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Gao N, Wang J, Fang C, Bai P, Sun Y, Wu W, Shan A. Combating bacterial infections with host defense peptides: Shifting focus from bacteria to host immunity. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101030. [PMID: 38043443 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101030] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections necessitates the exploration of novel paradigms for anti-infective therapy. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), have garnered extensive recognition as immunomodulatory molecules that leverage natural host mechanisms to enhance therapeutic benefits. The unique immune mechanism exhibited by certain HDPs that involves self-assembly into supramolecular nanonets capable of inducing bacterial agglutination and entrapping is significantly important. This process effectively prevents microbial invasion and subsequent dissemination and significantly mitigates selective pressure for the evolution of microbial resistance, highlighting the potential of HDP-based antimicrobial therapy. Recent advancements in this field have focused on developing bio-responsive materials in the form of supramolecular nanonets. A comprehensive overview of the immunomodulatory and bacteria-agglutinating activities of HDPs, along with a discussion on optimization strategies for synthetic derivatives, is presented in this article. These optimized derivatives exhibit improved biological properties and therapeutic potential, making them suitable for future clinical applications as effective anti-infective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Chunyang Fang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Pengfei Bai
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yu Sun
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Wanpeng Wu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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2
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Arafet K, Royo S, Schirmeister T, Barthels F, González FV, Moliner V. Impact of the Recognition Part of Dipeptidyl Nitroalkene Compounds on the Inhibition Mechanism of Cysteine Proteases Cruzain and Cathepsin L. ACS Catal 2023; 13:6289-6300. [PMID: 37180968 PMCID: PMC10167892 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c01035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine proteases (CPs) are an important class of enzymes, many of which are responsible for several human diseases. For instance, cruzain of protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is responsible for the Chagas disease, while the role of human cathepsin L is associated with some cancers or is a potential target for the treatment of COVID-19. However, despite paramount work carried out during the past years, the compounds that have been proposed so far show limited inhibitory action against these enzymes. We present a study of proposed covalent inhibitors of these two CPs, cruzain and cathepsin L, based on the design, synthesis, kinetic measurements, and QM/MM computational simulations on dipeptidyl nitroalkene compounds. The experimentally determined inhibition data, together with the analysis and the predicted inhibition constants derived from the free energy landscape of the full inhibition process, allowed describing the impact of the recognition part of these compounds and, in particular, the modifications on the P2 site. The designed compounds and, in particular, the one with a bulky group (Trp) at the P2 site show promising in vitro inhibition activities against cruzain and cathepsin L for use as a starting lead compound in the development of drugs with medical applications for the treatment of human diseases and future designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemel Arafet
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM),
Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Santiago Royo
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Barthels
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Florenci V. González
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Vicent Moliner
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM),
Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
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3
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Behbahanipour M, Benoit R, Navarro S, Ventura S. OligoBinders: Bioengineered Soluble Amyloid-like Nanoparticles to Bind and Neutralize SARS-CoV-2. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:11444-11457. [PMID: 36890692 PMCID: PMC9969896 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become a primary health concern. Molecules that prevent viral entry into host cells by interfering with the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2r) opened a promising avenue for virus neutralization. Here, we aimed to create a novel kind of nanoparticle that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2. To this purpose, we exploited a modular self-assembly strategy to engineer OligoBinders, soluble oligomeric nanoparticles decorated with two miniproteins previously described to bind to the S protein receptor binding domain (RBD) with high affinity. The multivalent nanostructures compete with the RBD-ACE2r interaction and neutralize SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (SC2-VLPs) with IC50 values in the pM range, preventing SC2-VLPs fusion with the membrane of ACE2r-expressing cells. Moreover, OligoBinders are biocompatible and significantly stable in plasma. Overall, we describe a novel protein-based nanotechnology that might find application in SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molood Behbahanipour
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Benoit
- Laboratory
of Nanoscale Biology, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Susanna Navarro
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Mahnam K, Ghobadi Z. Finding a prospective dual-target drug for the treatment of coronavirus disease by theoretical study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:12621-12641. [PMID: 34514953 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1973910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spike protein of coronavirus is a key protein in binding and entrance of virus to the human cell via binding to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) domain of S1 subunit to peptidase domain region of ACE2 receptor. In this study, the possible effect of 24 antiviral drugs on the RBD domain of spike protein was investigated via docking and molecular dynamics simulation for finding a dual-target drug. At first, all drugs were docked to the RBD domain of spike protein, and then all complexes and free RBD domains were separately used for molecular dynamics simulation for 50 ns via amber18 software. The simulation results showed that 10 ligands from 28 ligands were separated from the RBD domain, and among 18 remained ligands, baloxavir marboxil, and danoprevir drugs, besides endonuclease activity and protease inhibitory, can bind to key residues of the RBD domain. Then these drugs have a dual target and should be more effective than current drugs, and experimental studies should be done on baloxavir marboxil and danoprevir as more potential drugs for coronavirus disease Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Mahnam
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.,Nanotechnology Research Center, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghobadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
