1
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Biernacki K, Ciupak O, Daśko M, Rachon J, Flis D, Budka J, Inkielewicz-Stępniak I, Czaja A, Rak J, Demkowicz S. Development of potent and effective SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors based on maleimide analogs for the potential treatment of COVID-19. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2290910. [PMID: 38093611 PMCID: PMC10732195 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2290910] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work, we report a new series of potent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) inhibitors based on maleimide derivatives. The inhibitory activities were tested in an enzymatic assay using recombinant Mpro (3CL Protease from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2). Within the set of new Mpro inhibitors, 6e demonstrated the highest activity in the enzymatic assay with an IC50 value of 8.52 ± 0.44 µM. The IC50 value for Nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332, used as a reference) was 0.84 ± 0.37 µM. The cytotoxic properties were determined in the MTT assay using MRC-5 and HEK-293 cell lines. In the course of the investigation, we found that the newly obtained maleimide derivatives are not substantially cytotoxic (IC50 values for most compounds were above 200 µM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Biernacki
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Olga Ciupak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mateusz Daśko
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Janusz Rachon
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Damian Flis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Budka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Anna Czaja
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Janusz Rak
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sebastian Demkowicz
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
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2
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Al Adem K, Ferreira JC, Villanueva AJ, Fadl S, El-Sadaany F, Masmoudi I, Gidiya Y, Gurudza T, Cardoso THS, Saksena NK, Rabeh WM. 3-chymotrypsin-like protease in SARS-CoV-2. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231395. [PMID: 39036877 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231395] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses constitute a significant threat to the human population. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2, is a highly pathogenic human coronavirus that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has led to a global viral outbreak with an exceptional spread and a high death toll, highlighting the need for effective antiviral strategies. 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), the main protease in SARS-CoV-2, plays an indispensable role in the SARS-CoV-2 viral life cycle by cleaving the viral polyprotein to produce 11 individual non-structural proteins necessary for viral replication. 3CLpro is one of two proteases that function to produce new viral particles. It is a highly conserved cysteine protease with identical structural folds in all known human coronaviruses. Inhibitors binding with high affinity to 3CLpro will prevent the cleavage of viral polyproteins, thus impeding viral replication. Multiple strategies have been implemented to screen for inhibitors against 3CLpro, including peptide-like and small molecule inhibitors that covalently and non-covalently bind the active site, respectively. In addition, allosteric sites of 3CLpro have been identified to screen for small molecules that could make non-competitive inhibitors of 3CLpro. In essence, this review serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the structural intricacies and functional dynamics of 3CLpro, emphasizing key findings that elucidate its role as the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, the review is a critical resource in recognizing the advancements in identifying and developing 3CLpro inhibitors as effective antiviral strategies against COVID-19, some of which are already approved for clinical use in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenana Al Adem
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Juliana C Ferreira
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Adrian J Villanueva
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samar Fadl
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah El-Sadaany
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Imen Masmoudi
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yugmee Gidiya
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tariro Gurudza
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Thyago H S Cardoso
- OMICS Centre of Excellence, G42 Healthcare, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nitin K Saksena
- Victoria University, Footscray Campus, Melbourne, VIC. Australia
| | - Wael M Rabeh
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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3
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Shawky AM, Almalki FA, Alzahrani HA, Abdalla AN, Youssif BGM, Ibrahim NA, Gamal M, El-Sherief HAM, Abdel-Fattah MM, Hefny AA, Abdelazeem AH, Gouda AM. Covalent small-molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro: Insights into their design, classification, biological activity, and binding interactions. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116704. [PMID: 39121741 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116704] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Since 2020, many compounds have been investigated for their potential use in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among these agents, a huge number of natural products and FDA-approved drugs have been evaluated as potential therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 using virtual screening and docking studies. However, the identification of the molecular targets involved in viral replication led to the development of rationally designed anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Among these targets, the main protease (Mpro) is one of the key enzymes needed in the replication of the virus. The data gleaned from the crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro complexes with small-molecule covalent inhibitors has been used in the design and discovery of many highly potent and broad-spectrum Mpro inhibitors. The current review focuses mainly on the covalent type of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. The design, chemistry, and classification of these inhibitors were also in focus. The biological activity of these inhibitors, including their inhibitory activities against Mpro, their antiviral activities, and the SAR studies, were discussed. The review also describes the potential mechanism of the interaction between these inhibitors and the catalytic Cys145 residue in Mpro. Moreover, the binding modes and key binding interactions of these covalent inhibitors were also illustrated. The covalent inhibitors discussed in this review were of diverse chemical nature and origin. Their antiviral activity was mediated mainly by the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, with IC50 values in the micromolar to the nanomolar range. Many of these inhibitors exhibited broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against the Mpro enzymes of other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV). The dual inhibition of the Mpro and PLpro enzymes of SARS-CoV-2 could also provide higher therapeutic benefits than Mpro inhibition. Despite the approval of nirmatrelvir by the FDA, many mutations in the Mpro enzyme of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported. Although some of these mutations did not affect the potency of nirmatrelvir, there is an urgent need to develop a second generation of Mpro inhibitors. We hope that the data summarized in this review could help researchers in the design of a new potent generation of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Shawky
- Science and Technology Unit (STU), Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal A Almalki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hayat Ali Alzahrani
- Applied Medical Science College, Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf N Abdalla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicinal And Aromatic Plants Research Institute, National Center for Research, Khartoum, 2404, Sudan
| | - Bahaa G M Youssif
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt.
| | - Nashwa A Ibrahim
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Gamal
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Hany A M El-Sherief
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Maha M Abdel-Fattah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Hefny
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt; School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Ahmed H Abdelazeem
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt; Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Sciences, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, 11681, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Gouda
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt.
