1
|
Krejčová K, Krafcikova P, Klima M, Chalupska D, Chalupsky K, Zilecka E, Boura E. Structural and functional insights in flavivirus NS5 proteins gained by the structure of Ntaya virus polymerase and methyltransferase. Structure 2024; 32:1099-1109.e3. [PMID: 38781970 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are single-stranded positive-sense RNA (+RNA) viruses that are responsible for several (re)emerging diseases such as yellow, dengue, or West Nile fevers. The Zika epidemic highlighted their dangerousness when a relatively benign virus known since the 1950s turned into a deadly pathogen. The central protein for their replication is NS5 (non-structural protein 5), which is composed of the N-terminal methyltransferase (MTase) domain and the C-terminal RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) domain. It is responsible for both RNA replication and installation of the 5' RNA cap. We structurally and biochemically analyzed the Ntaya virus MTase and RdRp domains and we compared their properties to other flaviviral NS5s. The enzymatic centers are well conserved across Flaviviridae, suggesting that the development of drugs targeting all flaviviruses is feasible. However, the enzymatic activities of the isolated proteins were significantly different for the MTase domains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Krejčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Krafcikova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Klima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Chalupska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Chalupsky
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Zilecka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hashim HO, Al-Shuhaib JMB, Mohammed MK, Al-Shuhaib MBS. Targeting Monkeypox Virus Methyltransferase: Virtual Screening of Natural Compounds from Middle-Eastern Medicinal Plants. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01246-y. [PMID: 39097539 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01246-y] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Monkeypox is an infectious disease resulting from the monkeypox virus, and its fatality rate varies depending on the virus clade and the location of the outbreak. In monkeypox virus, methyltransferase (MTase) plays a crucial role in modifying the cap structure of viral mRNA. This alteration assists the virus in evading the host's immune system, enhances viral protein synthesis, and ultimately enables successful infection and replication within host cells. Given the significance of MTase in viral infection and spread within the host, our study aimed to identify a natural inhibitor for this enzyme using docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. We collected a total of 12,971 natural compounds from 200 medicinal plants in the Middle East. After eliminating duplicate compounds, we had 5,749 unique ligand conformers, which we then subjected to high-throughput virtual screening against MTase. The most promising hits were further evaluated using the extra-precision (XP) tool. The affinity of these hits was also assessed by Prime-Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MMGBSA) tool. The analysis revealed that two standard controls (sinefungin and TO1119) and two Middle-Eastern compounds (folic acid and 1,2,4,6-tetragalloylglucose) exhibited the best XP docking scores. According to Prime MMGBSA calculations, the Middle-Eastern compounds showed higher affinities, with values of - 60.61 kcal/mol for 1,2,4,6-tetragalloylglucose and - 51.87 kcal/mol for folic acid, surpassing the controls (TO1119 at - 35.71 kcal/mol and sinefungin at - 31.51 kcal/mol). In the majority of Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, folic acid exhibited demonstrated greater stability than sinefungin. Further investigation revealed that folic acid occupied a critical position in the active site of MTase, which reduced its interaction with the mRNA substrate. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that folic acid is a highly promising natural compound for potential use in the cost-effective treatment of monkeypox virus. The identification of folic acid as a potential antiviral agent highlights the importance of nature in providing new therapeutic uses that have significant implications for global health, particularly in regions where monkeypox viral outbreaks are prevalent. However, it is essential to note that further wet-lab validations are necessary to confirm its efficacy for treatment in a medical context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayder O Hashim
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Babil, 51001, Iraq
| | | | - Mudher K Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Manara College of Medical Science, Amarah, Iraq
| | - Mohammed Baqur S Al-Shuhaib
- Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, Al-Qasim, 51013, Babil, Iraq.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abouzied AS, Huwaimel B, Alqarni S, Younes KM, Alshammari RE, Alshammari AH, Algharbi WF, Elkashlan AM. Sinefungin analogs targeting VP39 methyltransferase as potential anti-monkeypox therapeutics: a multi-step computational approach. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10875-z. [PMID: 38702561 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10875-z] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The increasing spread of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) presents a significant public health challenge, emphasising the urgent requirement for effective treatments. Our study focuses on the VP39 Methyltransferase enzyme of MPXV as a critical target for therapy. By utilising virtual screening, we investigated natural compounds with structural similarities to sinefungin, a broad-acting MTase inhibitor. From an initial set of 177 compounds, we identified three promising compounds-CNP0346326, CNP0343532, and CNP008361, whose binding scores were notably close to that of sinefungin. These candidates bonded strongly to the VP39 enzyme, hinting at a notable potential to impede the virus. Our rigorous computational assays, including re-docking, extended molecular dynamics simulations, and energetics analyses, validate the robustness of these interactions. The data paint a promising picture of these natural compounds as front-runners in the ongoing race to develop MPXV therapeutics and set the stage for subsequent empirical trials to refine these discoveries into actionable medical interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amr S Abouzied
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, 81442, Hail, Saudi Arabia.