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In silico discovery of multi-targeting inhibitors for the COVID-19 treatment by molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation studies, and ADMET predictions. Struct Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-01996-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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6
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Uhomoibhi JOO, Shode FO, Idowu KA, Sabiu S. Molecular modelling identification of phytocompounds from selected African botanicals as promising therapeutics against druggable human host cell targets of SARS-CoV-2. J Mol Graph Model 2022; 114:108185. [PMID: 35430474 PMCID: PMC9002601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is highly pathogenic and transmissible. It is mediated by the binding of viral spike proteins to human cells via entry and replication processes involving human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (hACE2), transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) and cathepsin L (Cath L). The identification of novel therapeutics that can modulate viral entry or replication has been of research interest and would be germane in managing COVID-19 subjects. This study investigated the structure-activity relationship inhibitory potential of 99 phytocompounds from selected African botanicals with proven therapeutic benefits against respiratory diseases focusing on SARS-CoV-2's human cell proteins (hACE2, TMPRSS2, and Cathepsin L) as druggable targets using computational methods. Evaluation of the binding energies of the phytocompounds showed that two compounds, Abrusoside A (−63.393 kcal/mol) and Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (−58.939 kcal/mol) had stronger affinity for the exopeptidase site of hACE2 compared to the reference drug, MLN-4760 (−54.545 kcal/mol). The study further revealed that Verbascoside (−63.338 kcal/mol), Abrectorin (−37.880 kcal/mol), and Friedelin (−36.989 kcal/mol) are potential inhibitors of TMPRSS2 compared to Nafamostat (−36.186 kcal/mol), while Hemiphloin (−41.425 kcal/mol), Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (−37.257 kcal/mol), and Myricetin-3-O-galactoside (−36.342 kcal/mol) are potential inhibitors of Cathepsin L relative to Bafilomycin A1 (−38.180 kcal/mol). The structural analysis suggests that these compounds do not compromise the structural integrity of the proteins, but rather stabilized and interacted well with the active site amino acid residues critical to inhibition of the respective proteins. Overall, the findings from this study are suggestive of the structural mechanism of inhibitory action of the identified leads against the proteins critical for SARS-CoV-2 to enter the human host cell. While the study has lent credence to the significant role the compounds could play in developing potent SARS-CoV-2 candidate drugs against COVID-19, further structural refinement, and modifications of the compounds for subsequent in vitro as well as preclinical and clinical evaluations are underway.
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Toumi A, Boudriga S, Mandour YM, Mekki AA, Knorr M, Strohmann C, Kirchhoff JL, Sobeh M. Design of Novel Enantiopure Dispirooxindolopyrrolidine-Piperidones as Promising Candidates toward COVID-19: Asymmetric Synthesis, Crystal Structure and In Silico Studies. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27123945. [PMID: 35745069 PMCID: PMC9228936 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, there is still an urgent need for discovering new anti-viral drugs to address the awful spread and transmission of the rapidly modifiable virus. In this study, the ability of a small library of enantiomerically pure spirooxindolopyrrolidine-grafted piperidones to inhibit the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) is evaluated. These spiroheterocycles were synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of various stabilized azomethine ylides with chiral dipolarophiles derived from N-[(S)-(-)-methylbenzyl]-4-piperidone. The absolute configuration of contiguous carbons was confirmed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The binding of these compounds to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Three compounds 4a, 4b and 4e exhibited stable binding modes interacting with the key subsites of the substrate-binding pocket of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The synthesized compounds represent potential leads for the development of novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease protein for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amani Toumi
- Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry Natural Product and Reactivity (LR11ES39), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir 5019, Tunisia;
| | - Sarra Boudriga
- Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry Natural Product and Reactivity (LR11ES39), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir 5019, Tunisia;
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Yasmine M. Mandour
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo 11578, Egypt; (Y.M.M.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Ahmed A. Mekki
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo 11578, Egypt; (Y.M.M.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Michael Knorr
- Institut UTINAM-UMR CNRS 6213, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, 25030 Besançon, France;
| | - Carsten Strohmann
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Technische Universität Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany; (C.S.); (J.-L.K.)
| | - Jan-Lukas Kirchhoff
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Technische Universität Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany; (C.S.); (J.-L.K.)
| | - Mansour Sobeh
- AgroBioSciences Research, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660-Hay MoulayRachid, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (M.S.)
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8
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Correlates of COVID-19 vaccination intentions: Attitudes, institutional trust, fear, conspiracy beliefs, and vaccine skepticism. Soc Sci Med 2022; 302:114981. [PMID: 35512613 PMCID: PMC9017059 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Successful campaigns to combat the COVID-19 pandemic depend, in part, on people's willingness to be vaccinated. It is therefore critical to understand the factors that determine people's vaccination intentions. We applied a reasoned action approach - the theory of planned behavior - to explore these factors. We used data from an online survey of adults (18-74 years; n = 5044) conducted in Germany between April 9 and April 28, 2021 and found that attitudes toward getting vaccinated predicted vaccination intentions, while normative and control beliefs did not. In turn, positive attitudes toward getting vaccinated were supported by trust in science and fear of COVID-19 whereas negative attitudes were associated with acceptance of conspiracy theories and skepticism regarding vaccines in general. We advise policymakers, physicians, and health care providers to address vaccination hesitancy by emphasizing factors that support positive attitudes toward getting vaccinated, such as prevention of serious illness, death, and long-term health detriments, as opposed to exerting social pressure or pointing to the ease of getting vaccinated.