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4
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Kuan Y, Chu HF, Hsu PH, Hsu KC, Lin TH, Huang CH, Chen WY. Disulfiram inhibits coronaviral main protease by conjugating to its substrate entry site. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 276:133955. [PMID: 39025177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133955] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoV) are highly pathogenic single-strand RNA viruses. CoV infections cause fatal respiratory symptoms and lung injuries in humans and significant economic losses in livestock. Since the SARS-2 outbreak in 2019, the highly conserved main protease (Mpro), also termed 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), has been considered an attractive drug target for treating CoV infections. Mpro mediates the proteolytic cleavage of eleven sites in viral polypeptides necessary for virus replication. Here, we report that disulfiram, an FDA-approved drug for alcoholic treatment, exhibits a broad-spectrum inhibitory effect on CoV Mpros. Analytical ultracentrifugation and circular dichroism analyses indicated that disulfiram treatment blocks the dimeric formation of SARS and PEDV Mpros and decreases the thermostability of SARS, SARS-2, and PEDV Mpros, whereas it facilitates the dimerization and stability of MERS Mpro. Furthermore, mass spectrometry and structural alignment revealed that disulfiram targets the Cys44 residue of Mpros, which is located at the substrate entrance and close to the catalytic His41. In addition, molecular docking analysis suggests that disulfiram conjugation interferes with substrate entry to the catalytic center. In agreement, mutation of Cys44 modulates the disulfiram sensitivity of CoV Mpros. Our study suggests a broad-spectrum inhibitory function of disulfiram against CoV Mpros.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Kuan
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Feng Chu
- Biomedical Industry Ph.D. Program, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pang-Hung Hsu
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Cheng Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Hsien Lin
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Huang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu City 30076, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Yi Chen
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Cancer and Immunology Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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5
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Castillo F, Ramírez D, Ramos MC, Martinez-Arribas B, Domingo-Contreras E, Mackenzie TA, Peña-Varas C, Lindemann S, Montero F, Annang F, Vicente F, Genilloud O, González-Pacanowska D, Fernandez-Godino R. Repurposing the Open Global Health Library for the discovery of novel Mpro destabilizers with scope as broad-spectrum antivirals. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1390705. [PMID: 39050758 PMCID: PMC11267763 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1390705] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic remains globally active. The emergence of new variants of interest and variants of concern (VoCs), which are potentially more vaccine-resistant and less sensitive to existing treatments, is evident due to their high prevalence. The prospective spread of such variants and other coronaviruses with epidemic potential demands preparedness that can be met by developing fast-track workflows to find new candidates that target viral proteins with a clear in vitro and in vivo phenotype. Mpro (or 3CLpro) is directly involved in the viral replication cycle and the production and function of viral polyproteins, which makes it an ideal target. The biological relevance of Mpro is highly conserved among betacoronaviruses like HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2, which makes the identification of new chemical scaffolds targeting them a good starting point for designing broad-spectrum antivirals. We report an optimized methodology based on orthogonal cell-free assays to identify small molecules that inhibit the binding pockets of both SARS-CoV-2-Mpro and HCoV-OC43-Mpro; this blockade correlates with antiviral activities in HCoV-OC43 cellular models. By using such a fast-tracking approach against the Open Global Health Library (Merck KGaA), we have found evidence of the antiviral activity of compound OGHL98. In silico studies dissecting intermolecular interactions between OGHL98 and both proteases and comprising docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDSs) concluded that the binding mode was primarily governed by conserved H-bonds with their C-terminal amino acids and that the rational design of OGHL98 has potential against VoCs proteases resistant to current therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Ramírez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | | | - Blanca Martinez-Arribas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | - Carlos Peña-Varas
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Doctorado en Biotecnología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Sven Lindemann
- Strategic Innovation, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Fernando Montero
- Fundación MEDINA, Granada, Spain
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Institute of Biotechnology, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Dolores González-Pacanowska
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
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6
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de Sousa NF, Duarte GD, Moraes CB, Barbosa CG, Martin HJ, Muratov NN, do Nascimento YM, Scotti L, de Freitas-Júnior LHG, Filho JMB, Scotti MT. In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Terpenes from the Fabaceae Family Using the Phenotypic Screening Model against the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:912. [PMID: 39065609 PMCID: PMC11279753 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16070912] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the emergence of the seventh known coronavirus to cause severe illness in humans triggered a global effort towards the development of new drugs and vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These efforts are still ongoing in 2024, including the present work where we conducted a ligand-based virtual screening of terpenes with potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. We constructed a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) model from compounds with known activity against SARS-CoV-2 with a model accuracy of 0.71. We utilized this model to predict the activity of a series of 217 terpenes isolated from the Fabaceae family. Four compounds, predominantly triterpenoids from the lupane series, were subjected to an in vitro phenotypic screening in Vero CCL-81 cells to assess their inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. The compounds which showed high rates of SARS-CoV-2 inhibition along with substantial cell viability underwent molecular docking at the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, papain-like protease, spike protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Overall, virtual screening through our QSAR model successfully identified compounds with the highest probability of activity, as validated using the in vitro study. This confirms the potential of the identified triterpenoids as promising candidates for anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Ferreira de Sousa
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil; (N.F.d.S.); (Y.M.d.N.); (L.S.); (J.M.B.F.)
| | - Gabrielly Diniz Duarte
- Postgraduate Program in Development and Innovation of Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil;
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB-USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.G.B.); (L.H.G.d.F.-J.)
| | - Cecília Gomes Barbosa
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB-USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.G.B.); (L.H.G.d.F.-J.)
| | - Holli-Joi Martin
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Nail N. Muratov
- Department of Chemical Technology, Odessa National Polytechnic University, 65000 Odessa, Ukraine;
- A. V. Bogatsky Physical-Chemical Institute of NASU, 65047 Odessa, Ukraine
| | - Yuri Mangueira do Nascimento
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil; (N.F.d.S.); (Y.M.d.N.); (L.S.); (J.M.B.F.)
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil; (N.F.d.S.); (Y.M.d.N.); (L.S.); (J.M.B.F.)
| | | | - José Maria Barbosa Filho
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil; (N.F.d.S.); (Y.M.d.N.); (L.S.); (J.M.B.F.)
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil; (N.F.d.S.); (Y.M.d.N.); (L.S.); (J.M.B.F.)
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7
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Peralta-Moreno MN, Mena Y, Ortega-Alarcon D, Jimenez-Alesanco A, Vega S, Abian O, Velazquez-Campoy A, Thomson TM, Pinto M, Granadino-Roldán JM, Santos Tomas M, Perez JJ, Rubio-Martinez J. Shedding Light on Dark Chemical Matter: The Discovery of a SARS-CoV-2 M pro Main Protease Inhibitor through Intensive Virtual Screening and In Vitro Evaluation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6119. [PMID: 38892306 PMCID: PMC11172690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116119] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of specific antiviral therapies targeting SARS-CoV-2 remains fundamental because of the continued high incidence of COVID-19 and limited accessibility to antivirals in some countries. In this context, dark chemical matter (DCM), a set of drug-like compounds with outstanding selectivity profiles that have never shown bioactivity despite being extensively assayed, appears to be an excellent starting point for drug development. Accordingly, in this study, we performed a high-throughput screening to identify inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) using DCM compounds as ligands. Multiple receptors and two different docking scoring functions were employed to identify the best molecular docking poses. The selected structures were subjected to extensive conventional and Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics. From the results, four compounds with the best molecular behavior and binding energy were selected for experimental testing, one of which presented inhibitory activity with a Ki value of 48 ± 5 μM. Through virtual screening, we identified a significant starting point for drug development, shedding new light on DCM compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nuria Peralta-Moreno
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.N.P.-M.); (Y.M.)
| | - Yago Mena
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.N.P.-M.); (Y.M.)
| | - David Ortega-Alarcon
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (A.J.-A.); (S.V.); (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana Jimenez-Alesanco
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (A.J.-A.); (S.V.); (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sonia Vega
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (A.J.-A.); (S.V.); (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
| | - Olga Abian
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (A.J.-A.); (S.V.); (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (D.O.-A.); (A.J.-A.); (S.V.); (O.A.); (A.V.-C.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Timothy M. Thomson
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 15102, Peru
| | - Marta Pinto
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Computational Drug Discovery, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany;
| | - José M. Granadino-Roldán
- Departamento de Química Física y Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, Campus “Las Lagunillas” s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain;
| | - Maria Santos Tomas
- Department of Architecture Technology, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Av. Diagonal 649, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Juan J. Perez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona Tech. Av. Diagonal, 647, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Jaime Rubio-Martinez
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (M.N.P.-M.); (Y.M.)
