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Le UNP, Chang YJ, Lu CH, Chen Y, Su WC, Chao ST, Baltina LA, Petrova SF, Li SR, Hung MC, Lai MMC, Baltina LA, Lin CW. Glycyrrhizic acid conjugates with amino acid methyl esters target the main protease, exhibiting antiviral activity against wild-type and nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antiviral Res 2024; 227:105920. [PMID: 38821317 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic is predominantly caused by SARS-CoV-2, with its main protease, Mpro, playing a pivotal role in viral replication and serving as a potential target for inhibiting different variants. In this study, potent Mpro inhibitors were identified from glycyrrhizic acid (GL) derivatives with amino acid methyl/ethyl esters. Out of the 17 derivatives semisynthesized, Compounds 2, 6, 9, and 15, with methionine methyl esters, D-tyrosine methyl esters, glutamic acid methyl esters, and methionines in the carbohydrate moiety, respectively, significantly inhibited wild-type SARS-CoV-2 Mpro-mediated proteolysis, with IC50 values ranging from 0.06 μM to 0.84 μM. They also demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting trans-cleavage by mutant Mpro variants (Mpro_P132H, Mpro_E166V, Mpro_P168A, Mpro_Q189I), with IC50 values ranging from 0.05 to 0.92 μM, surpassing nirmatrelvir (IC50: 1.17-152.9 μM). Molecular modeling revealed stronger interactions with Valine166 in the structural complex of Mpro_E166V with the compounds compared to nirmatrelvir. Moreover, these compounds efficiently inhibited the post-entry viral processes of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 single-round infectious particles (SRIPs), mitigating viral cytopathic effects and reducing replicon-driven GFP reporter signals, as well as in vitro infectivity of wild-type, Mpro_E166V, and Mpro_Q189I SRIPs, with EC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.53 μM. However, nirmatrelvir showed a significant decrease in inhibiting the replication of mutant SARS-CoV-2 SRIPs carrying Mpro_E166V (EC50: >20 μM) and Mpro_Q189I (EC50: 13.2 μM) compared to wild-type SRIPs (EC50: 0.06 μM). Overall, this study identifies four GL derivatives as promising lead compounds for developing treatments against various SARS-CoV-2 strains, including Omicron, and nirmatrelvir-resistant variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uyen Nguyen Phuong Le
- Graduate Institute of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chang
- The Ph.D. Program of Biotechnology and Biomedical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Lu
- The Ph.D. Program of Biotechnology and Biomedical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yeh Chen
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Su
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Ting Chao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lia A Baltina
- Ufa Institute of Chemistry, Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
| | - Svetlana F Petrova
- Ufa Institute of Chemistry, Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
| | - Sin-Rong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan; Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Michael M C Lai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115201, Taiwan
| | - Lidia A Baltina
- Ufa Institute of Chemistry, Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
| | - Cheng-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; The Ph.D. Program of Biotechnology and Biomedical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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2
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Krismer L, Schöppe H, Rauch S, Bante D, Sprenger B, Naschberger A, Costacurta F, Fürst A, Sauerwein A, Rupp B, Kaserer T, von Laer D, Heilmann E. Study of key residues in MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 main proteases for resistance against clinically applied inhibitors nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir. NPJ VIRUSES 2024; 2:23. [PMID: 38933182 PMCID: PMC11196219 DOI: 10.1038/s44298-024-00028-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an epidemic, zoonotically emerging pathogen initially reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. MERS-CoV has the potential to mutate or recombine with other coronaviruses, thus acquiring the ability to efficiently spread among humans and become pandemic. Its high mortality rate of up to 35% and the absence of effective targeted therapies call for the development of antiviral drugs for this pathogen. Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, extensive research has focused on identifying protease inhibitors for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Our intention was therefore to assess whether these protease inhibitors are viable options for combating MERS-CoV. To that end, we used previously established protease assays to quantify inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and other main proteases. Nirmatrelvir inhibited several of these proteases, whereas ensitrelvir was less broadly active. To simulate nirmatrelvir's clinical use against MERS-CoV and subsequent resistance development, we applied a safe, surrogate virus-based system. Using the surrogate virus, we previously selected hallmark mutations of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro, such as T21I, M49L, S144A, E166A/K/V and L167F. In the current study, we selected a pool of MERS-CoV-Mpro mutants, characterized the resistance and modelled the steric effect of catalytic site mutants S142G, S142R, S147Y and A171S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Krismer
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Helge Schöppe
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Stefanie Rauch
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - David Bante
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Bernhard Sprenger
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, CMBI – Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Andreas Naschberger
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Anna Fürst
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 81675 Germany
| | - Anna Sauerwein
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Bernhard Rupp
- Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Teresa Kaserer
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
| | - Emmanuel Heilmann
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020 Austria
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3
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Xia YL, Du WW, Li YP, Tao Y, Zhang ZB, Liu SM, Fu YX, Zhang KQ, Liu SQ. Computational Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Mutations and Nirmatrelvir Efficacy: The Effects of P132H and P132H-A173V. J Chem Inf Model 2024. [PMID: 38913174 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Nirmatrelvir, a pivotal component of the oral antiviral Paxlovid for COVID-19, targets the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) as a covalent inhibitor. Here, we employed combined computational methods to explore how the prevalent Omicron variant mutation P132H, alone and in combination with A173V (P132H-A173V), affects nirmatrelvir's efficacy. Our findings suggest that P132H enhances the noncovalent binding affinity of Mpro for nirmatrelvir, whereas P132H-A173V diminishes it. Although both mutants catalyze the rate-limiting step more efficiently than the wild-type (WT) Mpro, P132H slows the overall rate of covalent bond formation, whereas P132H-A173V accelerates it. Comprehensive analysis of noncovalent and covalent contributions to the overall binding free energy of the covalent complex suggests that P132H likely enhances Mpro sensitivity to nirmatrelvir, while P132H-A173V may confer resistance. Per-residue decompositions of the binding and activation free energies pinpoint key residues that significantly affect the binding affinity and reaction rates, revealing how the mutations modulate these effects. The mutation-induced conformational perturbations alter drug-protein local contact intensities and the electrostatic preorganization of the protein, affecting noncovalent binding affinity and the stability of key reaction states, respectively. Our findings inform the mechanisms of nirmatrelvir resistance and sensitivity, facilitating improved drug design and the detection of resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ling Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
- Editorial Office of Journal of Yunnan University (Natural Sciences Edition), Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Wen-Wen Du
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Yong-Ping Li
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Yan Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
- Yunnan University Library, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Zhi-Bi Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine & Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Song-Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Yun-Xin Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
- Human Genetics Center and Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ke-Qin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Shu-Qun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
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Doi A, Ota M, Saito M, Matsuyama S. Sporadic Occurrence of Ensitrelvir-Resistant SARS-CoV-2, Japan. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:1289-1291. [PMID: 38669127 PMCID: PMC11138985 DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.240023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Using the GISAID EpiCoV database, we identified 256 COVID-19 patients in Japan during March 31-December 31, 2023, who had mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 5 conferring ensitrelvir resistance. Ongoing genomic surveillance is required to monitor emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutations that are resistant to anticoronaviral drugs.