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9
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Patil PJ, Sutar SS, Usman M, Patil DN, Dhanavade MJ, Shehzad Q, Mehmood A, Shah H, Teng C, Zhang C, Li X. Exploring bioactive peptides as potential therapeutic and biotechnology treasures: A contemporary perspective. Life Sci 2022; 301:120637. [PMID: 35568229 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In preceding years, bioactive peptides (BAPs) have piqued escalating attention owing to their multitudinous biological features. To date, many potential BAPs exhibiting anti-cancer activities have been documented; yet, obstacles such as their safety profiles and consumer acceptance continue to exist. Moreover, BAPs have been discovered to facilitate the suppression of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CoVID-19) and maybe ideal for treating the CoVID-19 infection, as stated by published experimental findings, but their widespread knowledge is scarce. Likewise, there is a cornucopia of BAPs possessing neuroprotective effects that mend neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) by regulating gut microbiota, but they remain a subject of research interest. Additionally, a plethora of researchers have attempted next-generation approaches based on BAPs, but they need scientific attention. The text format of this critical review is organized around an overview of BAPs' versatility and diverse bio functionalities with emphasis on recent developments and novelties. The review is alienated into independent sections, which are related to either BAPs based disease management strategies or next-generation BAPs based approaches. BAPs based anti-cancer, anti-CoVID-19, and neuroprotective strategies have been explored, which may offer insights that could help the researchers and industries to find an alternate regimen against the three aforementioned fatal diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that has systematically discussed the next-generation approaches in BAP research. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the BAPs may be optimal for the management of cancer, CoVID-19, and NDs; nevertheless, experimental and preclinical studies are crucial to validate their therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna J Patil
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Shubham S Sutar
- Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416004, India
| | - Muhammad Usman
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Devashree N Patil
- Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416004, India
| | - Maruti J Dhanavade
- Department of Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth's Dr. Patangrao Kadam Mahavidyalaya, Sangli, Maharashtra 416416, India
| | - Qayyum Shehzad
- National Engineering Laboratory for Agri-Product Quality Traceability, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Arshad Mehmood
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Chemical Technology, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Haroon Shah
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Chao Teng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Chemical Technology, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Chengnan Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Chemical Technology, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Xiuting Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 11, Fucheng Road, Beijing 100048, China; Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Chemical Technology, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
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10
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Amara U, Rashid S, Mahmood K, Nawaz MH, Hayat A, Hassan M. Insight into prognostics, diagnostics, and management strategies for SARS CoV-2. RSC Adv 2022; 12:8059-8094. [PMID: 35424750 PMCID: PMC8982343 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra07988c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The foremost challenge in countering infectious diseases is the shortage of effective therapeutics. The emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has posed a great menace to the public health system globally, prompting unprecedented endeavors to contain the virus. Many countries have organized research programs for therapeutics and management development. However, the longstanding process has forced authorities to implement widespread infrastructures for detailed prognostic and diagnostics study of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2). This review discussed nearly all the globally developed diagnostic methodologies reported for SARS CoV-2 detection. We have highlighted in detail the approaches for evaluating COVID-19 biomarkers along with the most employed nucleic acid- and protein-based detection methodologies and the causes of their severe downfall and rejection. As the variable variants of SARS CoV-2 came into the picture, we captured the breadth of newly integrated digital sensing prototypes comprised of plasmonic and field-effect transistor-based sensors along with commercially available food and drug administration (FDA) approved detection kits. However, more efforts are required to exploit the available resources to manufacture cheap and robust diagnostic methodologies. Likewise, the visualization and characterization tools along with the current challenges associated with waste-water surveillance, food security, contact tracing, and their role during this intense period of the pandemic have also been discussed. We expect that the integrated data will be supportive and aid in the evaluation of sensing technologies not only in current but also future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umay Amara
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan 608000 Pakistan
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus 54000 Pakistan
| | - Sidra Rashid
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus 54000 Pakistan
| | - Khalid Mahmood
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan 608000 Pakistan
| | - Mian Hasnain Nawaz
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus 54000 Pakistan
| | - Akhtar Hayat
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus 54000 Pakistan
| | - Maria Hassan
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan 608000 Pakistan
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11
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Kumar S, Paul P, Yadav P, Kaul R, Maitra SS, Jha SK, Chaari A. A multi-targeted approach to identify potential flavonoids against three targets in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Comput Biol Med 2022; 142:105231. [PMID: 35032740 PMCID: PMC8750703 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The advent and persistence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic since December 2019 has created the largest public health emergency in over a century. Despite the administration of multiple vaccines across the globe, there continues to be a lack of approved efficacious non-prophylactic interventions for the disease. Flavonoids are a class of phytochemicals with historically established antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties that are effective against cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and even other human coronaviruses. To identify the most promising bioactive flavonoids against the SARS-CoV-2, this article screened a virtual library of 46 bioactive flavonoids against three promising targets in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle: human TMPRSS2 protein, 3CLpro, and PLpro. By examining the effects of glycosylation and other structural-activity relationships, the presence of sugar moiety in flavonoids significantly reduces its binding energy. It increases the solubility of flavonoids leading to reduced toxicity and higher bioavailability. Through protein-ligand contact profiling, it was concluded that naringin formed more hydrogen bonds with TMPRSS2 and 3CLpro. In contrast, hesperidin formed a more significant number of hydrogen bonds with PLpro. These observations were complimented by the 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy analysis, which showed a considerable stability of docked bioflavonoids in the active site of SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. Finally, the binding affinity and stability of the selected docked complexes were compared with the reference ligands (camostat for TMPRSS2, GC376 for 3CLpro, and GRL0617 for PLpro) that strongly inhibit their respective SARS-COV-2 targets. Overall analysis revealed that the selected flavonoids could be potential therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2. Naringin showed better affinity and stability for TMPRSS2 and 3CLpro, whereas hesperidin showed a better binding relationship and stability for PLpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India; Center for Bioinformatics, Computational and Systems Biology, Pathfinder Research and Training Foundation, Greater Noida, India.
| | - Pradipta Paul
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 24144, Qatar.
| | - Pardeep Yadav
- Center for Bioinformatics, Computational and Systems Biology, Pathfinder Research and Training Foundation, Greater Noida, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India.
| | - Ridhima Kaul
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 24144, Qatar.
| | - S S Maitra
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India.
| | - Ali Chaari
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, 24144, Qatar.
