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Yadav AJ, Kumar S, Maurya S, Bhagat K, Padhi AK. Interface design of SARS-CoV-2 symmetrical nsp7 dimer and machine learning-guided nsp7 sequence prediction reveals physicochemical properties and hotspots for nsp7 stability, adaptation, and therapeutic design. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:14046-14061. [PMID: 38686454 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp01014k] [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: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, driven by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), necessitates a profound understanding of the virus and its lifecycle. As an RNA virus with high mutation rates, SARS-CoV-2 exhibits genetic variability leading to the emergence of variants with potential implications. Among its key proteins, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is pivotal for viral replication. Notably, RdRp forms dimers via non-structural protein (nsp) subunits, particularly nsp7, crucial for efficient viral RNA copying. Similar to the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, there is a possibility that the nsp7 might also undergo mutational selection events to generate more stable and adaptable versions of nsp7 dimer during virus evolution. However, efforts to obtain such cohesive and comprehensive information are lacking. To address this, we performed this study focused on deciphering the molecular intricacies of nsp7 dimerization using a multifaceted approach. Leveraging computational protein design (CPD), machine learning (ML), AlphaFold v2.0-based structural analysis, and several related computational approaches, we aimed to identify critical residues and mutations influencing nsp7 dimer stability and adaptation. Our methodology involved identifying potential hotspot residues within the dimeric nsp7 interface using an interface-based CPD approach. Through Rosetta-based symmetrical protein design, we designed and modulated nsp7 dimerization, considering selected interface residues. Analysis of physicochemical features revealed acceptable structural changes and several structural and residue-specific insights emphasizing the intricate nature of such protein-protein complexes. Our ML models, particularly the random forest regressor (RFR), accurately predicted binding affinities and ML-guided sequence predictions corroborated CPD findings, elucidating potential nsp7 mutations and their impact on binding affinity. Validation against clinical sequencing data demonstrated the predictive accuracy of our approach. Moreover, AlphaFold v2.0 structural analyses validated optimal dimeric configurations of affinity-enhancing designs, affirming methodological precision. Affinity-enhancing designs exhibited favourable energetics and higher binding affinity as compared to their counterparts. The obtained physicochemical properties, molecular interactions, and sequence predictions advance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 evolution and inform potential avenues for therapeutic intervention against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Jeet Yadav
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Shivank Kumar
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Shweata Maurya
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Khushboo Bhagat
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Padhi AK, Maurya S. Uncovering the secrets of resistance: An introduction to computational methods in infectious disease research. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 139:173-220. [PMID: 38448135 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern with significant implications for infectious disease control and therapeutics development. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of computational methods in the study of AMR. We explore the prevalence and statistics of AMR, underscoring its alarming impact on public health. The role of AMR in infectious disease outbreaks and its impact on therapeutics development are discussed, emphasizing the need for novel strategies. Resistance mutations are pivotal in AMR, enabling pathogens to evade antimicrobial treatments. We delve into their importance and contribution to the spread of AMR. Experimental methods for quantitatively evaluating resistance mutations are described, along with their limitations. To address these challenges, computational methods provide promising solutions. We highlight the advantages of computational approaches, including rapid analysis of large datasets and prediction of resistance profiles. A comprehensive overview of computational methods for studying AMR is presented, encompassing genomics, proteomics, structural bioinformatics, network analysis, and machine learning algorithms. The strengths and limitations of each method are briefly outlined. Additionally, we introduce ResScan-design, our own computational method, which employs a protein (re)design protocol to identify potential resistance mutations and adaptation signatures in pathogens. Case studies are discussed to showcase the application of ResScan in elucidating hotspot residues, understanding underlying mechanisms, and guiding the design of effective therapies. In conclusion, we emphasize the value of computational methods in understanding and combating AMR. Integration of experimental and computational approaches can expedite the discovery of innovative antimicrobial treatments and mitigate the threat posed by AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Shweata Maurya
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Lima Neto JX, Bezerra KS, Barbosa ED, Araujo RL, Galvão DS, Lyra ML, Oliveira JIN, Akash S, Jardan YAB, Nafidi HA, Bourhia M, Fulco UL. Investigation of protein-protein interactions and hotspot region on the NSP7-NSP8 binding site in NSP12 of SARS-CoV-2. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1325588. [PMID: 38304231 PMCID: PMC10830813 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1325588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex, essential in viral transcription and replication, is a key target for antiviral therapeutics. The core unit of RdRp comprises the nonstructural protein NSP12, with NSP7 and two copies of NSP8 (NSP81 and NSP82) binding to NSP12 to enhance its affinity for viral RNA and polymerase activity. Notably, the interfaces between these subunits are highly conserved, simplifying the design of molecules that can disrupt their interaction. Methods: We conducted a detailed quantum biochemical analysis to characterize the interactions within the NSP12-NSP7, NSP12-NSP81, and NSP12-NSP82 dimers. Our objective was to ascertain the contribution of individual amino acids to these protein-protein interactions, pinpointing hotspot regions crucial for complex stability. Results: The analysis revealed that the NSP12-NSP81 complex possessed the highest total interaction energy (TIE), with 14 pairs of residues demonstrating significant energetic contributions. In contrast, the NSP12-NSP7 complex exhibited substantial interactions in 8 residue pairs, while the NSP12-NSP82 complex had only one pair showing notable interaction. The study highlighted the importance of hydrogen bonds and π-alkyl interactions in maintaining these complexes. Intriguingly, introducing the RNA sequence with Remdesivir into the complex resulted in negligible alterations in both interaction energy and geometric configuration. Conclusion: Our comprehensive analysis of the RdRp complex at the protein-protein interface provides invaluable insights into interaction dynamics and energetics. These findings can guide the design of small molecules or peptide/peptidomimetic ligands to disrupt these critical interactions, offering a strategic pathway for developing effective antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Xavier Lima Neto
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Katyanna Sales Bezerra
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Duarte Barbosa
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Roniel Lima Araujo
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Shopnil Akash
- Department of Pharmacy, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Yousef A. Bin Jardan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hiba-Allah Nafidi
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Laayoune, Morocco
| | - Umberto Laino Fulco
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Bakheit AH, Saquib Q, Ahmed S, Ansari SM, Al-Salem AM, Al-Khedhairy AA. Covalent Inhibitors from Saudi Medicinal Plants Target RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2023; 15:2175. [PMID: 38005857 PMCID: PMC10675690 DOI: 10.3390/v15112175] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has caused a huge loss of human life, and the number of deaths is still continuing. Despite the lack of repurposed drugs and vaccines, the search for potential small molecules to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 is in demand. Hence, we relied on the drug-like characters of ten phytochemicals (compounds 1-10) that were previously isolated and purified by our research team from Saudi medicinal plants. We computationally evaluated the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) by compounds 1-10. Non-covalent (reversible) docking of compounds 1-10 with RdRp led to the formation of a hydrogen bond with template primer nucleotides (A and U) and key amino acid residues (ASP623, LYS545, ARG555, ASN691, SER682, and ARG553) in its active pocket. Covalent (irreversible) docking revealed that compounds 7, 8, and 9 exhibited their irreversible nature of binding with CYS813, a crucial amino acid in the palm domain of RdRP. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation analysis by RMSD, RMSF, and Rg parameters affirmed that RdRP complexes with compounds 7, 8, and 9 were stable and showed less deviation. Our data provide novel information on compounds 7, 8, and 9 that demonstrated their non-nucleoside and irreversible interaction capabilities to inhibit RdRp and shed new scaffolds as antivirals against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H. Bakheit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Quaiser Saquib
- Zoology Department, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.M.A.-S.); (A.A.A.-K.)
| | - Sarfaraz Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sabiha M. Ansari
- Botany & Microbiology Department, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdullah M. Al-Salem
- Zoology Department, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.M.A.-S.); (A.A.A.-K.)
| | - Abdulaziz A. Al-Khedhairy
- Zoology Department, College of Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.M.A.-S.); (A.A.A.-K.)
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Padhi AK, Kalita P, Maurya S, Poluri KM, Tripathi T. From De Novo Design to Redesign: Harnessing Computational Protein Design for Understanding SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Mechanisms and Developing Therapeutics. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8717-8735. [PMID: 37815479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04542] [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: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The continuous emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and subvariants serves as compelling evidence that COVID-19 is an ongoing concern. The swift, well-coordinated response to the pandemic highlights how technological advancements can accelerate the detection, monitoring, and treatment of the disease. Robust surveillance systems have been established to understand the clinical characteristics of new variants, although the unpredictable nature of these variants presents significant challenges. Some variants have shown resistance to current treatments, but innovative technologies like computational protein design (CPD) offer promising solutions and versatile therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. Advances in computing power, coupled with open-source platforms like AlphaFold and RFdiffusion (employing deep neural network and diffusion generative models), among many others, have accelerated the design of protein therapeutics with precise structures and intended functions. CPD has played a pivotal role in developing peptide inhibitors, mini proteins, protein mimics, decoy receptors, nanobodies, monoclonal antibodies, identifying drug-resistance mutations, and even redesigning native SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Pending regulatory approval, these designed therapies hold the potential for a lasting impact on human health and sustainability. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, use of such technologies enables the ongoing development of alternative strategies, thus equipping us for the "New Normal".
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Parismita Kalita
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Shweata Maurya
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
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Shehzadi K, Saba A, Yu M, Liang J. Structure-Based Drug Design of RdRp Inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2023; 381:22. [PMID: 37318607 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-023-00432-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide pandemic since 2019, spreading rapidly and posing a significant threat to human health and life. With over 6 billion confirmed cases of the virus, the need for effective therapeutic drugs has become more urgent than ever before. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is crucial in viral replication and transcription, catalysing viral RNA synthesis and serving as a promising therapeutic target for developing antiviral drugs. In this article, we explore the inhibition of RdRp as a potential treatment for viral diseases, analysing the structural information of RdRp in virus proliferation and summarizing the reported inhibitors' pharmacophore features and structure-activity relationship profiles. We hope that the information provided by this review will aid in structure-based drug design and aid in the global fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Shehzadi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China
| | - Afsheen Saba
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China
| | - Mingjia Yu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China.
| | - Jianhua Liang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China.
