1
|
Duan L, Tang B, Luo S, Xiong D, Wang Q, Xu X, Zhang JZH. Entropy driven cooperativity effect in multi-site drug optimization targeting SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:313. [PMID: 37796323 PMCID: PMC11072831 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04985-4] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Papain-like protease (PLpro), a non-structural protein encoded by SARS-CoV-2, is an important therapeutic target. Regions 1 and 5 of an existing drug, GRL0617, can be optimized to produce cooperativity with PLpro binding, resulting in stronger binding affinity. This work investigated the origin of the cooperativity using molecular dynamics simulations combined with the interaction entropy (IE) method. The regions' improvement exhibits cooperativity by calculating the binding free energies between the complex of PLpro-inhibitor. The thermodynamic integration method further verified the cooperativity generated in the drug improvement. To further determine the specific source of cooperativity, enthalpy and entropy in the complexes were calculated using molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area and IE. The results show that the entropic change is an important contributor to the cooperativity. Our study also identified residues P248, Q269, and T301 that play a significant role in cooperativity. The optimization of the inhibitor stabilizes these residues and minimizes the entropic loss, and the cooperativity observed in the binding free energy can be attributed to the change in the entropic contribution of these residues. Based on our research, the application of cooperativity can facilitate drug optimization, and provide theoretical ideas for drug development that leverage cooperativity by reducing the contribution of entropy through multi-locus binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Duan
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Bolin Tang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Song Luo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Danyang Xiong
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Qihang Wang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Xiaole Xu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - John Z H Zhang
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology and Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China.
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Firouzi R, Ashouri M. Identification of Potential Anti‐COVID‐19 Drug Leads from Medicinal Plants through Virtual High‐Throughput Screening. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rohoullah Firouzi
- Department of Physical Chemistry Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran Tehran Iran
| | - Mitra Ashouri
- Department of Physical Chemistry School of Chemistry College of Science University of Tehran Tehran Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pedroni L, Perugino F, Galaverna G, Dall’Asta C, Dellafiora L. An In Silico Framework to Mine Bioactive Peptides from Annotated Proteomes: A Case Study on Pancreatic Alpha Amylase Inhibitory Peptides from Algae and Cyanobacteria. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214680. [PMID: 36364940 PMCID: PMC9658718 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides may exert beneficial activities in living organisms such as the regulation of glucose metabolism through the inhibition of alpha amylases. Algae and cyanobacteria are gaining a growing interest for their health-promoting properties, and possible effects on glucose metabolism have been described, although the underlying mechanisms need clarification. This study proposes a computer-driven workflow for a proteome-wide mining of alpha amylase inhibitory peptides from the proteome of Chlorella vulgaris, Auxenochlorella protothecoides and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Overall, this work presents an innovative and versatile approach to support the identification of bioactive peptides in annotated proteomes. The study: (i) highlighted the presence of alpha amylase inhibitory peptides within the proteomes under investigation (including ELS, which is among the most potent inhibitory tripeptides identified so far); (ii) mechanistically investigated the possible mechanisms of action; and (iii) prioritized further dedicated investigation on the proteome of C. vulgaris and A. flos-aquae, and on CSSL and PGG sequences.
