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Wei Y, Liu Z, Zhang M, Zhu X, Niu Q. Inhibition of ACE2-S Protein Interaction by a Short Functional Peptide with a Boomerang Structure. Molecules 2024; 29:3022. [PMID: 38998974 PMCID: PMC11242946 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29133022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering the high evolutionary rate and great harmfulness of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it is imperative to develop new pharmacological antagonists. Human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) functions as a primary receptor for the spike protein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, a novel functional peptide, KYPAY (K5), with a boomerang structure, was developed to inhibit the interaction between ACE2 and the S protein by attaching to the ACE2 ligand-binding domain (LBD). The inhibition property of K5 was evaluated via molecular simulations, cell experiments, and adsorption kinetics analysis. The molecular simulations showed that K5 had a high affinity for ACE2 but a low affinity for the cell membrane. The umbrella sampling (US) simulations revealed a significant enhancement in the binding potential of this functional peptide to ACE2. The fluorescence microscopy and cytotoxicity experiments showed that K5 effectively prevented the interaction between ACE2 and the S protein without causing any noticeable harm to cells. Further flow cytometry research indicated that K5 successfully hindered the interaction between ACE2 and the S protein, resulting in 78% inhibition at a concentration of 100 μM. This work offers an innovative perspective on the development of functional peptides for the prevention and therapy of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Wei
- School of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.)
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ziyang Liu
- School of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.)
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China;
| | - Man Zhang
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China;
- Department of Oncology, Nanyang First People’s Hospital, Nanyang 473002, China
| | - Xingyan Zhu
- School of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.)
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China;
| | - Qiuhong Niu
- School of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.)
- Research Center of Henan Provincial Agricultural Biomass Resource Engineering and Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China;
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Ammar M, Safi W, Tlili A, Alila-Fersi O, Frikha F, Chouchen J, Mnif F, Kharrat M, Maalej M, Felhi R, Abid M, Mnif-Feki M, Kacem FH, Fakhfakh F, Mkaouar-Rebai E. A novel TYMP mutation in a family with MNGIE syndrome: Molecular docking, dynamic simulation and computational investigations. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:626-638. [PMID: 35841120 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10215] [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: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE; OMIM 603041) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder mostly caused by mutations in TYMP gene encoding thymidine phosphorylase (TP) protein that affects the mitochondrial nucleotide metabolism. TP, functionally active as a homodimer, is involved in the salvage pathway of pyrimidine nucleosides. MNGIE-like syndrome having an overlapping phenotype of MNGIE was also described and has been associated with mutations in POLG and RRM2B genes. In the present study, we report the molecular investigation of a consanguineous family including two patients with clinical features suggestive of MNGIE syndrome. Bioinformatics analyses were carried out in addition to mtDNA deletion screening and copy number quantification in the blood of the two patients. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing analyses revealed the segregation in the affected family a novel mutation c.1205T>A (p.L402Q) within the exon 9 of the TYMP gene. In addition, mtDNA analysis revealed the absence of mtDNA deletions and a decrease of the copy number in the blood of the two patients of the studied family. The p.Leu402Gln mutation was located in a conserved amino acid within the α/β domain of the TP protein and several software supported its pathogenicity. In addition, and based on docking and molecular dynamic simulation analyses, results revealed that L402Q caused a conformational change in TP mutated structure and could therefore alter its flexibility and stability. These changes prevent also the formation of stable homodimer leading to non-functional protein with partial or complete loss of its catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Ammar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Wajdi Safi
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetology, CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Abdelaziz Tlili
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Olfa Alila-Fersi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Fakher Frikha
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jihen Chouchen
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatma Mnif
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetology, CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Marwa Kharrat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Marwa Maalej
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Rahma Felhi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Abid
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetology, CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mouna Mnif-Feki
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetology, CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Faten Hadj Kacem
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetology, CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Faiza Fakhfakh
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Emna Mkaouar-Rebai
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences. University of Sfax, Tunisia
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