- Medical and Diagnostic Research Center, University of Hail, 55473, Hail, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bader Huwaimel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, 81442, Hail, Saudi Arabia
- Medical and Diagnostic Research Center, University of Hail, 55473, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alqarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, 81442, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kareem M Younes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, 81442, Hail, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | | | | | | | - Akram M Elkashlan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, El-Sadat, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Klima M, Dejmek M, Duchoslav V, Eisenreichova A, Sala M, Chalupsky K, Chalupska D, Novotná B, Birkuš G, Nencka R, Boura E. Fluorinated cGAMP analogs, which act as STING agonists and are not cleavable by poxins: Structural basis of their function. Structure 2024; 32:433-439.e4. [PMID: 38325369 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.01.008] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING pathway is a crucial part of innate immunity; it serves to detect DNA in the cytoplasm and to defend against certain cancers, viruses, and bacteria. We designed and synthesized fluorinated carbocyclic cGAMP analogs, MD1203 and MD1202D (MDs), to enhance their stability and their affinity for STING. These compounds demonstrated exceptional activity against STING. Despite their distinct chemical modifications relative to the canonical cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), crystallographic analysis revealed a binding mode with STING that was consistent with the canonical CDNs. Importantly, MDs were resistant to cleavage by viral poxin nucleases and MDs-bound poxin adopted an unliganded-like conformation. Moreover, MDs complexed with poxin showed a conformation distinct from cGAMP bound to poxin, closely resembling their conformation when bound to STING. In conclusion, the development of MD1203 and MD1202D showcases their potential as potent STING activators with remarkable stability against poxin-mediated degradation-a crucial characteristic for future development of antivirals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Klima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Dejmek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Duchoslav
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Eisenreichova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sala
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Chalupsky
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Chalupska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Novotná
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriel Birkuš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, v.v.i., Flemingovo nam. 2., 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ahmed-Belkacem R, Sutto-Ortiz P, Delpal A, Troussier J, Canard B, Vasseur JJ, Decroly E, Debart F. 5'-cap RNA/SAM mimetic conjugates as bisubstrate inhibitors of viral RNA cap 2'-O-methyltransferases. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107035. [PMID: 38199140 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107035] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Viral RNA cap 2'-O-methyltransferases are considered promising therapeutic targets for antiviral treatments, as they play a key role in the formation of viral RNA cap-1 structures to escape the host immune system. A better understanding of how they interact with their natural substrates (RNA and the methyl donor SAM) would enable the rational development of potent inhibitors. However, as few structures of 2'-O-MTases in complex with RNA have been described, little is known about substrate recognition by these MTases. For this, chemical tools mimicking the state in which the cap RNA substrate and SAM cofactor are bound in the enzyme's catalytic pocket may prove useful. In this work, we designed and synthesized over 30 RNA conjugates that contain a short oligoribonucleotide (ORN with 4 or 6 nucleotides) with the first nucleotide 2'-O-attached to an adenosine by linkers of different lengths and containing S or N-heteroatoms, or a 1,2,3-triazole ring. These ORN conjugates bearing or not a cap structure at 5'-extremity mimic the methylation transition state with RNA substrate/SAM complex as bisubstrates of 2'-O-MTases. The ORN conjugates were synthesized either by the incorporation of a dinucleoside phosphoramidite during RNA elongation or by click chemistry performed on solid-phase post-RNA elongation. Their ability to inhibit the activity of the nsp16/nsp10 complex of SARS-CoV-2 and the NS5 protein of dengue and Zika viruses was assessed. Significant submicromolar IC50 values and Kd values in the µM range were found, suggesting a possible interaction of some ORN conjugates with these viral 2'-O-MTases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adrien Delpal
- AFMB, University of Aix-Marseille, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Joris Troussier
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Canard
- AFMB, University of Aix-Marseille, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Françoise Debart
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zgarbová M, Otava T, Silhan J, Nencka R, Weber J, Boura E. Inhibitors of mpox VP39 2'-O methyltransferase efficiently inhibit the monkeypox virus. Antiviral Res 2023; 218:105714. [PMID: 37689311 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The RNA 2'-O methyltransferase (MTase) VP39 of the monkeypox virus (MpxV) participates in RNA capping within poxviruses. Sub-micromolar inhibitors targeting this enzyme were already reported. However, these 7-deaza analogs of S-adenosyl methionine (SAH) had not been tested in cellular assays until now. In this study, we employed plaque assays and cytopathic effect-based assays to evaluate the effectiveness of these compounds. All tested compounds demonstrated antiviral activity against MpxV, with EC50 values ranging from 0.06 to 2.7 μM. Nevertheless, some of these compounds also exhibited cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, while others showed no toxicity. Notably, the non-toxic compounds featured a large aromatic substituent at the 7-deaza position, whereas the toxic compounds had a small substituent at the same position. These findings suggest that VP39 represents a bona fide target for the development of antiviral drugs against MpxV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michala Zgarbová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Otava
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Silhan
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Weber
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|