1
|
Lokhande KB, Pawar SV, Madkaiker S, Shrivastava A, Venkateswara SK, Nawani N, Wani M, Ghosh P, Singh A. Screening of potential phytomolecules against MurG as drug target in nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa: perceptions from computational campaign. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:495-508. [PMID: 36974974 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2194005] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The nosocomial infection outbreak caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains a public health concern. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of P. aeruginosa are rapidly spreading leading to a huge mortality rate because of the unavailability of promising antimicrobials. MurG glycotransferase [UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-N-acetylmuramyl (pentapeptide) pyrophosphoryl-undecaprenol N-acetylglucosamine transferase] is located at the plasma membrane and plays a key role in murein (peptidoglycan) biosynthesis in bacteria. Since MurG is required for bacterial cell wall synthesis and is non-homologous to Homo sapiens; it can be a potential target for the antagonist to treat P. aeruginosa infection. The discovery of high-resolution crystal structure of P. aeruginosa MurG offers an opportunity for the computational identification of its prospective inhibitors. Therefore, in the present study, the crystal structure of MurG (PDB ID: 3S2U) from P. aeruginosa was selected, and computational docking analyses were performed to search for functional inhibitors of MurG. IMPPAT (Indian medicinal plants, phytochemicals and therapeutic) phytomolecule database was screened by computational methods with MurG catalytic site. Docking results identified Theobromine (-8.881 kcal/mol), demethoxycurcumin (-8.850 kcal/mol), 2-alpha-hydroxycostic acid (-8.791 kcal/mol), aurantiamide (-8.779 kcal/mol) and petasiphenol (-8.685 kcal/mol) as a potential inhibitor of the MurG activity. Further, theobromine and demethoxycurcumin were subjected to MDS (molecular dynamics simulation) and free energy (MM/GBSA) analysis to comprehend the physiological state and structural stability of MurG-phytomolecules complexes. The outcomes suggested that these two phytomolecules could act as most favorable natural hit compounds for impeding the enzymatic action of MurG in P. aeruginosa, and thus it needs further validation by both in vitro and in vivo analysis. HIGHLIGHTSThe top phytomolecules such as theobromine, demethoxycurcumin, 2-alpha-hydroxycostic acid, aurantiamide and petasiphenol displayed promising binding with MurG catalytic domain.MurG complexed with theobromine and demethoxycurcumin showed the best interaction and stable by MD simulation at 100 ns.The outcome of MurG binding phytomolecules has expanded the possibility of hit phytomolecules validation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Bharat Lokhande
- Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sarika Vishnu Pawar
- Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Smriti Madkaiker
- Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Ashish Shrivastava
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Swamy K Venkateswara
- MIT School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Neelu Nawani
- Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Minal Wani
- Plant and Environmental Biotechnology Research Laboratory, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Payel Ghosh
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kaboudi N, Krüger N, Hamzeh-Mivehroud M. Development of novel ligands against SARS-CoV-2 M pro enzyme: an in silico and in vitro Study. Mol Inform 2023; 42:e202300120. [PMID: 37590494 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202300120] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite tremendous efforts made by scientific community during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, this disease still remains as a public health concern. Although different types of vaccines were globally used to reduce the mortality, emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 is a challenging issue in COVID-19 pharmacotherapy. In this context, target therapy of SARS-CoV-2 by small ligands is a promising strategy. METHODS In this investigation, we applied ligand-based virtual screening for finding novel molecules based on nirmatrelvir structure. Various criteria including drug-likeness, ADME, and toxicity properties were applied for filtering the compounds. The selected candidate molecules were subjected to molecular docking and dynamics simulation for predicting the binding mode and binding free energy, respectively. Then the molecules were experimentally evaluated in terms of antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and toxicity assessment. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the identified compounds showed inhibitory activity towards SARS-CoV-2 Mpro . CONCLUSION In summary, the introduced compounds may provide novel scaffold for further structural modification and optimization with improved anti SARS-CoV-2 Mpro activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navid Kaboudi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nadine Krüger
- Platform Infection Models, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maryam Hamzeh-Mivehroud
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zafar H, Saier MH. Understanding the Relationship of the Human Bacteriome with COVID-19 Severity and Recovery. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091213. [PMID: 37174613 PMCID: PMC10177376 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091213] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in 2019 in China and has resulted in millions of human morbidities and mortalities across the globe. Evidence has been provided that this novel virus originated in animals, mutated, and made the cross-species jump to humans. At the time of this communication, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may be on its way to an endemic form; however, the threat of the virus is more for susceptible (older and immunocompromised) people. The human body has millions of bacterial cells that influence health and disease. As a consequence, the bacteriomes in the human body substantially influence human health and disease. The bacteriomes in the body and the immune system seem to be in constant association during bacterial and viral infections. In this review, we identify various bacterial spp. In major bacteriomes (oral, nasal, lung, and gut) of the body in healthy humans and compare them with dysbiotic bacteriomes of COVID-19 patients. We try to identify key bacterial spp. That have a positive effect on the functionality of the immune system and human health. These select bacterial spp. Could be used as potential probiotics to counter or prevent COVID-19 infections. In addition, we try to identify key metabolites produced by probiotic bacterial spp. That could have potential anti-viral effects against SARS-CoV-2. These metabolites could be subject to future therapeutic trials to determine their anti-viral efficacies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Zafar