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Amorim VMDF, Soares EP, Ferrari ASDA, Merighi DGS, de Souza RF, Guzzo CR, Souza ASD. 3-Chymotrypsin-like Protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2: Validation as a Molecular Target, Proposal of a Novel Catalytic Mechanism, and Inhibitors in Preclinical and Clinical Trials. Viruses 2024; 16:844. [PMID: 38932137 DOI: 10.3390/v16060844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteases represent common targets in combating infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) is a validated molecular target for COVID-19, and it is key for developing potent and selective inhibitors for inhibiting viral replication of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss structural relationships and diverse subsites of 3CLpro, shedding light on the pivotal role of dimerization and active site architecture in substrate recognition and catalysis. Our analysis of bioinformatics and other published studies motivated us to investigate a novel catalytic mechanism for the SARS-CoV-2 polyprotein cleavage by 3CLpro, centering on the triad mechanism involving His41-Cys145-Asp187 and its indispensable role in viral replication. Our hypothesis is that Asp187 may participate in modulating the pKa of the His41, in which catalytic histidine may act as an acid and/or a base in the catalytic mechanism. Recognizing Asp187 as a crucial component in the catalytic process underscores its significance as a fundamental pharmacophoric element in drug design. Next, we provide an overview of both covalent and non-covalent inhibitors, elucidating advancements in drug development observed in preclinical and clinical trials. By highlighting various chemical classes and their pharmacokinetic profiles, our review aims to guide future research directions toward the development of highly selective inhibitors, underscore the significance of 3CLpro as a validated therapeutic target, and propel the progression of drug candidates through preclinical and clinical phases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Pereira Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 5508-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Robson Francisco de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 5508-900, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Rodrigues Guzzo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 5508-900, Brazil
| | - Anacleto Silva de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 5508-900, Brazil
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6
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Papini C, Ullah I, Ranjan AP, Zhang S, Wu Q, Spasov KA, Zhang C, Mothes W, Crawford JM, Lindenbach BD, Uchil PD, Kumar P, Jorgensen WL, Anderson KS. Proof-of-concept studies with a computationally designed M pro inhibitor as a synergistic combination regimen alternative to Paxlovid. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320713121. [PMID: 38621119 PMCID: PMC11046628 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320713121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread and mutate, it remains important to focus not only on preventing spread through vaccination but also on treating infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). The approval of Paxlovid, a SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) DAA, has been significant for treatment of patients. A limitation of this DAA, however, is that the antiviral component, nirmatrelvir, is rapidly metabolized and requires inclusion of a CYP450 3A4 metabolic inhibitor, ritonavir, to boost levels of the active drug. Serious drug-drug interactions can occur with Paxlovid for patients who are also taking other medications metabolized by CYP4503A4, particularly transplant or otherwise immunocompromised patients who are most at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe symptoms. Developing an alternative antiviral with improved pharmacological properties is critical for treatment of these patients. By using a computational and structure-guided approach, we were able to optimize a 100 to 250 μM screening hit to a potent nanomolar inhibitor and lead compound, Mpro61. In this study, we further evaluate Mpro61 as a lead compound, starting with examination of its mode of binding to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. In vitro pharmacological profiling established a lack of off-target effects, particularly CYP450 3A4 inhibition, as well as potential for synergy with the currently approved alternate antiviral, molnupiravir. Development and subsequent testing of a capsule formulation for oral dosing of Mpro61 in B6-K18-hACE2 mice demonstrated favorable pharmacological properties, efficacy, and synergy with molnupiravir, and complete recovery from subsequent challenge by SARS-CoV-2, establishing Mpro61 as a promising potential preclinical candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Papini
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | - Amalendu P. Ranjan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX76107
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | - Qihao Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT06520-8107
| | - Krasimir A. Spasov
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | - Chunhui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT06520-8107
| | - Walther Mothes
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | | | - Brett D. Lindenbach
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | - Pradeep D. Uchil
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | - Priti Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
| | | | - Karen S. Anderson
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520-8066
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7
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Iketani S, Ho DD. SARS-CoV-2 resistance to monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule drugs. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:632-657. [PMID: 38640902 PMCID: PMC11084874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.03.008] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Over four years have passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific response has been rapid and effective, with many therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and small molecules developed for clinical use. However, given the ability for viruses to become resistant to antivirals, it is perhaps no surprise that the field has identified resistance to nearly all of these compounds. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the resistance profile for each of these therapeutics. We hope that this resource provides an atlas for mutations to be aware of for each agent, particularly as a springboard for considerations for the next generation of antivirals. Finally, we discuss the outlook and thoughts for moving forward in how we continue to manage this, and the next, pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Iketani
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - David D Ho
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
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8
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Zhang L, Xie X, Luo H, Qian R, Yang Y, Yu H, Huang J, Shi PY, Hu Q. Resistance mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro to the non-covalent inhibitor WU-04. Cell Discov 2024; 10:40. [PMID: 38594245 PMCID: PMC11003996 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance poses a significant challenge in the development of effective therapies against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we identified two double mutations, M49K/M165V and M49K/S301P, in the 3C-like protease (3CLpro) that confer resistance to a novel non-covalent inhibitor, WU-04, which is currently in phase III clinical trials (NCT06197217). Crystallographic analysis indicates that the M49K mutation destabilizes the WU-04-binding pocket, impacting the binding of WU-04 more significantly than the binding of 3CLpro substrates. The M165V mutation directly interferes with WU-04 binding. The S301P mutation, which is far from the WU-04-binding pocket, indirectly affects WU-04 binding by restricting the rotation of 3CLpro's C-terminal tail and impeding 3CLpro dimerization. We further explored 3CLpro mutations that confer resistance to two clinically used inhibitors: ensitrelvir and nirmatrelvir, and revealed a trade-off between the catalytic activity, thermostability, and drug resistance of 3CLpro. We found that mutations at the same residue (M49) can have distinct effects on the 3CLpro inhibitors, highlighting the importance of developing multiple antiviral agents with different skeletons for fighting SARS-CoV-2. These findings enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 resistance mechanisms and inform the development of effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Zhang
- Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hannan Luo
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Runtong Qian
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hongtao Yu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Qi Hu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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9
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Yang W, Wang Y, Han D, Tang W, Sun L. Recent advances in application of computer-aided drug design in anti-COVID-19 Virials Drug Discovery. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116423. [PMID: 38493593 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic epidemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which poses a serious threat to human health worldwide and results in significant economic losses. With the continuous emergence of new virus strains, small molecule drugs remain the most effective treatment for COVID-19. The traditional drug development process usually requires several years; however, the development of computer-aided drug design (CADD) offers the opportunity to develop innovative drugs quickly and efficiently. The literature review describes the general process of CADD, the viral proteins that play essential roles in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and can serve as therapeutic targets, and examples of drug screening of viral target proteins by applying CADD methods. Finally, the potential of CADD in COVID-19 therapy, the deficiency, and the possible future development direction are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiying Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ye Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Dongfeng Han