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Da Ruos J, Baldo MA, Daniele S. Analytical Methods for the Determination of Major Drugs Used for the Treatment of COVID-19. A Review. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2022; 53:1698-1732. [PMID: 35195461 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2022.2039094] [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: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak (end 2019 - 2020), therapeutic treatments based on approved drugs have been the fastest approaches to combat the new coronavirus pandemic. Nowadays several vaccines are available. However, the worldwide vaccination program is going to take a long time and its success will depend on the vaccine public's acceptance. Therefore, outside of vaccination, the repurposing of existing antiviral, anti-inflammatory and other types of drugs, have been considered an alternative medical strategy for the COVI-19 infection. Due to the broad clinical potential of the drugs, but also to their possible side effects, analytical methods are needed to monitor the drug concentrations in biological fluids and pharmaceutical products. This review deals with analytical methods developed in the period 2015 - July 2021 to detect potential drugs that, according to a literature survey, have been taken into consideration for the treatment of COVID-19. The drugs considered here have been selected on the basis of the number of articles published in the period January 2020-July 2021, using the combination of the keywords: COVID-19 and drugs or SARS-CoV-2 and drugs. A section is also devoted to monoclonal antibodies. Over the period considered, the analytical methods have been employed in a variety of real samples, such as body fluids (plasma, blood and urine), pharmaceutical products, environmental matrices and food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Da Ruos
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Mestre-Venezia, Italy
| | - M Antonietta Baldo
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Mestre-Venezia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Daniele
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca' Foscari Venice, Mestre-Venezia, Italy
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13
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Hafiz I, Illian DN, Meila O, Utomo ARH, Susilowati A, Susetya IE, Desrita D, Siregar GA, Basyuni M. Effectiveness and Efficacy of Vaccine on Mutated SARS-CoV-2 Virus and Post Vaccination Surveillance: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:82. [PMID: 35062743 PMCID: PMC8777947 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, since December 2019, is a major health problem and concern worldwide. The pandemic has impacted various fields, from the social to the development of health science and technology. The virus has been mutating and thus producing several new variants, rushing research in the field of molecular biology to develop rapidly to overcome the problems that occur. Vaccine clinical studies are developing promptly with the aim of obtaining vaccines that are effective in suppressing the spread of the virus; however, the development of viral mutations raises concerns about the decreasing effectiveness of the resulting vaccine, which also results in the need for more in-depth studies. There have been 330 vaccines developed, including 136 clinical developments and 194 pre-clinical developments. The SARS-CoV-2 variant continues to evolve today, and it poses a challenge in testing the effectiveness of existing vaccines. This is a narrative review describing the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, development of vaccine platforms, identification of concerning mutations and virus variants in various countries of the world, and real-world monitoring of post-vaccination effectiveness and surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihsanul Hafiz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health, Institut Kesehatan Helvetia, Medan 20124, Indonesia;
- Doctoral Program in Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Didi Nurhadi Illian
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia; (D.N.I.); (O.M.)
| | - Okpri Meila
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia; (D.N.I.); (O.M.)
- Doctoral Program of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
| | | | - Arida Susilowati
- Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia; (A.S.); (I.E.S.); (D.D.); (G.A.S.)
- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Ipanna Enggar Susetya
- Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia; (A.S.); (I.E.S.); (D.D.); (G.A.S.)
- Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Desrita Desrita
- Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia; (A.S.); (I.E.S.); (D.D.); (G.A.S.)
- Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Gontar Alamsyah Siregar
- Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia; (A.S.); (I.E.S.); (D.D.); (G.A.S.)
- Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Basyuni
- Center of Excellence for Mangrove, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia; (A.S.); (I.E.S.); (D.D.); (G.A.S.)
- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
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14
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Mao S, Fu L, Yin C, Liu X, Karimi-Maleh H. The role of electrochemical biosensors in SARS-CoV-2 detection: a bibliometrics-based analysis and review. RSC Adv 2022; 12:22592-22607. [PMID: 36105989 PMCID: PMC9372877 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04162f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic of COVID-19, which began in late 2019, has resulted in extremely high morbidity and severe mortality worldwide, with important implications for human health, international trade, and national politics. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is the primary pathogen causing COVID-19. Analytical chemistry played an important role in this global epidemic event, and detection of SARS-CoV-2 even became a part of daily life. Analytical chemists have devoted much effort and enthusiasm to this event, and different analytical techniques have shown very rapid development. Electrochemical biosensors are highly efficient, sensitive, and cost-effective and have been used to detect many highly pathogenic viruses long before this event. However, another fact is that electrochemical biosensors are not the technology of choice for most detection applications. This review describes for the first time the role played by electrochemical biosensors in SARS-CoV-2 detection from a bibliometric perspective. This paper analyzed 254 relevant research papers up to June 2022. The contributions of different countries and institutions to this topic were analyzed. Keyword analysis was used to explore different methodological attempts of electrochemical detection techniques. More importantly, we are trying to find an answer to the question: do electrochemical biosensors have the potential to become a genuinely employable detection technology in an outbreak of infectious disease? This review describes for the first time the role played by electrochemical biosensors in SARS-CoV-2 detection from a bibliometric perspective.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shudan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310021, PR China
| | - Li Fu
- Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Chengliang Yin
- National Engineering Laboratory for Medical Big Data Application Technology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Medical Big Data Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaozhu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Hassan Karimi-Maleh
- School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Xiyuan Ave, 611731, Chengdu, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Quchan University of Technology, Quchan 9477177870, Iran
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, 2028, Johannesburg 17011, South Africa
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15
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Traboulsi H, Khedr MA, Al-Faiyz YSS, Elgorashe R, Negm A. Structure-Based Epitope Design: Toward a Greater Antibody-SARS-CoV-2 RBD Affinity. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:31469-31476. [PMID: 34869973 PMCID: PMC8637584 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Efficient COVID-19 vaccines are widely acknowledged as the best way to end the global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) plays fundamental roles related to cell infection. Antibodies could be developed to target RBD and represent a potential approach for the neutralization of the virus. Epitopes used to produce antibodies are generally linear peptides and thus possess multiple confirmations that do not reflect the actual topology of the targeted part in the native protein. On the other hand, macrocyclic epitopes could constitute closer mimics of the native protein topology and, as such, could generate superior antibodies. In this study, we demonstrated the vital effect of the size and the three-dimensional shape of epitopes on the activity of the developed antibodies against the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. The molecular dynamics studies showed the greater stability of the cyclic epitopes compared with the linear counterparts, which was reflected in the affinity of the produced antibodies. The antibodies developed using macrocyclic epitopes showed superiority with respect to binding to RBD compared to antibodies formed from linear peptides. This study constitutes a roadmap for developing superior antibodies that could be used to inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Traboulsi
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal
University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A. Khedr
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-AHasa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, P.O. Box Cairo 11795, Egypt
| | - Yasair S. S. Al-Faiyz
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal
University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafea Elgorashe
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal
University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr Negm
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal
University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Biochemistry
Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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16
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Kaul R, Paul P, Kumar S, Büsselberg D, Dwivedi VD, Chaari A. Promising Antiviral Activities of Natural Flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Targets: Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11069. [PMID: 34681727 PMCID: PMC8539743 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) became a globally leading public health concern over the past two years. Despite the development and administration of multiple vaccines, the mutation of newer strains and challenges to universal immunity has shifted the focus to the lack of efficacious drugs for therapeutic intervention for the disease. As with SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and other non-respiratory viruses, flavonoids present themselves as a promising therapeutic intervention given their success in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and more recently, in clinical studies. This review focuses on data from in vitro studies analyzing the effects of flavonoids on various key SARS-CoV-2 targets and presents an analysis of the structure-activity relationships for the same. From 27 primary papers, over 69 flavonoids were investigated for their activities against various SARS-CoV-2 targets, ranging from the promising 3C-like protease (3CLpro) to the less explored nucleocapsid (N) protein; the most promising were quercetin and myricetin derivatives, baicalein, baicalin, EGCG, and tannic acid. We further review promising in silico studies featuring activities of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 and list ongoing clinical studies involving the therapeutic potential of flavonoid-rich extracts in combination with synthetic drugs or other polyphenols and suggest prospects for the future of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridhima Kaul
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar; (R.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Pradipta Paul
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar; (R.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Center for Bioinformatics, Computational and Systems Biology, Pathfinder Research and Training Foundation, Greater Noida 201308, India; (S.K.); (V.D.D.)
- School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Dietrich Büsselberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar;
| | - Vivek Dhar Dwivedi
- Center for Bioinformatics, Computational and Systems Biology, Pathfinder Research and Training Foundation, Greater Noida 201308, India; (S.K.); (V.D.D.)
| | - Ali Chaari
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar; (R.K.); (P.P.)
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17
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3-Alkenyl-2-oxindoles: Synthesis, antiproliferative and antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2. Bioorg Chem 2021; 114:105131. [PMID: 34243074 PMCID: PMC8241580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sets of 3-alkenyl-2-oxindoles (6,10,13) were synthesized in a facile synthetic pathway through acid dehydration (EtOH/HCl) of the corresponding 3-hydroxy-2-oxoindolines (5,9,12). Single crystal (10a,c) and powder (12a,26f) X-ray studies supported the structures. Compounds 6c and 10b are the most effective agents synthesized (about 3.4, 3.3 folds, respectively) against PaCa2 (pancreatic) cancer cell line relative to the standard reference used (Sunitinib). Additionally, compound 10b reveals antiproliferative properties against MCF7 (breast) cancer cell with IC50 close to that of Sunitinib. CAM testing reveals that compounds 6 and 10 demonstrated qualitative and quantitative decreases in blood vessel count and diameter with efficacy comparable to that of Sunitinib, supporting their anti-angiogenic properties. Kinase inhibitory properties support their multi-targeted inhibitory activities against VEGFR-2 and c-kit in similar behavior to that of Sunitinib. Cell cycle analysis studies utilizing MCF7 exhibit that compound 6b arrests the cell cycle at G1/S phase while, 10b reveals accumulation of the tested cell at S phase. Compounds 6a and 10b reveal potent antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 with high selectivity index relative to the standards (hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine). Safe profile of the potent synthesized agents, against normal cells (VERO-E6, RPE1), support the possible development of better hits based on the attained observations.