Collapse
|
4
|
Novel Drug Design for Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2022; 2022:2044282. [PMID: 36199815 PMCID: PMC9527439 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2044282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease outbreak, there has been an increasing interest in discovering potential therapeutic agents for this disease. In this regard, we conducted a systematic review through an overview of drug development (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) for treating COVID-19. Methods A systematic search was carried out in major databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from December 2019 to March 2021. A combination of the following terms was used: coronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, drug design, drug development, In silico, In vitro, and In vivo. A narrative synthesis was performed as a qualitative method for the data synthesis of each outcome measure. Results A total of 2168 articles were identified through searching databases. Finally, 315 studies (266 in silico, 34 in vitro, and 15 in vivo) were included. In studies with in silico approach, 98 article study repurposed drug and 91 studies evaluated herbal medicine on COVID-19. Among 260 drugs repurposed by the computational method, the best results were observed with saquinavir (n = 9), ritonavir (n = 8), and lopinavir (n = 6). Main protease (n = 154) following spike glycoprotein (n = 62) and other nonstructural protein of virus (n = 45) was among the most studied targets. Doxycycline, chlorpromazine, azithromycin, heparin, bepridil, and glycyrrhizic acid showed both in silico and in vitro inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The preclinical studies of novel drug design for COVID-19 focused on main protease and spike glycoprotein as targets for antiviral development. From evaluated structures, saquinavir, ritonavir, eucalyptus, Tinospora cordifolia, aloe, green tea, curcumin, pyrazole, and triazole derivatives in in silico studies and doxycycline, chlorpromazine, and heparin from in vitro and human monoclonal antibodies from in vivo studies showed promised results regarding efficacy. It seems that due to the nature of COVID-19 disease, finding some drugs with multitarget antiviral actions and anti-inflammatory potential is valuable and some herbal medicines have this potential.
Collapse
|
5
|
Discovery of the Cryptic Sites of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease and Analysis of Its Druggability. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911265. [PMID: 36232570 PMCID: PMC9569941 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In late 2019, a new coronavirus (CoV) caused the outbreak of a deadly respiratory disease, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. In view of the ongoing pandemic, there is an immediate need to find drugs to treat patients. SARS-CoV-2 papain-like cysteine protease (PLpro) not only plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the virus but is also a target protein for the development of inhibitor drugs. Therefore, to develop targeted inhibitors, it is necessary to analyse and verify PLpro sites and explore whether there are other cryptic binding pockets with better activity. In this study, first, we detected the site of the whole PLpro protein by sitemap of Schrödinger (version 2018), the cavity of LigBuilder V3, and DeepSite, and roughly judged the possible activated binding site area. Then, we used the mixed solvent dynamics simulation (MixMD) of probe molecules to induce conformational changes in the protein to find the possible cryptic active sites. Finally, the TRAPP method was used to predict the druggability of cryptic pockets and analyse the changes in the physicochemical properties of residues around these sites. This work will help promote the research of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ton AT, Pandey M, Smith JR, Ban F, Fernandez M, Cherkasov A. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease in the Post-Vaccine Era. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:906-919. [PMID: 36114026 PMCID: PMC9399131 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
While vaccines remain at the forefront of global healthcare responses, pioneering therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 are expected to fill the gaps for waning immunity. Rapid development and approval of orally available direct-acting antivirals targeting crucial SARS-CoV-2 proteins marked the beginning of the era of small-molecule drugs for COVID-19. In that regard, the papain-like protease (PLpro) can be considered a major SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic target due to its dual biological role in suppressing host innate immune responses and in ensuring viral replication. Here, we summarize the challenges of targeting PLpro and innovative early-stage PLpro-specific small molecules. We propose that state-of-the-art computer-aided drug design (CADD) methodologies will play a critical role in the discovery of PLpro compounds as a novel class of COVID-19 drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anh-Tien Ton
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohit Pandey
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason R Smith
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Fernandez