- Department of Emergency Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Wenjing Tang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Lichao Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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10
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Lin C, Zhu Z, Jiang H, Zou X, Zeng X, Wang J, Zeng P, Li W, Zhou X, Zhang J, Wang Q, Li J. Structural Basis for Coronaviral Main Proteases Inhibition by the 3CLpro Inhibitor GC376. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168474. [PMID: 38311236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of coronaviruses participates in viral replication, serving as a hot target for drug design. GC376 is able to effectively inhibit the activity of Mpro, which is due to nucleophilic addition of GC376 by binding covalently with Cys145 in Mpro active site. Here, we used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay to analyze the IC50 values of GC376 against Mpros from six different coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, HCoV-HUK1, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, HCoV-NL63) and five Mpro mutants (G15S, M49I, K90R, P132H, S46F) from SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results showed that GC376 displays effective inhibition to various coronaviral Mpros and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro mutants. In addition, the crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (wide type)-GC376, SARS-CoV Mpro-GC376, MERS-CoV Mpro-GC376, and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro mutants (G15S, M49I, S46F, K90R, and P132H)-GC376 complexes were solved. We found that GC376 is able to fit into the active site of Mpros from different coronaviruses and different SARS-CoV-2 variants properly. Detailed structural analysis revealed key molecular determinants necessary for inhibition and illustrated the binding patterns of GC376 to these different Mpros. In conclusion, we not only proved the inhibitory activity of GC376 against different Mpros including SARS-CoV-2 Mpro mutants, but also revealed the molecular mechanism of inhibition by GC376, which will provide scientific guidance for the development of broad-spectrum drugs against SARS-CoV-2 as well as other coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Zhimin Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Haihai Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xiaofang Zou
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shenzhen 518118, China; Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Xiangyi Zeng
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shenzhen 518118, China; Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shenzhen 518118, China; Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Pei Zeng
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shenzhen 518118, China; Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Wenwen Li
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shenzhen 518118, China; Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Xuelan Zhou
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Shenzhen 518118, China; Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
| | - Qisheng Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China; Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China.
| | - Jian Li
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China.
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11
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Westberg M, Su Y, Zou X, Huang P, Rustagi A, Garhyan J, Patel PB, Fernandez D, Wu Y, Hao C, Lo CW, Karim M, Ning L, Beck A, Saenkham-Huntsinger P, Tat V, Drelich A, Peng BH, Einav S, Tseng CTK, Blish C, Lin MZ. An orally bioavailable SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor exhibits improved affinity and reduced sensitivity to mutations. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi0979. [PMID: 38478629 PMCID: PMC11193659 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro) such as nirmatrelvir (NTV) and ensitrelvir (ETV) have proven effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19, but the presence of resistance-conferring mutations in sequenced viral genomes raises concerns about future drug resistance. Second-generation oral drugs that retain function against these mutants are thus urgently needed. We hypothesized that the covalent hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor boceprevir (BPV) could serve as the basis for orally bioavailable drugs that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro more efficiently than existing drugs. Performing structure-guided modifications of BPV, we developed a picomolar-affinity inhibitor, ML2006a4, with antiviral activity, oral pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy similar or superior to those of NTV. A crucial feature of ML2006a4 is a derivatization of the ketoamide reactive group that improves cell permeability and oral bioavailability. Last, ML2006a4 was found to be less sensitive to several mutations that cause resistance to NTV or ETV and occur in the natural SARS-CoV-2 population. Thus, anticipatory design can preemptively address potential resistance mechanisms to expand future treatment options against coronavirus variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Westberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University; 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University; 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yichi Su
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xinzhi Zou
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Pinghan Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Arjun Rustagi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jaishree Garhyan
- Stanford In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 Service Center, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Puja Bhavesh Patel
- Stanford In Vitro Biosafety Level 3 Service Center, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel Fernandez
- Program in Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chenzhou Hao
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chieh-Wen Lo
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marwah Karim
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lin Ning
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aimee Beck
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Vivian Tat
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Shirit Einav
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub; San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Chien-Te K. Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Catherine Blish
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub; San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael Z. Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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12
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Bouzidi HS, Driouich JS, Klitting R, Bernadin O, Piorkowski G, Amaral R, Fraisse L, Mowbray CE, Scandale I, Escudié F, Chatelain E, de Lamballerie X, Nougairède A, Touret F. Generation and evaluation of protease inhibitor-resistant SARS-CoV-2 strains. Antiviral Res 2024; 222:105814. [PMID: 38272321 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the search for antiviral therapies has been at the forefront of medical research. To date, the 3CLpro inhibitor nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid®) has shown the best results in clinical trials and the greatest robustness against variants. A second SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor, ensitrelvir (Xocova®), has been developed. Ensitrelvir, currently in Phase 3, was approved in Japan under the emergency regulatory approval procedure in November 2022, and is available since March 31, 2023. One of the limitations for the use of antiviral monotherapies is the emergence of resistance mutations. Here, we experimentally generated mutants resistant to nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir in vitro following repeating passages of SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of both antivirals. For both molecules, we demonstrated a loss of sensitivity for resistance mutants in vitro. Using a Syrian golden hamster infection model, we showed that the ensitrelvir M49L mutation, in the multi-passage strain, confers a high level of in vivo resistance. Finally, we identified a recent increase in the prevalence of M49L-carrying sequences, which appears to be associated with multiple repeated emergence events in Japan and may be related to the use of Xocova® in the country since November 2022. These results highlight the strategic importance of genetic monitoring of circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains to ensure that treatments administered retain their full effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hawa Sophia Bouzidi
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Sélim Driouich
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Raphaëlle Klitting
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Ornéllie Bernadin
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Géraldine Piorkowski
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Rayane Amaral
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Fraisse
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Escudié
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Nougairède
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Franck Touret
- Unité des Virus Émergents, UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, Marseille, France.
