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Monti A, Vitagliano L, Caporale A, Ruvo M, Doti N. Targeting Protein-Protein Interfaces with Peptides: The Contribution of Chemical Combinatorial Peptide Library Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097842. [PMID: 37175549 PMCID: PMC10178479 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097842] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interfaces play fundamental roles in the molecular mechanisms underlying pathophysiological pathways and are important targets for the design of compounds of therapeutic interest. However, the identification of binding sites on protein surfaces and the development of modulators of protein-protein interactions still represent a major challenge due to their highly dynamic and extensive interfacial areas. Over the years, multiple strategies including structural, computational, and combinatorial approaches have been developed to characterize PPI and to date, several successful examples of small molecules, antibodies, peptides, and aptamers able to modulate these interfaces have been determined. Notably, peptides are a particularly useful tool for inhibiting PPIs due to their exquisite potency, specificity, and selectivity. Here, after an overview of PPIs and of the commonly used approaches to identify and characterize them, we describe and evaluate the impact of chemical peptide libraries in medicinal chemistry with a special focus on the results achieved through recent applications of this methodology. Finally, we also discuss the role that this methodology can have in the framework of the opportunities, and challenges that the application of new predictive approaches based on artificial intelligence is generating in structural biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Monti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Caporale
- Institute of Crystallography (IC), National Research Council (CNR), Strada Statale 14 km 163.5, Basovizza, 34149 Triese, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Napoli, Italy
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2
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Self-assembled nanomaterials as vaccines for COVID-19 and future pandemics. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-818627-5.00006-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
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3
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Agamennone M, Fantacuzzi M, Vivenzio G, Scala MC, Campiglia P, Superti F, Sala M. Antiviral Peptides as Anti-Influenza Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11433. [PMID: 36232735 PMCID: PMC9569631 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses represent a leading cause of high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approaches for fighting flu are seasonal vaccines and some antiviral drugs. The development of the seasonal flu vaccine requires a great deal of effort, as careful studies are needed to select the strains to be included in each year's vaccine. Antiviral drugs available against Influenza virus infections have certain limitations due to the increased resistance rate and negative side effects. The highly mutative nature of these viruses leads to the emergence of new antigenic variants, against which the urgent development of new approaches for antiviral therapy is needed. Among these approaches, one of the emerging new fields of "peptide-based therapies" against Influenza viruses is being explored and looks promising. This review describes the recent findings on the antiviral activity, mechanism of action and therapeutic capability of antiviral peptides that bind HA, NA, PB1, and M2 as a means of countering Influenza virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Agamennone
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Marialuigia Fantacuzzi
- Department of Pharmacy, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vivenzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Maria Carmina Scala
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Fabiana Superti
- National Centre for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Sala
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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Lee YCJ, Shirkey JD, Park J, Bisht K, Cowan AJ. An Overview of Antiviral Peptides and Rational Biodesign Considerations. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9898241. [PMID: 37850133 PMCID: PMC10521750 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9898241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral diseases have contributed significantly to worldwide morbidity and mortality throughout history. Despite the existence of therapeutic treatments for many viral infections, antiviral resistance and the threat posed by novel viruses highlight the need for an increased number of effective therapeutics. In addition to small molecule drugs and biologics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent an emerging class of potential antiviral therapeutics. While AMPs have traditionally been regarded in the context of their antibacterial activities, many AMPs are now known to be antiviral. These antiviral peptides (AVPs) have been shown to target and perturb viral membrane envelopes and inhibit various stages of the viral life cycle, from preattachment inhibition through viral release from infected host cells. Rational design of AMPs has also proven effective in identifying highly active and specific peptides and can aid in the discovery of lead peptides with high therapeutic selectivity. In this review, we highlight AVPs with strong antiviral activity largely curated from a publicly available AMP database. We then compile the sequences present in our AVP database to generate structural predictions of generic AVP motifs. Finally, we cover the rational design approaches available for AVPs taking into account approaches currently used for the rational design of AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chiang J. Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Jaden D. Shirkey
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Jongbeom Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Karishma Bisht
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Alexis J. Cowan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
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Lim TS, Choong YS. In silico design of ACE2 mutants for competitive binding of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain with hACE2. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The receptor binding motif (RBM) within the S-protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been touted as one of the main targets for vaccine/therapeutic development due to its interaction with the human angiotensin II converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) to facilitate virus entry into the host cell. The mechanism of action is based on the disruption of binding between the RBM and the hACE2 to prevent virus uptake for replication. In this work, we applied in silico approaches to design specific competitive binders for SARS-CoV-2 S-protein receptor binding motif (RBM) by using hACE2 peptidase domain (PD) mutants. Online single point mutation servers were utilised to estimate the effect of PD mutation on the binding affinity with RBM. The PD mutants were then modelled and the binding free energy was calculated. Three PD variants were designed with an increased affinity and interaction with SARS-CoV-2-RBM. It is hope that these designs could serve as the initial work for vaccine/drug development and could eventually interfere the preliminary recognition between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theam Soon Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia , Penang , Malaysia
| | - Yee Siew Choong
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia , Penang , Malaysia
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F Nahhas A, F Nahhas A, J Webster T. Nanoscale pathogens treated with nanomaterial-like peptides: a platform technology appropriate for future pandemics. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2021; 16:1237-1254. [PMID: 33988037 PMCID: PMC8120868 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections are historically very difficult to treat. Although imperfect and time-consuming to develop, we do have some conventional vaccine and therapeutic approaches to stop viral spreading. Most importantly, all of this takes significant time while viruses continue to wreak havoc on our healthcare system. Furthermore, viral infections are accompanied by a weakened immune system which is often overlooked in antiviral drug strategies and requires additional drug development. In this review, for the first time, we touch on some promising alternative approaches to treat viral infections, specifically those focused on the use of platform nanomaterials with antiviral peptides. In doing so, this review presents a timely discussion of how we need to change our old way of treating viruses into one that can quickly meet the demands of COVID-19, as well as future pandemic-causing viruses, which will come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa F Nahhas
- Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, KSA
| | - Alrayan F Nahhas
- Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, KSA
| | - Thomas J Webster
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Al-Azzam S, Ding Y, Liu J, Pandya P, Ting JP, Afshar S. Peptides to combat viral infectious diseases. Peptides 2020; 134:170402. [PMID: 32889022 PMCID: PMC7462603 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Viral infectious diseases have resulted in millions of deaths throughout history and have created a significant public healthcare burden. Tremendous efforts have been placed by the scientific communities, health officials and government organizations to detect, treat, and prevent viral infection. However, the complicated life cycle and rapid genetic mutations of viruses demand continuous development of novel medicines with high efficacy and safety profiles. Peptides provide a promising outlook as a tool to combat the spread and re-emergence of viral infection. This article provides an overview of five viral infectious diseases with high global prevalence: influenza, chronic hepatitis B, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and coronavirus disease 2019. The current and potential peptide-based therapies, vaccines, and diagnostics for each disease are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shams Al-Azzam
- Professional Scientific Services, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Lancaster, PA, 17605, USA
| | - Yun Ding
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Jinsha Liu
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Priyanka Pandya
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Joey Paolo Ting
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Sepideh Afshar
- Protein Engineering, Lilly Biotechnology Center, Eli Lilly and Company, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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