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Anastasina M, Füzik T, Domanska A, Pulkkinen LIA, Šmerdová L, Formanová PP, Straková P, Nováček J, Růžek D, Plevka P, Butcher SJ. The structure of immature tick-borne encephalitis virus supports the collapse model of flavivirus maturation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl1888. [PMID: 38959313 PMCID: PMC11221509 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
We present structures of three immature tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) isolates. Our atomic models of the major viral components, the E and prM proteins, indicate that the pr domains of prM have a critical role in holding the heterohexameric prM3E3 spikes in a metastable conformation. Destabilization of the prM furin-sensitive loop at acidic pH facilitates its processing. The prM topology and domain assignment in TBEV is similar to the mosquito-borne Binjari virus, but is in contrast to other immature flavivirus models. These results support that prM cleavage, the collapse of E protein ectodomains onto the virion surface, the large movement of the membrane domains of both E and M, and the release of the pr fragment from the particle render the virus mature and infectious. Our work favors the collapse model of flavivirus maturation warranting further studies of immature flaviviruses to determine the sequence of events and mechanistic details driving flavivirus maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anastasina
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Bioscience Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tibor Füzik
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Aušra Domanska
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Bioscience Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Ilmari Aurelius Pulkkinen
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Bioscience Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lenka Šmerdová
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Pokorná Formanová
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Straková
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Nováček
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Plevka
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah Jane Butcher
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Bioscience Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Ertan-Bolelli T, Bolelli K, Elçi SD, Belen-Apak FB. Promising Drug Fondaparinux for the Treatment of COVID-19: an In Silico Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Heparin, Direct Oral Anticoagulant, and Antiplatelet Drug Interactions with Host Protease Furin. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2024; 38:425-432. [PMID: 36401727 PMCID: PMC9676724 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-022-07406-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE As of July 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 555 million worldwide confirmed cases and caused more than 6.3 million deaths. The studies showed that the D-dimer levels were increased in non-survivors compared to survivors and heparin treatment has begun to be administered to the patients in severe clinics. As we knew that the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 to the host cell needs to be facilitated by host proteases; we published our hypothesis that heparin as a serine protease inhibitor may block the interaction between spike protein receptor-binding domain and host proteases. In our study, we aimed to investigate the interactions between not only heparins but also other antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs including fondaparinux. METHODS In this study, docking studies were carried out to evaluate the interactions between low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) (enoxaparin, dalteparin, tinzaparin), direct oral anticoagulant, and antiplatelet drugs with host proteases. Molecular docking studies were performed by using Schrödinger molecular modeling software. 3D structures of the ligands were obtained from the 2D structures by assigning the OPLS-2005 force field using the Maestro 12.7. The 3D crystal structure of the furin complexed with an inhibitor, 2,5-dideoksistreptamin derivative, was extracted from the Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 5MIM). Docking studies were carried out using the Grid-based Ligand Docking with Energetics module of the Schrödinger Software. RESULTS The docking studies revealed that fondaparinux was the most relevant molecule to interact with furin with a docking score of - 12.74. It showed better interaction than the natural ligand of furin with an increased score compared to the docking score of - 8.155 of the natural ligand. AnaGA*IsA structure representing LMWH structure has shown a docking score of - 11.562 which was also better than the score of the natural ligand of furin. CONCLUSION Our findings have shown that LMWHs and fondaparinux can be used for their possible antiviral effects in COVID-19 patients. Our results have shown that in accordance with heparin and LMWH, fondaparinux can also be a candidate for "drug repurposing" in COVID-19 therapy, not only because of their anticoagulant but also possible antiviral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugba Ertan-Bolelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, 06560 Ankara, Turkey
- Bolelli Lab LLC, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 USA
| | - Kayhan Bolelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, 06560 Ankara, Turkey
- Bolelli Lab LLC, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 USA
- LumiLabs, Ulus, Ankara, 06610 Turkey
| | | | - F. Burcu Belen-Apak
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Faculty, Baskent University, Sehit Temel Kuguluoglu Street No 24, 06490 Bahcelievler/Ankara, Turkey
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Lange RW, Bloch K, Heindl MR, Wollenhaupt J, Weiss MS, Brandstetter H, Klebe G, Falcone FH, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. Fragment-Based Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Aminoisoindole-Derived Furin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400057. [PMID: 38385828 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
A 1H-isoindol-3-amine was identified as suitable P1 group for the proprotein convertase furin using a crystallographic screening with a set of 20 fragments known to occupy the S1 pocket of trypsin-like serine proteases. Its binding mode is very similar to that observed for the P1 group of benzamidine-derived peptidic furin inhibitors suggesting an aminomethyl substitution of this fragment to obtain a couplable P1 residue for the synthesis of substrate-analogue furin inhibitors. The obtained inhibitors possess a slightly improved picomolar inhibitory potency compared to their benzamidine-derived analogues. The crystal structures of two inhibitors in complex with furin revealed that the new P1 group is perfectly suited for incorporation in peptidic furin inhibitors. Selected inhibitors were tested for antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a furin-dependent influenza A virus (SC35M/H7N7) in A549 human lung cells and demonstrated an efficient inhibition of virus activation and replication at low micromolar or even submicromolar concentrations. First results suggest that the Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor GPCR-X2 could be a potential off-target for certain benzamidine-derived furin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman W Lange
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| | - Konstantin Bloch
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wollenhaupt
- Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred S Weiss
- Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria Phone
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| | - Franco H Falcone
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Sven O Dahms
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria Phone
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
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Xie H, Bastepe I, Zhou W, Ay B, Ceraj Z, Portales-Castillo IA, Liu ES, Burnett-Bowie SAM, Jüppner H, Rhee EP, Bastepe M, Simic P. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 regulates furin-mediated FGF23 cleavage. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e168957. [PMID: 37681408 PMCID: PMC10544208 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Intact fibroblast growth factor 23 (iFGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone that is cleaved by furin into N-terminal and C-terminal fragments. Several studies have implicated vitamin D in regulating furin in infections. Thus, we investigated the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D] and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) on furin-mediated iFGF23 cleavage. Mice lacking VDR (Vdr-/-) had a 25-fold increase in iFGF23 cleavage, with increased furin levels and activity compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. Inhibition of furin activity blocked the increase in iFGF23 cleavage in Vdr-/- animals and in a Vdr-knockdown osteocyte OCY454 cell line. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed VDR binding to DNA upstream of the Furin gene, with more transcription in the absence of VDR. In WT mice, furin inhibition reduced iFGF23 cleavage, increased iFGF23, and reduced serum phosphate levels. Similarly, 1,25(OH)2D reduced furin activity, decreased iFGF23 cleavage, and increased total FGF23. In a post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial, we found that ergocalciferol treatment, which increased serum 1,25(OH)2D, significantly decreased serum furin activity and iFGF23 cleavage, compared with placebo. Thus, 1,25(OH)2D inhibits iFGF23 cleavage via VDR-mediated suppression of Furin expression, thereby providing a mechanism by which vitamin D can augment phosphaturic iFGF23 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xie
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isinsu Bastepe
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wen Zhou
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Birol Ay
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zara Ceraj
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ignacio A. Portales-Castillo
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eva S. Liu
- Endocrine Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Harald Jüppner
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eugene P. Rhee
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Murat Bastepe
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Petra Simic
- Nephrology Division and
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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5
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Ji S, Verhelst SHL. Furin-targeting activity-based probes with phosphonate and phosphinate esters as warheads. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:6498-6502. [PMID: 37530461 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob00948c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Activity-based probes (ABPs) are covalent chemical tools that are widely used to target proteases in chemical biology. Here, we report a series of novel ABPs for the serine protease furin with phosphonate and phosphinate esters as reactive electrophiles. We show that these probes covalently label furin and have nanomolar potencies, because of proposed interactions with the different recognition pockets around the active site of furin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanping Ji