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13
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Janin YL. On the origins of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:81-118. [PMID: 38283212 PMCID: PMC10809347 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00493g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to address the world-wide health challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3CL protease/SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2-Mpro) coded by its nsp5 gene became one of the biochemical targets for the design of antiviral drugs. In less than 3 years of research, 4 inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro have actually been authorized for COVID-19 treatment (nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, leritrelvir and simnotrelvir) and more such as EDP-235, FB-2001 and STI-1558/Olgotrelvir or five undisclosed compounds (CDI-988, ASC11, ALG-097558, QLS1128 and H-10517) are undergoing clinical trials. This review is an attempt to picture this quite unprecedented medicinal chemistry feat and provide insights on how these cysteine protease inhibitors were discovered. Since many series of covalent SARS-CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors owe some of their origins to previous work on other proteases, we first provided a description of various inhibitors of cysteine-bearing human caspase-1 or cathepsin K, as well as inhibitors of serine proteases such as human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or the hepatitis C protein complex NS3/4A. This is then followed by a description of the results of the approaches adopted (repurposing, structure-based and high throughput screening) to discover coronavirus main protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves L Janin
- Structure et Instabilité des Génomes (StrInG), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, INSERM, CNRS, Alliance Sorbonne Université 75005 Paris France
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14
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Tian L, Qiang T, Yang X, Gao Y, Zhai X, Kang K, Du C, Lu Q, Gao H, Zhang D, Xie X, Liang C. Development of de-novo coronavirus 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL pro) inhibitors since COVID-19 outbreak: A strategy to tackle challenges of persistent virus infection. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:115979. [PMID: 38048696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Although no longer a public health emergency of international concern, COVID-19 remains a persistent and critical health concern. The development of effective antiviral drugs could serve as the ultimate piece of the puzzle to curbing this global crisis. 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), with its substrate specificity mirroring that of the main picornavirus 3C protease and conserved across various coronaviruses, emerges as an ideal candidate for broad-spectrum antiviral drug development. Moreover, it holds the potential as a reliable contingency option to combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this light, the approved drugs, promising candidates, and de-novo small molecule therapeutics targeting 3CLpro since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 are discussed. Emphasizing the significance of diverse structural characteristics in inhibitors, be they peptidomimetic or nonpeptidic, with a shared mission to minimize the risk of cross-resistance. Moreover, the authors propose an innovative optimization strategy for 3CLpro reversible covalent PROTACs, optimizing pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to better prepare for potential future viral outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Tian
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Taotao Qiang
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
| | - Xiuding Yang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Yue Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, PR China
| | - Xiaopei Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, PR China
| | - Kairui Kang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Cong Du
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Qi Lu
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Hong Gao
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Shaanxi Pioneer Biotech Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Dezhu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Shaanxi Panlong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710025, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Xie
- Shaanxi Panlong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, 710025, PR China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- Key Laboratory for Antiviral and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Research of Xi'an, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
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15
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Mizuno A, Nakayoshi T, Kato K, Kurimoto E, Oda A. Computational Estimation of Residues Involving Resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitor Ensitrelvir Based on Virtual Alanine Scan of the Active Site. Biol Pharm Bull 2024; 47:967-977. [PMID: 38763751 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b24-00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Ensitrelvir is a noncovalent inhibitor of the main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Acquisition of drug resistance in virus-derived proteins is a serious therapeutic concern, and drug resistance occurs due to amino acid mutations. In this study, we computationally constructed 24 mutants, in which one residue around the active site was replaced with alanine and performed molecular dynamics simulations to the complex of Mpro and ensitrelvir to predict the residues involved in drug resistance. We evaluated the changes in the entire protein structure and ligand configuration in each of these mutants and estimated which residues were involved in ensitrelvir recognition. This method is called a virtual alanine scan. In nine mutants (S1A, T26A, H41A, M49A, L141A, H163A, E166A, V186A, and R188A), although the entire protein structure and catalytic dyad (cysteine (Cys)145 and histidine (His)41) were not significantly moved, the ensitrelvir configuration changed. Thus, it is considered that these mutants did not recognize ensitrelvir while maintaining Mpro enzymatic activities, and Ser1, Thr26, His41, Met49, Leu141, His163, Glu166, Val186, and Arg188 may be related to ensitrelvir resistance. The ligand shift noted in M49A was similar to that observed in M49I, which has been shown to be experimentally ensitrelvir resistant. These findings suggest that our research approach can predict mutations that incite drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomoki Nakayoshi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University
- Graduate School of Information Sciences, Hiroshima City University
| | - Koichi Kato
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shonan University of Medical Sciences
| | | | - Akifumi Oda
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University
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16
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Lear TB, Boudreau ÁN, Lockwood KC, Chu E, Camarco DP, Cao Q, Nguyen M, Evankovich JW, Finkel T, Liu Y, Chen BB. E3 ubiquitin ligase ZBTB25 suppresses beta coronavirus infection through ubiquitination of the main viral protease MPro. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105388. [PMID: 37890782 PMCID: PMC10679490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The main protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Mpro, is a key viral protein essential for viral infection and replication. Mpro has been the target of many pharmacological efforts; however, the host-specific regulation of Mpro protein remains unclear. Here, we report the ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of Mpro protein in human cells, facilitated by the human E3 ubiquitin ligase ZBTB25. We demonstrate that Mpro has a short half-life that is prolonged via proteasomal inhibition, with its Lys-100 residue serving as a potential ubiquitin acceptor. Using in vitro binding assays, we observed ZBTB25 and Mpro bind to each other in vitro, and using progressive deletional mapping, we further uncovered the required domains for this interaction. Finally, we used an orthologous beta-coronavirus infection model and observed that genetic ablation of ZBTB25 resulted in a more highly infective virus, an effect lost upon reconstitution of ZBTB25 to deleted cells. In conclusion, these data suggest a new mechanism of Mpro protein regulation as well as identify ZBTB25 as an anticoronaviral E3 ubiquitin ligase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis B Lear
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Áine N Boudreau
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karina C Lockwood
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elise Chu
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel P Camarco
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qing Cao
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew Nguyen
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John W Evankovich
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Toren Finkel
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bill B Chen
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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17