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bhowmick S, AlFaris NA, Zaidan ALTamimi J, ALOthman ZA, Patil PC, Aldayel TS, Wabaidur SM, Saha A. Identification of bio-active food compounds as potential SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors-modulators via negative image-based screening and computational simulations. Comput Biol Med 2022; 145:105474. [PMID: 35395517 PMCID: PMC8973019 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant studies on the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists around the world are still battling to find a definitive therapy against the ongoing severe global health crisis. In this study, advanced computational approaches have been employed to identify bioactive food constituents as potential SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors-modulators. As a validated antiviral drug target, PLpro has gained tremendous attention for therapeutics developments. Therefore, targeting the multifunctional SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein, ∼1039 bioactive dietary compounds have been screened extensively through novel techniques like negative image-based (NIB) screening and molecular docking approaches. In particular, the three different models of NIB screening have been generated and used to re-score the dietary compounds based on the negative image which is created by reversing the shape and electrostatics features of PLpro protein's ligand-binding cavity. Further, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation has been performed and MM-GBSA based binding free energies have been estimated for the final proposed four dietary compounds (PC000550, PC000361, PC000558, and PC000573) as potential inhibitors/modulators of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein. Employed computational study outcome also has been compared with respect to the earlier experimentally investigated compound GRL0617 against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein, which suggests much greater interaction potential in terms of binding affinity and other energetic contributions for the proposed dietary compounds. Hence, the present study suggests that proposed dietary compounds can be suitable chemical entities for modulating the activity of PLpro protein or can be further utilized for optimizing or screening of novel chemical surrogates, however also needs experimental evaluation for entry in clinical studies for better assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shovonlal Bhowmick
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C. Road, Kolkata, India
| | - Nora Abdullah AlFaris
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Corresponding author
| | - Jozaa Zaidan ALTamimi
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeid A. ALOthman
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pritee Chunarkar Patil
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune-Satara Road, Pune, India
| | - Tahany Saleh Aldayel
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Achintya Saha
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C. Road, Kolkata, India,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jiang H, Yang P, Zhang J. Potential Inhibitors Targeting Papain-Like Protease of SARS-CoV-2: Two Birds With One Stone. Front Chem 2022; 10:822785. [PMID: 35281561 PMCID: PMC8905519 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.822785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen of the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), is still devastating the world causing significant chaos to the international community and posing a significant threat to global health. Since the first outbreak in late 2019, several lines of intervention have been developed to prevent the spread of this virus. Nowadays, some vaccines have been approved and extensively administered. However, the fact that SARS-CoV-2 rapidly mutates makes the efficacy and safety of this approach constantly under debate. Therefore, antivirals are still needed to combat the infection of SARS-CoV-2. Papain-like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 supports viral reproduction and suppresses the innate immune response of the host, which makes PLpro an attractive pharmaceutical target. Inhibition of PLpro could not only prevent viral replication but also restore the antiviral immunity of the host, resulting in the speedy recovery of the patient. In this review, we describe structural and functional features on PLpro of SARS-CoV-2 and the latest development in searching for PLpro inhibitors. Currently available inhibitors targeting PLpro as well as their structural basis are also summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haihai Jiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Haihai Jiang, ; Jin Zhang,
| | - Peiyao Yang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Haihai Jiang, ; Jin Zhang,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vere G, Alam MR, Farrar S, Kealy R, Kessler BM, O’Brien DP, Pinto-Fernández A. Targeting the Ubiquitylation and ISGylation Machinery for the Treatment of COVID-19. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020300. [PMID: 35204803 PMCID: PMC8869442 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitylation and ISGylation are protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) and two of the main events involved in the activation of pattern recognition receptor (PRRs) signals allowing the host defense response to viruses. As with similar viruses, SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, hijacks these pathways by removing ubiquitin and/or ISG15 from proteins using a protease called PLpro, but also by interacting with enzymes involved in ubiquitin/ISG15 machinery. These enable viral replication and avoidance of the host immune system. In this review, we highlight potential points of therapeutic intervention in ubiquitin/ISG15 pathways involved in key host-pathogen interactions, such as PLpro, USP18, TRIM25, CYLD, A20, and others that could be targeted for the treatment of COVID-19, and which may prove effective in combatting current and future vaccine-resistant variants of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Vere
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (M.R.A.); (S.F.); (B.M.K.)
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Md Rashadul Alam
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (M.R.A.); (S.F.); (B.M.K.)
| | - Sam Farrar
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (M.R.A.); (S.F.); (B.M.K.)
| | - Rachel Kealy
- Environmental Futures & Big Data Impact Lab, University of Exeter, Stocker Rd., Exeter EX4 4PY, UK;
| | - Benedikt M. Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (M.R.A.); (S.F.); (B.M.K.)