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Steven H L Verhelst
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
- AG Chemical Proteomics, Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences - ISAS, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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6
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Gazali FM, Wijayanti N, Hakim MS, Supriyati E, Arguni E, Daniwijaya MEW, Nuryastuti T, Nuhamunada M, Nabilla R, Haryana SM, Wibawa T. The high mutation rate at the D614G hotspot-furin cleavage site region increases the priming efficiency of the Spike protein by furin protease: analysis of Indonesian SARS-CoV-2 G614 variants obtained during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Virusdisease 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37363361 PMCID: PMC10231289 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-023-00827-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
D614G mutation plays a significant role in the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2. Identification of other mutations related to D614G mutation within the Spike protein is pivotal as they might contribute to the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to analyze the mutation rate of furin cleavage site (FCS) region of Indonesian origin SARS-CoV-2 and to predict the effect of mutation against Spike priming efficiency by furin. A total of 375 sequences of Indonesian isolates obtained during the early pandemic were used for mutation analysis. Mutation analysis includes mutation pattern, variability, frequency of mutation, amino acid conservation, and mutation rate. The effect of mutation against Spike priming efficiency by furin protease from eight sequences with mutation in the FCS region was analyzed by protein-protein docking. We showed that mutations related to the G614 variant were increasing through time, in contrast to the D614 variant. The FCS region at the position 675-692 contained the most variable (66.67%) as well as the highest mutation frequency (85.92%) and has been observed to be the hotspot mutations linked to the D614G mutation. The D614G hotspot-FCS region (residue 600-700) had the highest amino acid change per site (20.8%) as well as the highest mutation rate as 1.34 × 10-2 substitution per site per year (95% CI 1.79 × 10-3-2.74 × 10-2), compared with other Spike protein regions. Mutations in the FCS region were the most common mutation found after the D614G mutation. These mutations were predicted to increase the Spike priming efficiency by furin. Thus, this study elucidates the importance of D614G mutation to other mutations located in the FCS region and their significance to Spike priming efficiency by furin. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-023-00827-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faris Muhammad Gazali
- Master Program in Biotechnology, Postgraduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nastiti Wijayanti
- Animal Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mohamad Saifudin Hakim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Endah Supriyati
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Eggi Arguni
- Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Titik Nuryastuti
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Matin Nuhamunada
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rahma Nabilla
- Graduate Program in Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sofia Mubarika Haryana
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Tri Wibawa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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Proprotein convertases regulate trafficking and maturation of key proteins within the secretory pathway. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:1-54. [PMID: 36707198 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein Convertases (PCs) are serine endoproteases that regulate the homeostasis of protein substrates in the cell. The PCs family counts 9 members-PC1/3, PC2, PC4, PACE4, PC5/6, PC7, Furin, SKI-1/S1P, and PCSK9. The first seven PCs are known as Basic Proprotein Convertases due to their propensity to cleave after polybasic clusters. SKI-1/S1P requires the additional presence of hydrophobic residues for processing, whereas PCSK9 is catalytically dead after autoactivation and exerts its functions using mechanisms alternative to direct cleavage. All PCs traffic through the canonical secretory pathway, reaching different compartments where the various substrates reside. Despite PCs members do not share the same subcellular localization, most of the cellular organelles count one or more Proprotein Convertases, including ER, Golgi stack, endosomes, secretory granules, and plasma membranes. The widespread expression of these enzymes at the systemic level speaks for their importance in the homeostasis of a large number of biological functions. Among others, PCs cleave precursors of hormones and growth factors and activate receptors and transcription factors. Notably, dysregulation of the enzymatic activity of Proprotein Convertases is associated to major human pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, infections, inflammation, autoimmunity diseases, and Parkinson. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, Furin has further attracted the attention as a key player for conferring high pathogenicity to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we review the Proprotein Convertases family and their most important substrates along the secretory pathway. Knowledge about the complex functions of PCs is important to identify potential drug strategies targeting this class of enzymes.
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8
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Bandyopadhyay S, Abiodun OA, Ogboo BC, Kola-Mustapha AT, Attah EI, Edemhanria L, Kumari A, Jaganathan R, Adelakun NS. Polypharmacology of some medicinal plant metabolites against SARS-CoV-2 and host targets: Molecular dynamics evaluation of NSP9 RNA binding protein. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:11467-11483. [PMID: 34370622 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1959401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal plants as rich sources of bioactive compounds are now being explored for drug development against COVID-19. 19 medicinal plants known to exhibit antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects were manually curated, procuring a library of 521 metabolites; this was virtually screened against NSP9, including some other viral and host targets and were evaluated for polypharmacological indications. Leads were identified via rigorous scoring thresholds and ADMET filtering. MM-GBSA calculation was deployed to select NSP9-Lead complexes and the complexes were evaluated for their stability and protein-ligand communication via MD simulation. We identified 5 phytochemical leads for NSP9, 23 for Furin, 18 for ORF3a, and 19 for IL-6. Ochnaflavone and Licoflavone B, obtained from Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice), respectively, were identified to have the highest potential polypharmacological properties for the aforementioned targets and may act on multiple pathways simultaneously to inhibit viral entry, replication, and disease progression. Additionally, MD simulation supports the robust stability of Ochnaflavone and Licoflavone B against NSP9 at the active sites via hydrophobic interactions, H-bonding, and H-bonding facilitated by water. This study promotes the initiation of further experimental analysis of natural product-based anti-COVID-19 therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suritra Bandyopadhyay
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), BARC Training School Complex, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Blessing Chinweotito Ogboo
- Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
| | - Adeola Tawakalitu Kola-Mustapha
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,College of Pharmacy, Alfaisal University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emmanuel Ifeanyi Attah
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
| | - Lawrence Edemhanria
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Nigeria
| | | | - Ravindran Jaganathan
- SriSamraj Health Services Pvt. Ltd, Tindivanam, Tamilnadu, India.,Pre-clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL-RCMP), Malaysia
| | - Niyi S Adelakun
- Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.,Bio-Assay and Cheminformatics Unit, Molecular and Simulations, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
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9
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Study of protease-mediated processes initiating viral infection and cell-cell viral spreading of SARS-CoV-2. J Mol Model 2022; 28:224. [PMID: 35854129 PMCID: PMC9296015 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Viral-cell entry and cell-cell viral spreading processes of SARS-CoV-2 are subjected to fast evolutionary optimization because of its worldwide spreading, requiring the need for new drug developments. However, this task is still challenging, because a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular processes, mediated by the key cellular proteases TMPRSS2 and furin, is still lacking. Here, we show by large-scale atomistic calculations that binding of the ACE2 cell receptor at one of the heteromers of the SARS-CoV-2 spike leads to a release of its furin cleavage site (S1/S2), enabling an enhanced furin binding, and that this latter process promotes the binding of TMPRSS2 through the release of the TMPRSS2 cleavage site (S2') out of the ACE2-binding heteromer. Moreover, we find that, after proteolytic cleavage, improved furin binding causes that parts of the S2 subunit dissociate from the complex, suggesting that furin promotes the fusion of the S2 subunit with the cell membrane before transfer of the viral RNA. Here we show by computational means that binding of the ACE2-cell receptor at one of the heteromers of the SARS-CoV-2 spike leads to an enhanced binding of the protease furin, promoting the binding of the protease TMPRSS2. Moreover, we show that, after proteolytic cleavage, improved furin binding causes that parts of the heteromer dissociate from the spike.
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10
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Dahms SO, Schnapp G, Winter M, Büttner FH, Schlepütz M, Gnamm C, Pautsch A, Brandstetter H. Dichlorophenylpyridine-Based Molecules Inhibit Furin through an Induced-Fit Mechanism. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:816-821. [PMID: 35377598 PMCID: PMC9016704 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Inhibitors of the
proprotein convertase furin might serve as broad-spectrum
antiviral therapeutics. High cellular potency and antiviral activity
against acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have
been reported for (3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyridine-derived furin inhibitors.