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Chakraborty C, Bhattacharya M, Alshammari A, Alharbi M, Albekairi TH, Zheng C. Exploring the structural and molecular interaction landscape of nirmatrelvir and Mpro complex: The study might assist in designing more potent antivirals targeting SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:1961-1970. [PMID: 37883855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several therapeutics have been developed and approved against SARS-CoV-2 occasionally; nirmatrelvir is one of them. The drug target of nirmatrelvir is Mpro, and therefore, it is necessary to comprehend the structural and molecular interaction of the Mpro-nirmatrelvir complex. METHODS Integrative bioinformatics, system biology, and statistical models were used to analyze the macromolecular complex. RESULTS Using two macromolecular complexes, the study illustrated the interactive residues, H-bonds, and interactive interfaces. It informed of six and nine H-bond formations for the first and second complex, respectively. The maximum bond length was observed as 3.33 Å. The ligand binding pocket's surface area and volume were noted as 303.485 Å2 and 295.456 Å3 for the first complex and 308.397 Å2 and 304.865 Å3 for the second complex. The structural proteome dynamics were evaluated by analyzing the complex's NMA mobility, eigenvalues, deformability, and B-factor. Conversely, a model was created to assess the therapeutic status of nirmatrelvir. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the structural and molecular interaction landscape of Mpro-nirmatrelvir complex. The study will guide researchers in designing more broad-spectrum antiviral molecules mimicking nirmatrelvir, which assist in fighting against SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious viruses. It will also help to prepare for future epidemics or pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700126, India.
| | - Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Metab Alharbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamer H Albekairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infection Diseases, University of Calgary, Health Research Innovation Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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18
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Havranek B, Demissie R, Lee H, Lan S, Zhang H, Sarafianos SG, Jean-Luc Ayitou A, Islam SM. Discovery of Nirmatrelvir Resistance Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro: A Computational-Experimental Approach. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7180-7188. [PMID: 37947496 PMCID: PMC10976418 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the urgency for effective antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2. Targeting the main protease (3CLpro) of the virus has emerged as a promising approach, and nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332), the active component of Pfizer's oral drug Paxlovid, has demonstrated remarkable clinical efficacy. However, the emergence of resistance mutations poses a challenge to its continued success. In this study, we employed alchemical free energy perturbation (FEP) alanine scanning to identify nirmatrelvir-resistance mutations within SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. FEP identified several mutations, which were validated through in vitro IC50 experiments and found to result in 8- and 72-fold increases in nirmatrelvir IC50 values. Additionally, we constructed SARS-CoV-2 omicron replicons containing these mutations, and one of the mutants (S144A/E166A) displayed a 20-fold increase in EC50, confirming the role of FEP in identifying drug-resistance mutations. Our findings suggest that FEP can be a valuable tool in proactively monitoring the emergence of resistant strains and guiding the design of future inhibitors with reduced susceptibility to drug resistance. As nirmatrelvir is currently widely used for treating COVID-19, this research has important implications for surveillance efforts and antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Havranek
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- ComputePharma, LLC., Chicago, IL, USA, 60607
| | - Robel Demissie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Biophysics Core at Research Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Hyun Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Biophysics Core at Research Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Shuiyun Lan
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Huanchun Zhang
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Stefan G. Sarafianos
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Shahidul M. Islam
- ComputePharma, LLC., Chicago, IL, USA, 60607
- Department of Chemistry, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
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19
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Costacurta F, Dodaro A, Bante D, Schöppe H, Sprenger B, Moghadasi SA, Fleischmann J, Pavan M, Bassani D, Menin S, Rauch S, Krismer L, Sauerwein A, Heberle A, Rabensteiner T, Ho J, Harris RS, Stefan E, Schneider R, Kaserer T, Moro S, von Laer D, Heilmann E. A comprehensive study of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M pro) inhibitor-resistant mutants selected in a VSV-based system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.22.558628. [PMID: 37808638 PMCID: PMC10557589 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.22.558628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Nirmatrelvir was the first protease inhibitor (PI) specifically developed against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro/Mpro) and licensed for clinical use. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread, variants resistant to nirmatrelvir and other currently available treatments are likely to arise. This study aimed to identify and characterize mutations that confer resistance to nirmatrelvir. To safely generate Mpro resistance mutations, we passaged a previously developed, chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-Mpro) with increasing, yet suboptimal concentrations of nirmatrelvir. Using Wuhan-1 and Omicron Mpro variants, we selected a large set of mutants. Some mutations are frequently present in GISAID, suggesting their relevance in SARS-CoV-2. The resistance phenotype of a subset of mutations was characterized against clinically available PIs (nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir) with cell-based and biochemical assays. Moreover, we showed the putative molecular mechanism of resistance based on in silico molecular modelling. These findings have implications on the development of future generation Mpro inhibitors, will help to understand SARS-CoV-2 protease-inhibitor-resistance mechanisms and show the relevance of specific mutations in the clinic, thereby informing treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Costacurta
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Andrea Dodaro
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - David Bante
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Helge Schöppe
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Bernhard Sprenger
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Seyed Arad Moghadasi
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Jakob Fleischmann
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Matteo Pavan
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Davide Bassani
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Menin
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefanie Rauch
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Laura Krismer
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Anna Sauerwein
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Anne Heberle
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Toni Rabensteiner
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Joses Ho
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Reuben S. Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Rainer Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Teresa Kaserer
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Stefano Moro
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Emmanuel Heilmann
- Institute of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Tyrol, Austria
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20
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Valipour M, Irannejad H, Keyvani H. An Overview on Anti-COVID-19 Drug Achievements and Challenges Ahead. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1248-1265. [PMID: 37705590 PMCID: PMC10496143 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The appearance of several coronavirus pandemics/epidemics during the last two decades (SARS-CoV-1 in 2002, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019) indicates that humanity will face increasing challenges from coronaviruses in the future. The emergence of new strains with similar transmission characteristics as SARS-CoV-2 and mortality rates similar to SARS-CoV-1 (∼10% mortality) or MERS-CoV (∼35% mortality) in the future is a terrifying possibility. Therefore, getting enough preparations to face such risks is an inevitable necessity. The present study aims to review the drug achievements and challenges in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 with a combined perspective derived from pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and medicinal chemistry insights. Appreciating all the efforts made during the past few years, there is strong evidence that the desired results have not yet been achieved and research in this area should still be pursued seriously. By expressing some pessimistic possibilities and concluding that the drug discovery and pharmacotherapy of COVID-19 have not been successful so far, this short essay tries to draw the attention of responsible authorities to be more prepared against future coronavirus epidemics/pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Valipour