- Yangtze Delta Region Academy of Beijing Institute of Technology, Jiaxing, 314019, China.
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Franco EJ, Drusano GL, Hanrahan KC, Warfield KL, Brown AN. Combination Therapy with UV-4B and Molnupiravir Enhances SARS-CoV-2 Suppression. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051175. [PMID: 37243261 DOI: 10.3390/v15051175] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The host targeting antiviral, UV-4B, and the RNA polymerase inhibitor, molnupiravir, are two orally available, broad-spectrum antivirals that have demonstrated potent activity against SARS-CoV-2 as monotherapy. In this work, we evaluated the effectiveness of UV-4B and EIDD-1931 (molnupiravir's main circulating metabolite) combination regimens against the SARS-CoV-2 beta, delta, and omicron BA.2 variants in a human lung cell line. Infected ACE2 transfected A549 (ACE2-A549) cells were treated with UV-4B and EIDD-1931 both as monotherapy and in combination. Viral supernatant was sampled on day three when viral titers peaked in the no-treatment control arm, and levels of infectious virus were measured by plaque assay. The drug-drug effect interaction between UV-4B and EIDD-1931 was also defined using the Greco Universal Response Surface Approach (URSA) model. Antiviral evaluations demonstrated that treatment with UV-4B plus EIDD-1931 enhanced antiviral activity against all three variants relative to monotherapy. These results were in accordance with those obtained from the Greco model, as these identified the interaction between UV-4B and EIDD-1931 as additive against the beta and omicron variants and synergistic against the delta variant. Our findings highlight the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of UV-4B and EIDD-1931 combination regimens, and present combination therapy as a promising therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn J Franco
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - George L Drusano
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Kaley C Hanrahan
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | | | - Ashley N Brown
- Institute for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
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Kalita P, Tripathi T, Padhi AK. Computational Protein Design for COVID-19 Research and Emerging Therapeutics. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:602-613. [PMID: 37122454 PMCID: PMC10042144 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c01513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As the world struggles with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented obstacles have continuously been traversed as new SARS-CoV-2 variants continually emerge. Infectious disease outbreaks are unavoidable, but the knowledge gained from the successes and failures will help create a robust health management system to deal with such pandemics. Previously, scientists required years to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines; however, we have seen that, with the rapid deployment of high-throughput technologies and unprecedented scientific collaboration worldwide, breakthrough discoveries can be accelerated and insights broadened. Computational protein design (CPD) is a game-changing new technology that has provided alternative therapeutic strategies for pandemic management. In addition to the development of peptide-based inhibitors, miniprotein binders, decoys, biosensors, nanobodies, and monoclonal antibodies, CPD has also been used to redesign native SARS-CoV-2 proteins and human ACE2 receptors. We discuss how novel CPD strategies have been exploited to develop rationally designed and robust COVID-19 treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parismita Kalita
- Molecular
and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular
and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India
- Regional
Director’s Office, Indira Gandhi
National Open University, Regional Centre Kohima, Kenuozou, Kohima 797001, India
| | - Aditya K. Padhi
- Laboratory
for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical
Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology
(BHU), Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Yang T, Wang SC, Ye L, Maimaitiyiming Y, Naranmandura H. Targeting viral proteins for restraining SARS-CoV-2: focusing lens on viral proteins beyond spike for discovering new drug targets. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:247-268. [PMID: 36723288 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2175812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emergence of highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants are reducing protection provided by current vaccines, requiring constant updates in antiviral approaches. The virus encodes four structural and sixteen nonstructural proteins which play important roles in viral genome replication and transcription, virion assembly, release , entry into cells, and compromising host cellular defenses. As alien proteins to host cells, many viral proteins represent potential targets for combating the SARS-CoV-2. AREAS COVERED Based on literature from PubMed and Web of Science databases, the authors summarize the typical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 from the whole viral particle to the individual viral proteins and their corresponding functions in virus life cycle. The authors also discuss the potential and emerging targeted interventions to curb virus replication and spread in detail to provide unique insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection and countermeasures against it. EXPERT OPINION Our comprehensive analysis highlights the rationale to focus on non-spike viral proteins that are less mutated but have important functions. Examples of this include: structural proteins (e.g. nucleocapsid protein, envelope protein) and extensively-concerned nonstructural proteins (e.g. NSP3, NSP5, NSP12) along with the ones with relatively less attention (e.g. NSP1, NSP10, NSP14 and NSP16), for developing novel drugs to overcome resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants to preexisting vaccines and antibody-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Si Chun Wang
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linyan Ye
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yasen Maimaitiyiming
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Haematology Oncology Diagnosis and Treatment, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Neurobiology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, and MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Haematology Oncology Diagnosis and Treatment, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Wang M, Yan H, Chen L, Wang Y, Li L, Zhang H, Miao L. Oxalic acid blocked the binding of spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants to human angiotensin-converting enzymes 2. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285722. [PMID: 37200310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
An epidemic of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading worldwide. Moreover, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, such as Delta and Omicron, has seriously challenged the application of current therapeutics including vaccination and drugs. Relying on interaction of spike protein with receptor angiotensin-converting enzymes 2 (ACE2), SARS-CoV-2 successfully invades to the host cells, which indicates a strategy that identification of small-molecular compounds to block the entry is of great significance for COVID-19 prevention. Our study evaluated the potential efficacy of natural compound oxalic acid (OA) as an inhibitory agent against SARS-CoV-2 invasion, particular on the interaction of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Delta and Omicron variants to ACE2. By employing a competitive binding assay in vitro, OA significantly blocked the binding of RBDs from Delta B.1.617.2 and Omicron B.1.1.529 to ACE2, but has no effect on the wide-type SARS-CoV-2 strain. Furthermore, OA inhibited the entries of Delta and Omicron pseudovirus into ACE2 high expressing-HEK293T cells. By surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, the direct bindings of OA to RBD and ACE2 were analyzed and OA had both affinities with RBDs of B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529 and with ACE2. Molecular docking predicted the binding sites on the RBD-ACE2 complex and it showed similar binding abilities to both complex of variant Delta or Omicron RBD and ACE2. In conclusion, we provided a promising novel small-molecule compound OA as an antiviral candidate by blocking the cellular entries of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Huimin Yan
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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Pundir H, Joshi T, Pant M, Bhat S, Pandey J, Chandra S, Tamta S. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors using pharmacophore modelling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:13366-13377. [PMID: 34637693 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1987329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is one of the crucial enzymes in severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) catalysing the replication of RNA, therefore acts as a potential target for antiviral drug design. The fixation of a ligand in the active site of RdRp may alter the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Present work aimed at identifying novel inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp enzyme by performing pharmacophore-based virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). Initially, the pharmacophore model of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp was constructed and the resulting model was used to screen compounds from ChEMBL, ZINC and PubChem databases. During the investigation, 180 compounds were screened using the above model and subjected to molecular docking with RdRp. Two compounds viz. ChEMBL1276156 and PubChem135548348 showed a strong binding affinity with RdRp than its standard inhibitor, Remdesivir. Toxicity prediction of these two compounds reveals their non-toxic nature. These compounds were further subjected to MDS for 100 ns to check their stability after binding with RdRp. The MDS of RdRp-ChEMBL1276156 and RdRp-PubChem135548348 complexes show enhanced stability in comparison to the RdRp-Remdesivir complex. The average interaction energy calculated after 100 ns of MDS was -146.56 and -172.68 KJ mol-1 for RdRp-CHEMBL1276156 complex and RdRp-PubChem135548348 complex, respectively, while -59.90 KJ mol-1 for RdRp-Remdesivir complex. The current investigation reveals that these two compounds are potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and they could be tested in the experimental condition to evaluate their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemlata Pundir
- Department of Botany, D.S.B Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Tanuja Joshi
- Computational Biology & Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Manish Pant
- Department of Post-Harvest Process and Food Engineering, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sunaullah Bhat
- Insect Biosystematics & Insect-Pest Management Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kumaun University-SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Jyoti Pandey
- Computational Biology & Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Subhash Chandra
- Computational Biology & Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sushma Tamta
- Department of Botany, D.S.B Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
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12
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Mathpal S, Sharma P, Joshi T, Joshi T, Pande V, Chandra S. Screening of potential bio-molecules from Moringa olifera against SARS-CoV-2 main protease using computational approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:9885-9896. [PMID: 34151733 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1936183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the deaths of millions of people worldwide. It is having devastating effects on the people of all countries. In this regard, the phytochemicals of medicinal plants could be explored to prevent this disease. M. oleifera is a miracle plant with antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties because of its high content of flavonoids, glucosides and glucosinolates. Therefore, we constructed a library of 294 phytochemicals of M. oleifera and filtered it through the FAF-Drugs4. Further, molecular docking studies of filtered phytochemicals were performed with Mpro enzyme to investigate the binding interactions. Drug likeness properties, ADMET prediction were analyzed to determine the therapeutic aspect of these compounds. Based on the binding energy score of the top 4 compounds, the results indicate that Vicenin-2 has the highest binding affinity (-8.6 kcal mol-1) as compared to the reference molecule (-8.4 kcal mol-1). ADMET result reveals that all top four compounds have minimal toxic effects and good absorption. Further, 500 ns molecular dynamics simulation of the top four compounds showed that Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and Vitexin have good stability with Mpro. These two compounds were then subjected for MMPBSA (last 50 ns) calculation to analyze the protein-ligand stability and dynamic behavior. Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and Vitexin showed very good binding free energy i.e. -40.136 kJ mol-1 and -26.784 kJ mol-1, respectively. Promising outcomes from MD simulations evidence the worth of these compounds for future drug development to combat coronavirus disease.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Mathpal
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Tushar Joshi
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Tanuja Joshi
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.,Computational Biology & Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, India.,Department of Botany, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Veena Pande
- Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Subhash Chandra
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.,Computational Biology & Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, India.,Department of Botany, Kumaun University, SSJ Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand, India
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13
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Padhi AK, Tripathi T. Hotspot residues and resistance mutations in the nirmatrelvir-binding site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease: Design, identification, and correlation with globally circulating viral genomes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 629:54-60. [PMID: 36113178 PMCID: PMC9450486 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has acquired numerous variations in its intracellular proteins to adapt quickly, become more infectious, and ultimately develop drug resistance by mutating certain hotspot residues. To keep the emerging variants at bay, including Omicron and subvariants, FDA has approved the antiviral nirmatrelvir for mild-to-moderate and high-risk COVID-19 cases. Like other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 could acquire mutations in its main protease (Mpro) to adapt and develop resistance against nirmatrelvir. Employing a unique high-throughput protein design technique, the hotspot residues, and signatures of adaptation of Mpro having the highest probability of mutating and rendering nirmatrelvir ineffective were identified. Our results show that ∼40% of the designed mutations in Mpro already exist in the globally circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages and several predicted mutations. Moreover, several high-frequency, designed mutations were found to be in corroboration with the experimentally reported nirmatrelvir-resistant mutants and are naturally occurring. Our work on the targeted design of the nirmatrelvir-binding site offers a comprehensive picture of potential hotspot sites and resistance mutations in Mpro and is thus crucial in comprehending viral adaptation, robust antiviral design, and surveillance of evolving Mpro variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design, School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India; Regional Director's Office, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Regional Centre Kohima, Kenuozou, Kohima, 797001, India.
