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de Carvalho MAG, Souza GB, Tizziani T, Pontes CLM, Dambrós BP, de Sousa NF, Scotti MT, Steindel M, Braga AL, Sandjo LP, de Assis FF. Synthesis, in vitro and in silico evaluation of gallamide and selenogallamide derivatives as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024:e2400253. [PMID: 39148177 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400253] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The present work reports the inhibitory effect of amides derived from gallic acid (gallamides) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (Mpro), along with cytotoxicity evaluation and molecular docking studies. In addition to gallamides, other relevant compounds were also synthesized and evaluated against Mpro, making a total of 25 compounds. Eight compounds presented solubility issues during the inhibitory assay and one showed no inhibitory activity. Compounds 3a, 3b, and 3f showed the highest enzymatic inhibition with IC50 = 0.26 ± 0.19 µM, 0.80 ± 0.38 µM, and 2.87 ± 1.17 µM, respectively. Selenogallamide 6a exhibited IC50 values of 5.42 ± 2.89 µM and a comparison with its nonselenylated congener 3c shows that the insertion of the chalcogen moiety improved the inhibitory capacity of the compound by approximately 10 times. Regarding the cellular toxicity in THP-1 and Vero cells, compounds 3e and 3g, showed moderate cytotoxicity in Vero cells, while for THP-1 both were nontoxic, with CC50 > 150 µM. Derivative 3d showed moderate cytotoxicity against both cell lines, whereas 6d was moderatly toxic to THP-1. Other compounds analyzed do not induce substantial cellular toxicity at the concentrations tested. The molecular docking results for compounds 3a, 3b, and 3f show that hydrogen bonding interactions involving the hydroxyl groups (OH) of the gallate moiety are relevant, as well as the carbonyl group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryelle A G de Carvalho
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Gabriella B Souza
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Tiago Tizziani
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Carime L M Pontes
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Bibiana P Dambrós
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Natália F de Sousa
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidade Federal de Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Marcus T Scotti
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidade Federal de Paraíba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Mario Steindel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Antonio L Braga
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Louis P Sandjo
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Francisco F de Assis
- Department of Chemistry, CFM, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario-Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Zeng Q, Antia A, Casorla-Perez LA, Puray-Chavez M, Kutluay SB, Ciorba MA, Ding S. Calpain-2 mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry via regulating ACE2 levels. mBio 2024; 15:e0228723. [PMID: 38349185 PMCID: PMC10936414 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02287-23] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, much effort has been dedicated to identifying effective antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A number of calpain inhibitors show excellent antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 by targeting the viral main protease (Mpro), which plays an essential role in processing viral polyproteins. In this study, we found that calpain inhibitors potently inhibited the infection of a chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein but not Mpro. In contrast, calpain inhibitors did not exhibit antiviral activities toward the wild-type VSV with its native glycoprotein. Genetic knockout of calpain-2 by CRISPR/Cas9 conferred resistance of the host cells to the chimeric VSV-SARS-CoV-2 virus and a clinical isolate of wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Mechanistically, calpain-2 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cell attachment by positively regulating the cell surface levels of ACE2. These results highlight an Mpro-independent pathway targeted by calpain inhibitors for efficient viral inhibition. We also identify calpain-2 as a novel host factor and a potential therapeutic target responsible for SARS-CoV-2 infection at the entry step. IMPORTANCE Many efforts in small-molecule screens have been made to counter SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting the viral main protease, the major element that processes viral proteins after translation. Here, we discovered that calpain inhibitors further block SARS-CoV-2 infection in a main protease-independent manner. We identified the host cysteine protease calpain-2 as an important positive regulator of the cell surface levels of SARS-CoV-2 cellular receptor ACE2 and, thus, a facilitator of viral infection. By either pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockout of calpain-2, the SARS-CoV-2 binding to host cells is blocked and viral infection is decreased. Our findings highlight a novel mechanism of ACE2 regulation, which presents a potential new therapeutic target. Since calpain inhibitors also potently interfere with the viral main protease, our data also provide a mechanistic understanding of the potential use of calpain inhibitors as dual inhibitors (entry and replication) in the clinical setting of COVID-19 diseases. Our findings bring mechanistic insights into the cellular process of SARS-CoV-2 entry and offer a novel explanation to the mechanism of activities of calpain inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiru Zeng
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Avan Antia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Luis Alberto Casorla-Perez
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Matthew A. Ciorba
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Siyuan Ding