Here we characterized the binding mechanism of this inhibitor class
using structural, biophysical, and biochemical methods. We established
a MALDI-TOF-MS-based furin activity assay, determined IC50 values, and solved X-ray structures of (3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyridine-derived
compounds in complex with furin. The inhibitors induced a substantial
conformational rearrangement of the active-site cleft by exposing
a central buried tryptophan residue. These changes formed an extended
hydrophobic surface patch where the 3,5-dichlorophenyl moiety of the
inhibitors was inserted into a newly formed binding pocket. Consistent
with these structural rearrangements, we observed slow off-rate binding
kinetics and strong structural stabilization in surface plasmon resonance
and differential scanning fluorimetry experiments, respectively. The
discovered furin conformation offers new opportunities for structure-based
drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gisela Schnapp
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Martin Winter
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Frank H. Büttner
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Marco Schlepütz
- Department of I&R Research, R&D Project Management and Development Strategies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Christian Gnamm
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Alexander Pautsch
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
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11
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Shen G, Gao M, Cao Q, Li W. The Molecular Basis of FIX Deficiency in Hemophilia B. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052762. [PMID: 35269902 PMCID: PMC8911121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coagulation factor IX (FIX) is a vitamin K dependent protein and its deficiency causes hemophilia B, an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder. More than 1000 mutations in the F9 gene have been identified in hemophilia B patients. Here, we systematically summarize the structural and functional characteristics of FIX and the pathogenic mechanisms of the mutations that have been identified to date. The mechanisms of FIX deficiency are diverse in these mutations. Deletions, insertions, duplications, and indels generally lead to severe hemophilia B. Those in the exon regions generate either frame shift or inframe mutations, and those in the introns usually cause aberrant splicing. Regarding point mutations, the bleeding phenotypes vary from severe to mild in hemophilia B patients. Generally speaking, point mutations in the F9 promoter region result in hemophilia B Leyden, and those in the introns cause aberrant splicing. Point mutations in the coding sequence can be missense, nonsense, or silent mutations. Nonsense mutations generate truncated FIX that usually loses function, causing severe hemophilia B. Silent mutations may lead to aberrant splicing or affect FIX translation. The mechanisms of missense mutation, however, have not been fully understood. They lead to FIX deficiency, often by affecting FIX’s translation, protein folding, protein stability, posttranslational modifications, activation to FIXa, or the ability to form functional Xase complex. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of FIX deficiency will provide significant insight for patient diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomin Shen
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Meng Gao
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Qing Cao
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Weikai Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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12
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Abstract
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence revealed a multibasic furin cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary of the spike protein distinguishing this virus from SARS-CoV. Furin, the best-characterized member of the mammalian proprotein convertases, is an ubiquitously expressed single pass type 1 transmembrane protein. Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by furin promotes viral entry into lung cells. While furin knockout is embryonically lethal, its knockout in differentiated somatic cells is not, thus furin provides an exciting therapeutic target for viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections. Several peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors of furin have been recently reported, and select cocrystal structures have been solved, paving the way for further optimization and selection of clinical candidates. This perspective highlights furin structure, substrates, recent inhibitors, and crystal structures with emphasis on furin's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where the current data strongly suggest its inhibition as a promising therapeutic intervention for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam
Eldin A. Osman
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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13
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Mondal T, Shivange G, Habieb A, Tushir-Singh J. A Feasible Alternative Strategy Targeting Furin Disrupts SARS-CoV-2 Infection Cycle. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0236421. [PMID: 35138160 PMCID: PMC8826744 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02364-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 causing coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) remains a public health threat worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 enters human lung cells via its spike glycoprotein binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Notably, the cleavage of the spike by the host cell protease furin in virus-producing cells is critical for subsequent spike-driven entry into lung cells. Thus, effective targeted therapies blocking the spike cleavage and activation in viral producing cells may provide an alternate strategy to break the viral transmission cycle and to overcome disease pathology. Here we engineered and described an antibody-based targeted strategy, which directly competes with the furin mediated proteolytic activation of the spike in virus-producing cells. The described approach involves engineering competitive furin substrate residues in the IgG1 Fc-extended flexible linker domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike targeting antibodies. Considering the site of spike furin cleavage and SARS-CoV-2 egress remains uncertain, the experimental strategy pursued here revealed novel mechanistic insights into proteolytic processing of the spike protein, which suggest that processing does not occur in the constitutive secretory pathway. Furthermore, our results show blockade of furin-mediated cleavage of the spike protein for membrane fusion activation and virus host-cell entry function. These findings provide an alternate insight of targeting applicability to SARS-CoV-2 and the future coronaviridae family members, exploiting the host protease system to gain cellular entry and subsequent chain of infections. IMPORTANCE Since its emergence in December 2019, COVID-19 has remained a global economic and health threat. Although RNA and DNA vector-based vaccines induced antibody response and immunological memory have proven highly effective against hospitalization and mortality, their long-term efficacy remains unknown against continuously evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. As host cell-enriched furin-mediated cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is critical for viral entry and chain of the infection cycle, the solution described here of an antibody Fc-conjugated furin competing peptide is significant. In a scenario where spike mutational drifts do not interfere with the Fc-conjugated antibody's epitope, the proposed furin competing strategy confers a broad-spectrum targeting design to impede the production of efficiently transmissible SARS-CoV-2 viral particles. In addition, the proposed approach is plug-and-play against other potentially deadly viruses that exploit secretory pathway independent host protease machinery to gain cellular entry and subsequent transmissions to host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmoy Mondal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Gururaj Shivange
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Alaa Habieb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jogender Tushir-Singh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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14
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Naveca FG, Nascimento V, Souza V, Corado ADL, Nascimento F, Silva G, Mejía MC, Brandão MJ, Costa Á, Duarte D, Pessoa K, Jesus M, Gonçalves L, Fernandes C, Mattos T, Abdalla L, Santos JH, Martins A, Chui FM, Val FF, de Melo GC, Xavier MS, Sampaio VDS, Mourão MP, Lacerda MV, Batista ÉLR, Magalhães ALÁ, Dábilla N, Pereira LCG, Vinhal F, Miyajima F, Dias FBS, dos Santos ER, Coêlho D, Ferraz M, Lins R, Wallau GL, Delatorre E, Gräf T, Siqueira MM, Resende PC, Bello G. Spread of Gamma (P.1) Sub-Lineages Carrying Spike Mutations Close to the Furin Cleavage Site and Deletions in the N-Terminal Domain Drives Ongoing Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Amazonas, Brazil. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0236621. [PMID: 35196783 PMCID: PMC8865440 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02366-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Amazonas was one of the most heavily affected Brazilian states by the COVID-19 epidemic. Despite a large number of infected people, particularly during the second wave associated with the spread of the Variant of Concern (VOC) Gamma (lineage P.1), SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate in the Amazonas. To understand how SARS-CoV-2 persisted in a human population with a high immunity barrier, we generated 1,188 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences from individuals diagnosed in the Amazonas state from 1st January to 6th July 2021, of which 38 were vaccine breakthrough infections. Our study reveals a sharp increase in the relative prevalence of Gamma plus (P.1+) variants, designated Pango Lineages P.1.3 to P.1.6, harboring two types of additional Spike changes: deletions in the N-terminal (NTD) domain (particularly Δ144 or Δ141-144) associated with resistance to anti-NTD neutralizing antibodies or mutations at the S1/S2 junction (N679K or P681H) that probably enhance the binding affinity to the furin cleavage site, as suggested by our molecular dynamics simulations. As lineages P.1.4 (S:N679K) and P.1.6 (S:P681H) expanded (Re > 1) from March to July 2021, the lineage P.1 declined (Re < 1) and the median Ct value of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in Amazonas significantly decreases. Still, we did not find an increased incidence of P.1+ variants among breakthrough cases of fully vaccinated patients (71%) in comparison to unvaccinated individuals (93%). This evidence supports that the ongoing endemic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Amazonas is driven by the spread of new local Gamma/P.1 sublineages that are more transmissible, although not more efficient to evade vaccine-elicited immunity than the parental VOC. Finally, as SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread in human populations with a declining density of susceptible hosts, the risk of selecting more infectious variants or antibody evasion mutations is expected to increase. IMPORTANCE The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is an expected phenomenon that will continue to happen due to the high number of cases worldwide. The present study analyzed how a Variant of Concern (VOC) could still circulate in a population hardly affected by two COVID-19 waves and with vaccination in progress. Our results showed that the answer behind that was a new generation of Gamma-like viruses, which emerged locally carrying mutations that made it more transmissible and more capable of spreading, partially evading prior immunity triggered by natural infections or vaccines. With thousands of new cases daily, the current pandemics scenario suggests that SARS-CoV-2 will continue to evolve and efforts to reduce the number of infected subjects, including global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, are mandatory. Thus, until the end of pandemics, the SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance will be an essential tool to better understand the drivers of the viral evolutionary process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Gomes Naveca
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Valdinete Nascimento
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Victor Souza
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - André de Lima Corado
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Nascimento
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - George Silva
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Matilde Contreras Mejía
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Maria Júlia Brandão
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Ágatha Costa
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Débora Duarte
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Karina Pessoa
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Michele Jesus
- Laboratório de Diversidade Microbiana da Amazônia com Importância para a Saúde, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Luciana Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação de Vigilância em Saúde do Amazonas - Dra. Rosemary Costa Pinto, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Fernandes
- Fundação de Vigilância em Saúde do Amazonas - Dra. Rosemary Costa Pinto, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Tirza Mattos
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Ligia Abdalla
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Martins
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Fonseca Val
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Gisely Cardoso de Melo