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14
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Xu X, Chen Y, Lu X, Zhang W, Fang W, Yuan L, Wang X. An update on inhibitors targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase for COVID-19 treatment: Promises and challenges. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 205:115279. [PMID: 36209840 PMCID: PMC9535928 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The highly transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of the COVID-19 pandemic, bring new waves of infection worldwide. Identification of effective therapeutic drugs to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is an urgent global need. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), an essential enzyme for viral RNA replication, is the most promising target for antiviral drug research since it has no counterpart in human cells and shows the highest conservation across coronaviruses. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of RdRp inhibitors, focusing on interactions between these inhibitors and the enzyme complex, based on structural analysis, and their effectiveness. In addition, we propose new possible strategies to address the shortcomings of current inhibitors, which may guide the development of novel efficient inhibitors to combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Yuheng Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Wanlin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Wenxiu Fang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Luping Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China.
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15
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Joshi C, Chaudhari A, Joshi C, Joshi M, Bagatharia S. Repurposing of the herbal formulations: molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies to validate the efficacy of phytocompounds against SARS-CoV-2 proteins. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:8405-8419. [PMID: 33988079 PMCID: PMC8127611 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1922095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Herbal formulations mentioned in traditional medicinal texts were investigated for in silico effect against SARS-COV-2 proteins involved in various functions of a virus such as attachment, entry, replication, transcription, etc. To repurpose and validate polyherbal formulations, molecular docking was performed to study the interactions of more than 150 compounds from various formulations against the SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to evaluate the interaction of top scored ligands with the various receptor proteins. The docking results showed that Liquiritic acid, Liquorice acid, Terchebulin, Glabrolide, Casuarinin, Corilagin, Chebulagic acid, Neochebulinic acid, Daturataturin A, and Taraxerol were effective against SARS-COV-2 proteins with higher binding affinities with different proteins. Results of MD simulations validated the stability of ligands from potent formulations with various receptors of SARS-CoV-2. Binding free energy analysis suggested the favourable interactions of phytocompounds with the recpetors. Besides, in silico comparison of the various formulations determined that Pathyadi kwath, Sanjeevani vati, Yashtimadhu, Tribhuvan Keeratiras, and Septillin were more effective than Samshamni vati, AYUSH-64, and Trikatu. Polyherbal formulations having anti-COVID-19 potential can be used for the treatment with adequate monitoring. New formulations may also be developed for systematic trials based on ranking from these studies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmayi Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Armi Chaudhari
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Chaitanya Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Madhvi Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
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16
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Blasiak A, Truong ATL, Wang P, Hooi L, Chye DH, Tan SB, You K, Remus A, Allen DM, Chai LYA, Chan CEZ, Lye DCB, Tan GYG, Seah SGK, Chow EKH, Ho D. IDentif.AI-Omicron: Harnessing an AI-Derived and Disease-Agnostic Platform to Pinpoint Combinatorial Therapies for Clinically Actionable Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Intervention. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15141-15154. [PMID: 35977379 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine-based and unmodified drug interventions to address COVID-19 have evolved over the course of the pandemic as more information is gleaned and virus variants continue to emerge. For example, some early therapies (e.g., antibodies) have experienced markedly decreased efficacy. Due to a growing concern of future drug resistant variants, current drug development strategies are seeking to find effective drug combinations. In this study, we used IDentif.AI, an artificial intelligence-derived platform, to investigate the drug-drug and drug-dose interaction space of six promising experimental or currently deployed therapies at various concentrations: EIDD-1931, YH-53, nirmatrelvir, AT-511, favipiravir, and auranofin. The drugs were tested in vitro against a live B.1.1.529 (Omicron) virus first in monotherapy and then in 50 strategic combinations designed to interrogate the interaction space of 729 possible combinations. Key findings and interactions were then further explored and validated in an additional experimental round using an expanded concentration range. Overall, we found that few of the tested drugs showed moderate efficacy as monotherapies in the actionable concentration range, but combinatorial drug testing revealed significant dose-dependent drug-drug interactions, specifically between EIDD-1931 and YH-53, as well as nirmatrelvir and YH-53. Checkerboard validation analysis confirmed these synergistic interactions and also identified an interaction between EIDD-1931 and favipiravir in an expanded range. Based on the platform nature of IDentif.AI, these findings may support further explorations of the dose-dependent drug interactions between different drug classes in further pre-clinical and clinical trials as possible combinatorial therapies consisting of unmodified and nanomedicine-enabled drugs, to combat current and future COVID-19 strains and other emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Blasiak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore
| | - Anh T L Truong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Peter Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Lissa Hooi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - De Hoe Chye
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, 117510, Singapore
| | - Shi-Bei Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Kui You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Alexandria Remus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - David Michael Allen
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117545, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, 119074, Singapore
| | - Louis Yi Ann Chai
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, 119074, Singapore
| | - Conrad E Z Chan
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, 117510, Singapore
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308442, Singapore
| | - David C B Lye
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308442, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 308232, Singapore
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 308433, Singapore
| | - Gek-Yen G Tan
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, 117510, Singapore
| | - Shirley G K Seah
- Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, 117510, Singapore
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Dean Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117600, Singapore
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17
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Zhong L, Zhao Z, Peng X, Zou J, Yang S. Recent advances in small-molecular therapeutics for COVID-19. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2022; 5:pbac024. [PMID: 36268466 PMCID: PMC9579963 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbac024] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a fundamental challenge to global health. Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, great efforts have been made to identify antiviral strategies and develop therapeutic drugs to combat the disease. There are different strategies for developing small molecular anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs, including targeting coronavirus structural proteins (e.g. spike protein), non-structural proteins (nsp) (e.g. RdRp, Mpro, PLpro, helicase, nsp14, and nsp16), host proteases (e.g. TMPRSS2, cathepsin, and furin) and the pivotal proteins mediating endocytosis (e.g. PIKfyve), as well as developing endosome acidification agents and immune response modulators. Favipiravir and chloroquine are the anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents that were identified earlier in this epidemic and repurposed for COVID-19 clinical therapy based on these strategies. However, their efficacies are controversial. Currently, three small molecular anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents, remdesivir, molnupiravir, and Paxlovid (PF-07321332 plus ritonavir), have been granted emergency use authorization or approved for COVID-19 therapy in many countries due to their significant curative effects in phase III trials. Meanwhile, a large number of promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates have entered clinical evaluation. The development of these drugs brings hope for us to finally conquer COVID-19. In this account, we conducted a comprehensive review of the recent advances in small molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents according to the target classification. Here we present all the approved drugs and most of the important drug candidates for each target, and discuss the challenges and perspectives for the future research and development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xuerun Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | | | - Shengyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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18
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Gyebi GA, Ogunyemi OM, Adefolalu AA, Rodríguez-Martínez A, López-Pastor JF, Banegas-Luna AJ, Pérez-Sánchez H, Adegunloye AP, Ogunro OB, Afolabi SO. African derived phytocompounds may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping machinery via inhibition of 2'-O-ribose methyltransferase: An in silico perspective. J Mol Struct 2022; 1262:133019. [PMID: 35431328 PMCID: PMC9002684 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ongoing vaccination against the life-threatening COVID-19, there is need for viable therapeutic interventions. The S-adenosyl-l-Methionine (SAM) dependent 2-O'-ribose methyltransferase (2'-O-MTase) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents a therapeutic target against COVID-19 infection. In a bid to profile bioactive principles from natural sources, a custom-made library of 226 phytochemicals from African medicinal plants with especially anti-malarial activity was screened for direct interactions with SARS-CoV-2 2'-O-MTase (S2RMT) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as well as binding free energies methods. Based on minimal binding energy lower than sinefungin (a reference methyl-transferase inhibitor) and binding mode analysis at the catalytic site of S2RMT, a list of 26 hit phytocompounds was defined. The interaction of these phytocompounds was compared with the 2'-O-MTase of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Among these compounds, the lead phytocompounds (LPs) viz: mulberrofuran F, 24-methylene cycloartenol, ferulate, 3-benzoylhosloppone and 10-hydroxyusambarensine interacted strongly with the conserved KDKE tetrad within the substrate binding pocket of the 2'-O-MTase of the coronavirus strains which is critical for substrate binding. The thermodynamic parameters analyzed from the MD simulation trajectories of the LPs-S2RMT complexes presented an eminent structural stability and compactness. These LPs demonstrated favorable druggability and in silico ADMET properties over a diverse array of molecular computing descriptors. The LPs show promising prospects in the disruption of S2RMT capping machinery in silico. However, these LPs should be validated via in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon A. Gyebi
- Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria,Corresponding authors
| | - Oludare M. Ogunyemi
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria
| | | | - Alejandro Rodríguez-Martínez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
| | - Juan F. López-Pastor
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
| | - Antonio J. Banegas-Luna
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
| | - Horacio Pérez-Sánchez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain,Corresponding authors
| | | | - Olalekan B. Ogunro
- Department of Biological Sciences, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Saheed O. Afolabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
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19
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Padhi AK, Tripathi T. A comprehensive protein design protocol to identify resistance mutations and signatures of adaptation in pathogens. Brief Funct Genomics 2022; 22:195-203. [PMID: 35851634 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elac020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Most pathogens mutate and evolve over time to escape immune and drug pressure. To achieve this, they alter specific hotspot residues in their intracellular proteins to render the targeted drug(s) ineffective and develop resistance. Such hotspot residues may be located as a cluster or uniformly as a signature of adaptation in a protein. Identifying the hotspots and signatures is extremely important to comprehensively understand the disease pathogenesis and rapidly develop next-generation therapeutics. As experimental methods are time-consuming and often cumbersome, there is a need to develop efficient computational protocols and adequately utilize them. To address this issue, we present a unique computational protein design protocol that identifies hotspot residues, resistance mutations and signatures of adaptation in a pathogen’s protein against a bound drug. Using the protocol, the binding affinity between the designed mutants and drug is computed quickly, which offers predictions for comparison with biophysical experiments. The applicability and accuracy of the protocol are shown using case studies of a few protein–drug complexes. As a validation, resistance mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease (Mpro) against narlaprevir (an inhibitor of hepatitis C NS3/4A serine protease) are identified. Notably, a detailed methodology and description of the working principles of the protocol are presented. In conclusion, our protocol will assist in providing a first-hand explanation of adaptation, hotspot-residue variations and surveillance of evolving resistance mutations in a pathogenic protein.