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18
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Phan HAT, Giannakoulias SG, Barrett TM, Liu C, Petersson EJ. Rational design of thioamide peptides as selective inhibitors of cysteine protease cathepsin L. Chem Sci 2021; 12:10825-10835. [PMID: 35355937 PMCID: PMC8901119 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00785h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant levels of cathepsin L (Cts L), a ubiquitously expressed endosomal cysteine protease, have been implicated in many diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Significantly, Cts L has been identified as a potential target for the treatment of COVID-19 due to its recently unveiled critical role in SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells. However, there are currently no clinically approved specific inhibitors of Cts L, as it is often challenging to obtain specificity against the many highly homologous cathepsin family cysteine proteases. Peptide-based agents are often promising protease inhibitors as they offer high selectivity and potency, but unfortunately are subject to degradation in vivo. Thioamide substitution, a single-atom O-to-S modification in the peptide backbone, has been shown to improve the proteolytic stability of peptides addressing this issue. Utilizing this approach, we demonstrate herein that good peptidyl substrates can be converted into sub-micromolar inhibitors of Cts L by a single thioamide substitution in the peptide backbone. We have designed and scanned several thioamide stabilized peptide scaffolds, in which one peptide, RS 1A, was stabilized against proteolysis by all five cathepsins (Cts L, Cts V, Cts K, Cts S, and Cts B) while inhibiting Cts L with >25-fold specificity against the other cathepsins. We further showed that this stabilized RS 1A peptide could inhibit Cts L in human liver carcinoma lysates (IC50 = 19 μM). Our study demonstrates that one can rationally design a stabilized, specific peptidyl protease inhibitor by strategic placement of a thioamide and reaffirms the place of this single-atom modification in the toolbox of peptide-based rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Anh T Phan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Sam G Giannakoulias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Taylor M Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Chunxiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
- Key Laboratory for Northern Urban Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing University of Agriculture Beijing 102206 P. R. China
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
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19
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Chitsike L, Duerksen-Hughes P. Keep out! SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors: their role and utility as COVID-19 therapeutics. Virol J 2021; 18:154. [PMID: 34301275 PMCID: PMC8301738 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01624-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare infrastructures and our social and economic lives under unprecedented strain. Effective solutions are needed to end the pandemic while significantly lessening its further impact on mortality and social and economic life. Effective and widely-available vaccines have appropriately long been seen as the best way to end the pandemic. Indeed, the current availability of several effective vaccines are already making a significant progress towards achieving that goal. Nevertheless, concerns have risen due to new SARS-CoV-2 variants that harbor mutations against which current vaccines are less effective. Furthermore, some individuals are unwilling or unable to take the vaccine. As health officials across the globe scramble to vaccinate their populations to reach herd immunity, the challenges noted above indicate that COVID-19 therapeutics are still needed to work alongside the vaccines. Here we describe the impact that neutralizing antibodies have had on those with early or mild COVID-19, and what their approval for early management of COVID-19 means for other viral entry inhibitors that have a similar mechanism of action. Importantly, we also highlight studies that show that therapeutic strategies involving various viral entry inhibitors such as multivalent antibodies, recombinant ACE2 and miniproteins can be effective not only for pre-exposure prophylaxis, but also in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 antigenic drift and future zoonotic sarbecoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennox Chitsike
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11021 Campus Street, 101 Alumni Hall, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Penelope Duerksen-Hughes
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11021 Campus Street, 101 Alumni Hall, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.
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20
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Nogara PA, Omage FB, Bolzan GR, Delgado CP, Aschner M, Orian L, Teixeira Rocha JB. In silico Studies on the Interaction between Mpro and PLpro From SARS-CoV-2 and Ebselen, its Metabolites and Derivatives. Mol Inform 2021; 40:e2100028. [PMID: 34018687 PMCID: PMC8236915 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 has mobilized scientific attention in search of a treatment. The cysteine‐proteases, main protease (Mpro) and papain‐like protease (PLpro) are important targets for antiviral drugs. In this work, we simulate the interactions between the Mpro and PLpro with Ebselen, its metabolites and derivatives with the aim of finding molecules that can potentially inhibit these enzymes. The docking data demonstrate that there are two main interactions between the thiol (−SH) group of Cys (from the protease active sites) and the electrophilic centers of the organoselenium molecules, i. e. the interaction with the carbonyl group (O=C…SH) and the interaction with the Se moiety (Se…SH). Both interactions may lead to an adduct formation and enzyme inhibition. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with Ebselen indicate that the energetics of the thiol nucleophilic attack is more favorable on Se than on the carbonyl group, which is in accordance with experimental data (Jin et al. Nature, 2020, 582, 289–293). Therefore, organoselenium molecules should be further explored as inhibitors of the SARS‐CoV‐2 proteases. Furthermore, we suggest that some metabolites of Ebselen (e. g. Ebselen diselenide and methylebselenoxide) and derivatives ethaselen and ebsulfur should be tested in vitro as inhibitors of virus replication and its proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Andrei Nogara
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Folorunsho Bright Omage
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Roni Bolzan
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Cássia Pereira Delgado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Laura Orian
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - João Batista Teixeira Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, 97105-900, RS, Brazil
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21