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Darragh P. O’Brien
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (M.R.A.); (S.F.); (B.M.K.)
- Correspondence: (D.P.O.); (A.P.-F.)
| | - Adán Pinto-Fernández
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (M.R.A.); (S.F.); (B.M.K.)
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
- Correspondence: (D.P.O.); (A.P.-F.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Phytocompounds as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and PLpro through computational studies. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:3456-3465. [PMID: 35233172 PMCID: PMC8873046 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
|
11
|
Bhowmick S, Saha A, AlFaris NA, ALTamimi JZ, ALOthman ZA, Aldayel TS, Wabaidur SM, Islam MA. Identification of potent food constituents as SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease modulators through advanced pharmacoinformatics approaches. J Mol Graph Model 2021; 111:108113. [PMID: 34959151 PMCID: PMC8688376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.108113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The current ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 urges immediate treatment measures for controlling the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 infections. The papain-like protease (PLpro), which is released from nsp3, is presently being evaluated as a significant anti-viral drug target for COVID-19 therapy development. Particularly, PLpro is implicated in the cleavage of viral polyproteins and antagonizes the host innate immune response through its deubiquitinating and deISGylating actions, thus making it a high-profile antiviral therapeutic target. The present study reports a few specific food compounds that can bind tightly with the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein identified through extensive computational screening techniques. Precisely, extensive advanced computational approaches combining target-based virtual screening, particularly employing sub-structure based similarity search, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MM-GBSA based binding free energy calculations have been employed for the identification of the most promising food compounds with substantial functional implications as SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein inhibitors/modulators. Observations from the present research investigation also provide a deeper understanding of the binding modes of the proposed four food compounds with SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein. In docking analyses, all compounds have established essential inter-molecular interaction profiles at the active site cavity of the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein. Similarly, the long-range 100 ns conventional MD simulation studies also provided an in-depth understanding of probable interactions and dynamic behaviour of the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein-food compound complexes. Binding free energies of all molecular systems revealed a strong interaction affinity of food compounds towards the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein. Moreover, clear-cut comparative analyses against the known standard inhibitor also suggest that proposed food compounds may act as potential active chemical entities for modulating the action of the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shovonlal Bhowmick
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, 92, A.P.C. Road, Kolkata, 700009, India
| | - Achintya Saha
- Department of Chemical Technology, University of Calcutta, 92, A.P.C. Road, Kolkata, 700009, India.
| | - Nora Abdullah AlFaris
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P. O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jozaa Zaidan ALTamimi
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P. O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeid A ALOthman
- Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 2455, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahany Saleh Aldayel
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P. O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saikh Mohammad Wabaidur
- Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 2455, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Ataul Islam
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Patel R, Prajapati J, Rao P, Rawal RM, Saraf M, Goswami D. Repurposing the antibacterial drugs for inhibition of SARS-CoV2-PLpro using molecular docking, MD simulation and binding energy calculation. Mol Divers 2021; 26:2189-2209. [PMID: 34591234 PMCID: PMC8481324 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Papain-like protease (nsp-3; non-structural protein) of novel corona virus is an ideal target for developing drugs as it plays multiple important functions for viral growth and replication. For instance, role of nsp-3 has been recognized in cleavage of viral polyprotein; furthermore, in infected host it weakens the immune system via downregulating the production of type I interferon. This downregulation is promoted by removal of ubiquitin-like interferon-stimulated gene 15 protein (ISG15) from interferon-responsive factor 3 (IRF3) protein. Among known inhibitors of SARS-CoV-PLpro GRL0617 is by far the most effective inhibitor. As PLpro of SARS-CoV2 is having more than 80% similarity with SARS-CoV-PLpro, GRL0617 is reported to be effective even against SARS-CoV2. Owing to this similarity, certain key amino acids remain the same/conserved in both