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8
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Shellenberger BM, Basile ON, Cassel J, Olsen MR, Salvino JM, Montaner LJ, Tietjen I, Henry GE. Synthesis, SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibition, molecular docking and in silico ADME studies of furanochromene-quinoline hydrazone derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 102:129679. [PMID: 38423371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129679] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Seven furanochromene-quinoline derivatives containing a hydrazone linker were synthesized by condensing a furanochromene hydrazide with quinoline 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-carbaldehydes, including 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carbaldehye. Structure-activity correlations were investigated to determine the influence of the location of the hydrazone linker on the quinoline unit on SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme inhibition. The 3-, 5-, 6- and 8-substituted derivatives showed moderate inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with IC50 values ranging from 16 to 44 μM. Additionally, all of the derivatives showed strong interaction with the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro substrate binding pocket, with docking energy scores ranging from -8.0 to -8.5 kcal/mol. These values are comparable to that of N3 peptide (-8.1 kcal/mol) and more favorable than GC-373 (-7.6 kcal/mol) and ML-188 (-7.5 kcal/mol), all of which are known SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. Furthermore, in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiles indicate that the derivatives have good drug-likeness properties. Overall, this study highlights the potential of the furanochromene-quinoline hydrazone scaffold as a SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Shellenberger
- Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA
| | - Olivia N Basile
- Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA
| | - Joel Cassel
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Morgan R Olsen
- Department of Chemistry, Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | | | | | - Ian Tietjen
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Geneive E Henry
- Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA.
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9
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da Rocha JAP, da Costa RA, da Costa ADSS, da Rocha ECM, Gomes AJB, Machado AK, Fagan SB, Brasil DDSB, Lima e Lima AH. Harnessing Brazilian biodiversity database: identification of flavonoids as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease using computational approaches and all-atom molecular dynamics simulation. Front Chem 2024; 12:1336001. [PMID: 38456183 PMCID: PMC10917896 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1336001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is the etiological agent responsible for the global outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). The main protease of SARS-CoV-2, Mpro, is a key enzyme that plays a vital role in mediating viral replication and transcription. In this study, a comprehensive computational approach was employed to investigate the binding affinity, selectivity, and stability of natural product candidates as potential new antivirals acting on the viral polyprotein processing mediated by SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. A library of 288 flavonoids extracted from Brazilian biodiversity was screened to select potential Mpro inhibitors. An initial filter based on Lipinski's rule of five was applied, and 204 compounds that did not violate any of the Lipinski rules were selected. The compounds were then docked into the active site of Mpro using the GOLD program, and the poses were subsequently re-scored using MM-GBSA (Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area) binding free energy calculations performed by AmberTools23. The top five flavonoids with the best MM-GBSA binding free energy values were selected for analysis of their interactions with the active site residues of the protein. Next, we conducted a toxicity and drug-likeness analysis, and non-toxic compounds were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculation using the MM-PBSA (Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) method. It was observed that the five selected flavonoids had lower MM-GBSA binding free energy with Mpro than the co-crystal ligand. Furthermore, these compounds also formed hydrogen bonds with two important residues, Cys145 and Glu166, in the active site of Mpro. Two compounds that passed the drug-likeness filter showed stable conformations during the molecular dynamics simulations. Among these, NuBBE_867 exhibited the best MM-PBSA binding free energy value compared to the crystallographic inhibitor. Therefore, this study suggests that NuBBE_867 could be a potential inhibitor against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 and may be further examined to confirm our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Augusto Pereira da Rocha
- Laboratory of Modeling and Computational Chemistry, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraná (IFPA) Campus Bragança, Bragança, Brazil
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Renato Araújo da Costa
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of Paraná (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba, Brazil
| | - Andreia do Socorro Silva da Costa
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Elaine Cristina Medeiros da Rocha
- Laboratory of Modeling and Computational Chemistry, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraná (IFPA) Campus Bragança, Bragança, Brazil
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Anderson José Bahia Gomes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Evolution and Microbiology, Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of Paraná (IFPA) Campus Abaetetuba, Abaetetuba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Davi do Socorro Barros Brasil
- Laboratory of Biosolutions and Bioplastics of the Amazon, Graduate Program in Science and Environment, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Anderson Henrique Lima e Lima
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
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10
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Panda S, Rout M, Mishra S, Turuk J, Pati S, Dehury B. Molecular docking and MD simulations reveal protease inhibitors block the catalytic residues in Prp8 intein of Aspergillus fumigatus: a potential target for antimycotics. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-16. [PMID: 38149850 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2298735] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to azoles and amphotericin B especially in Aspergillus fumigatus is a growing concern towards the treatment of invasive fungal infection. At this critical juncture, intein splicing would be a productive, and innovative target to establish therapies against resistant strains. Intein splicing is the central event for the activation of host protein, essential for the growth and survival of various microorganisms including A. fumigatus. The splicing process is a four-step protease-like nucleophilic cascade. Thus, we hypothesise that protease inhibitors would successfully halt intein splicing and potentially restrict the growth of the aforementioned pathogen. Using Rosetta Fold and molecular dynamics simulations, we modelled Prp8 intein structure; resembling classic intein fold with horse shoe shaped splicing domain. To fully comprehend the active site of Afu Prp8 intein, C1, T62, H65, H818, N819 from intein sequences and S820, the first C-extein residue are selected. Molecular docking shows that two FDA-approved drugs, i.e. Lufotrelvir and Remdesivir triphosphate efficiently interact with Prp8 intein from the assortment of 212 protease inhibitors. MD simulation portrayed that Prp8 undergoes conformational change upon ligand binding, and inferred the molecular recognition and stability of the docked complexes. Per-residue decomposition analysis confirms the importance of F: block R802, V803, and Q807 binding pocket in intein splicing domain towards recognition of inhibitors, along with active site residues through strong hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts. However, in vitro and in vivo assays are required to confirm the inhibitory action on Prp8 intein splicing; which may pave the way for the development of new antifungals for A. fumigatus.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Panda
- Mycology Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Madhusmita Rout
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Sarbani Mishra
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Jyotirmayee Turuk
- Mycology Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Sanghamitra Pati
- Mycology Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Budheswar Dehury
- Bioinformatics Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
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11
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Arman BY, Brun J, Hill ML, Zitzmann N, von Delft A. An Update on SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Trial Results-What We Can Learn for the Next Pandemic. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:354. [PMID: 38203525 PMCID: PMC10779148 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010354] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed over 7 million lives worldwide, providing a stark reminder of the importance of pandemic preparedness. Due to the lack of approved antiviral drugs effective against coronaviruses at the start of the pandemic, the world largely relied on repurposed efforts. Here, we summarise results from randomised controlled trials to date, as well as selected in vitro data of directly acting antivirals, host-targeting antivirals, and immunomodulatory drugs. Overall, repurposing efforts evaluating directly acting antivirals targeting other viral families were largely unsuccessful, whereas several immunomodulatory drugs led to clinical improvement in hospitalised patients with severe disease. In addition, accelerated drug discovery efforts during the pandemic progressed to multiple novel directly acting antivirals with clinical efficacy, including small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. We argue that large-scale investment is required to prepare for future pandemics; both to develop an arsenal of broad-spectrum antivirals beyond coronaviruses and build worldwide clinical trial networks that can be rapidly utilised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benediktus Yohan Arman
- Antiviral Drug Discovery Unit, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (J.B.); (N.Z.)