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Mariana Simão Xavier
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanderson de Souza Sampaio
- Fundação de Vigilância em Saúde do Amazonas - Dra. Rosemary Costa Pinto, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Maria Paula Mourão
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinícius Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico e Controle e Doenças Infecciosas da Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Nathânia Dábilla
- Laboratório de Virologia e Cultivo Celular, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Vinhal
- HLAGYN-Laboratório de Imunologia de Transplantes de Goiás, Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fabio Miyajima
- Laboratório Analitico de Competências Moleculares e Epidemiológicas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, Fiocruz, Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Fernando Braga Stehling Dias
- Laboratório Analitico de Competências Moleculares e Epidemiológicas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, Fiocruz, Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ruback dos Santos
- Unidade de Apoio Diagnóstico à COVID-19, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Ceará, Fiocruz, Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Danilo Coêlho
- Departamento de Virologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Matheus Ferraz
- Departamento de Virologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Roberto Lins
- Departamento de Virologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Luz Wallau
- Departamento de Entomologia e Núcleo de Bioinformática, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Edson Delatorre
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Tiago Gräf
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fiocruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marilda Mendonça Siqueira
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo (LVRS), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paola Cristina Resende
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo (LVRS), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gonzalo Bello
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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15
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Capturing a Crucial ‘Disorder-to-Order Transition’ at the Heart of the Coronavirus Molecular Pathology—Triggered by Highly Persistent, Interchangeable Salt-Bridges. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020301. [PMID: 35214759 PMCID: PMC8875383 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 origin debate has greatly been influenced by genome comparison studies of late, revealing the emergence of the Furin-like cleavage site at the S1/S2 junction of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (FLCSSpike) containing its 681PRRAR685 motif, absent in other related respiratory viruses. Being the rate-limiting (i.e., the slowest) step, the host Furin cleavage is instrumental in the abrupt increase in transmissibility in COVID-19, compared to earlier onsets of respiratory viral diseases. In such a context, the current paper entraps a ‘disorder-to-order transition’ of the FLCSSpike (concomitant to an entropy arrest) upon binding to Furin. The interaction clearly seems to be optimized for a more efficient proteolytic cleavage in SARS-CoV-2. The study further shows the formation of dynamically interchangeable and persistent networks of salt-bridges at the Spike–Furin interface in SARS-CoV-2 involving the three arginines (R682, R683, R685) of the FLCSSpike with several anionic residues (E230, E236, D259, D264, D306) coming from Furin, strategically distributed around its catalytic triad. Multiplicity and structural degeneracy of plausible salt-bridge network archetypes seem to be the other key characteristic features of the Spike–Furin binding in SARS-CoV-2, allowing the system to breathe—a trademark of protein disorder transitions. Interestingly, with respect to the homologous interaction in SARS-CoV (2002/2003) taken as a baseline, the Spike–Furin binding events, generally, in the coronavirus lineage, seems to have preference for ionic bond formation, even with a lesser number of cationic residues at their potentially polybasic FLCSSpike patches. The interaction energies are suggestive of characteristic metastabilities attributed to Spike–Furin interactions, generally to the coronavirus lineage, which appears to be favorable for proteolytic cleavages targeted at flexible protein loops. The current findings not only offer novel mechanistic insights into the coronavirus molecular pathology and evolution, but also add substantially to the existing theories of proteolytic cleavages.
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16
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Ashfaq M, Tahir MN, Muhammad S, Munawar KS, Ali S, Ahmed G, Al-Sehemi AG, Alarfaji SS, Ibraheem Khan ME. Shedding Light on the Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Characterization, and Computational Study of Optoelectronic Properties and Bioactivity of Imine derivatives. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:5217-5230. [PMID: 35187337 PMCID: PMC8851652 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two imine compounds named as (E)-2-(((3,4-dichlorophenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (DC2H) and (E)-4-(((2,4-dimethylphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (DM4H) are synthesized, and their crystal structures are verified using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The crystal structures of the compounds are compared with the closely related crystal structures using the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). The crystal packing in terms of intermolecular interactions is fully explored by Hirshfeld surface analysis. Void analysis is carried out for both compounds to check the strength of the crystal packing. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art dual computational technique consisting of quantum chemical and molecular docking methods is used to shed light on the molecular structure, optoelectronic properties, and bioactivity of indigenously synthesized compounds. The optimized molecular geometries are compared with their counterpart experimental values. Based on previous reports of biofunctions of the indigenously synthesized imine derivatives, they are explored for their potential inhibition properties against two very crucial proteins (main protease (Mpro) and nonstructural protein 9 (NSP9)) of SARS-CoV-2. The calculated interaction energy values of DC2H and DM4H with Mpro are found to be -6.3 and -6.6 kcal/mol, respectively, and for NSP9, the calculated interaction energy value is found to be -6.5 kcal/mol. We believe that the current combined study through experiments and computational techniques will not only pique the interest of the broad scientific community but also evoke interest in their further in vitro and in vivo investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ashfaq
- Department
of Physics, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
| | | | - Shabbir Muhammad
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid
University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Saqib Ali
- Department
of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Gulzar Ahmed
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, South
China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid
University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh S. Alarfaji
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid
University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
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17
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Xu YM, Inacio MC, Liu MX, Gunatilaka AAL. Discovery of diminazene as a dual inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 human host proteases TMPRSS2 and furin using cell-based assays. CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 2:100023. [PMID: 35815069 PMCID: PMC8920474 DOI: 10.1016/j.crchbi.2022.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proteases TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease serine 2) and furin are known to play important roles in viral infectivity including systematic COVID-19 infection through priming of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses. To discover small-molecules capable of inhibiting these host proteases, we established convenient and cost-effective cell-based assays employing Vero cells overexpressing TMPRSS2 and furin. A cell-based proteolytic assay for broad-spectrum protease inhibitors was also established using human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. Evaluation of camostat, nafamostat, and gabexate in these cell-based assays confirmed their known TMPRSS2 inhibitory activities. Diminazene, a veterinary medicinal agent and a known furin inhibitor was found to inhibit both TMPRSS2 and furin with IC50s of 1.35 and 13.2 μM, respectively. Establishment and the use of cell-based assays for evaluation TMPRSS2 and furin inhibitory activity and implications of dual activity of diminazene vs TMPRSS2 and furin are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ming Xu
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
| | - Marielle Cascaes Inacio
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
| | - Manping X Liu
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
| | - A A Leslie Gunatilaka
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
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18
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Yu A, Wang S, Xing Y, Han M, Shao K. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone alleviates apoptosis and inflammation induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury via activating TrkB/Akt/NF-kB signaling pathway. Int J Med Sci 2022; 19:13-24. [PMID: 34975295 PMCID: PMC8692126 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.65733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is of common occurrence in retinal and optic nerve diseases. The BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway has been examined to be neuroprotective in RIRI. In this study, we investigated the role of a potent selective TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyfavone (DHF) in rat retinas with RIRI. Our results showed that RIRI inhibited the conversion of BDNF precursor (proBDNF) to mature BDNF (mBDNF) and increased the level of neuronal cell apoptosis. Compared with RIRI, DHF+RIRI reduced proBDNF level and at the same time increased mBDNF level. Moreover, DHF administration effectively activated TrkB signaling and and downstream Akt and Erk signaling pathways which increased nerve cell survival. The combined effects of mBDNF/proBDNF increase and TrkB signaling activation lead to reduction of apoptosis level and protection of retinas with RIRI. Moreover, it was also found that astrocytes labeled by GFAP were activated in RIRI and NF-kB mediated the increased expressions of inflammatory factors and these effects were partially reversed by DHF administration. Besides, we also used RNA sequencing to analyze the differently expressed genes (DEGs) and their enriched (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) KEGG pathways between Sham, RIRI, and DHF+RIRI. It was found that 1543 DEGs were differently expressed in RIRI and 619 DEGs were reversed in DHF+RIRI. The reversed DEGs were typically enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, NF-kB signaling pathway, and Apoptosis. To sum up, the DHF administration alleviated apoptosis and inflammation induced by RIRI via activating TrkB signaling pathway and may serve as a promising drug candidate for RIRI related ophthalmopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aihua Yu
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University,Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shun Wang
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University,Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yiqiao Xing
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mengyao Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University,Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Kun Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University,Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China
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19
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Role of Q675H Mutation in Improving SARS-CoV-2 Spike Interaction with the Furin Binding Pocket. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122511. [PMID: 34960779 PMCID: PMC8705554 DOI: 10.3390/v13122511] [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: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genotype screening was implemented in Italy and showed a significant prevalence of new SARS-CoV-2 mutants carrying Q675H mutation, near the furin cleavage site of spike protein. Currently, this mutation, which is expressed on different SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating worldwide, has not been thoughtfully investigated. Therefore, we performed phylogenetic and biocomputational analysis to better understand SARS-CoV-2 Q675H mutants’ evolutionary relationships with other circulating lineages and Q675H function in its molecular context. Our studies reveal that Q675H spike mutation is the result of parallel evolution because it arose independently in separate evolutionary clades. In silico data show that the Q675H mutation gives rise to a hydrogen-bonds network in the spike polar region. This results in an optimized directionality of arginine residues involved in interaction of spike with the furin binding pocket, thus improving proteolytic exposure of the viral protein. Furin was predicted to have a greater affinity for Q675H than Q675 substrate conformations. As a consequence, Q675H mutation could confer a fitness advantage to SARS-CoV-2 by promoting a more efficient viral entry. Interestingly, here we have shown that Q675H spike mutation is documented in all the VOCs. This finding highlights that VOCs are still evolving to enhance viral fitness and to adapt to the human host. At the same time, it may suggest Q675H spike mutation involvement in SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