proteins. Among conserved amino acids Tyr268 for SARS-CoV2 and Tyr269 for SARS-CoV produce important hydrophobic interactions with aromatic rings of GRL0617. Here, in this study antibacterial compounds were collected from ZINC database, and they were filtered to select compounds that are having similar structural features as GRL0617. This filtered library of compound was then docked with SARS-CoV and CoV2-PLpro. Five hits were noted that were able to interact with Tyr268 (SARS-CoV2) and Tyr269 (SARS-CoV). Further, best hit 2-(2-((benzofuran-2-carboxamido)methyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indol-1-yl)acetic acid (ZINC44459905) was studied using molecular dynamic simulation where stability of protein–ligand complex as well as stability of produced interactions was noted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Patel
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Jignesh Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Priyashi Rao
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Rakesh M Rawal
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Meenu Saraf
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Dweipayan Goswami
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yan F, Gao F. An overview of potential inhibitors targeting non-structural proteins 3 (PL pro and Mac1) and 5 (3CL pro/M pro) of SARS-CoV-2. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4868-4883. [PMID: 34457214 PMCID: PMC8382591 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop effective treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a global pandemic that has not only affected the daily lives of individuals but also had a significant impact on the global economy and public health. Although extensive research has been conducted to identify inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2, there are still no effective treatment strategies to combat COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 comprises two important proteolytic enzymes, namely, the papain-like proteinase, located within non-structural protein 3 (nsp3), and nsp5, both of which cleave large replicase polypeptides into multiple fragments that are required for viral replication. Moreover, a domain within nsp3, known as the macrodomain (Mac1), also plays an important role in viral replication. Inhibition of their functions should be able to significantly interfere with the replication cycle of the virus, and therefore these key proteins may serve as potential therapeutic targets. The functions of the above viral targets and their corresponding inhibitors have been summarized in the current review. This review provides comprehensive updates of nsp3 and nsp5 inhibitor development and would help advance the discovery of novel anti-viral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Yan
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rehman MFU, Akhter S, Batool AI, Selamoglu Z, Sevindik M, Eman R, Mustaqeem M, Akram MS, Kanwal F, Lu C, Aslam M. Effectiveness of Natural Antioxidants against SARS-CoV-2? Insights from the In-Silico World. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1011. [PMID: 34439061 PMCID: PMC8388999 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10081011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS CoV-2 pandemic has affected millions of people around the globe. Despite many efforts to find some effective medicines against SARS CoV-2, no established therapeutics are available yet. The use of phytochemicals as antiviral agents provides hope against the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. Several natural compounds were analyzed by virtual screening against six SARS CoV-2 protein targets using molecular docking simulations in the present study. More than a hundred plant-derived secondary metabolites have been docked, including alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, and steroids. SARS CoV-2 protein targets include Main protease (MPro), Papain-like protease (PLpro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Spike glycoprotein (S), Helicase (Nsp13), and E-Channel protein. Phytochemicals were evaluated by molecular docking, and MD simulations were performed using the YASARA structure using a modified genetic algorithm and AMBER03 force field. Binding energies and dissociation constants allowed the identification of potentially active compounds. Ligand-protein interactions provide an insight into the mechanism and potential of identified compounds. Glycyrrhizin and its metabolite 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid have shown a strong binding affinity for MPro, helicase, RdRp, spike, and E-channel proteins, while a flavonoid Baicalin also strongly binds against PLpro and RdRp. The use of identified phytochemicals may help to speed up the drug development and provide natural protection against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Fayyaz ur Rehman
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 41600, Pakistan; (S.A.); (R.E.)
| | - Shahzaib Akhter
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 41600, Pakistan; (S.A.); (R.E.)
| | - Aima Iram Batool
- Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 41600, Pakistan;
| | - Zeliha Selamoglu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Nigde 51240, Turkey;
| | - Mustafa Sevindik
- Department of Food Processing, Bahçe Vocational School, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, Osmaniye 80000, Turkey;
| | - Rida Eman
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 41600, Pakistan; (S.A.); (R.E.)