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Juliane Brun
- Antiviral Drug Discovery Unit, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (J.B.); (N.Z.)
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Michelle L. Hill
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK;
| | - Nicole Zitzmann
- Antiviral Drug Discovery Unit, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (J.B.); (N.Z.)
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Annette von Delft
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Centre for Medicine Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
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12
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Silva RS, Souza LMP, Costa RKM, Souza FR, Pimentel AS. Absolute binding free energies of the antiviral peptide ATN-161 with protein targets of SARS-CoV-2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:10546-10557. [PMID: 36476274 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2154848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The interactions of the antiviral pentapeptide ATN-161 with the closed and open conformations of the α5β1 integrin, the SARS-CoV-2 major protease, and the omicron variant spike protein complexed with hACE2 were studied using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Molecular docking was performed to obtain ATN-161 binding poses with these studied protein targets. Subsequently, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to verify the ligand stability at the binding site of each protein target. Pulling simulations, umbrella sampling, and weighted histogram analysis method were used to obtain the potential of mean force of each system and calculate the Gibbs free energy of binding for the ATN-161 peptide in each binding site of these protein targets. The results showed that ATN-161 binds to α5β1 integrin in its active and inactive form, binds weakly to the omicron variant spike protein complexed with hACE2, and strongly binds to the main protease target.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudielson Santos Silva
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Felipe Rodrigues Souza
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André Silva Pimentel
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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13
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Ahamed NA, Arif IA. Finding potential inhibitors for Main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 through virtual screening and MD simulation studies. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103845. [PMID: 38020225 PMCID: PMC10663854 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a highly hazardous species that can infect people with Covid-19 disease, dramatically increasing mortality rates worldwide. Plenty of researches have been done to find drugs or inhibitors, with this study aiming to identify an inhibitor within the ChEMBL database using computational approaches. From the ChEMBL library, 19,43,048 compounds which are known type of small compounds and proteins were downloaded and docked with the Main protease (Mpro). After performing compound screening using Lipinski's rule, Qikprop analysis following with virtual Screening, Induced Fit Docking (IFD) and MM-GBSA analysis with the Glide and Prime modules of Schrödinger, the best complex was subjected to MD simulation with Desmond. According to the docking results, small protein 2,371,668 and compound 1,090,395 were docked with Main protease with -12.6, -12.0 kcal/mol dock score and interacted with the functional site residues His 41 and Cys 145, as well as the binding site residues Thr 26, Phe 140, Asn 142, Gly 143, Glu 166, and Gln 189. Complex structures were shown to be steadier by the MD simulation study because both the ligands heavy atoms and the protein Cα atoms' RMSD values fell within acceptable ranges. As a result, this research suggests that the molecule CHEMBL2371668 and the compound CHEMBL1090395 may inhibit the activity of Main protease, and the usefulness of these molecules will be examined further through experimental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Anis Ahamed
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim A. Arif
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Feng X, Wang H. Emerging Landscape of Nanobodies and Their Neutralizing Applications against SARS-CoV-2 Virus. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:925-942. [PMID: 37470012 PMCID: PMC10275483 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly altered people's way of life. Despite widespread knowledge of vaccination, mask use, and avoidance of close contact, COVID-19 is still spreading around the world. Numerous research teams are examining the SARS-CoV-2 infection process to discover strategies to identify, prevent, and treat COVID-19 to limit the spread of this chronic coronavirus illness and restore lives to normalcy. Nanobodies have advantages over polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (Ab) and Ab fragments, including reduced size, high stability, simplicity in manufacture, compatibility with genetic engineering methods, and lack of solubility and aggregation issues. Recent studies have shown that nanobodies that target the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain and disrupt ACE2 interactions are helpful in the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected animal models, despite the lack of evidence in human patients. The creation and evaluation of nanobodies, as well as their diagnostic and therapeutic applications against COVID-19, are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Feng
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, College
of Medicine and Health Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, College
of Medicine and Health Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
- Institute
of Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21215, United States
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15
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Fredsgaard M, Kaniki SEK, Antonopoulou I, Chaturvedi T, Thomsen MH. Phenolic Compounds in Salicornia spp. and Their Potential Therapeutic Effects on H1N1, HBV, HCV, and HIV: A Review. Molecules 2023; 28:5312. [PMID: 37513186 PMCID: PMC10384198 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite public health risk mitigation measures and regulation efforts by many countries, regions, and sectors, viral outbreaks remind the world of our vulnerability to biological hazards and the importance of mitigation actions. The saltwater-tolerant plants in the Salicornia genus belonging to the Amaranthaceae family are widely recognized and researched as producers of clinically applicable phytochemicals. The plants in the Salicornia genus contain flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, and hydroxycinnamic acids, including caffeic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, isoquercitrin, and myricitrin, which have all been shown to support the antiviral, virucidal, and symptom-suppressing activities. Their potential pharmacological usefulness as therapeutic medicine against viral infections has been suggested in many studies, where recent studies suggest these phenolic compounds may have pharmacological potential as therapeutic medicine against viral infections. This study reviews the antiviral effects, the mechanisms of action, and the potential as antiviral agents of the aforementioned phenolic compounds found in Salicornia spp. against an influenza A strain (H1N1), hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), as no other literature has described these effects from the Salicornia genus at the time of publication. This review has the potential to have a significant societal impact by proposing the development of new antiviral nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals derived from phenolic-rich formulations found in the edible Salicornia spp. These formulations could be utilized as a novel strategy by which to combat viral pandemics caused by H1N1, HBV, HCV, and HIV-1. The findings of this review indicate that isoquercitrin, myricetin, and myricitrin from Salicornia spp. have the potential to exhibit high efficiency in inhibiting viral infections. Myricetin exhibits inhibition of H1N1 plaque formation and reverse transcriptase, as well as integrase integration and cleavage. Isoquercitrin shows excellent neuraminidase inhibition. Myricitrin inhibits HIV-1 in infected cells. Extracts of biomass in the Salicornia genus could contribute to the development of more effective and efficient measures against viral infections and, ultimately, improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Io Antonopoulou
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
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16
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Sandholtz SH, Drocco JA, Zemla AT, Torres MW, Silva MS, Allen JE. A Computational Pipeline to Identify and Characterize Binding Sites and Interacting Chemotypes in SARS-CoV-2. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:21871-21884. [PMID: 37309388 PMCID: PMC10254058 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Minimizing the human and economic costs of the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics requires the ability to develop and deploy effective treatments for novel pathogens as soon as possible after they emerge. To this end, we introduce a new computational pipeline for the rapid identification and characterization of binding sites in viral proteins along with the key chemical features, which we call chemotypes, of the compounds predicted to interact with those same sites. The composition of source organisms for the structural models associated with an individual binding site is used to assess the site's degree of structural conservation across different species, including other viruses and humans. We propose a search strategy for novel therapeutics that involves the selection of molecules preferentially containing the most structurally rich chemotypes identified by our algorithm. While we demonstrate the pipeline on SARS-CoV-2, it is generalizable to any new virus, as long as either experimentally solved structures for its proteins are available or sufficiently accurate predicted structures can be constructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H. Sandholtz
- Biosciences
and Biotechnology Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Drocco
- Biosciences
and Biotechnology Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