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20
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Rahbar MR, Jahangiri A, Khalili S, Zarei M, Mehrabani-Zeinabad K, Khalesi B, Pourzardosht N, Hessami A, Nezafat N, Sadraei S, Negahdaripour M. Hotspots for mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein: a correspondence analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23622. [PMID: 34880279 PMCID: PMC8654821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spike glycoprotein (Sgp) is liable for binding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to the host receptors. Since Sgp is the main target for vaccine and drug designing, elucidating its mutation pattern could help in this regard. This study is aimed at investigating the correspondence of specific residues to the SgpSARS-CoV-2 functionality by explorative interpretation of sequence alignments. Centrality analysis of the Sgp dissects the importance of these residues in the interaction network of the RBD-ACE2 (receptor-binding domain) complex and furin cleavage site. Correspondence of RBD to threonine500 and asparagine501 and furin cleavage site to glutamine675, glutamine677, threonine678, and alanine684 was observed; all residues are exactly located at the interaction interfaces. The harmonious location of residues dictates the RBD binding property and the flexibility, hydrophobicity, and accessibility of the furin cleavage site. These species-specific residues can be assumed as real targets of evolution, while other substitutions tend to support them. Moreover, all these residues are parts of experimentally identified epitopes. Therefore, their substitution may affect vaccine efficacy. Higher rate of RBD maintenance than furin cleavage site was predicted. The accumulation of substitutions reinforces the probability of the multi-host circulation of the virus and emphasizes the enduring evolutionary events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Rahbar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Jahangiri
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Zarei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Kamran Mehrabani-Zeinabad
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahman Khalesi
- Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine, and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Navid Pourzardosht
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Biochemistry Department, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Anahita Hessami
- School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saman Sadraei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 71345-1583, Shiraz, Iran.
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21
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Hossain MS, Tonmoy MIQ, Fariha A, Islam MS, Roy AS, Islam MN, Kar K, Alam MR, Rahaman MM. Prediction of the Effects of Variants and Differential Expression of Key Host Genes ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN in SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis: An In Silico Approach. Bioinform Biol Insights 2021; 15:11779322211054684. [PMID: 34720581 PMCID: PMC8554545 DOI: 10.1177/11779322211054684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A new strain of the beta coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is solely responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although several studies suggest that the spike protein of this virus interacts with the cell surface receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and is subsequently cleaved by TMPRSS2 and FURIN to enter into the host cell, conclusive insight about the interaction pattern of the variants of these proteins is still lacking. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the functional conjugation among the spike protein, ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN in viral pathogenesis as well as the effects of the mutations of the proteins through the implementation of several bioinformatics approaches. Analysis of the intermolecular interactions revealed that T27A (ACE2), G476S (receptor-binding domain [RBD] of the spike protein), C297T (TMPRSS2), and P812S (cleavage site for TMPRSS2) coding variants may render resistance in viral infection, whereas Q493L (RBD), S477I (RBD), P681R (cleavage site for FURIN), and P683W (cleavage site for FURIN) may lead to increase viral infection. Genotype-specific expression analysis predicted several genetic variants of ACE2 (rs2158082, rs2106806, rs4830971, and rs4830972), TMPRSS2 (rs458213, rs468444, rs4290734, and rs6517666), and FURIN (rs78164913 and rs79742014) that significantly alter their normal expression which might affect the viral spread. Furthermore, we also found that ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN proteins are functionally co-related with each other, and several genes are highly co-expressed with them, which might be involved in viral pathogenesis. This study will thus help in future genomics and proteomics studies of SARS-CoV-2 and will provide an opportunity to understand the underlying molecular mechanism during SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Shahadat Hossain
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | | | - Atqiya Fariha
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Sajedul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh
| | - Arpita Singha Roy
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Nur Islam
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Kumkum Kar
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Rahanur Alam
- Department of Food Technology & Nutrition Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
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22
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Dahms SO, Haider T, Klebe G, Steinmetzer T, Brandstetter H. OFF-State-Specific Inhibition of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1692-1700. [PMID: 34415722 PMCID: PMC8453481 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The pro-protein convertase
furin is a highly specific serine protease
involved in the proteolytic maturation of many proteins in the secretory
pathway. It also activates surface proteins of many viruses including
the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Furin inhibitors effectively suppress viral replication and thus are
promising antiviral therapeutics with broad application potential.
Polybasic substrate-like ligands typically trigger conformational
changes shifting furin’s active site cleft from the OFF-state
to the ON-state. Here, we solved the X-ray structures of furin in
complex with four different arginine mimetic compounds with reduced
basicity. These guanylhydrazone-based inhibitor complexes showed for
the first time an active site-directed binding mode to furin’s
OFF-state conformation. The compounds undergo unique interactions
within the S1 pocket, largely different compared to substrate-like
ligands. A second binding site was identified at the S4/S5 pocket
of furin. Crystallography-based titration experiments confirmed the
S1 site as the primary binding pocket. We also tested the proprotein
convertases PC5/6 and PC7 for inhibition by guanylhydrazones and found
an up to 7-fold lower potency for PC7. Interestingly, the observed
differences in the Ki values correlated
with the sequence conservation of the PCs at the allosteric sodium
binding site. Therefore, OFF-state-specific targeting of furin can
serve as a valuable strategy for structure-based development of PC-selective
small-molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tanja Haider
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
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23
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Sheybani Z, Heydari Dokoohaki M, Negahdaripour M, Dehdashti M, Zolghadr H, Moghadami M, Masoompour SM, Zolghadr AR. The interactions of folate with the enzyme furin: a computational study. RSC Adv 2021; 11:23815-23824. [PMID: 35479793 PMCID: PMC9036578 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03299b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Entrance of coronavirus into cells happens through the spike proteins on the virus surface, for which the spike protein should be cleaved into S1 and S2 domains. This cleavage is mediated by furin, a member of the proprotein convertases family, which can specifically cleave Arg-X-X-Arg↓ sites of the substrates. Here, folate (folic acid), a water-soluble B vitamin, is introduced for the inhibition of furin activity. Therefore, molecular insight into the prevention of furin activity in the presence of folic acid derivatives is presented. To this aim, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding free energy calculations were performed to clarify the inhibitory mechanism of these compounds. In this regard, molecular docking studies were conducted to probe the furin binding sites of folic acid derivatives. The MD simulation results indicated that these drugs can efficiently bind to the furin active site. While the folic acid molecule tended to be positioned slightly towards the Glu271, Tyr313, Ala532, Gln488, and Asp530 amino acids of furin at short and long ranges, the folinic acid molecule interacted with Glu271, Ser311, Arg490, Gln488, and Lys499 amino acids. Consequently, binding free energy calculations illustrated that folic acid (−27.90 kcal mol−1) has better binding in comparison with folinic acid (−12.84 kcal mol−1). The present study introduces the ability of folic acid to interact and inhibit furin proprotein.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sheybani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Aliasghar Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Maryam Heydari Dokoohaki
- Department of Chemistry, Shiraz University Shiraz 71946-84795 Iran +98 713 646 0788 +98 713 613 7100
| | - Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | | | - Hassan Zolghadr
- Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Mohsen Moghadami
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Seyed Masoom Masoompour
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Amin Reza Zolghadr
- Department of Chemistry, Shiraz University Shiraz 71946-84795 Iran +98 713 646 0788 +98 713 613 7100.,Fars Science and Technology Park Shiraz Iran
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24
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Zhu C, He G, Yin Q, Zeng L, Ye X, Shi Y, Xu W. Molecular biology of the SARs-CoV-2 spike protein: A review of current knowledge. J Med Virol 2021; 93:5729-5741. [PMID: 34125455 PMCID: PMC8427004 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has led to an unprecedented worldwide public health emergency. Despite the concerted efforts of the scientific field, by April 25, 2021, SARS‐CoV‐2 had spread to over 192 countries/regions, causing more than 146 million confirmed cases including 31 million deaths. For now, an established treatment for patients with COVID‐19 remains unavailable. The key to tackling this pandemic is to understand the mechanisms underlying its infectivity and pathogenicity. As a predominant focus, the coronavirus spike (S) protein is the key determinant of host range, infectivity, and pathogenesis. Thereby comprehensive understanding of the sophisticated structure of SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein may provide insights into possible intervention strategies to fight this ongoing global pandemic. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge of the molecular structural and functional features of SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein as well as recent updates on the cell entry mechanism of the SARS‐CoV‐2, paving the way for exploring more structure‐guided strategies against SARS‐CoV‐2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaogeng Zhu
- Translational Medicine Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Guiyun He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Qinqin Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lin Zeng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangli Ye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongzhong Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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25
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Molecular mechanism of interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and host cells and interventional therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:233. [PMID: 34117216 PMCID: PMC8193598 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00653-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has resulted in an unprecedented setback for global economy and health. SARS-CoV-2 has an exceptionally high level of transmissibility and extremely broad tissue tropism. However, the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for sustaining this degree of virulence remains largely unexplored. In this article, we review the current knowledge and crucial information about how SARS-CoV-2 attaches on the surface of host cells through a variety of receptors, such as ACE2, neuropilin-1, AXL, and antibody-FcγR complexes. We further explain how its spike (S) protein undergoes conformational transition from prefusion to postfusion with the help of proteases like furin, TMPRSS2, and cathepsins. We then review the ongoing experimental studies and clinical trials of antibodies, peptides, or small-molecule compounds with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, and discuss how these antiviral therapies targeting host-pathogen interaction could potentially suppress viral attachment, reduce the exposure of fusion peptide to curtail membrane fusion and block the formation of six-helix bundle (6-HB) fusion core. Finally, the specter of rapidly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants deserves a serious review of broad-spectrum drugs or vaccines for long-term prevention and control of COVID-19 in the future.