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Shiryaev VA, Klimochkin YN. Main Chemotypes of SARS-CoV-2 Reproduction Inhibitors. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [PMCID: PMC8188765 DOI: 10.1134/s107042802105002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced scientists all over the world to focus their effort on searching for targeted drugs for coronavirus chemotherapy. The present review is an attempt to systematize low-molecular-weight compounds, including well-known pharmaceuticals and natural substances that have exhibited high anti-coronavirus activity, not in terms of action on their targets, but in terms of their structural type.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. A. Shiryaev
- Samara State Technical University, 443100 Samara, Russia
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22
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Attah AF, Fagbemi AA, Olubiyi O, Dada-Adegbola H, Oluwadotun A, Elujoba A, Babalola CP. Therapeutic Potentials of Antiviral Plants Used in Traditional African Medicine With COVID-19 in Focus: A Nigerian Perspective. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:596855. [PMID: 33981214 PMCID: PMC8108136 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.596855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by an infectious novel strain of coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which was earlier referred to as 2019-nCoV. The respiratory disease is the most consequential global public health crisis of the 21st century whose level of negative impact increasingly experienced globally has not been recorded since World War II. Up till now, there has been no specific globally authorized antiviral drug, vaccines, supplement or herbal remedy available for the treatment of this lethal disease except preventive measures, supportive care and non-specific treatment options adopted in different countries via divergent approaches to halt the pandemic. However, many of these interventions have been documented to show some level of success particularly the Traditional Chinese Medicine while there is paucity of well reported studies on the impact of the widely embraced Traditional African Medicines (TAM) adopted so far for the prevention, management and treatment of COVID-19. We carried out a detailed review of publicly available data, information and claims on the potentials of indigenous plants used in Sub-Saharan Africa as antiviral remedies with potentials for the prevention and management of COVID-19. In this review, we have provided a holistic report on evidence-based antiviral and promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of African medicinal plants based on in silico evidence, in vitro assays and in vivo experiments alongside the available data on their mechanistic pharmacology. In addition, we have unveiled knowledge gaps, provided an update on the effort of African Scientific community toward demystifying the dreadful SARS-CoV-2 micro-enemy of man and have documented popular anti-COVID-19 herbal claims emanating from the continent for the management of COVID-19 while the risk potentials of herb-drug interaction of antiviral phytomedicines when used in combination with orthodox drugs have also been highlighted. This review exercise may lend enough credence to the potential value of African medicinal plants as possible leads in anti-COVID-19 drug discovery through research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Francis Attah
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Adeshola Adebayo Fagbemi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olujide Olubiyi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Hannah Dada-Adegbola
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Anthony Elujoba
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Chinedum Peace Babalola
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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23
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Important Roles of Oligo- and Polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2: Recent Advances. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11083512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-initiated outbreak of COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world, posing a huge threat to public health. Natural oligo- and polysaccharides with low toxicity, good sustainability, high biocompatibility, respectable safety, immune regulation, and antiviral activity can be employed as promising candidates for the prevention and inhibition of viral infections, especially COVID-19. Glycosaminoglycans, marine polysaccharides, terrestrial plant polysaccharides, and some others have exhibited potential antiviral activity against pathogenic viruses, in the format of polysaccharide-centered vaccine adjuvants, nano-based structures, drug conveyance platforms, etc. In this review, significant recent advancements pertaining to the antiviral applications of oligo- and polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2 are highlighted, including important challenges and future perspectives.
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Mishra R, Banerjea AC. SARS-CoV-2 Spike Targets USP33-IRF9 Axis via Exosomal miR-148a to Activate Human Microglia. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656700. [PMID: 33936086 PMCID: PMC8079643 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus infection has consistently shown an association with neurological anomalies in patients, in addition to its usual respiratory distress syndrome. Multi-organ dysfunctions including neurological sequelae during COVID-19 persist even after declining viral load. We propose that SARS-CoV-2 gene product, Spike, is able to modify the host exosomal cargo, which gets transported to distant uninfected tissues and organs and can initiate a catastrophic immune cascade within Central Nervous System (CNS). SARS-CoV-2 Spike transfected cells release a significant amount of exosomes loaded with microRNAs such as miR-148a and miR-590. microRNAs gets internalized by human microglia and suppress target gene expression of USP33 (Ubiquitin Specific peptidase 33) and downstream IRF9 levels. Cellular levels of USP33 regulate the turnover time of IRF9 via deubiquitylation. Our results also demonstrate that absorption of modified exosomes effectively regulate the major pro-inflammatory gene expression profile of TNFα, NF-κB and IFN-β. These results uncover a bystander pathway of SARS-CoV-2 mediated CNS damage through hyperactivation of human microglia. Our results also attempt to explain the extra-pulmonary dysfunctions observed in COVID-19 cases when active replication of virus is not supported. Since Spike gene and mRNAs have been extensively picked up for vaccine development; the knowledge of host immune response against spike gene and protein holds a great significance. Our study therefore provides novel and relevant insights regarding the impact of Spike gene on shuttling of host microRNAs via exosomes to trigger the neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Mishra
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
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Adhikari B, Sahu N. COVID-19 into Chemical Science Perspective: Chemical Preventive Measures and Drug Development. ChemistrySelect 2021; 6:2010-2028. [PMID: 33821213 PMCID: PMC8013609 DOI: 10.1002/slct.202100127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 facts and literature are discussed into chemical science intuition highlighting the direct role of chemistry to the ongoing global pandemic by covering structural identification of the virus, chemical preventive measures and development of drugs. We reviewed the four most promising repurposed drugs which are presently being investigated in mass clinical trials on COVID-19 infected persons and synthetic routes of these drugs with their recent advancement. Chemical preventive measures such as soap water, hand sanitizer and disinfectant are the only available options in the arsenal to fight against COVID-19, till an effective medicine or vaccine will be made available. As such the present review will focus on the mode of action of the major chemical preventives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bimalendu Adhikari