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Shatilov AA, Andreev SM, Shatilova AV, Turetskiy EA, Kurmasheva RA, Babikhina MO, Saprygina LV, Shershakova NN, Bolyakina DK, Smirnov VV, Shilovsky IP, Khaitov MR. Synthesis and Biological Properties of Polyphenol-Containing Linear and Dendrimeric Cationic Peptides. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:173-183. [PMID: 38467553 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Natural polyphenols are promising compounds for the pharmacological control of oxidative stress in various diseases. However, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism of polyphenols in a form of glycosides or aglycones have stimulated the search for the vehicles that would provide their efficient delivery to the systemic circulation. Conjugation of polyphenols with cationic amphiphilic peptides yields compounds with a strong antioxidant activity and ability to pass through biological barriers. Due to a broad range of biological activities characteristic of polyphenols and peptides, their conjugates can be used in the antioxidant therapy, including the treatment of viral, oncological, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we synthesized linear and dendrimeric cationic amphiphilic peptides that were then conjugated with gallic acid (GA). GA is a non-toxic natural phenolic acid and an important functional element of many flavonoids with a high antioxidant activity. The obtained GA-peptide conjugates showed the antioxidant (antiradical) activity that exceeded 2-3 times the antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid. GA attachment had no effect on the toxicity and hemolytic activity of the peptides. GA-modified peptides stimulated the transmembrane transfer of the pGL3 plasmid encoding luciferase reporter gene, although GA attachment at the N-terminus of peptides reduced their transfection activity. Several synthesized conjugates demonstrated the antibacterial activity in the model of Escherichia coli Dh5α growth inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem A Shatilov
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
| | - Sergey M Andreev
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia.
| | | | - Evgeny A Turetskiy
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Renata A Kurmasheva
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Marina O Babikhina
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
- MIREA - Russian Technological University, Moscow, 119454, Russia
| | - Larisa V Saprygina
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
- MIREA - Russian Technological University, Moscow, 119454, Russia
| | | | | | - Valeriy V Smirnov
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119435, Russia
| | - Igor P Shilovsky
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
| | - Musa R Khaitov
- "NRC Institute of Immunology" FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 115522, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117997, Russia
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Wang Z, Song XQ, Xu W, Lei S, Zhang H, Yang L. Stand Up to Stand Out: Natural Dietary Polyphenols Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Gossypol as Potential Therapeutic Candidates against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection. Nutrients 2023; 15:3885. [PMID: 37764669 PMCID: PMC10535599 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183885] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated collaborative drug discovery efforts in academia and the industry with the aim of developing therapies and vaccines that target SARS-CoV-2. Several novel therapies have been approved and deployed in the last three years. However, their clinical application has revealed limitations due to the rapid emergence of viral variants. Therefore, the development of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents with a high potency and safety profile remains a high priority for global health. Increasing awareness of the "back to nature" approach for improving human health has prompted renewed interest in natural products, especially dietary polyphenols, as an additional therapeutic strategy to treat SARS-CoV-2 patients, owing to its good safety profile, exceptional nutritional value, health-promoting benefits (including potential antiviral properties), affordability, and availability. Herein, we describe the biological properties and pleiotropic molecular mechanisms of dietary polyphenols curcumin, resveratrol, and gossypol as inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants as observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of dietary polyphenols and to obtain maximal benefits, several strategies such as nanotechnology (e.g., curcumin-incorporated nanofibrous membranes with antibacterial-antiviral ability), lead optimization (e.g., a methylated analog of curcumin), combination therapies (e.g., a specific combination of plant extracts and micronutrients), and broad-spectrum activities (e.g., gossypol broadly inhibits coronaviruses) have also been emphasized as positive factors in the facilitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development to support effective long-term pandemic management and control.
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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, China; (W.X.); (S.L.); (H.Z.)
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus, Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xian-qing Song
- General Surgery Department, Baoan Central Hospital, Affiliated Baoan Central Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Wenjing Xu
- 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, China; (W.X.); (S.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Shizeng Lei
- 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, China; (W.X.); (S.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hao Zhang
- 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, China; (W.X.); (S.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Liyan Yang
- School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
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