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20
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Gao K, Wang R, Chen J, Cheng L, Frishcosy J, Huzumi Y, Qiu Y, Schluckbier T, Wei X, Wei GW. Methodology-Centered Review of Molecular Modeling, Simulation, and Prediction of SARS-CoV-2. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11287-11368. [PMID: 35594413 PMCID: PMC9159519 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts in the past two years, our understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), virus-host interactions, immune response, virulence, transmission, and evolution is still very limited. This limitation calls for further in-depth investigation. Computational studies have become an indispensable component in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to their low cost, their efficiency, and the fact that they are free from safety and ethical constraints. Additionally, the mechanism that governs the global evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 cannot be revealed from individual experiments and was discovered by integrating genotyping of massive viral sequences, biophysical modeling of protein-protein interactions, deep mutational data, deep learning, and advanced mathematics. There exists a tsunami of literature on the molecular modeling, simulations, and predictions of SARS-CoV-2 and related developments of drugs, vaccines, antibodies, and diagnostics. To provide readers with a quick update about this literature, we present a comprehensive and systematic methodology-centered review. Aspects such as molecular biophysics, bioinformatics, cheminformatics, machine learning, and mathematics are discussed. This review will be beneficial to researchers who are looking for ways to contribute to SARS-CoV-2 studies and those who are interested in the status of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifu Gao
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Rui Wang
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Limei Cheng
- Clinical
Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Bristol
Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08536, United States
| | - Jaclyn Frishcosy
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Yuta Huzumi
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Yuchi Qiu
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Tom Schluckbier
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Xiaoqi Wei
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Guo-Wei Wei
- Department
of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan
State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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21
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Padhi AK, Tripathi T. High-throughput design of symmetrical dimeric SARS-CoV-2 main protease: structural and physical insights into hotspots for adaptation and therapeutics. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:9141-9145. [PMID: 35411366 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp00171c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Dimerization of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a prerequisite for its processing activity. With >2000 mutations already reported in Mpro, SARS-CoV-2 may accumulate mutations in the Mpro dimeric interface to stabilize it further. We employed high-throughput protein design strategies to design the symmetrical dimeric interface of Mpro (300 000 designs) to identify mutational hotspots that render the Mpro more stable. We found that ∼22% of designed mutations that yield stable Mpro dimers already exist in SARS-CoV-2 genomes and are currently circulating. Our multi-parametric analyses highlight potential Mpro mutations that SARS-CoV-2 may develop, providing a foundation for assessing viral adaptation and mutational surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong - 793022, India.
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22
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Ho WS, Zhang R, Tan YL, Chai CLL. COVID-19 and The Promise of Small Molecule Therapeutics: Are There Lessons to be Learnt? Pharmacol Res 2022; 179:106201. [PMID: 35367622 PMCID: PMC8970615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had grounded the world to a standstill. As the disease continues to rage two years on, it is apparent that effective therapeutics are critical for a successful endemic living with COVID-19. A dearth in suitable antivirals has prompted researchers and healthcare professionals to investigate existing and developmental drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although some of these drugs initially appeared to be promising for the treatment of COVID-19, they were ultimately found to be ineffective. In this review, we provide a retrospective analysis on the merits and limitations of some of these drugs that were tested against SARS-CoV-2 as well as those used for adjuvant therapy. While many of these drugs are no longer part of our arsenal for the treatment of COVID-19, important lessons can be learnt. The recent inclusion of molnupiravir and Paxlovid™ as treatment options for COVID-19 represent our best hope to date for endemic living with COVID-19. Our viewpoints on these two drugs and their prospects as current and future antiviral agents will also be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shen Ho
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Ruirui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Yeong Lan Tan
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Christina Li Lin Chai
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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23
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A Multicenter Evaluation of the Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19. Crit Care Explor 2022; 4:e0662. [PMID: 35506015 PMCID: PMC9049035 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Seraph100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter (Seraph 100) (ExThera Medical, Martinez, CA) is an extracorporeal therapy that can remove pathogens from blood, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of Seraph 100 treatment for COVID-19. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Nine participating ICUs. PATIENTS COVID-19 patients treated with Seraph 100 (n = 53) and control patients matched by study site (n = 53). INTERVENTION Treatment with Seraph 100. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS At baseline, there were no differences between the groups in terms of sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and need for mechanical ventilation. However, patients in the Seraph 100 group were younger (median age, 54 yr; interquartile range [IQR], 41-65) compared with controls (median age, 64 yr; IQR, 56-69; p = 0.009). Charlson comorbidity index scores were lower in the Seraph 100 group (2; IQR, 0-3) compared with the control group (3; IQR, 2-4; p = 0.006). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were also lower in Seraph 100 subjects (12; IQR, 9-17) compared with controls (16; IQR, 12-21; p = 0.011). The Seraph 100 group had higher vasopressor-free days with an incidence rate ratio of 1.30 on univariate analysis. This difference was not significant after adjustment. Seraph 100-treated subjects were less likely to die compared with controls (32.1% vs 64.2%; p = 0.001), a difference that remained significant after adjustment. However, no difference in mortality was observed in a post hoc analysis utilizing an external control group. In the full cohort of 86 treated patients, there were 177 total treatments, in which only three serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS Although this study did not demonstrate consistently significant clinical benefit across all endpoints and comparisons, the findings suggest that broad spectrum, pathogen agnostic, blood purification can be safely deployed to meet new pathogen threats while awaiting targeted therapies and vaccines.
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24
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The pill of recovery; Molnupiravir for treatment of COVID-19 patients; a systematic review. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 30:508-518. [PMID: 35287313 PMCID: PMC8906919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Throughout the time of the global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 virus, there has been a compelling necessity for the development of effective antiviral agents and prophylactic vaccines to limit the virus spread, disease burden, hospitalization, and mortality. Until mid of 2021, the NIH treatment guideline declared no single oral therapy was proven to treat mild to moderate cases. A new hope arose when a repurposed direct acting oral anti-viral agent “Molnupiravir” was shown to be effective in decreasing mortality and need for hospitalization in mild to moderate cases with relatively good safety profile; exhibiting a significant reduction in virus titers only after two days from administration. Molnupiravir recently granted the FDA emergency use authorization to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 patients with at least one risk factor for progression. Methods We performed a computer-based literature search of (PubMed, Science direct, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN, Cochrane COVID study register, EU registry, and CTRI registry) till February 15th, 2022. The following keywords were used in our search (“Molnupiravir”, “NHC”, “EIDD-2807”, “MK-4482” or “EIDD-1931”). Results We identified from the initial search a total of 279 articles; 246 articles (BioRxiv and MedRxiv N = 186, PubMed N = 33, Science direct N = 27) and 33 Clinical trials from the following registries (ISCTRN (N = 1), Clinical Trials.gov (N = 6), CTRI (N = 12), Cochrane (N = 14)). Through screening phases, 21 records were removed as duplicates and 198 irrelevant records were also excluded. The included studies in this systematic review were (N = 60) included 39 published papers and 21 clinical trials. After Manual addition (N = 4), the qualitative assessment included (N = 64). Conclusion Based on the cumulative evidence from preclinical and clinical studies, Molnupiravir is proven to be a well tolerated, direct acting oral anti-viral agent to halt the disease progression in mild to moderate COVID-19 cases; in terms of mortality and hospitalization rates.