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26
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Müller P, Maus H, Hammerschmidt SJ, Knaff P, Mailänder V, Schirmeister T, Kersten C. Interfering with Host Proteases in SARS-CoV-2 Entry as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:635-665. [PMID: 34042026 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210526111318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to its fast international spread and substantial mortality, the coronavirus disease COVID-19 evolved to a global threat. Since currently, there is no causative drug against this viral infection available, science is striving for new drugs and approaches to treat the new disease. Studies have shown that the cell entry of coronaviruses into host cells takes place through the binding of the viral spike (S) protein to cell receptors. Priming of the S protein occurs via hydrolysis by different host proteases. The inhibition of these proteases could impair the processing of the S protein, thereby affecting the interaction with the host-cell receptors and preventing virus cell entry. Hence, inhibition of these proteases could be a promising strategy for treatment against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss the current state of the art of developing inhibitors against the entry proteases furin, the transmembrane serine protease type-II (TMPRSS2), trypsin, and cathepsin L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Müller
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hannah Maus
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Josef Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philip Knaff
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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27
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Chen P, Wang H, Wu H, Zou P, Wang C, Liu X, Pan Y, Liu Y, Liang G. Intracellular Synthesis of Hybrid Gallium-68 Nanoparticle Enhances MicroPET Tumor Imaging. Anal Chem 2021; 93:6329-6334. [PMID: 33848118 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging enables cancer diagnosis at an early stage and to determine its pathological degree. However, tumor uptake efficiency of traditional PET radiotracers is usually low. Herein, we rationally designed a precursor CBT-NODA, the cold analogue CBT-NODA-Ga, and its corresponding radiotracer CBT-NODA-68Ga. Using these three compounds, we verified that coinjection of CBT-NODA-68Ga with CBT-NODA or CBT-NODA-Ga could lead to the synthesis of hybrid gallium-68 nanoparticles in furin-overexpressing cancer cells and enhance microPET tumor imaging in mice. In vivo experiments showed that coinjection of CBT-NODA-68Ga with CBT-NODA-Ga had the most prolonged retention of the radiotracer in blood, the highest radioactivity in tumor regions, and the most enhanced microPET tumor imaging in mice. We anticipate that, by combining the coinjection strategy with our CBT-Cys click condensation reaction, more radiotracers are developed for microPET imaging of more tumors in clinical settings in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.,Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214063, China
| | - Hao Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214063, China
| | - Pei Zou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214063, China
| | - Chenchen Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xiaoyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Yue Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yaling Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214063, China
| | - Gaolin Liang
- Hefei National Laboratory of Physical Sciences at Microscale, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
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28
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Hancock JT, Rouse RC, Stone E, Greenhough A. Interacting Proteins, Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:797. [PMID: 33809265 PMCID: PMC8000148 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a world-wide problem for the human population. It is known that some animal species, such as mink, can become infected and transmit the virus. However, the susceptibility of most animals is not known. Here, we review the use of sequence analysis of the proteins which are known to interact with SARS-CoV-2 as a way to estimate an animal's susceptibility. Although most such work concentrates on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2), here TMPRSS2 (Transmembrane Serine Protease 2), neuropilin-1 and furin are also considered. Polymorphisms, especially ones which are known to alter viral/host interactions are also discussed. Analysis of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein sequences across species suggests this approach may be of some utility in predicting susceptibility; however, this analysis fails to highlight some susceptible animals such as mink. However, combined with observational data which emerges over time about which animals actually become infected, this may, in the future, be a useful tool to assist the management of risks associated with human/animal contact and support conservation and animal welfare measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Hancock
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (E.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Ros C. Rouse
- Research, Business and Innovation, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK;
| | - Emma Stone
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (E.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexander Greenhough
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (E.S.); (A.G.)
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29
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Lam van TV, Heindl MR, Schlutt C, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Bartenschlager R, Klebe G, Brandstetter H, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. The Basicity Makes the Difference: Improved Canavanine-Derived Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:426-432. [PMID: 33732412 PMCID: PMC7957917 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Furin activates numerous
viral glycoproteins, and its inhibition
prevents virus replication and spread. Through the replacement of
arginine by the less basic canavanine, new inhibitors targeting furin
in the trans-Golgi network were developed. These inhibitors exert
potent antiviral activity in cell culture with much lower toxicity
than arginine-derived analogues, most likely due to their reduced
protonation in the blood circulation. Thus, despite its important
physiological functions, furin might be a suitable antiviral drug
target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Van Lam van
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Christine Schlutt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University and German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sven O. Dahms
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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Lewandowska-Goch MA, Kwiatkowska A, Łepek T, Ly K, Navals P, Gagnon H, Dory YL, Prahl A, Day R. Design and Structure-Activity Relationship of a Potent Furin Inhibitor Derived from Influenza Hemagglutinin. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:365-372. [PMID: 33738063 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin plays an important role in various pathological states, especially in bacterial and viral infections. A detailed understanding of the structural requirements for inhibitors targeting this enzyme is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies in infectious diseases, including an urgent unmet need for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previously, we have identified a potent furin inhibitor, peptide Ac-RARRRKKRT-NH 2 (CF1), based on the highly pathogenic avian influenza hemagglutinin. The goal of this study was to determine how its N-terminal part (the P8-P5 positions) affects its activity profile. To do so, the positional-scanning libraries of individual peptides modified at the selected positions with natural amino acids were generated. Subsequently, the best substitutions were combined together and/or replaced by unnatural residues to expand our investigations. The results reveal that the affinity of CF1 can be improved (2-2.5-fold) by substituting its P5 position with the small hydrophobic residues (Ile or Val) or a basic Lys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika A. Lewandowska-Goch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Teresa Łepek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kévin Ly
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Pauline Navals
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Hugo Gagnon
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Yves L. Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
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Çubuk H, Özbİl M. Comparison of clinically approved molecules on SARS-CoV-2 drug target proteins: a molecular docking study. Turk J Chem 2021; 45:35-41. [PMID: 33679150 PMCID: PMC7925319 DOI: 10.3906/kim-2008-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The new type of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 has affected more than 22.6 million people worldwide. Since the first day the virus was spotted in Wuhan, China, numerous drug design studies have been conducted all over the globe. Most of these studies target the receptor-binding domain of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which is known to bind to the human ACE2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2 main protease, vital for the virus’ replication. However, there might be a third target, human furin protease, which cleaves the virus’ S1-S2 domains playing an active role in its entry into the host cell. In this study, we docked five clinically used drug molecules, favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, lopinavir, and ritonavir onto three target proteins, the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, SARS-CoV-2 main protease, and human furin protease. Results of molecular docking simulations revealed that human furin protease might be targeted by COVID-19. Remdesivir, a nucleic acid derivative, strongly bound to the active site of this protease, suggesting that this molecule can be used as a template for designing novel furin protease inhibitors to fight against the disease. Protein-drug interactions revealed in this study at the molecular level, can pave the way for better drug design for each specific target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Çubuk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, İstanbul Arel University, İstanbul Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özbİl