| | - Muhammad Mustaqeem
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Bhakkar Campus, Bhakkar 30000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Safwan Akram
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA, UK;
- National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington DL1 1HG, UK
| | - Fariha Kanwal
- Med-X Research Institute, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201620, China;
| | - Changrui Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Mehwish Aslam
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang Z, Yang L, Zhao XE. Co-crystallization and structure determination: An effective direction for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4684-4701. [PMID: 34426762 PMCID: PMC8373586 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Safer and more-effective drugs are urgently needed to counter infections with the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV-2, cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. Identification of efficient inhibitors to treat and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection is a predominant focus. Encouragingly, using X-ray crystal structures of therapeutically relevant drug targets (PLpro, Mpro, RdRp, and S glycoprotein) offers a valuable direction for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery and lead optimization through direct visualization of interactions. Computational analyses based primarily on MMPBSA calculations have also been proposed for assessing the binding stability of biomolecular structures involving the ligand and receptor. In this study, we focused on state-of-the-art X-ray co-crystal structures of the abovementioned targets complexed with newly identified small-molecule inhibitors (natural products, FDA-approved drugs, candidate drugs, and their analogues) with the assistance of computational analyses to support the precision design and screening of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
Collapse
Key Words
- 3CLpro, 3C-Like protease
- ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- Candidate drugs
- Co-crystal structures
- DyKAT, dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation
- EBOV, Ebola virus
- EC50, half maximal effective concentration
- EMD, Electron Microscopy Data
- FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FDA-approved drugs
- HCoV-229E, human coronavirus 229E
- HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography
- IC50, half maximal inhibitory concentration
- MD, molecular dynamics
- MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- MMPBSA, molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area
- MTase, methyltransferase
- Mpro, main protease
- Natural products
- Nsp, nonstructural protein
- PDB, Protein Data Bank
- PLpro, papain-like protease
- RTP, ribonucleoside triphosphate
- RdRp, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
- SAM, S-adenosylmethionine
- SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- SI, selectivity index
- Ugi-4CR, Ugi four-component reaction
- cryo-EM, cryo-electron microscopy
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Natural Products and Pharmaceutical Intermediates in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Liyan Yang
- School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China
| | - Xian-En Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Green Natural Products and Pharmaceutical Intermediates in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhu W, Shyr Z, Lo DC, Zheng W. Viral Proteases as Targets for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Drug Development. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 378:166-172. [PMID: 33972366 PMCID: PMC8686716 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to be a global threat since its emergence. Although several COVID-19 vaccines have become available, the prospective timeframe for achieving effective levels of vaccination across global populations remains uncertain. Moreover, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants presents continuing potential challenges for future vaccination planning. Therefore, development of effective antiviral therapies continues to be an urgent unmet need for COVID-19. Successful antiviral regimens for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infections have established viral proteases as validated targets for antiviral drug development. In this context, we review protease targets in drug development, currently available antiviral protease inhibitors, and therapeutic development efforts on SARS-CoV-2 main protease and papain-like protease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a global threat since its emergence. The development of effective antiviral therapeutics for COVID-19 remains an urgent and long-term need. Because viral proteases are validated drug targets, specific severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 protease inhibitors are critical therapeutics to be developed for treatment of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Zeenat Shyr
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Donald C Lo
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Maddah M, Bahramsoltani R, Yekta NH, Rahimi R, Aliabadi R, Pourfath M. Proposing high-affinity inhibitors from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. against SARS-CoV-2 infection: virtual screening and computational analysis. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj02031e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Licorice as a traditional medicine introduces promising antiviral phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mina Maddah
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Super Computing Institute, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roodabeh Bahramsoltani
- Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Hoseini Yekta
- Department of Persian Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roja Rahimi
- Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Phytopharmacology Interest Group (PPIG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasoul Aliabadi
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Pourfath
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Super Computing Institute, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|