of America
| | - Adam T. Zemla
- Global
Security Computing Applications Division, Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
of America
| | - Marisa W. Torres
- Global
Security Computing Applications Division, Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
of America
| | - Mary S. Silva
- Global
Security Computing Applications Division, Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
of America
| | - Jonathan E. Allen
- Global
Security Computing Applications Division, Computing Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
of America
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17
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Soulère L, Barbier T, Queneau Y. In Silico Identification of Potential Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease among a PubChem Database of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus 3CLPro Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2023; 13:956. [PMID: 37371536 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060956] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Remarkable structural homologies between the main proteases of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were revealed by comparative amino-acid sequence and 3D structural alignment. Assessing whether reported IBV 3CLPro inhibitors could also interact with SARS-CoV-2 has been undertaken in silico using a PubChem BioAssay database of 388 compounds active on the avian infectious bronchitis virus 3C-like protease. Docking studies of this database on the SARS-CoV-2 protease resulted in the identification of four covalent inhibitors targeting the catalytic cysteine residue and five non-covalent inhibitors for which the binding was further investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Predictive ADMET calculations on the nine compounds suggest promising pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Soulère
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bâtiment Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Thibaut Barbier
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bâtiment Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Yves Queneau
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires, Bâtiment Lederer, 1 Rue Victor Grignard, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
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18
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Peralta-Moreno MN, Anton-Muñoz V, Ortega-Alarcon D, Jimenez-Alesanco A, Vega S, Abian O, Velazquez-Campoy A, Thomson TM, Granadino-Roldán JM, Machicado C, Rubio-Martinez J. Autochthonous Peruvian Natural Plants as Potential SARS-CoV-2 M pro Main Protease Inhibitors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040585. [PMID: 37111342 PMCID: PMC10146424 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040585] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 750 million cases of COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have been reported since the onset of the global outbreak. The need for effective treatments has spurred intensive research for therapeutic agents based on pharmaceutical repositioning or natural products. In light of prior studies asserting the bioactivity of natural compounds of the autochthonous Peruvian flora, the present study focuses on the identification SARS-CoV-2 Mpro main protease dimer inhibitors. To this end, a target-based virtual screening was performed over a representative set of Peruvian flora-derived natural compounds. The best poses obtained from the ensemble molecular docking process were selected. These structures were subjected to extensive molecular dynamics steps for the computation of binding free energies along the trajectory and evaluation of the stability of the complexes. The compounds exhibiting the best free energy behaviors were selected for in vitro testing, confirming the inhibitory activity of Hyperoside against Mpro, with a Ki value lower than 20 µM, presumably through allosteric modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nuria Peralta-Moreno
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, and the Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teorica i Computacional (IQTCUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanessa Anton-Muñoz
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Puno 1002, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - David Ortega-Alarcon
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana Jimenez-Alesanco
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sonia Vega
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Olga Abian
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Timothy M Thomson
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratorio de Investigación Traslacional y Biología Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía-LID, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 15102, Peru
| | - José Manuel Granadino-Roldán
- Departamento de Química Física y Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, Campus "Las Lagunillas" s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Claudia Machicado
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Laboratorio de Investigación Traslacional y Biología Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía-LID, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 15102, Peru
| | - Jaime Rubio-Martinez
- Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, and the Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teorica i Computacional (IQTCUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Omage FB, Madabeni A, Tucci AR, Nogara PA, Bortoli M, Rosa ADS, Neuza Dos Santos Ferreira V, Teixeira Rocha JB, Miranda MD, Orian L. Diphenyl Diselenide and SARS-CoV-2: in silico Exploration of the Mechanisms of Inhibition of Main Protease (M pro) and Papain-like Protease (PL pro). J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:2226-2239. [PMID: 36952618 PMCID: PMC10091420 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted global efforts to develop therapeutics. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) and the papain-like protease (PLpro) are essential for viral replication and are key targets for therapeutic development. In this work, we investigate the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 which is an archetypal model of diselenides and a renowned potential therapeutic agent. The in vitro inhibitory concentration of (PhSe)2 against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells falls in the low micromolar range. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations [level of theory: SMD-B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311G(d,p), cc-pVTZ] are used to inspect non-covalent inhibition modes of both proteases via π-stacking and the mechanism of covalent (PhSe)2 + Mpro product formation involving the catalytic residue C145, respectively. The in vitro CC50 (24.61 μM) and EC50 (2.39 μM) data indicate that (PhSe)2 is a good inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus replication in a cell culture model. The in silico findings indicate potential mechanisms of proteases' inhibition by (PhSe)2; in particular, the results of the covalent inhibition here discussed for Mpro, whose thermodynamics is approximatively isoergonic, prompt further investigation in the design of antiviral organodiselenides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folorunsho Bright Omage
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Andrea Madabeni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Amanda Resende Tucci
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Do Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Pablo Andrei Nogara
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Marco Bortoli
- Institute of Computational Chemistry and Catalysis (IQCC) and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/M. A. Capmany 69, Girona 17003, Spain
| | - Alice Dos Santos Rosa
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Do Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Vivian Neuza Dos Santos Ferreira
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Do Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
| | - João Batista Teixeira Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Milene Dias Miranda
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Do Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Laura Orian
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università Degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
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20
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Li J, Wang Y, Solanki K, Atre R, Lavrijsen M, Pan Q, Baig MS, Li P. Nirmatrelvir exerts distinct antiviral potency against different human coronaviruses. Antiviral Res 2023; 211:105555. [PMID: 36791846 PMCID: PMC9925195 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Nirmatrelvir is the main component of Paxlovid, an oral antiviral drug approved for the treatment of COVID-19 caused by SARS-COV-2 infection. Nirmatrelvir targets the main protease (Mpro), which is substantially conserved among different coronaviruses. Here, our molecular docking analysis indicates comparable affinity of nirmatrelvir binding to the Mpro enzymes of SARS-CoV-2 and three seasonal coronaviruses (OC43, 229E and NL63). However, in cell culture models, we found that nirmatrelvir potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2, OC43 and 229E, but not NL63. The insensitivity of NL63 to nirmatrelvir treatment was demonstrated at both viral replication and infectious titer levels. The antiviral activity of nirmatrelvir against OC43 and 229E was further confirmed in human airway organoids. The combination of nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir exerted differential patterns of antiviral response against OC43 and 229E. These results revealed disparities in the ability of nirmatrelvir to inhibit different coronaviruses, and caution against repurposing of nirmatrelvir as a pan-coronavirus treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yining Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kundan Solanki
- Department of Biosciences & Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Rajat Atre
- Department of Biosciences & Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Marla Lavrijsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Qiuwei Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirza S Baig
- Department of Biosciences & Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Simrol, Indore, 453552, India.
| | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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21
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Duong C, Nguyen PTV. Exploration of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Noncovalent Natural Inhibitors Using Structure-Based Approaches. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:6679-6688. [PMID: 36844600 PMCID: PMC9947982 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With the emergence of antibody-evasive omicron subvariants (BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5), which can compromise the efficacy of vaccination, it is of utmost importance to widen the finite therapeutic options for COVID-19. Although more than 600 co-crystal complexes of Mpro with inhibitors have been revealed, utilizing them to search for novel Mpro inhibitors remains limited. Although there were two major groups of Mpro inhibitors, covalent and noncovalent inhibitors, noncovalent inhibitors were our main focus due to the safety concerns with their covalent counterparts. Hence, this study aimed to explore Mpro noncovalent inhibition ability of phytochemicals extracted from Vietnamese herbals by combining multiple structure-based approaches. By closely inspecting 223 complexes of Mpro with noncovalent inhibitors, a 3D-pharmacophore model representing typical chemical features of Mpro noncovalent inhibitors was generated with good validation scores (sensitivity = 92.11%, specificity = 90.42%, accuracy = 90.65%, and goodness-of-hit score = 0.61). Afterward, the pharmacophore model was applied to explore the potential Mpro inhibitors from our in-house Vietnamese phytochemical database, revealing 18 substances, 5 of which were in vitro assayed. The remaining 13 substances were then examined by induced-fit molecular docking, revealing 12 suitable compounds. A machine-learning activity prediction model was developed to rank the hit, suggesting nigracin and calycosin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside as promising Mpro natural noncovalent inhibitors.
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22
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Eberle R, Sevenich M, Gering I, Scharbert L, Strodel B, Lakomek NA, Santur K, Mohrlüder J, Coronado MA, Willbold D. Discovery of All-d-Peptide Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3C-like Protease. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:315-330. [PMID: 36647580 PMCID: PMC9942092 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
During the replication process of SARS-CoV-2, the main protease of the virus [3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro)] plays a pivotal role and is essential for the life cycle of the pathogen. Numerous studies have been conducted so far, which have confirmed 3CLpro as an attractive drug target to combat COVID-19. We describe a novel and efficient next-generation sequencing (NGS) supported phage display selection strategy for the identification of a set of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro targeting peptide ligands that inhibit the 3CL protease, in a competitive or noncompetitive mode, in the low μM range. From the most efficient l-peptides obtained from the phage display, we designed all-d-peptides based on the retro-inverso (ri) principle. They had IC50 values also in the low μM range and in combination, even in the sub-micromolar range. Additionally, the combination with Rutinprivir decreases 10-fold the IC50 value of the competitive inhibitor. The inhibition modes of these d-ri peptides were the same as their respective l-peptide versions. Our results demonstrate that retro-inverso obtained all-d-peptides interact with high affinity and inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease, thus reinforcing their potential for further development toward therapeutic agents. The here described d-ri peptides address limitations associated with current l-peptide inhibitors and are promising lead compounds. Further optimization regarding pharmacokinetic properties will allow the development of even more potent d-peptides to be used for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael
J. Eberle
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marc Sevenich
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany,Priavoid
GmbH, Merowingerplatz
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany
| | - Lara Scharbert
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Birgit Strodel
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nils A. Lakomek
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karoline Santur
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jeannine Mohrlüder
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany
| | - Mônika A. Coronado
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425Jülich, Germany,Institut
für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße
1, 40225Düsseldorf, Germany,
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23
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Screening of Secondary Metabolite Compounds of Gorontalo Traditional Medicinal Plants Using the In Silico Method as a Candidate for SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral. JURNAL KIMIA SAINS DAN APLIKASI 2023. [DOI: 10.14710/jksa.25.10.382-393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a disease that caused a prolonged pandemic in many countries caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study aims to identify the antiviral potential of secondary metabolites in Gorontalo traditional medicinal plants, which are believed to have the ability to inhibit the main protease protein of this virus. The methods used in this research were molecular docking and molecular dynamic. The main protease proteins for SARS-CoV-2 used based on the homology modeling results were 3V3M and 7TE0. The results of the active compounds in the paxlovid drug were also compared to obtain accurate data comparisons. The validation of the docking method on the 3V3M protein using the natural ligand 0EN revealed an RMSD of 0.75 Å. The RMSD value for validating the 7TE0 protein and natural ligand 4WI was 1.65 Å. The best molecular docking results were obtained using physalin F with a binding affinity of −10.3 kcal/mol for the 3V3M protein and physalin J with a binding affinity of −8.9 kcal/mol for the 7TE0 protein. The outcomes of the molecular dynamic method on the best complexes were determined by examining the value of changes in system energy, changes in system temperature, changes in system pressure, RMSD, RMSF, and bond-free energy (ΔG) of the complex. The standard 0EN ligand had a ΔG of −26.53 kcal/mol, while the standard 4WI ligand had a ΔG of −47.16 kcal/mol. The ΔG of the 3V3M-physalin F and 3V3M-physalin J complexes were respectively −28.22 kcal/mol and −26.62 kcal/mol. The ΔG of the 7TE0-Vitexin 2”-O-gallate and 7TE0-physalin J complexes were found to be −28.08 kcal/mol and −26.62 kcal/mol, respectively. The ΔG produced in paxlovid with complexes 3V3M and 7TE0 was −19.38 kcal/mol and −25.44 kcal/mol, respectively. Physalin F, physalin J, and Vitexin 2”-O-gallate have great potential to become SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor agents. However, in terms of structural stability and binding-active residues, these three compounds do not outperform the active substance in paxlovid.
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24
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Computational investigation of natural compounds as potential main protease (M pro) inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 virus. Comput Biol Med 2022; 151:106318. [PMID: 36423529 PMCID: PMC9673090 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is significantly impacting human lives, overburdening the healthcare system and weakening global economies. Plant-derived natural compounds are being largely tested for their efficacy against COVID-19 targets to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 Main protease (Mpro) is considered an appealing target because of its role in replication in host cells. We curated a set of 7809 natural compounds by combining the collections of five databases viz Dr Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical database, IMPPAT, PhytoHub, AromaDb and Zinc. We applied a rigorous computational approach to identify lead molecules from our curated compound set using docking, dynamic simulations, the free energy of binding and DFT calculations. Theaflavin and ginkgetin have emerged as better molecules with a similar inhibition profile in both SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants.