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25
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Bhatt AN, Kumar A, Rai Y, Kumari N, Vedagiri D, Harshan KH, Chinnadurai V, Chandna S. Glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose attenuates SARS-CoV-2 multiplication in host cells and weakens the infective potential of progeny virions. Life Sci 2022; 295:120411. [PMID: 35181310 PMCID: PMC8847085 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Aims Virus-infected host cells switch their metabolism to a more glycolytic phenotype, required for new virion synthesis and packaging. Therefore, we investigated the effect and mechanistic action of glycolytic inhibitor 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) on virus multiplication in host cells following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main methods SARS-CoV-2 induced change in glycolysis was examined in Vero E6 cells. Effect of 2-DG on virus multiplication was evaluated by RT-PCR (N and RdRp genes) analysis, protein expression analysis of Nucleocapsid (N) and Spike (S) proteins and visual indication of cytopathy effect (CPE), The mass spectrometry analysis was performed to examine the 2-DG induced change in glycosylation status of receptor binding domain (RBD) in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Key findings We observed SARS-COV-2 infection induced increased glucose influx and glycolysis, resulting in selectively high accumulation of the fluorescent glucose analog, 2-NBDG in Vero E6 cells. 2-DG inhibited glycolysis, reduced virus multiplication and alleviated cells from virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. The progeny virions produced from 2-DG treated cells were found unglycosylated at crucial N-glycosites (N331 and N343) of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the spike protein, resulting in production of defective progeny virions with compromised infective potential. Significance The mechanistic study revealed that the inhibition of SARS-COV-2 multiplication is attributed to 2-DG induced glycolysis inhibition and possibly un-glycosylation of the spike protein, also. Therefore, based on its previous human trials in different types of Cancer and Herpes patients, it could be a potential molecule to study in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Yogesh Rai
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Neeraj Kumari
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Dhiviya Vedagiri
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy for Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Krishnan H Harshan
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy for Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | | | - Sudhir Chandna
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
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26
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Zarenezhad E, Marzi M. Review on molnupiravir as a promising oral drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Med Chem Res 2022; 31:232-243. [PMID: 35002192 PMCID: PMC8721938 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02841-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, various drug candidates have been developed, molnupiravir (MK-4482 and EIDD-2801), which is a new orally anti-viral agent under development for the treatment of COVID-19, is under study in the final stage of the clinical trial. Molnupiravir enhances the replication of viral RNA mutations in animals and humans. Due to the high demand for the synthesis of this drug, it was essential to develop an efficient and suitable synthetic pathway from raw material. In this study, molecular docking analysis on molnupiravir is examined also, the mechanism of action (MOA) and the recent synthetic pathway is reported. This review will be helpful to different disciplines such as medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Zarenezhad
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mahrokh Marzi
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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27
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Hassan SS, Lundstrom K, Serrano-Aroca Á, Adadi P, Aljabali AAA, Redwan EM, Lal A, Kandimalla R, El-Aziz TMA, Pal Choudhury P, Azad GK, Sherchan SP, Chauhan G, Tambuwala M, Takayama K, Barh D, Palu G, Basu P, Uversky VN. Emergence of unique SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 variants and their impact on protein structure and function. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 194:128-143. [PMID: 34863825 PMCID: PMC8635690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The devastating impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on public health, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made targeting the COVID-19 pandemic a top priority in medical research and pharmaceutical development. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 mutations is essential for the comprehension of SARS-CoV-2 variant diversity and their impact on virulence and pathogenicity. The SARS-CoV-2 open reading frame 10 (ORF10) protein interacts with multiple human proteins CUL2, ELOB, ELOC, MAP7D1, PPT1, RBX1, THTPA, TIMM8B, and ZYG11B expressed in lung tissue. Mutations and co-occurring mutations in the emerging SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 variants are expected to impact the severity of the virus and its associated consequences. In this article, we highlight 128 single mutations and 35 co-occurring mutations in the unique SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 variants. The possible predicted effects of these mutations and co-occurring mutations on the secondary structure of ORF10 variants and host protein interactomes are presented. The findings highlight the possible effects of mutations and co-occurring mutations on the emerging 140 ORF10 unique variants from secondary structure and intrinsic protein disorder perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sk Sarif Hassan
- Department of Mathematics, Pingla Thana Mahavidyalaya, Maligram, Paschim Medinipur 721140, West Bengal, India.
| | | | - Ángel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Lab, Centro de Investigacion Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Catolica de Valencia San Vicente Martir, c/Guillem de Castro, 94, 46001 Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Parise Adadi
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Irbid 566, Jordan.
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Biological Science Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg EL-Arab 21934, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Amos Lal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ramesh Kandimalla
- Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Department of Biocemistry, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, Telangana, India
| | - Tarek Mohamed Abd El-Aziz
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia 61519, Egypt.
| | - Pabitra Pal Choudhury
- Indian Statistical Institute, Applied Statistics Unit, 203 B T Road, Kolkata 700108, India.
| | | | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | - Gaurav Chauhan
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 64849 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
| | - Murtaza Tambuwala
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Kazuo Takayama
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068507, Japan.
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur 721172, West Bengal, India; Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Giorgio Palu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy.
| | - Pallab Basu
- School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Braamfontein 2000, 721140, South Africa.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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28
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Pourkarim F, Pourtaghi‐Anvarian S, Rezaee H. Molnupiravir: A new candidate for COVID-19 treatment. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 10:e00909. [PMID: 34968008 PMCID: PMC8929331 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) emerged in late December 2019 in china and has rapidly spread to many countries around the world. The effective pharmacotherapy can reduce the mortality of COVID‐19. Antiviral medications are the candidate therapies for the management of COVID‐19. Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug with anti‐RNA polymerase activity and currently is under investigation for the treatment of patients with COVID‐19. This review focuses on summarizing published literature for the mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, and clinical trials of molnupiravir in the treatment of COVID‐19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Pourkarim
- Student Research CommitteeFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Department of Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Samira Pourtaghi‐Anvarian
- Student Research CommitteeFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Department of Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Haleh Rezaee
- Department of Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
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29
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DFT and MD simulation investigation of favipiravir as an emerging antiviral option against viral protease (3CL pro) of SARS-CoV-2. J Mol Struct 2021; 1246:131253. [PMID: 34376872 PMCID: PMC8342190 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
As per date, around 20 million COVID-19 cases reported from across the globe due to a tiny 125 nm sized virus: SARS-CoV-2 which has created a pandemic and left an unforgettable impact on our world. Besides vaccine, medical community is in a race to identify an effective drug, which can fight against this disease effectively. Favipiravir (F) has recently attracted too much attention as an effective repurposed drug against COVID-19. In the present study, the pertinency of F has been tested as an antiviral option against viral protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 with the help of density functional theory (DFT) and MD Simulation. Different electronic properties of F such as atomic charges, molecular electrostatic properties (MEP), chemical reactivity and absorption analysis have been studied by DFT. In order to understand the interaction and stability of inhibitor F against viral protease, molecular docking and MD simulation have been performed. Various output like interaction energies, number of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, binding energy etc. have established the elucidate role of F for the management of CoV-2 virus for which there is no approved therapies till now. Our findings highlighted the need to further evaluate F as a potential antiviral against SARS-CoV-2.
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30
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Zarkesh K, Entezar-Almahdi E, Ghasemiyeh P, Akbarian M, Bahmani M, Roudaki S, Fazlinejad R, Mohammadi-Samani S, Firouzabadi N, Hosseini M, Farjadian F. Drug-based therapeutic strategies for COVID-19-infected patients and their challenges. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:1415-1451. [PMID: 34812049 PMCID: PMC8610072 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging epidemic-prone diseases have introduced numerous health and economic challenges in recent years. Given current knowledge of COVID-19, herd immunity through vaccines alone is unlikely. In addition, vaccination of the global population is an ongoing challenge. Besides, the questions regarding the prevalence and the timing of immunization are still under investigation. Therefore, medical treatment remains essential in the management of COVID-19. Herein, recent advances from beginning observations of COVID-19 outbreak to an understanding of the essential factors contributing to the spread and transmission of COVID-19 and its treatment are reviewed. Furthermore, an in-depth discussion on the epidemiological aspects, clinical symptoms and most efficient medical treatment strategies to mitigate the mortality and spread rates of COVID-19 is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khatereh Zarkesh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Elaheh Entezar-Almahdi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parisa Ghasemiyeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Akbarian
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Marzieh Bahmani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Roudaki
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rahil Fazlinejad
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Soliman Mohammadi-Samani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negar Firouzabadi
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Majid Hosseini
- Department of Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
| | - Fatemeh Farjadian
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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31
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Emerging mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 variants and their role in antibody escape to small molecule-based therapeutic resistance. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 62:64-73. [PMID: 34920267 PMCID: PMC8606259 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Several clinical trials started during the COVID-19 pandemic to discover effective therapeutics led to identify a few candidates from the major clinical trials. However, in the past several months, quite a few SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged with significant mutations. Major mutations in the S-glycoprotein and other parts of the genome have led to the antibody's escape to small molecule-based therapeutic resistance. The mutations in S-glycoprotein trigger the antibody escape/resistance, and mutations in RdRp might cause remdesivir resistance. The article illustrates emerging mutations that have resulted in antibody escape to therapeutics resistance. In this direction, the article illustrates presently developed neutralizing antibodies (with their preclinical, clinical stages) and antibody escapes and associated mutations. Finally, owing to the RdRp mutations, the antiviral small molecules resistance is illustrated.