- Department of ChemistryNational Institute of Technology Rourkela RourkelaOdisha769008India
| | - Nihar Sahu
- Department of ChemistryNational Institute of Technology Rourkela RourkelaOdisha769008India
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Manzano - Santana PI, Peñarreta Tivillin JP, Chóez-Guaranda IA, Barragán Lucas AD, Orellana - Manzano AK, Rastrelli L. Potential bioactive compounds of medicinal plants against new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A review. BIONATURA 2021. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2021.06.01.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, COVID-19 cases are growing worldwide, and there is no evidence of an effective drug to combat the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this sense, medicinal plants as an alternative treatment are being used without control to handle the pandemic situation. Therefore, bioactive compounds against Coronavirus of medicinal plant species that grow in Ecuador are discussed. The plant species described in this review are Azadirachta indica, Cinchona pubescens, Coriandrum sativum, Cúrcuma longa, Eucalyptus spp, Morus alba, and Salvia rosmarinus[A3] ; and compunds are curcumin, coriandrin, deoxynojirimycin, kuwanon G, mulberroside A, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, quinine, eucalyptol, and jensenone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Isabel Manzano - Santana
- 1 Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador. 2 Laboratorio para investigaciones biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Peñarreta Tivillin
- Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Iván Andrés Chóez-Guaranda
- Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Ana Délida Barragán Lucas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Andrea Katherine Orellana - Manzano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas del Ecuador, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Luca Rastrelli
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salermo, Italia
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Sakkiah S, Guo W, Pan B, Ji Z, Yavas G, Azevedo M, Hawes J, Patterson TA, Hong H. Elucidating Interactions Between SARS-CoV-2 Trimeric Spike Protein and ACE2 Using Homology Modeling and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Front Chem 2021; 8:622632. [PMID: 33469527 PMCID: PMC7813797 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.622632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of October 21, 2020, more than 41.4 million confirmed cases and 1.1 million deaths have been reported. Thus, it is immensely important to develop drugs and vaccines to combat COVID-19. The spike protein present on the outer surface of the virion plays a major role in viral infection by binding to receptor proteins present on the outer membrane of host cells, triggering membrane fusion and internalization, which enables release of viral ssRNA into the host cell. Understanding the interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein and its host cell receptor protein, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is important for developing drugs and vaccines to prevent and treat COVID-19. Several crystal structures of partial and mutant SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins have been reported; however, an atomistic structure of the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein complexed with ACE2 is not yet available. Therefore, in our study, homology modeling was used to build the trimeric form of the spike protein complexed with human ACE2, followed by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate interactions at the interface between the spike protein and ACE2. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) and in silico alanine scanning were employed to characterize the interacting residues at the interface. Twenty interacting residues in the spike protein were identified that are likely to be responsible for tightly binding to ACE2, of which five residues (Val445, Thr478, Gly485, Phe490, and Ser494) were not reported in the crystal structure of the truncated spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) complexed with ACE2. These data indicate that the interactions between ACE2 and the tertiary structure of the full-length spike protein trimer are different from those between ACE2 and the truncated monomer of the spike protein RBD. These findings could facilitate the development of drugs and vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huixiao Hong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, United States
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Abu-Saleh AAAA, Awad IE, Yadav A, Poirier RA. Discovery of potent inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2's main protease by ligand-based/structure-based virtual screening, MD simulations, and binding energy calculations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:23099-23106. [PMID: 33025993 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp04326e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused lockdowns all over the world in early 2020, as a global pandemic. Both theoretical and experimental efforts are seeking to find an effective treatment to suppress the virus. In silico drug design can play a vital role in identifying promising drug candidates against COVID-19. Herein, we focused on the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 that has crucial biological functions in the virus. We performed a ligand-based virtual screening followed by a docking screening for testing approved drugs and bioactive compounds listed in the DrugBank and ChEMBL databases. The top 8 docking results were advanced to all-atom MD simulations to study the relative stability of the protein-ligand interactions. MD simulations support that the catalytic residue, His41, has a neutral side chain with a protonated delta position. An absolute binding energy (ΔG) of -42 kJ mol-1 for the protein-ligand (Mpro-N3) complex has been calculated using the potential-of-mean-force (geometrical) approach. Furthermore, the relative binding energies were computed for the top docking results. Our results suggest several promising approved and bioactive inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro as follows: a bioactive compound, ChEMBL275592, which has the best MM/GBSA binding energy; the second-best compound, montelukast, is an approved drug used in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis; the third-best compound, ChEMBL288347, is a bioactive compound. Bromocriptine and saquinavir are other approved drugs that also demonstrate stability in the active site of Mpro, albeit their relative binding energies are low compared to the N3 inhibitor. This study provides useful insights into de novo protein design and novel inhibitor development, which could reduce the cost and time required for the discovery of a potent drug to combat SARS-CoV-2.
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