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25
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Fatriansyah JF, Boanerges AG, Kurnianto SR, Pradana AF, Fadilah, Surip SN. Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Ligands from Anredera cordifolia (Binahong) to the Main Protease ( M pro) of SARS-CoV-2. J Trop Med 2022; 2022:1178228. [PMID: 36457332 PMCID: PMC9708379 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1178228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 in Indonesia is considered to be entering the endemic phase, and the population is expected to live side by side with the SARS-CoV 2 viruses and their variants. In this study, procyanidin, oleic acid, methyl linoleic acid, and vitexin, four compounds from binahong leaves-tropical/subtropical plant, were examined for their interactions with the major protease (Mpro) of the SARS-CoV 2 virus. Molecular dynamics simulation shows that procyanidin and vitexin have the best docking scores of -9.132 and -8.433, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation also shows that procyanidin and vitexin have the best Root Mean Square Displacement (RMSD) and Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) performance due to dominant hydrogen, hydrophobic, and water bridge interactions. However, further strain energy calculation obtained from ligand torsion analyses, procyanidin and vitexin do not conform as much as quercetin as ligand control even though these two ligands have good performance in terms of interaction with the target protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaka Fajar Fatriansyah
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Jawa Barat 16424, Indonesia
| | - Ara Gamaliel Boanerges
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Jawa Barat 16424, Indonesia
| | - Syarafina Ramadhanisa Kurnianto
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Jawa Barat 16424, Indonesia
| | - Agrin Febrian Pradana
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Jawa Barat 16424, Indonesia
| | - Fadilah
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Salemba Raya, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Siti Norasmah Surip
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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26
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Ávila-Gálvez MÁ, Rafael-Pita C, Fernández N, Baixinho J, Anastácio JD, Cankar K, Bosch D, Nunes Dos Santos C. Targeting proteases involved in the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 by sesquiterpene lactones from chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.). Food Funct 2022; 13:8977-8988. [PMID: 35938740 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo00933a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a highly transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus causing a respiratory disease that emerged in 2019, leading to a public health emergency situation which continues to date. The treatment options are still very limited and vaccines available are less effective against new variants. SARS-CoV-2 enzymes, namely main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro), play a pivotal role in the viral life cycle, making them a putative drug target. Here, we described for the first time the potential inhibitory activity of chicory extract against both proteases. Besides, we have identified that the four most abundant sesquiterpene lactones in chicory inhibited these proteases, showing an effective binding in the active sites of Mpro and PLpro. This paper provides new insight for further drug development or food-based strategies for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 by targeting viral proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ángeles Ávila-Gálvez
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Av. República, Qta. Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Rafael-Pita
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Av. República, Qta. Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Naiara Fernández
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Av. República, Qta. Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - João Baixinho
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Av. República, Qta. Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - José D Anastácio
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Av. República, Qta. Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Katarina Cankar
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen Plant Research, BU Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Bosch
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen Plant Research, BU Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cláudia Nunes Dos Santos
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Av. República, Qta. Marquês, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
- NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS|FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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27
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Alvarado YJ, Olivarez Y, Lossada C, Vera-Villalobos J, Paz JL, Vera E, Loroño M, Vivas A, Torres FJ, Jeffreys LN, Hurtado-León ML, González-Paz L. Interaction of the new inhibitor paxlovid (PF-07321332) and ivermectin with the monomer of the main protease SARS-CoV-2: A volumetric study based on molecular dynamics, elastic networks, classical thermodynamics and SPT. Comput Biol Chem 2022; 99:107692. [PMID: 35640480 PMCID: PMC9107165 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2022.107692] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the study of drugs, most notably ivermectin and more recently Paxlovid (PF-07321332) which is in phase III clinical trials with experimental data showing covalent binding to the viral protease Mpro. Theoretical developments of catalytic site-directed docking support thermodynamically feasible non-covalent binding to Mpro. Here we show that Paxlovid binds non-covalently at regions other than the catalytic sites with energies stronger than reported and at the same binding site as the ivermectin B1a homologue, all through theoretical methodologies, including blind docking. We volumetrically characterize the non-covalent interaction of the ivermectin homologues (avermectins B1a and B1b) and Paxlovid with the mMpro monomer, through molecular dynamics and scaled particle theory (SPT). Using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT), we estimated the electric dipole moment fluctuations at the surface of each of complex involved in this study, with similar trends to that observed in the interaction volume. Using fluctuations of the intrinsic volume and the number of flexible fragments of proteins using anisotropic and Gaussian elastic networks (ANM+GNM) suggests the complexes with ivermectin are more dynamic and flexible than the unbound monomer. In contrast, the binding of Paxlovid to mMpro shows that the mMpro-PF complex is the least structurally dynamic of all the species measured in this investigation. The results support a differential molecular mechanism of the ivermectin and PF homologues in the mMpro monomer. Finally, the results showed that Paxlovid despite beingbound in different sites through covalent or non-covalent forms behaves similarly in terms of its structural flexibility and volumetric behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ysaias José Alvarado
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología de Materiales (CITeMA), Laboratorio de Caracterización Molecular y Biomolecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,Corresponding author
| | - Yosmari Olivarez
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ). Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Quimica, Laboratorio de Electronica Molecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
| | - Carla Lossada
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología de Materiales (CITeMA), Laboratorio de Caracterización Molecular y Biomolecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
| | - Joan Vera-Villalobos
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Departamento de Química y Ciencias Ambientales, Laboratorio de Análisis Químico Instrumental (LAQUINS), Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - José Luis Paz
- Departamento Académico de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Eddy Vera
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ). Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Quimica, Laboratorio de Electronica Molecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
| | - Marcos Loroño
- Departamento Académico de Química Analítica e Instrumental, Facultad de Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Alejandro Vivas
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ). Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Quimica, Laboratorio de Electronica Molecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
| | - Fernando Javier Torres
- Grupo de Química Computacional y Teórica (QCT-UR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia,Grupo de Química Computacional y Teórica (QCT-USFQ), Instituto de Simulación Computacional (ISC-USFQ), Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Laura N. Jeffreys
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - María Laura Hurtado-León
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ), Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM), Maracaibo 4001, Zulia, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
| | - Lenin González-Paz
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ), Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM), Maracaibo 4001, Zulia, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Estudios Botanicos y Agroforestales, (CEBA), Laboratorio de Proteccion Vegetal, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,Corresponding author at: Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Estudios Botanicos y Agroforestales, (CEBA), Laboratorio de Proteccion Vegetal, 4001 Maracaibo, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
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Pablo-Moreno JAD, Serrano LJ, Revuelta L, Sánchez MJ, Liras A. The Vascular Endothelium and Coagulation: Homeostasis, Disease, and Treatment, with a Focus on the Von Willebrand Factor and Factors VIII and V. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158283. [PMID: 35955419 PMCID: PMC9425441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelium has several important functions, including hemostasis. The homeostasis of hemostasis is based on a fine balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant proteins and between fibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic ones. Coagulopathies are characterized by a mutation-induced alteration of the function of certain coagulation factors or by a disturbed balance between the mechanisms responsible for regulating coagulation. Homeostatic therapies consist in replacement and nonreplacement treatments or in the administration of antifibrinolytic agents. Rebalancing products reestablish hemostasis by inhibiting natural anticoagulant pathways. These agents include monoclonal antibodies, such as concizumab and marstacimab, which target the tissue factor pathway inhibitor; interfering RNA therapies, such as fitusiran, which targets antithrombin III; and protease inhibitors, such as serpinPC, which targets active protein C. In cases of thrombophilia (deficiency of protein C, protein S, or factor V Leiden), treatment may consist in direct oral anticoagulants, replacement therapy (plasma or recombinant ADAMTS13) in cases of a congenital deficiency of ADAMTS13, or immunomodulators (prednisone) if the thrombophilia is autoimmune. Monoclonal-antibody-based anti-vWF immunotherapy (caplacizumab) is used in the context of severe thrombophilia, regardless of the cause of the disorder. In cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation, the treatment of choice consists in administration of antifibrinolytics, all-trans-retinoic acid, and recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A. De Pablo-Moreno
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.D.P.-M.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Luis Javier Serrano
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.D.P.-M.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Luis Revuelta
- Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - María José Sánchez
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Junta de Andalucía, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Antonio Liras
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.D.P.-M.); (L.J.S.)