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32
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Al-Karmalawy AA, Soltane R, Abo Elmaaty A, Tantawy MA, Antar SA, Yahya G, Chrouda A, Pashameah RA, Mustafa M, Abu Mraheil M, Mostafa A. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Control between Drug Repurposing and Vaccination: A Comprehensive Overview. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1317. [PMID: 34835248 PMCID: PMC8622998 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viruses represent a major public health concern, as they are highly mutated, resulting in new strains emerging with high pathogenicity. Currently, the world is suffering from the newly evolving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a mild-to-severe respiratory tract infection with frequent ability to give rise to fatal pneumonia in humans. The overwhelming outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 continues to unfold all over the world, urging scientists to put an end to this global pandemic through biological and pharmaceutical interventions. Currently, there is no specific treatment option that is capable of COVID-19 pandemic eradication, so several repurposed drugs and newly conditionally approved vaccines are in use and heavily applied to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of new variants of the virus that partially or totally escape from the immune response elicited by the approved vaccines requires continuous monitoring of the emerging variants to update the content of the developed vaccines or modify them totally to match the new variants. Herein, we discuss the potential therapeutic and prophylactic interventions including repurposed drugs and the newly developed/approved vaccines, highlighting the impact of virus evolution on the immune evasion of the virus from currently licensed vaccines for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
| | - Raya Soltane
- Department of Basic Sciences, Adham University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Ayman Abo Elmaaty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said 42526, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Tantawy
- Hormones Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki 12622, Egypt
- Stem Cells Laboratory, Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki 12622, Egypt
| | - Samar A Antar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
| | - Galal Yahya
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Amani Chrouda
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11932, Saudi Arabia
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Advanced Materials, Faculty of Sciences, Monastir University, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
- Institute of Analytical Sciences, UMR CNRS-UCBL-ENS 5280, 5 Rue la Doua, CEDEX, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Rami Adel Pashameah
- Department of Basic Sciences, Adham University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhamad Mustafa
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Deraya University, Minia 61111, Egypt
| | - Mobarak Abu Mraheil
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Institute of Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Dokki 12622, Egypt
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33
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Sepulcri C, Dentone C, Mikulska M, Bruzzone B, Lai A, Fenoglio D, Bozzano F, Bergna A, Parodi A, Altosole T, Delfino E, Bartalucci G, Orsi A, Di Biagio A, Zehender G, Ballerini F, Bonora S, Sette A, De Palma R, Silvestri G, De Maria A, Bassetti M. The Longest Persistence of Viable SARS-CoV-2 With Recurrence of Viremia and Relapsing Symptomatic COVID-19 in an Immunocompromised Patient-A Case Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab217. [PMID: 34796242 PMCID: PMC8135455 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunocompromised patients show prolonged shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nasopharyngeal swabs. We report a case of prolonged persistence of viable SARS-CoV-2 associated with clinical relapses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma who underwent treatment with rituximab, bendamustine, cytarabine with consequent lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. METHODS Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). On 5 positive nasopharyngeal swabs, we performed viral culture and next-generation sequencing. We analyzed the patient's adaptive and innate immunity to characterize T- and NK-cell subsets. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs samples remained positive for 268 days. All 5 performed viral cultures were positive, and genomic analysis confirmed a persistent infection with the same strain. Viremia resulted positive in 3 out of 4 COVID-19 clinical relapses and cleared each time after remdesivir treatment. The T- and NK-cell dynamic was different in aviremic and viremic samples, and no SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were detected throughout the disease course. CONCLUSIONS In our patient, SARS-CoV-2 persisted with proven infectivity for >8 months. Viremia was associated with COVID-19 relapses, and remdesivir treatment was effective in viremia clearance and symptom remission, although it was unable to clear the virus from the upper respiratory airways. During the viremic phase, we observed a low frequency of terminal effector CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood; these are probably recruited in inflammatory tissue for viral eradication. In addition, we found a high level of NK-cell repertoire perturbation with relevant involvement during SARS-CoV-2 viremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Sepulcri
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Dentone
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Malgorzata Mikulska
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Bianca Bruzzone
- Hygiene Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessia Lai
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Fenoglio
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Cytofluorimetry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Biotherapy Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Bozzano
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Bergna
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Parodi
- Biotherapy Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Altosole
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Cytofluorimetry Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Delfino
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Bartalucci
- Clinic of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Orsi
- Hygiene Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
- Hygiene Unit, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Biagio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianguglielmo Zehender
- Hygiene Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Ballerini
- Hematology Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Bonora
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Raffaele De Palma
- Biotherapy Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
- Immunology Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Guido Silvestri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrea De Maria
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy
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Xu G, Li Y, Zhang S, Peng H, Wang Y, Li D, Jin T, He Z, Tong Y, Qi C, Wu G, Dong K, Gou J, Liu Y, Xiao T, Qu J, Li L, Liu L, Zhao P, Zhang Z, Yuan J. SARS-CoV-2 promotes RIPK1 activation to facilitate viral propagation. Cell Res 2021; 31:1230-1243. [PMID: 34663909 PMCID: PMC8522117 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00578-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the ongoing global pandemic that poses substantial challenges to public health worldwide. A subset of COVID-19 patients experience systemic inflammatory response, known as cytokine storm, which may lead to death. Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is an important mediator of inflammation and cell death. Here, we examined the interaction of RIPK1-mediated innate immunity with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found evidence of RIPK1 activation in human COVID-19 lung pathological samples, and cultured human lung organoids and ACE2 transgenic mice infected by SARS-CoV-2. Inhibition of RIPK1 using multiple small-molecule inhibitors reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung organoids. Furthermore, therapeutic dosing of the RIPK1 inhibitor Nec-1s reduced mortality and lung viral load, and blocked the CNS manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 in ACE2 transgenic mice. Mechanistically, we found that the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2, NSP12, a highly conserved central component of coronaviral replication and transcription machinery, promoted the activation of RIPK1. Furthermore, NSP12 323L variant, encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 C14408T variant first detected in Lombardy, Italy, that carries a Pro323Leu amino acid substitution in NSP12, showed increased ability to activate RIPK1. Inhibition of RIPK1 downregulated the transcriptional induction of proinflammatory cytokines and host factors including ACE2 and EGFR that promote viral entry into cells. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may have an unexpected and unusual ability to hijack the RIPK1-mediated host defense response to promote its own propagation and that inhibition of RIPK1 may provide a therapeutic option for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengyuan Zhang
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Haoran Peng
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunyun Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dekang Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Taijie Jin
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohao He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilun Tong
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunting Qi
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Guowei Wu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kangyun Dong
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Jizhou Gou
- Department for Pathology, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Tongyang Xiao
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Qu
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanshan, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanshan, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Institute of Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Junying Yuan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100 Haike Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China.
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Mohammad T, Choudhury A, Habib I, Asrani P, Mathur Y, Umair M, Anjum F, Shafie A, Yadav DK, Hassan MI. Genomic Variations in the Structural Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and Their Deleterious Impact on Pathogenesis: A Comparative Genomics Approach. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:765039. [PMID: 34722346 PMCID: PMC8548870 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.765039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A continual rise in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global threat. The main problem comes when SARS-CoV-2 gets mutated with the rising infection and becomes more lethal for humankind than ever. Mutations in the structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2, i.e., the spike surface glycoprotein (S), envelope (E), membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N), and replication machinery enzymes, i.e., main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) creating more complexities towards pathogenesis and the available COVID-19 therapeutic strategies. This study analyzes how a minimal variation in these enzymes, especially in S protein at the genomic/proteomic level, affects pathogenesis. The structural variations are discussed in light of the failure of small molecule development in COVID-19 therapeutic strategies. We have performed in-depth sequence- and structure-based analyses of these proteins to get deeper insights into the mechanism of pathogenesis, structure-function relationships, and development of modern therapeutic approaches. Structural and functional consequences of the selected mutations on these proteins and their association with SARS-CoV-2 virulency and human health are discussed in detail in the light of our comparative genomics analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taj Mohammad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Arunabh Choudhury
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Insan Habib
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Purva Asrani
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Yash Mathur
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohd Umair
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Farah Anjum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Shafie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Pharmacy and Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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36
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Kongsomros S, Suksatu A, Kanjanasirirat P, Manopwisedjaroen S, Prasongtanakij S, Jearawuttanakul K, Borwornpinyo S, Hongeng S, Thitithanyanont A, Chutipongtanate S. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity of Extracellular Vesicle Inhibitors: Screening, Validation, and Combination with Remdesivir. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091230. [PMID: 34572416 PMCID: PMC8465755 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic severely impacts health, economy, and society worldwide. Antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed to cope with this global crisis. It has been found that the biogenesis and release mechanisms of viruses share a common pathway with extracellular vesicles (EVs). We hypothesized that small molecule inhibitors of EV biogenesis/release could exert an anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect. Here, we screened 17 existing EV inhibitors and found that calpeptin, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, exhibited the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with no apparent cytotoxicity. Calpeptin demonstrated the dose-dependent inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleoprotein expression in the infected cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.44 µM in Vero-E6 and 26.92 µM in Calu-3 cells, respectively. Moreover, calpeptin inhibited the production of infectious virions with the lower IC50 of 0.6 µM in Vero E6 cells and 10.12 µM in Calu-3 cells. Interestingly, a combination of calpeptin and remdesivir, the FDA-approved antiviral drug against SARS-CoV-2 viral replication, significantly enhanced the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects compared to monotherapy. This study discovered calpeptin as a promising candidate for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development. Further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of calpeptin and remdesivir combination in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supasek Kongsomros
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.K.); (S.H.)
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Ampa Suksatu
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Phongthon Kanjanasirirat
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery (ECDD), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.K.); (K.J.); (S.B.)
| | - Suwimon Manopwisedjaroen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Somsak Prasongtanakij
- Office of Research, Academic Affairs and Innovation, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Kedchin Jearawuttanakul
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery (ECDD), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.K.); (K.J.); (S.B.)
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery (ECDD), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.K.); (K.J.); (S.B.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.K.); (S.H.)
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery (ECDD), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.K.); (K.J.); (S.B.)
| | - Arunee Thitithanyanont
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (S.K.); (S.H.)
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli 10540, Thailand
- Correspondence: (A.T.); (S.C.)