- Institute of Biotechnology, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli Turkey
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32
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Chakraborty C, Bhattacharya M, Mallick B, Sharma AR, Lee SS, Agoramoorthy G. SARS-CoV-2 protein drug targets landscape: a potential pharmacological insight view for the new drug development. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2021; 14:225-238. [PMID: 33423554 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1874348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Protein drug targets play a significant choice in different stages of the drug discovery process. There is an urgent need to understand the drug discovery approaches and protein drug targets (PDT) of SARS-CoV-2, with structural insights for the development of SARS-CoV-2 drugs through targeted therapeutic approach.Areas covered: We have described the protein as a drug target class and also discussed various drug discovery approaches for SARS-CoV-2 involving the protein drug targets such as drug repurposing study, designing of viral entry inhibitors, viral replication inhibitors, and different enzymes of the virus. We have performed comprehensive literature search from the popular databases such as PubMed Google scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Finally, we have illustrated the structural landscape of different significant viral proteins (3 CLpro or Mpro, PLpro, RdRp, helicase, S protein) and host proteins as drug targets (cathepsin L, furin, TMPRSS2, ACE2).Expert opinion: The structural landscape of PDT with their binding pockets, and significant residues involved in binding has been discussed further to better understand the PDT and the structure-based drug discovery for SARS-CoV-2. This attempt will increase more therapeutic options, and combination therapies with a multi-target strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal India.,Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Bidyut Mallick
- Department of Applied Science, Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan Sharma
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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Milanović ŽB, Antonijević MR, Amić AD, Avdović EH, Dimić DS, Milenković DA, Marković ZS. Inhibitory activity of quercetin, its metabolite, and standard antiviral drugs towards enzymes essential for SARS-CoV-2: the role of acid-base equilibria. RSC Adv 2021; 11:2838-2847. [PMID: 35424215 PMCID: PMC8693803 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra09632f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently declared global pandemic of a new human coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which causes respiratory tract disease COVID-19, has reached worldwide resonance and global efforts are being made to look for possible cures. Sophisticated molecular docking software, as well as available protein sequence and structure information, offer the ability to test the inhibition of two important targets of SARS-CoV-2, furin (FUR) enzyme, and spike glycoprotein, or spike protein (SP), that are key to host cell adhesion and hijacking. The potential inhibitory effect and mechanism of action of acid-base forms of different antiviral drugs, dominant at physiological pH, chloroquine (CQ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and cinanserin (CIN), which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 virus, is reported with the special emphasis on their relative abundances. On the other hand, the potential inhibitory effect of the dominant acid-base forms of quercetin (Q) and its oxidative metabolite 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxy-3(2H) benzofuranone (BZF), which are constituents of traditional food products believed to exhibit antiviral effects, was also examined. The undertaken study includes the determination of the major energy contributions to the binding energy as well as in-depth analysis of amino acid residues at the active pocket and possible interactions. The approach that we propose here may be an additional strategy for combating the deadly virus by preventing the first step of the virus replication cycle. Preliminary research has shown that the investigated compounds exert an inhibitory effect against the SARS-CoV-2 furin enzyme and spiked glycoprotein through different acid-base forms. These investigations may be helpful in creating potential therapeutic agents in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. On the other hand, the results we predicted in this computational study may be the basis for new experimental in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Žiko B Milanović
- University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry 12 Radoja Domanovića 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
| | - Marko R Antonijević
- University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies, Department of Science Jovana Civijića bb 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
| | - Ana D Amić
- Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Department of Chemistry Ulica cara Hadrijana 8/A Osijek Croatia
| | - Edina H Avdović
- University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies, Department of Science Jovana Civijića bb 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
| | - Dušan S Dimić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Physical Chemistry Studentski trg 12-16 11000 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Dejan A Milenković
- University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies, Department of Science Jovana Civijića bb 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
| | - Zoran S Marković
- University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies, Department of Science Jovana Civijića bb 34000 Kragujevac Serbia
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Naveja JJ, Madariaga-Mazón A, Flores-Murrieta F, Granados-Montiel J, Maradiaga-Ceceña M, Alaniz VD, Maldonado-Rodriguez M, García-Morales J, Senosiain-Peláez JP, Martinez-Mayorga K. Union is strength: antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs for COVID-19. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:229-239. [PMID: 33127568 PMCID: PMC7590638 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
•Treatment for moderately ill COVID-19 patients might arise from drug repurposing •RdRp, spike protein, and Mpro are relevant SARS-CoV-2 molecular targets. •Targeting human furin may contain viral infection and inflammation. •Molecular docking and clinical experience is useful for drug repurposing. Several clinical trials to treat Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) are in progress around the world. Some of them rely on clinical experience, whereas others include computational predictions. Here, we provide an overview of current efforts in the search for COVID-19 therapies, focusing on structural information of relevant targets. We elaborate on a robust pharmacological rationale for the repurposing of existing drugs, highlighting key advantages of dual therapies with antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, we provide a consensus list of molecules that could undergo preliminary randomized clinical trials against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J Naveja
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Francisco Flores-Murrieta
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias 'Ismael Cosío Villegas', Mexico City, Mexico; Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Julio Granados-Montiel
- Regenerative Medicine Unit, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación 'Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra', Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Víctor Duarte Alaniz
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Gioia M, Ciaccio C, Calligari P, De Simone G, Sbardella D, Tundo G, Fasciglione GF, Di Masi A, Di Pierro D, Bocedi A, Ascenzi P, Coletta M. Role of proteolytic enzymes in the COVID-19 infection and promising therapeutic approaches. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 182:114225. [PMID: 32956643 PMCID: PMC7501082 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the Fall of 2019 a sudden and dramatic outbreak of a pulmonary disease (Coronavirus Disease COVID-19), due to a new Coronavirus strain (i.e., SARS-CoV-2), emerged in the continental Chinese area of Wuhan and quickly diffused throughout the world, causing up to now several hundreds of thousand deaths. As for common viral infections, the crucial event for the viral life cycle is the entry of genetic material inside the host cell, realized by the spike protein of the virus through its binding to host receptors and its activation by host proteases; this is followed by translation of the viral RNA into a polyprotein, exploiting the host cell machinery. The production of individual mature viral proteins is pivotal for replication and release of new virions. Several proteolytic enzymes either of the host and of the virus act in a concerted fashion to regulate and coordinate specific steps of the viral replication and assembly, such as (i) the entry of the virus, (ii) the maturation of the polyprotein and (iii) the assembly of the secreted virions for further diffusion. Therefore, proteases involved in these three steps are important targets, envisaging that molecules which interfere with their activity are promising therapeutic compounds. In this review, we will survey what is known up to now on the role of specific proteolytic enzymes in these three steps and of most promising compounds designed to impair this vicious cycle.