- Razi
Drug Research Center, Iran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran 1134845764, Iran
| | - Hamid Irannejad
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48157-33971, Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Department
of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University
of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1134845764, Iran
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21
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Leonard RA, Rao VN, Bartlett A, Froggatt HM, Luftig MA, Heaton BE, Heaton NS. A low-background, fluorescent assay to evaluate inhibitors of diverse viral proteases. J Virol 2023; 97:e0059723. [PMID: 37578235 PMCID: PMC10506478 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00597-23] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple coronaviruses (CoVs) can cause respiratory diseases in humans. While prophylactic vaccines designed to prevent infection are available for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), incomplete vaccine efficacy, vaccine hesitancy, and the threat of other pathogenic CoVs for which vaccines do not exist have highlighted the need for effective antiviral therapies. While antiviral compounds targeting the viral polymerase and protease are already in clinical use, their sensitivity to potential resistance mutations as well as their breadth against the full range of human and preemergent CoVs remain incompletely defined. To begin to fill that gap in knowledge, we report here the development of an improved, noninfectious, cell-based fluorescent assay with high sensitivity and low background that reports on the activity of viral proteases, which are key drug targets. We demonstrate that the assay is compatible with not only the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protein but also orthologues from a range of human and nonhuman CoVs as well as clinically reported SARS-CoV-2 drug-resistant Mpro variants. We then use this assay to define the breadth of activity of two clinically used protease inhibitors, nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir. Continued use of this assay will help define the strengths and limitations of current therapies and may also facilitate the development of next-generation protease inhibitors that are broadly active against both currently circulating and preemergent CoVs. IMPORTANCE Coronaviruses (CoVs) are important human pathogens with the ability to cause global pandemics. Working in concert with vaccines, antivirals specifically limit viral disease in people who are actively infected. Antiviral compounds that target CoV proteases are already in clinical use; their efficacy against variant proteases and preemergent zoonotic CoVs, however, remains incompletely defined. Here, we report an improved, noninfectious, and highly sensitive fluorescent method of defining the sensitivity of CoV proteases to small molecule inhibitors. We use this approach to assay the activity of current antiviral therapies against clinically reported SARS-CoV-2 protease mutants and a panel of highly diverse CoV proteases. Additionally, we show this system is adaptable to other structurally nonrelated viral proteases. In the future, this assay can be used to not only better define the strengths and limitations of current therapies but also help develop new, broadly acting inhibitors that more broadly target viral families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Leonard
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vishwas N. Rao
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandria Bartlett
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Heather M. Froggatt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Micah A. Luftig
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Center for Virology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brook E. Heaton
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas S. Heaton
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Center for Virology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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22
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Hu Y, Lewandowski EM, Tan H, Zhang X, Morgan RT, Zhang X, Jacobs LMC, Butler SG, Gongora MV, Choy J, Deng X, Chen Y, Wang J. Naturally Occurring Mutations of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Confer Drug Resistance to Nirmatrelvir. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:1658-1669. [PMID: 37637734 PMCID: PMC10451032 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is the drug target of Pfizer's oral drug nirmatrelvir. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in Mpro raised the alarm of potential drug resistance. To identify potential clinically relevant drug-resistant mutants, we systematically characterized 102 naturally occurring Mpro mutants located at 12 residues at the nirmatrelvir-binding site, among which 22 mutations in 5 residues, including S144M/F/A/G/Y, M165T, E166 V/G/A, H172Q/F, and Q192T/S/L/A/I/P/H/V/W/C/F, showed comparable enzymatic activity to the wild-type (kcat/Km < 10-fold change) while being resistant to nirmatrelvir (Ki > 10-fold increase). X-ray crystal structures were determined for six representative mutants with and/or without GC-376/nirmatrelvir. Using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 viruses generated from reverse genetics, we confirmed the drug resistance in the antiviral assay and showed that Mpro mutants with reduced enzymatic activity had attenuated viral replication. Overall, our study identified several drug-resistant hotspots in Mpro that warrant close monitoring for possible clinical evidence of nirmatrelvir resistance, some of which have already emerged in independent viral passage assays conducted by others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Hu
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Eric M. Lewandowski
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Haozhou Tan
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Department
Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
- Oklahoma
Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Ryan T. Morgan
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Lian M. C. Jacobs
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Shane G. Butler
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Maura V. Gongora
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - John Choy
- Department
Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, the
Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, United States
| | - Xufang Deng
- Department
Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
- Oklahoma
Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Yu Chen
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08854, United States
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23
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Purohit P, Panda M, Muya JT, Bandyopadhyay P, Meher BR. Theoretical insights into the binding interaction of Nirmatrelvir with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro mutants (C145A and C145S): MD simulations and binding free-energy calculation to understand drug resistance. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-20. [PMID: 37599474 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2248519] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Mpro, the main protease and a crucial enzyme in SARS-CoV-2 is the most fascinating molecular target for pharmacological treatment and is also liable for viral protein maturation. For antiviral therapy, no drugs have been approved clinically to date. Targeting the Mpro with a compound having inhibitory properties against it can hinder viral replication. The therapeutic potential of the antiviral compound Nirmatrelvir (NMV) against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was investigated using a systematic approach of molecular docking, MD simulations, and binding free energy calculation based on the MM-GBSA method. NMV, a covalent inhibitor with a recently revealed chemical structure, is a promising oral antiviral clinical candidate with significant in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 action in third-phase clinical trials. To explore the therapeutic ability and possible drug resistance, the Mpro system was studied for WT and two of its primary mutants (C145A & C145S). The protein-ligand (Mpro/NMV) complexes were further examined through long MD simulations to check the possible drug resistance in the mutants. To understand the binding affinity, the MM-GBSA method was applied to the Mpro/NMV complexes. Moreover, PCA analysis confirms the detachment of the linker region from the major domains in C145S and C145A mutants allowing for conformational alterations in the active-site region. Based on the predicted biological activities and binding affinities of NMV to WT and mutant (C145A & C145S) Mpro, it can be stipulated that NMV may have conventional potency to act as an anti-viral agent against WT Mpro, while the catalytic-dyad mutations may show substantial mutation-induced drug resistance.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Purohit
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, PG Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Berhampur, India
| | - Madhusmita Panda
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, PG Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Berhampur, India
| | - Jules Tshishimbi Muya
- Faculte of Science, Research Centre for Theoretical Chemistry and Physics in Central Africa, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo