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0116, USA
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milton H Saier
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0116, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ribaudo G, Yun X, Ongaro A, Oselladore E, Ng JPL, Haynes RK, Law BYK, Memo M, Wong VKW, Coghi P, Gianoncelli A. Combining computational and experimental evidence on the activity of antimalarial drugs on papain-like protease of SARS-CoV-2: A repurposing study. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 101:809-818. [PMID: 36453012 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14187] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The development of inhibitors that target the papain-like protease (PLpro) has the potential to counteract the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on a consideration of its several downstream effects, interfering with PLpro would both revert immune suppression exerted by the virus and inhibit viral replication. By following a repurposing strategy, the current study evaluates the potential of antimalarial drugs as PLpro inhibitors, and thereby the possibility of their use for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Computational tools were employed for structural analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to screen antimalarial drugs against PLpro, and in silico data were validated by in vitro experiments. Virtual screening highlighted amodiaquine and methylene blue as the best candidates, and these findings were complemented by the in vitro results that indicated amodiaquine as a μM PLpro deubiquitinase inhibitor. The results of this study demonstrate that the computational workflow adopted here can correctly identify active compounds. Thus, the highlighted antimalarial drugs represent a starting point for the development of new PLpro inhibitors through structural optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Xiaoyun Yun
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Alberto Ongaro
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Erika Oselladore
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jerome P L Ng
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Richard K Haynes
- Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Betty Yuen Kwan Law
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vincent Kam Wai Wong
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Paolo Coghi
- School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
SARS-CoV-2 proteases Mpro and PLpro: Design of inhibitors with predicted high potency and low mammalian toxicity using artificial neural networks, ligand-protein docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and ADMET calculations. Comput Biol Med 2023; 153:106449. [PMID: 36586228 PMCID: PMC9788855 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106449] [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: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The main (Mpro) and papain-like (PLpro) proteases are highly conserved viral proteins essential for replication of the COVID-19 virus, SARS-COV-2. Therefore, a logical plan for producing new drugs against this pathogen is to discover inhibitors of these enzymes. Accordingly, the goal of the present work was to devise a computational approach to design, characterize, and select compounds predicted to be potent dual inhibitors - effective against both Mpro and PLpro. The first step employed LigDream, an artificial neural network, to create a virtual ligand library. Ligands with computed ADMET profiles indicating drug-like properties and low mammalian toxicity were selected for further study. Initial docking of these ligands into the active sites of Mpro and PLpro was done with GOLD, and the highest-scoring ligands were redocked with AutoDock Vina to determine binding free energies (ΔG). Compounds 89-00, 89-07, 89-32, and 89-38 exhibited favorable ΔG values for Mpro (-7.6 to -8.7 kcal/mol) and PLpro (-9.1 to -9.7 kcal/mol). Global docking of selected compounds with the Mpro dimer identified prospective allosteric inhibitors 89-00, 89-27, and 89-40 (ΔG -8.2 to -8.9 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations performed on Mpro and PLpro active site complexes with the four top-scoring ligands from Vina demonstrated that the most stable complexes were formed with compounds 89-32 and 89-38. Overall, the present computational strategy generated new compounds with predicted drug-like characteristics, low mammalian toxicity, and high inhibitory potencies against both target proteases to form stable complexes. Further preclinical studies will be required to validate the in silico findings before the lead compounds could be considered for clinical trials.
Collapse
|
6
|
Rao P, Goswami D, Rawal RM. Extending the lore of curcumin as dipteran Butyrylcholine esterase (BChE) inhibitor: A holistic molecular interplay assessment. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269036. [PMID: 35617284 PMCID: PMC9135230 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269036] [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: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its origin, the emergence of vector-borne infections has taken a toll on incalculable human lives. The use of chemical insecticides is one of the early known methods of vector control and although their use is still a prevalent way to combat insect population sadly the perils of insects related transmission still persists. Most commonly, the existing insecticides face the wrath of getting resisted repeatedly, paying way to develop resilient, efficient, and cost-effective natural insecticides. In this study, computational screening was performed using homology modelling, E-pharmacophore feature mapping, molecular docking, Density Function Theory (DFT) assessment, Molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) based binding free energy calculations and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation to identify a potential lead phytochemical out of a manually curated library from published literature. The protein target used under this study is insect Butyrylcholine esterase (BChE). Additionally, in vitro insect (Aedes aegypti) BChE inhibition assay was also performed with the top phytochemical identified from in silico assessments. Our research highlights that curcumin leads to inhibition of enzyme BChE of Ae. aegypti. The identified mode of action of curcumin as an insect BChE inhibitor indicates the possibility of its use as an environment friendly and natural futuristic insecticide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyashi Rao
- Department of Biochemistry & Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Dweipayan Goswami
- Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Rakesh M Rawal
- Department of Biochemistry & Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.,Department of Life science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| |
Collapse
|