- Correspondence:
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29
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Antonopoulou I, Sapountzaki E, Rova U, Christakopoulos P. The Inhibitory Potential of Ferulic Acid Derivatives against the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and ADMET Evaluation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081787. [PMID: 35892687 PMCID: PMC9329733 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is an appealing target for the development of antiviral compounds, due to its critical role in the viral life cycle and its high conservation among different coronaviruses and the continuously emerging mutants of SARS-CoV-2. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phytochemical with several health benefits that is abundant in plant biomass and has been used as a basis for the enzymatic or chemical synthesis of derivatives with improved properties, including antiviral activity against a range of viruses. This study tested 54 reported FA derivatives for their inhibitory potential against Mpro by in silico simulations. Molecular docking was performed using Autodock Vina, resulting in comparable or better binding affinities for 14 compounds compared to the known inhibitors N3 and GC376. ADMET analysis showed limited bioavailability but significantly improved the solubility for the enzymatically synthesized hits while better bioavailability and druglikeness properties but higher toxicity were observed for the chemically synthesized ones. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the complexes of the most promising compounds with Mpro, highlighting FA rutinoside and compound e27 as the best candidates from each derivative category.
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30
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The Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 as a Target for Phytochemicals against Coronavirus. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11141862. [PMID: 35890496 PMCID: PMC9319234 DOI: 10.3390/plants11141862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In late December 2019, the first cases of COVID-19 emerged as an outbreak in Wuhan, China that later spread vastly around the world, evolving into a pandemic and one of the worst global health crises in modern history. The causative agent was identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although several vaccines were authorized for emergency use, constantly emerging new viral mutants and limited treatment options for COVID-19 drastically highlighted the need for developing an efficient treatment for this disease. One of the most important viral components to target for this purpose is the main protease of the coronavirus (Mpro). This enzyme is an excellent target for a potential drug, as it is essential for viral replication and has no closely related homologues in humans, making its inhibitors unlikely to be toxic. Our review describes a variety of approaches that could be applied in search of potential inhibitors among plant-derived compounds, including virtual in silico screening (a data-driven approach), which could be structure-based or fragment-guided, the classical approach of high-throughput screening, and antiviral activity cell-based assays. We will focus on several classes of compounds reported to be potential inhibitors of Mpro, including phenols and polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids.
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31
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Mohammed AO, Abo-Idrees MI, Makki AA, Ibraheem W, Alzain AA. Drug repurposing against main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 using molecular docking, MM-GBSA calculations and molecular dynamics. Struct Chem 2022; 33:1553-1567. [PMID: 35789829 PMCID: PMC9243907 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-01999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
A virus called severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is the causing organism of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has severely affected human life and threatened public health. The pandemic took millions of lives worldwide and caused serious negative effects on human society and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) are interesting targets due to their crucial role in viral replication and growth. Since there is only one approved therapy for COVID-19, drug repurposing is a promising approach to finding molecules with potential activity against COVID-19 in a short time and at minimal cost. In this study, virtual screening was performed on the ChEMBL library containing 9923 FDA-approved drugs, using various docking filters with different accuracy. The best drugs with the highest docking scores were further examined for molecular dynamics (MD) studies and MM-GBSA calculations. The results of this study suggest that nadide, cangrelor and denufosol are promising potential candidates against COVID-19. Further in vitro, preclinical and clinical studies of these candidates would help to discover safe and effective anti-COVID-19 drugs.
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32
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Feng J, Li D, Zhang J, Yin X, Li J. Crystal structure of SARS-CoV 3C-like protease with baicalein. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 611:190-194. [PMID: 35490659 PMCID: PMC9027212 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.04.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The 3C-like protease (Mpro, 3CLpro) plays a key role in the replication process in coronaviruses (CoVs). The Mpro is an essential enzyme mediates CoVs replication and is a promising target for development of antiviral drugs. Until now, baicalein has been shown the specific activity for SARS-CoV Mpro in vitro experiments. In this study, we resolved the SARS-CoV Mpro with baicalein by X-ray diffraction at 2.25 Å (PDB code 7XAX), which provided a structural basis for the research and development of baicalein as an anti-CoVs drug.
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33
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Aljuhani A, Ahmed HEA, Ihmaid SK, Omar AM, Althagfan SS, Alahmadi YM, Ahmad I, Patel H, Ahmed S, Almikhlafi MA, El-Agrody AM, Zayed MF, Turkistani SA, Abulkhair SH, Almaghrabi M, Salama SA, Al-Karmalawy AA, Abulkhair HS. In vitro and computational investigations of novel synthetic carboxamide-linked pyridopyrrolopyrimidines with potent activity as SARS-CoV-2-M Pro inhibitors. RSC Adv 2022; 12:26895-26907. [PMID: 36320844 PMCID: PMC9494209 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04015h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An essential target for COVID-19 is the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro). With the objective of targeting this receptor, a novel set of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines with terminal carboxamide fragments was designed, synthesized, and considered as an initial motif for the creation of effective pan-coronavirus inhibitors. Accordingly, nine derivatives (21–29) have been introduced for in vitro assay to evaluate their antiviral activity and cytotoxicity effect against COVID-19 virus using Vero cells. The obtained data revealed that the majority of these derivatives showed potent cellular anti-COVID-19 activity and prevent viral growth by more than 90% at two different concentrations with weak or even no detectable cytotoxic effect on Vero cells. Extensive molecular docking simulations highlighted proper non-covalent interaction of new compounds within the binding pocket of Mpro as a potential target for their antiviral activity. In vitro assay for all the synthesized derivatives against the viral Mpro target indicated that compounds 25 and 29 have promising inhibitory activity with IC50 values at low micromolar concentrations. The molecular dynamic simulation results predicted the stability of compound 29 in the binding cavity of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and hence supported the high inhibitory activity shown by the In vitro assay. These results suggested that compounds 25 and 29 merit further investigations as promising drug candidates for the management of SARS-CoV-2. An essential target for COVID-19 is the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro).![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ateyatallah Aljuhani
- Chemistry Department, College of Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah 41477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hany E. A. Ahmed
- Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Saleh K. Ihmaid
- Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Abdelsattar M. Omar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Alsulaymanyah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sultan S. Althagfan
- Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yaser M. Alahmadi
- Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iqrar Ahmad
- Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Harun Patel
- Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sahar Ahmed
- Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Mohannad A. Almikhlafi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. El-Agrody
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed F. Zayed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah 21461, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Shorouk H. Abulkhair
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Girls), Nasr City 11754, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Almaghrabi
- Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samir A. Salama
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed A. Al-Karmalawy
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University – Egypt, International Coastal Road, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
| | - Hamada S. Abulkhair
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University – Egypt, International Coastal Road, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
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