| | - Pradipta Bandyopadhyay
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Biswa Ranjan Meher
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, PG Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Berhampur, India
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24
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Ghosh AK, Yadav M. Synthesis of optically active SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor drug nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid): an approved treatment of COVID-19. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:5768-5774. [PMID: 37293830 PMCID: PMC10526638 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob00653k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) is an FDA approved drug that targets SARS-COV-2 3CLprotease. We report an optically active synthesis of nirmatrelvir that avoids a critical epimerization step. Our initial coupling of gem-dimethyl bicyclo[3.1.0]proline methyl ester with tert-leucine-trifluoroacetamide using standard coupling reagents, EDC and HOBt, provided the corresponding dipeptide derivative in excellent yield, however, a significant epimerization was observed at the tert-leucine bearing chiral center. To circumvent this epimerization problem, we developed a ZnCl2-mediated direct N-trifluroacetylation of Boc-derivatives for the synthesis of nirmatrelvir. This protocol has been utilized for N-acyl bond formation with other anhydrides without epimerization. The present synthetic route can be useful for the synthesis of structural variants of nirmatrelvir without significant epimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun K Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Monika Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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25
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Kiso M, Yamayoshi S, Iida S, Furusawa Y, Hirata Y, Uraki R, Imai M, Suzuki T, Kawaoka Y. In vitro and in vivo characterization of SARS-CoV-2 resistance to ensitrelvir. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4231. [PMID: 37454219 PMCID: PMC10349878 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ensitrelvir, an oral antiviral agent that targets a SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro or Nsp5), is clinically useful against SARS-CoV-2 including its omicron variants. Since most omicron subvariants have reduced sensitivity to most monoclonal antibody therapies, SARS-CoV-2 resistance to other antivirals including main protease inhibitors such as ensitrelvir is a major public health concern. Here, repeating passages of SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of ensitrelvir revealed that the M49L and E166A substitutions in Nsp5 are responsible for reduced sensitivity to ensitrelvir. Both substitutions reduced in vitro virus growth in the absence of ensitrelvir. The combination of the M49L and E166A substitutions allowed the virus to largely evade the suppressive effect of ensitrelvir in vitro. The virus possessing Nsp5-M49L showed similar pathogenicity to wild-type virus, whereas the virus possessing Nsp5-E166A or Nsp5-M49L/E166A slightly attenuated. Ensitrelvir treatment of hamsters infected with the virus possessing Nsp5-M49L/E166A was ineffective; however, nirmatrelvir or molnupiravir treatment was effective. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor the emergence of ensitrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants to guide antiviral treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Kiso
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiya Yamayoshi
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shun Iida
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Furusawa
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Hirata
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuta Uraki
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Imai
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadaki Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
- The University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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26
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Takashita E, Fujisaki S, Morita H, Nagata S, Miura H, Nagashima M, Watanabe S, Takeda M, Kawaoka Y, Hasegawa H. Assessment of the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant escape from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors and 3C-like protease inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2023:105671. [PMID: 37451629 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antiviral-resistant SARS-CoV-2 is of great concern. In this study, we evaluated the propensity of Omicron variants to escape from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) inhibitors and 3C-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitors. SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants were serially passaged in vitro in the presence of RdRP inhibitors (remdesivir and molnupiravir) and 3CLpro inhibitors (nirmatrelvir and lufotrelvir) to detect SARS-CoV-2 escape mutants. After five passages with 3CLpro inhibitors, mutant viruses that escaped from 3CLpro inhibitors emerged; however, in the presence of RdRP inhibitors all variants disappeared within 2-4 passages. Our findings suggest that the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 mutant escape from RdRP inhibitors is lower than that from 3CLpro inhibitors. We also found that Delta variants were more likely to acquire amino acid substitutions associated with resistance to 3CLpro inhibitors under the selective pressure of this drug compared with Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Takashita
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Seiichiro Fujisaki
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Hiroko Morita
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Shiho Nagata
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Hideka Miura
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Mami Nagashima
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, 3-24-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0073, Japan
| | - Shinji Watanabe
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Makoto Takeda
- Department of Virology Ⅲ, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan; Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan; Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan; Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 575 Science Drive, Madison, WI, 53711, USA; The University of Tokyo, Pandemic Preparedness, Infection, and Advanced Research Center, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Hasegawa
- Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
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Lin M, Zeng X, Duan Y, Yang Z, Ma Y, Yang H, Yang X, Liu X. Molecular mechanism of ensitrelvir inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 main protease and its variants. Commun Biol 2023; 6:694. [PMID: 37407698 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05071-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 poses an unprecedented threat to the world as the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among a handful of therapeutics developed for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, ensitrelvir is the first noncovalent and nonpeptide oral inhibitor targeting the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, which recently received emergency regulatory approval in Japan. Here we determined a 1.8-Å structure of Mpro in complex with ensitrelvir, which revealed that ensitrelvir targets the substrate-binding pocket of Mpro, specifically recognizing its S1, S2, and S1' subsites. Further, our comprehensive biochemical and structural data have demonstrated that even though ensitrelvir and nirmatrelvir (an FDA-approved drug) belong to different types of Mpro inhibitors, both of them remain to be effective against Mpros from all five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, suggesting Mpro is a bona fide broad-spectrum target. The molecular mechanisms uncovered in this study provide basis for future inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Lin
- College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xudong Zeng
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinkai Duan
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zinan Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ma
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haitao Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuna Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
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28
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Jiang H, Zhou Y, Zou X, Hu X, Wang J, Zeng P, Li W, Zeng X, Zhang J, Li J. Evaluation of the Inhibition Potency of Nirmatrelvir against Main Protease Mutants of SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2055-2064. [PMID: 37222536 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a threat to public health. Main protease (Mpro) is one of the most lucrative drug targets for developing specific antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection. By targeting Mpro, peptidomimetic nirmatrelvir is able to inhibit viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the risk for progression to severe COVID-19. However, multiple mutations in the gene encoding Mpro of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants raise a concern of drug resistance. In the present study, we expressed 16 previously reported SARS-CoV-2 Mpro mutants (G15S, T25I, T45I, S46F, S46P, D48N, M49I, L50F, L89F, K90R, P132H, N142S, V186F, R188K, T190I, and A191V). We evaluated the inhibition potency of nirmatrelvir against these Mpro mutants and solved the crystal structures of representative Mpro mutants of SARS-CoV-2 bound to nirmatrelvir. Enzymatic inhibition assays revealed that these Mpro variants remain susceptible to nirmatrelvir as the wildtype. Detailed analysis and structural comparison provided the inhibition mechanism of Mpro mutants by nirmatrelvir. These results informed the ongoing genomic surveillance of drug resistance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants to nirmatrelvir and facilitate the development of next-generation anticoronavirus drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihai Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yanru Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Xiaofang Zou