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Mahmoud A, Mostafa A, Al-Karmalawy AA, Zidan A, Abulkhair HS, Mahmoud SH, Shehata M, Elhefnawi MM, Ali MA. Telaprevir is a potential drug for repurposing against SARS-CoV-2: computational and in vitro studies. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07962. [PMID: 34518806 PMCID: PMC8426143 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing is an important approach to the assignment of already approved drugs for new indications. This technique bypasses some steps in the traditional drug approval system, which saves time and lives in the case of pandemics. Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have repeatedly repurposed from treating one virus to another. In this study, 16 FDA-approved hepatitis C virus (HCV) DAA drugs were studied to explore their activities against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) human and viral targets. Among the 16 HCV DAA drugs, telaprevir has shown the best in silico evidence to work on both indirect human targets (cathepsin L [CTSL] and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [hACE2] receptor) and direct viral targets (main protease [Mpro]). Moreover, the docked poses of telaprevir inside both hACE2 and Mpro were subjected to additional molecular dynamics simulations monitored by calculating the binding free energy using MM-GBSA. In vitro analysis of telaprevir showed inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture (IC50 = 11.552 μM, CC50 = 60.865 μM, and selectivity index = 5.27). Accordingly, based on the in silico studies and supported by the presented in vitro analysis, we suggest that telaprevir may be considered for therapeutic development against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Mahmoud
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box. 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Infuenza Viruses, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. Al-Karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Zidan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), University of Sadat City, Egypt
- Clinical Research Team, Monof Chest Hospital, Ministry of Health, Egypt
| | - Hamada S. Abulkhair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara H. Mahmoud
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Infuenza Viruses, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Shehata
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Infuenza Viruses, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M. Elhefnawi
- Biomedical Informatics and Cheminformatics Group, Informatics and Systems Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Infuenza Viruses, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt
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38
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Szemiel AM, Merits A, Orton RJ, MacLean OA, Pinto RM, Wickenhagen A, Lieber G, Turnbull ML, Wang S, Furnon W, Suarez NM, Mair D, da Silva Filipe A, Willett BJ, Wilson SJ, Patel AH, Thomson EC, Palmarini M, Kohl A, Stewart ME. In vitro selection of Remdesivir resistance suggests evolutionary predictability of SARS-CoV-2. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009929. [PMID: 34534263 PMCID: PMC8496873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Remdesivir (RDV), a broadly acting nucleoside analogue, is the only FDA approved small molecule antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. To date, there are no reports identifying SARS-CoV-2 RDV resistance in patients, animal models or in vitro. Here, we selected drug-resistant viral populations by serially passaging SARS-CoV-2 in vitro in the presence of RDV. Using high throughput sequencing, we identified a single mutation in RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NSP12) at a residue conserved among all coronaviruses in two independently evolved populations displaying decreased RDV sensitivity. Introduction of the NSP12 E802D mutation into our SARS-CoV-2 reverse genetics backbone confirmed its role in decreasing RDV sensitivity in vitro. Substitution of E802 did not affect viral replication or activity of an alternate nucleoside analogue (EIDD2801) but did affect virus fitness in a competition assay. Analysis of the globally circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants (>800,000 sequences) showed no evidence of widespread transmission of RDV-resistant mutants. Surprisingly, we observed an excess of substitutions in spike at corresponding sites identified in the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (i.e., H69, E484, N501, H655) indicating that they can arise in vitro in the absence of immune selection. The identification and characterisation of a drug resistant signature within the SARS-CoV-2 genome has implications for clinical management and virus surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Richard J. Orton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Oscar A. MacLean
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rute Maria Pinto
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Arthur Wickenhagen
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gauthier Lieber
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew L. Turnbull
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sainan Wang
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Wilhelm Furnon
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas M. Suarez
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Mair
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ana da Silva Filipe
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Brian J. Willett
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sam J. Wilson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Emma C. Thomson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Palmarini
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Meredith E. Stewart
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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39
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Padhi AK, Dandapat J, Saudagar P, Uversky VN, Tripathi T. Interface-based design of the favipiravir-binding site in SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase reveals mutations conferring resistance to chain termination. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:2366-2382. [PMID: 34409597 PMCID: PMC8426738 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Favipiravir is a broad‐spectrum inhibitor of viral RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) currently being used to manage COVID‐19. Accumulation of mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RdRp may facilitate antigenic drift, generating favipiravir resistance. Focussing on the chain‐termination mechanism utilized by favipiravir, we used high‐throughput interface‐based protein design to generate > 100 000 designs of the favipiravir‐binding site of RdRp and identify mutational hotspots. We identified several single‐point mutants and designs having a sequence identity of 97%–98% with wild‐type RdRp, suggesting that SARS‐CoV‐2 can develop favipiravir resistance with few mutations. Out of 134 mutations documented in the CoV‐GLUE database, 63 specific mutations were already predicted as resistant in our calculations, thus attaining ˜ 47% correlation with the sequencing data. These findings improve our understanding of the potential signatures of adaptation in SARS‐CoV‐2 against favipiravir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Padhi
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Jagneshwar Dandapat
- Centre of Excellence in Integrated Omics and Computational Biology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India.,Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Prakash Saudagar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology-Warangal, India
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
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40
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Padhi AK, Rath SL, Tripathi T. Accelerating COVID-19 Research Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:9078-9091. [PMID: 34319118 PMCID: PMC8340580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c04556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a global medico-socio-economic disaster. Given the lack of effective therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, scientists are racing to disseminate suggestions for rapidly deployable therapeutic options, including drug repurposing and repositioning strategies. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have provided the opportunity to make rational scientific breakthroughs in a time of crisis. Advancements in these technologies in recent years have become an indispensable tool for scientists studying protein structure, function, dynamics, interactions, and drug discovery. Integrating the structural data obtained from high-resolution methods with MD simulations has helped in comprehending the process of infection and pathogenesis, as well as the SARS-CoV-2 maturation in host cells, in a short duration of time. It has also guided us to identify and prioritize drug targets and new chemical entities, and to repurpose drugs. Here, we discuss how MD simulation has been explored by the scientific community to accelerate and guide translational research on SARS-CoV-2 in the past year. We have also considered future research directions for researchers, where MD simulations can help fill the existing gaps in COVID-19 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K. Padhi
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for
Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi,
Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Soumya Lipsa Rath
- Department of Biotechnology, National
Institute of Technology, Warangal, Telangana 506004,
India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory,
Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University,
Shillong 793022, India
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41
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Conway JM, Abel zur Wiesch P. Mathematical Modeling of Remdesivir to Treat COVID-19: Can Dosing Be Optimized? Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1181. [PMID: 34452142 PMCID: PMC8400702 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiviral remdesivir has been approved by regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug administration (FDA) for the treatment of COVID-19. However, its efficacy is debated and toxicity concerns might limit the therapeutic range of this drug. Computational models that aid in balancing efficacy and toxicity would be of great help. Parametrizing models is difficult because the prodrug remdesivir is metabolized to its active form (RDV-TP) upon cell entry, which complicates dose-activity relationships. Here, we employ a computational model that allows drug efficacy predictions based on the binding affinity of RDV-TP for its target polymerase in SARS-CoV-2. We identify an optimal infusion rate to maximize remdesivir efficacy. We also assess drug efficacy in suppressing both wild-type and resistant strains, and thereby describe a drug regimen that may select for resistance. Our results differ from predictions using prodrug dose-response curves (pseudo-EC50s). We expect that reaching 90% inhibition (EC90) is insufficient to suppress SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs. While standard dosing mildly inhibits viral polymerase and therefore likely reduces morbidity, we also expect selection for resistant mutants for most realistic parameter ranges. To increase efficacy and safeguard against resistance, we recommend more clinical trials with dosing regimens that substantially increase the levels of RDV-TP and/or pair remdesivir with companion antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Conway
- Department of Mathematics and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA
| | - Pia Abel zur Wiesch
- Department of Biology and Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA
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42
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A Novel Therapeutic Peptide Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding with Host Cell ACE2 Receptor. Drugs R D 2021; 21:273-283. [PMID: 34324175 PMCID: PMC8319882 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-021-00357-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 is a novel disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 virus. It was first detected in December 2019 and has since been declared a pandemic causing millions of deaths worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutics against coronavirus disease 2019. A critical step in the crosstalk between the virus and the host cell is the binding of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the peptidase domain of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor present on the surface of host cells. Methods An in silico approach was employed to design a 13-amino acid peptide inhibitor (13AApi) against the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Its binding specificity for RBD was confirmed by molecular docking using pyDockWEB, ClusPro 2.0, and HDOCK web servers. The stability of 13AApi and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein complex was determined by molecular dynamics simulation using the GROMACS program while the physicochemical and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties of 13AApi were determined using the ExPASy tool and pkCSM server. Finally, in vitro validation of the inhibitory activity of 13AApi against the spike protein was performed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results In silico analyses indicated that the 13AApi could bind to the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein at the ACE2 binding site with high affinity. In vitro experiments validated the in silico findings, showing that 13AApi could significantly block the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Conclusions Blockage of binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with ACE2 in the presence of the 13AApi may prevent virus entry into host cells. Therefore, the 13AApi can be utilized as a promising therapeutic agent to combat coronavirus disease 2019. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40268-021-00357-0.
