs revealed therapeutic efficiency against lung fibrosis owing to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and ACE2-inhibiting activities. These findings suggest a promising nanomedicine agent against COVID-19 and its complications, with improved antiviral and immunomodulatory properties as well as a safer mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmail M El-Fakharany
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA- City), New Borg El-Arab City 21934, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Hamada El-Gendi
- Bioprocess Development Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab City 21934, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Yousra A El-Maradny
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA- City), New Borg El-Arab City 21934, Alexandria, Egypt; Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Alamein 51718, Egypt
| | - Marwa M Abu-Serie
- Medical Biotechnology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab 21934, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | | | - Mahmoud Ashry
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit, Egypt
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Fatouros PR, Roy U, Sur S. Implications of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interactions with Zn-bound form of ACE2: a computational structural study. Biometals 2023:10.1007/s10534-023-00491-z. [PMID: 36725769 PMCID: PMC9891659 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00491-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a major interest in designing inhibitors to prevent SARS-CoV-2 binding on host cells to protect against infection. One promising approach to such research utilizes molecular dynamics simulation to identify potential inhibitors that can prevent the interaction between spike (S) protein on the virus and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the host cells. In these studies, many groups have chosen to exclude the ACE2-bound zinc (Zn) ion, which is critical for its enzymatic activity. While the relatively distant location of Zn ion from the S protein binding site (S1 domain), combined with the difficulties in modeling this ion has motivated the decision of exclusion, Zn can potentially contribute to the structural stability of the entire protein, and thus, may have implications on S protein-ACE2 interaction. In this study, the authors model both the ACE2-S1 and ACE2-inhibitor (mAb) system to investigate if there are variations in structure and the readouts due to the presence of Zn ion. Although distant from the S1 or inhibitor binding region, inclusion/exclusion of Zn has statistically significant effects on the structural stability and binding free energy in these systems. In particular, the binding free energy of the ACE2-S1 and ACE2-inhibitor structures is - 3.26 and - 14.8 kcal/mol stronger, respectively, in the Zn-bound structure than in the Zn-free structures. This finding suggests that including Zn may be important in screening potentially inhibitors and may be particularly important in modeling monoclonal antibodies, which may be more sensitive to changes in antigen structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R. Fatouros
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699 USA
| | - Urmi Roy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699 USA
| | - Shantanu Sur
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699 USA
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Moore GJ, Ridgway H, Kelaidonis K, Chasapis CT, Ligielli I, Mavromoustakos T, Bojarska J, Matsoukas JM. Actions of Novel Angiotensin Receptor Blocking Drugs, Bisartans, Relevant for COVID-19 Therapy: Biased Agonism at Angiotensin Receptors and the Beneficial Effects of Neprilysin in the Renin Angiotensin System. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27154854. [PMID: 35956801 PMCID: PMC9369639 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used in the treatment of hypertension and potentially in SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibit inverse agonist effects at angiotensin AR1 receptors, suggesting the receptor may have evolved to accommodate naturally occurring angiotensin ‘antipeptides’. Screening of the human genome has identified a peptide (EGVYVHPV) encoded by mRNA, complementary to that encoding ANG II itself, which is an inverse agonist. Thus, opposite strands of DNA encode peptides with opposite effects at AR1 receptors. Agonism and inverse agonism at AR1 receptors can be explained by a receptor ‘switching’ between an activated state invoking receptor dimerization/G protein coupling and an inverse agonist state mediated by an alternative/second messenger that is slow to reverse. Both receptor states appear to be driven by the formation of the ANG II charge-relay system involving TyrOH-His/imidazole-Carboxylate (analogous to serine proteases). In this system, tyrosinate species formed are essential for activating AT1 and AT2 receptors. ANGII is also known to bind to the zinc-coordinated metalloprotease angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) used by the COVID-19 virus to enter cells. Here we report in silico results demonstrating the binding of a new class of anionic biphenyl-tetrazole sartans (‘Bisartans’) to the active site zinc atom of the endopeptidase Neprilysin (NEP) involved in regulating hypertension, by modulating humoral levels of beneficial vasoactive peptides in the RAS such as vasodilator angiotensin (1–7). In vivo and modeling evidence further suggest Bisartans can inhibit ANG II-induced pulmonary edema and may be useful in combatting SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting ACE2-mediated viral entry to cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham J. Moore
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Pepmetics Inc., 772 Murphy Place, Victoria, BC V8Y 3H4, Canada
- Correspondence: (G.J.M.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Harry Ridgway
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
- AquaMem Consultants, Rodeo, New Mexico, NM 88056, USA
| | | | - Christos T. Chasapis
- NMR Facility, Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Irene Ligielli
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (I.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Thomas Mavromoustakos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (I.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Joanna Bojarska
- Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - John M. Matsoukas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- NewDrug PC, Patras Science Park, 26504 Patras, Greece;
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
- Correspondence: (G.J.M.); (J.M.M.)
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