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518118, China
- Jiangxi Jmerry Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Xiaohui Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Pei Zeng
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Wenwen Li
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xiangyi Zeng
- Shenzhen Crystalo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jian Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
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29
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Ip JD, Wing-Ho Chu A, Chan WM, Cheuk-Ying Leung R, Umer Abdullah SM, Sun Y, Kai-Wang To K. Global prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease mutations associated with nirmatrelvir or ensitrelvir resistance. EBioMedicine 2023; 91:104559. [PMID: 37060743 PMCID: PMC10101811 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) and ensitrelvir are 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CLpro) inhibitors which have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Previous studies have identified 3CLpro mutations that are associated with reduced susceptibility to these antivirals. The aim of the current study was to estimate the global prevalence of 3CLpro inhibitor-resistant SARS-CoV-2 strains. METHODS We compiled a list of 3CLpro mutations which have been associated with nirmatrelvir or ensitrelvir resistance based on either viral replication or 3CLpro activity assays, and determined their prevalence among 13.4 million sequences deposited in GISAID as of December 14, 2022, about 1 year after the approval of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. We analyzed the prevalence for different time periods, SARS-CoV-2 lineages and geographical locations. FINDINGS Overall, 0.5% (67,095/13,446,588) of the sequences contained at least one mutation that was shown to affect the inhibitory activity of nirmatrelvir or ensitrelvir on viral replication or 3CLpro activity. We did not observe any increasing trend of resistance after the widespread clinical use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. G15S (2070 per million) and T21I (1386 per million) were the most prevalent mutations, and these mutations were dominant in some SARS-CoV-2 lineages. E166V and S144E, previously shown to affect the inhibitory activity of nirmatrelvir on viral replication or protease activity by > 100-folds, were found in <1 per million sequences. INTERPRETATION Our data suggest that 3CLpro inhibitor resistance is currently rare. However, continuous global genotypic and phenotypic surveillance would be crucial in the early detection of resistant mutants. FUNDING Richard and Carol Yu, May Tam Mak Mei Yin, The Shaw Foundation Hong Kong, Michael Tong, Marina Lee, Government Consultancy Service, the Emergency Key Program of Guangzhou Laboratory (See acknowledgements for full list).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Daniel Ip
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Allen Wing-Ho Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wan-Mui Chan
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Rhoda Cheuk-Ying Leung
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Syed Muhammad Umer Abdullah
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yanni Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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30
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Huang C, Shuai H, Qiao J, Hou Y, Zeng R, Xia A, Xie L, Fang Z, Li Y, Yoon C, Huang Q, Hu B, You J, Quan B, Zhao X, Guo N, Zhang S, Ma R, Zhang J, Wang Y, Yang R, Zhang S, Nan J, Xu H, Wang F, Lei J, Chu H, Yang S. A new generation M pro inhibitor with potent activity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:128. [PMID: 36928316 PMCID: PMC10018608 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly the Omicron variant and its sublineages, continually threaten the global public health. Small molecule antivirals are an effective treatment strategy to fight against the virus. However, the first-generation antivirals either show limited clinical efficacy and/or have some defects in pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Moreover, with increased use of these drugs across the globe, they face great pressure of drug resistance. We herein present the discovery and characterization of a new generation antiviral drug candidate (SY110), which is a potent and selective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). This compound displayed potent in vitro antiviral activity against not only the predominant SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage BA.5, but also other highly pathogenic human coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. In the Omicron-infected K18-hACE2 mouse model, oral treatment with SY110 significantly lowered the viral burdens in lung and alleviated the virus-induced pathology. Importantly, SY110 possesses favorable PK properties with high oral drug exposure and oral bioavailability, and also an outstanding safety profile. Furthermore, SY110 exhibited sensitivity to several drug-resistance Mpro mutations. Collectively, this investigation provides a promising new drug candidate against Omicron and other variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Huiping Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jingxin Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yuxin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Rui Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Anjie Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Lingwan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Zhen Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yueyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Chaemin Yoon
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Qiao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Bingjie Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jing You
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Baoxue Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xiu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Nihong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ronggang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ruicheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Jinshan Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Haixing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Falu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Jian Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Shengyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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Moghadasi SA, Biswas RG, Harki DA, Harris RS. Rapid resistance profiling of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2627723. [PMID: 36993515 PMCID: PMC10055523 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2627723/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) has been shown by multiple groups and may already exist in clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Here a panel of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) variants and a robust cell-based assay are used to compare the resistance profiles of nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, and FB2001. The results reveal distinct resistance mechanisms ("fingerprints") and indicate that these next-generation drugs have the potential to be effective against nirmatrelvir-resistant variants and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel A Harki
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 55455
| | - Reuben S Harris
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 55455
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 78229
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32
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Moghadasi SA, Biswas RG, Harki DA, Harris RS. Rapid resistance profiling of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.25.530000. [PMID: 36909573 PMCID: PMC10002627 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.25.530000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) has been shown by multiple groups and may already exist in clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Here a panel of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) variants and a robust cell-based assay are used to compare the resistance profiles of nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, and FB2001. The results reveal distinct resistance mechanisms ("fingerprints") and indicate that these next-generation drugs have the potential to be effective against nirmatrelvir-resistant variants and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel A Harki
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 55455
| | - Reuben S Harris
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 55455
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 78229
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