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43
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Kelta Wabalo E, Dukessa Dubiwak A, Welde Senbetu M, Sime Gizaw T. Effect of Genomic and Amino Acid Sequence Mutation on Virulence and Therapeutic Target of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS COV-2). Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:2187-2192. [PMID: 34163183 PMCID: PMC8214021 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s307374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is one of the RNA coronaviruses which share the highest mutation rates of RNA viruses when compared with that of their hosts. The collective mutation rate of RNA viruses is up to a million times higher than their hosts and is correlated with enhanced virulence of viruses. The RNA, genomic material of SARS-CoV-2, has the capacity of showing amplified fast changes as the infection spreads. These changes were frequently observed in genes for spike glycoprotein, nucleocapsid, ORF1ab, and ORF8, together with RNA dependent RNA polymerase. In contrast, genes for envelope, membrane, ORF6, ORF7a and ORF7b showed no observable changes in terms of amino acid substitutions. Mutated SARS COV-2 at these particular sites has been associated with viral infectivity, false laboratory results and viral genome mutation and interferes with therapeutic targets. Interferences with therapeutic targets is frequently observed in genes for RdRp. Additionally, mutated viral genes for RdRp render slow fidelity of RdRp protein, resulting in a high mutation rate. Such a high mutation rate might allow new virulent forms of the virus to emerge and influence the disease profile. This review aimed to elaborate on the effect of genomic and amino acid sequence mutations on the virulence and therapeutic targets of SARS COV-2. To achieve this objective, multiple literatures have been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endriyas Kelta Wabalo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Dukessa Dubiwak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mengistu Welde Senbetu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tariku Sime Gizaw
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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44
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Padhi AK, Tripathi T. Targeted design of drug binding sites in the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 reveals potential signatures of adaptation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 555:147-153. [PMID: 33813274 PMCID: PMC7997393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several existing drugs are currently being tested worldwide to treat COVID-19 patients. Recent data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly evolving into more transmissible variants. It is therefore highly possible that SARS-CoV-2 can accumulate adaptive mutations modulating drug susceptibility and hampering viral antigenicity. Thus, it is vital to predict potential non-synonymous mutation sites and predict the evolution of protein structural modifications leading to drug tolerance. As two FDA-approved anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs, boceprevir, and telaprevir, have been shown to effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 by targeting the main protease (Mpro), here we used a high-throughput interface-based protein design strategy to identify mutational hotspots and potential signatures of adaptation in these drug binding sites of Mpro. Several mutants exhibited reduced binding affinity to these drugs, out of which hotspot residues having a strong tendency to undergo positive selection were identified. The data further indicated that these anti-HCV drugs have larger footprints in the mutational landscape of Mpro and hence encompass the highest potential for positive selection and adaptation. These findings are crucial in understanding the potential structural modifications in the drug binding sites of Mpro and thus its signatures of adaptation. Furthermore, the data could provide systemic strategies for robust antiviral design and discovery against COVID-19 in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K. Padhi
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan,Corresponding author
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India,Corresponding author
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45
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Weng YL, Naik SR, Dingelstad N, Lugo MR, Kalyaanamoorthy S, Ganesan A. Molecular dynamics and in silico mutagenesis on the reversible inhibitor-bound SARS-CoV-2 main protease complexes reveal the role of lateral pocket in enhancing the ligand affinity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7429. [PMID: 33795718 PMCID: PMC8016996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86471-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains a serious health threat to humans and there is an urgent need to develop therapeutics against this deadly virus. Recent scientific evidences have suggested that the main protease (Mpro) enzyme in SARS-CoV-2 can be an ideal drug target due to its crucial role in the viral replication and transcription processes. Therefore, there are ongoing research efforts to identify drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro that resulted in hundreds of X-ray crystal structures of ligand-bound Mpro complexes in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) describing the interactions of different fragment chemotypes within different sites of the Mpro. In this work, we performed rigorous molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of 62 reversible ligand-Mpro complexes in the PDB to gain mechanistic insights about their interactions at the atomic level. Using a total of over 3 µs long MD trajectories, we characterized different pockets in the apo Mpro structure, and analyzed the dynamic interactions and binding affinity of ligands within those pockets. Our results identified the key residues that stabilize the ligands in the catalytic sites and other pockets of Mpro. Our analyses unraveled the role of a lateral pocket in the catalytic site in Mpro that is critical for enhancing the ligand binding to the enzyme. We also highlighted the important contribution from HIS163 in the lateral pocket towards ligand binding and affinity against Mpro through computational mutation analyses. Further, we revealed the effects of explicit water molecules and Mpro dimerization in the ligand association with the target. Thus, comprehensive molecular-level insights gained from this work can be useful to identify or design potent small molecule inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li Weng
- ArGan's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Shiv Rakesh Naik
- ArGan's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Nadia Dingelstad
- ArGan's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Miguel R Lugo
- ArGan's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Subha Kalyaanamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Aravindhan Ganesan
- ArGan's Lab, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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46
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Shamsi S, Anjum H, Shahbaaz M, Khan MS, Ataya FS, Alamri A, Alhumaydhi FA, Husain FM, Rehman MT, Mohammad T, Islam A, Anjum F, Shamsi A. A computational study on active constituents of Habb-ul-aas and Tabasheer as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:7702-7713. [PMID: 33759703 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1900920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A respiratory pandemic known as coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has created havoc since it emerged from Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is caused by a newly emerged SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) with increased pathogenicity named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to the lack of understanding of the mechanism of pathogenesis, an effective therapeutic option is unavailable. Epidemics described in Unani ancient literature include nazla-e-wabai and humma-e-wabai, and most of the symptoms of COVID-19 resemble nazla-e-wabai. Hence, in light of Unani literature, the treatment of COVID-19 can be managed with the composites prescribed in Unani medicine for nazla-e-wabai. In this study, a structure-based drug design approach was carried out to check the effectiveness of the pharmacologically active constituents of the Unani composites prescribed to treat nazla-e-wabai against SARS-CoV-2. We performed molecular docking of the active constituents of these composites against the main protease (Mpro), a potential drug target in SARS-CoV-2. Using detailed molecular docking analysis, Habb-ul-aas and Tabasheer were identified as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The active constituents of both these composites bind to the substrate-binding pocket of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, forming interactions with key residues of the binding pocket. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation suggested the binding of active constituents of Habb-ul-aas with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with a strong affinity as compared to the constituents of Tabasheer. Thus, this study sheds light on the use of these Unani composites in COVID-19 therapeutics.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shariq Shamsi
- Department of Ilmul Saidla (Unani Pharmacy), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Bangalore, India
| | - Hina Anjum
- Department of Ilmul Saidla (Unani Pharmacy), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Bangalore, India
| | - Mohd Shahbaaz
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.,Laboratory of Computational Modeling of Drugs, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - Mohd Shahnawaz Khan
- Protein Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farid S Ataya
- Protein Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alya Alamri
- Protein Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad A Alhumaydhi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fohad Mabood Husain
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Tabish Rehman
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taj Mohammad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Asimul Islam
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Farah Anjum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas Shamsi
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India.,Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
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47
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Padhi AK, Seal A, Khan JM, Ahamed M, Tripathi T. Unraveling the mechanism of arbidol binding and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2: Insights from atomistic simulations. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 894:173836. [PMID: 33387467 PMCID: PMC7773528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly and poses an unprecedented threat to the global economy and human health. Broad-spectrum antivirals are currently being administered to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). China's prevention and treatment guidelines suggest the use of an anti-influenza drug, arbidol, for the clinical treatment of COVID-19. Reports indicate that arbidol could neutralize SARS-CoV-2. Monotherapy with arbidol is superior to lopinavir-ritonavir or favipiravir for treating COVID-19. In SARS-CoV-2 infection, arbidol acts by interfering with viral binding to host cells. However, the detailed mechanism by which arbidol induces the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 is not known. Here, we present atomistic insights into the mechanism underlying membrane fusion inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by arbidol. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation-based analyses demonstrate that arbidol binds and stabilizes at the receptor-binding domain (RBD)/ACE2 interface with a high affinity. It forms stronger intermolecular interactions with the RBD than ACE2. Analyses of the detailed decomposition of energy components and binding affinities revealed a substantial increase in the affinity between the RBD and ACE2 in the arbidol-bound RBD/ACE2 complex, suggesting that arbidol generates favorable interactions between them. Based on our MD simulation results, we propose that the binding of arbidol induces structural rigidity in the viral glycoprotein, thus restricting the conformational rearrangements associated with membrane fusion and virus entry. Furthermore, key residues of the RBD and ACE2 that interact with arbidol were identified, opening the door for developing therapeutic strategies and higher-efficacy arbidol derivatives or lead drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K. Padhi
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Aniruddha Seal
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Odisha, India,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Javed Masood Khan
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maqusood Ahamed
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India,Corresponding author. Department of Biochemistry North-Eastern Hill University Shillong- 793022, India
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48
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Tompa DR, Immanuel A, Srikanth S, Kadhirvel S. Trends and strategies to combat viral infections: A review on FDA approved antiviral drugs. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 172:524-541. [PMID: 33454328 PMCID: PMC8055758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The infectious microscopic viruses invade living cells to reproduce themselves, and causes chronic infections such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, flu, etc. in humans which may lead to death if not treated. Different strategies have been utilized to develop new and superior antiviral drugs to counter the viral infections. The FDA approval of HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, zidovudine in 1987 boosted the development of antiviral agents against different viruses. Currently, there are a number of combination drugs developed against various viral infections to arrest the activity of same or different viral macromolecules at multiple stages of its life cycle; among which majority are targeted to interfere with the replication of viral genome. Besides these, other type of antiviral molecules includes entry inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, interferons, immunomodulators, etc. The antiviral drugs can be toxic to human cells, particularly in case of administration of combination drugs, and on the other hand viruses can grow resistant to the antiviral drugs. Furthermore, emergence of new viruses like Ebola, coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2) emphasizes the need for more innovative strategies to develop better antiviral drugs to fight the existing and the emerging viral infections. Hence, we reviewed the strategic enhancements in developing antiviral drugs for the treatment of different viral infections over the years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharma Rao Tompa
- Biomolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Aruldoss Immanuel
- Biomolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Srimari Srikanth
- Biomolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Saraboji Kadhirvel
- Biomolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India.
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49
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Therapeutic p28 peptide targets essential H1N1 influenza virus proteins: insights from docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1929-1943. [PMID: 33575983 PMCID: PMC7877518 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10193-8] [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: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The H1N1 influenza virus causes a severe disease that affects the human respiratory tract leading to millions of deaths every year. At present, certain vaccines and few drugs are used to control the virus during seasonal outbreaks. However, high mutation rates and genetic reassortment make it challenging to prevent and mitigate outbreaks, leading to pandemics. Thus, alternate therapies are required for its management and control. Here, we report that a bacterial protein, azurin, and its peptide derivatives p18 and p28 target critical proteins of the influenza virus in an effective manner. The molecular docking studies show that the p28 peptide could target C-PB1, NS1-ED, PB2-CBD, PB2-RBD, NP, and PA proteins. These complexes were further subjected to the simulation of molecular dynamics and binding free energy calculations. The data indicate that p28 has an unusually high affinity and forms stable complexes with the viral proteins C-PB1, PB2-CBD, PB2-RBD, and NP. We suggest that the azurin derivative p28 peptide can act as an anti-influenza agent as it can bind to multiple targets and neutralize the virus. Additional experimental studies need to be conducted to evaluate its safety and efficacy as an anti-H1N1 molecule.
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50
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Mishra SK, Tripathi T. One year update on the COVID-19 pandemic: Where are we now? Acta Trop 2021; 214:105778. [PMID: 33253656 PMCID: PMC7695590 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We are living through an unprecedented crisis with the rapid spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide within a short time. The timely availability of thousands of SARS-CoV-2 genomes has enabled the scientific community to study the origin, structures, and pathogenesis of the virus. The pandemic has spurred research publication and resulted in an unprecedented number of therapeutic proposals. Because the development of new drugs is time consuming, several strategies, including drug repurposing and repositioning, are being tested to treat patients with COVID-19. Researchers have developed several potential vaccine candidates that have shown promise in phase II and III trials. As of 12 November 2020, 164 candidate vaccines are in preclinical evaluation, and 48 vaccines are in clinical evaluation, of which four have cleared phase III trials (Pfizer/BioNTech's BNT162b2, Moderna's mRNA-1273, University of Oxford & AstraZeneca's AZD1222, and Gamaleya's Sputnik V vaccine). Despite the acquisition of a vast body of scientific information, treatment depends only on the clinical management of the disease through supportive care. At the pandemic's 1-year mark, we summarize current information on SARS-CoV-2 origin and biology, and advances in the development of therapeutics. The updated information presented here provides a comprehensive report on the scientific progress made in the past year in understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar Mishra
- Department of Botany, Ewing Christian College, Prayagraj- 211003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India,Corresponding author
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