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Key Words
- covid-19, coronavirus disease – 19
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome – 2
- mers-cov, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- orf, open reading frame
- plpro, papain-like protease
- mpro, main protease
- pp, polyprotein
- nsp, non structural protein
- rdrp, rna dependent rna polymerase
- hel, helicase
- s protein, spike protein
- tmprss2, trans-membrane protease serine protease-2
- tmprss4, trans-membrane protease serine protease-4
- hat, human airway trypsin-like protease
- tgn, trans-golgi network
- ace2, angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor-2
- rbd, receptor binding domain
- pc, pro-protein convertase
- hcov-oc43, human coronavirus-oc43
- mhv-a59, murine hepatitis virus – a59
- hiv, human immunodeficiency virus
- cmk, chloro-methyl-ketone
- dec, decanoyl
- phac, phenyl-acetyl
- ttsp, type ii transmembrane serine proteases family
- hpv, human papillomavirus
- hbv, hepatitis b virus
- evd, ebola virus disease
- zikv, zika virus
- jev, japanese encephalitis virus
- fpv, feline panleukopenia virus
- hpaiv, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
- cdv, canine distemper virus
- rsv, respiratory syncytial virus (rsv)
- a1at, alpha-1-anti trypsin
- aebsf, 4-(2-aminomethyl)-benzene sulphonyl fluoride
- bhh, bromhexine hydrochloride
- pcsk, pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin
- ampk, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase
- hcov-nl63, human coronavirus – nl63
- hcov-229e, human coronavirus – 229e
- hcov-hku1, human coronavirus – hku1
- 3cpro, 3chymotrypsin protease of rhinoviruses
- 3d-qsar, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships
- fda, food and drug agency
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Gioia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
| | - Chiara Ciaccio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
| | - Paolo Calligari
- Department of Chemical and Technological Sciences, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Donato Di Pierro
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Bocedi
- Department of Chemical and Technological Sciences, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Ascenzi
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy,Interdepartmental Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Massimo Coletta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
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36
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Gil C, Ginex T, Maestro I, Nozal V, Barrado-Gil L, Cuesta-Geijo MÁ, Urquiza J, Ramírez D, Alonso C, Campillo NE, Martinez A. COVID-19: Drug Targets and Potential Treatments. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12359-12386. [PMID: 32511912 PMCID: PMC7323060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Currently, humans are immersed in a pandemic caused by the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which threatens public health worldwide. To date, no drug or vaccine has been approved to treat the severe disease caused by this coronavirus, COVID-19. In this paper, we will focus on the main virus-based and host-based targets that can guide efforts in medicinal chemistry to discover new drugs for this devastating disease. In principle, all CoV enzymes and proteins involved in viral replication and the control of host cellular machineries are potentially druggable targets in the search for therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2. This Perspective provides an overview of the main targets from a structural point of view, together with reported therapeutic compounds with activity against SARS-CoV-2 and/or other CoVs. Also, the role of innate immune response to coronavirus infection and the related therapeutic options will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tiziana Ginex
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Maestro
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Nozal
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Barrado-Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Cuesta-Geijo
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Urquiza
- Department of Biotechnology,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA),
Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid,
Spain
| | - David Ramírez
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas,
Universidad Autónoma de Chile,
Llano Subercaseaux 2801- piso 6, 7500912 Santiago,
Chile
| | - Covadonga Alonso
- Department of Biotechnology,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA),
Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid,
Spain
| | - Nuria E. Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Wu C, Zheng M, Yang Y, Gu X, Yang K, Li M, Liu Y, Zhang Q, Zhang P, Wang Y, Wang Q, Xu Y, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Chen L, Li H. Furin: A Potential Therapeutic Target for COVID-19. iScience 2020; 23:101642. [PMID: 33043282 PMCID: PMC7534598 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 broke out in the end of December 2019 and is still spreading rapidly, which has been listed as an international concerning public health emergency. We found that the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains a furin cleavage site, which did not exist in any other betacoronavirus subtype B. Based on a series of analysis, we speculate that the presence of a redundant furin cut site in its Spike protein is responsible for SARS-CoV-2's stronger infectious nature than other coronaviruses, which leads to higher membrane fusion efficiency. Subsequently, a library of 4,000 compounds including approved drugs and natural products was screened against furin through structure-based virtual screening and then assayed for their inhibitory effects on furin activity. Among them, an anti-parasitic drug, diminazene, showed the highest inhibition effects on furin with an IC50 of 5.42 ± 0.11 μM, which might be used for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canrong Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mengzhu Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yueying Yang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xiaoxia Gu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Kaiyin Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mingxue Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qingzhe Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yirong Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Lixia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Hua Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji-Rongcheng Center for Biomedicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- Corresponding author
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38
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Klaassen K, Stankovic B, Zukic B, Kotur N, Gasic V, Pavlovic S, Stojiljkovic M. Functional prediction and comparative population analysis of variants in genes for proteases and innate immunity related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 84:104498. [PMID: 32771700 PMCID: PMC7410821 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
New coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is capable to infect humans and cause a novel disease COVID-19. Aiming to understand a host genetic component of COVID-19, we focused on variants in genes encoding proteases and genes involved in innate immunity that could be important for susceptibility and resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Analysis of sequence data of coding regions of FURIN, PLG, PRSS1, TMPRSS11a, MBL2 and OAS1 genes in 143 unrelated individuals from Serbian population identified 22 variants with potential functional effect. In silico analyses (PolyPhen-2, SIFT, MutPred2 and Swiss-Pdb Viewer) predicted that 10 variants could impact the structure and/or function of proteins. These protein-altering variants (p.Gly146Ser in FURIN; p.Arg261His and p.Ala494Val in PLG; p.Asn54Lys in PRSS1; p.Arg52Cys, p.Gly54Asp and p.Gly57Glu in MBL2; p.Arg47Gln, p.Ile99Val and p.Arg130His in OAS1) may have predictive value for inter-individual differences in the response to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Next, we performed comparative population analysis for the same variants using extracted data from the 1000 Genomes project. Population genetic variability was assessed using delta MAF and Fst statistics. Our study pointed to 7 variants in PLG, TMPRSS11a, MBL2 and OAS1 genes with noticeable divergence in allelic frequencies between populations worldwide. Three of them, all in MBL2 gene, were predicted to be damaging, making them the most promising population-specific markers related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Comparing allelic frequencies between Serbian and other populations, we found that the highest level of genetic divergence related to selected loci was observed with African, followed by East Asian, Central and South American and South Asian populations. When compared with European populations, the highest divergence was observed with Italian population. In conclusion, we identified 4 variants in genes encoding proteases (FURIN, PLG and PRSS1) and 6 in genes involved in the innate immunity (MBL2 and OAS1) that might be relevant for the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristel Klaassen
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Stankovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Zukic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Kotur
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Gasic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sonja Pavlovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Stojiljkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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39
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Structural and functional modelling of SARS-CoV-2 entry in animal models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15917. [PMID: 32985513 PMCID: PMC7522990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72528-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the novel coronavirus responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19, a disease that has spread to over 100 countries and, as of the 26th July 2020, has infected over 16 million people. Despite the urgent need to find effective therapeutics, research on SARS-CoV-2 has been affected by a lack of suitable animal models. To facilitate the development of medical approaches and novel treatments, we compared the ACE2 receptor, and TMPRSS2 and Furin proteases usage of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein in human and in a panel of animal models, i.e. guinea pig, dog, cat, rat, rabbit, ferret, mouse, hamster and macaque. Here we showed that ACE2, but not TMPRSS2 or Furin, has a higher level of sequence variability in the Spike protein interaction surface, which greatly influences Spike protein binding mode. Using molecular docking simulations we compared the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteins in complex with the ACE2 receptor and showed that the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein is compatible to bind the human ACE2 with high specificity. In contrast, TMPRSS2 and Furin are sufficiently similar in the considered hosts not to drive susceptibility differences. Computational analysis of binding modes and protein contacts indicates that macaque, ferrets and hamster are the most suitable models for the study of inhibitory antibodies and small molecules targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein interaction with ACE2. Since TMPRSS2 and Furin are similar across species, our data also suggest that transgenic animal models expressing human ACE2, such as the hACE2 transgenic mouse, are also likely to be useful models for studies investigating viral entry.
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Haque SKM, Ashwaq O, Sarief A, Azad John Mohamed AK. A comprehensive review about SARS-CoV-2. Future Virol 2020; 15:625-648. [PMID: 33224265 PMCID: PMC7664148 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first identified in China, December 2019. Since then, it has spread the length and breadth of the world at an unprecedented, alarming rate. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2, which causes COVID-19, has much in common with its closest homologs, SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV. The virus-host interaction of SARS-CoV-2 uses the same receptor, ACE2, which is similar to that of SARS-CoV, which spreads through the respiratory tract. Patients with COVID-19 report symptoms including mild-to-severe fever, cough and fatigue; very few patients report gastrointestinal infections. There are no specific antiviral strategies. A few strong medications are under investigation, so we have to focus on proposals which ought to be taken to forestall this infection in a living host.
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Affiliation(s)
- SK Manirul Haque
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Ashwaq
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulla Sarief
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Kalam Azad John Mohamed
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
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41
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Vankadari N. Structure of Furin Protease Binding to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Implications for Potential Targets and Virulence. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:6655-6663. [PMID: 32787225 PMCID: PMC7409919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c01698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is an urgent global health emergency, and the presence of Furin site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein alters virulence and warrants further molecular, structural, and biophysical studies. Here we report the structure of Furin in complex with SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, demonstrating how Furin binds to the S1/S2 region of spike glycoprotein and eventually cleaves the viral protein using experimental functional studies, molecular dynamics, and docking. The structural studies underline the mechanism and mode of action of Furin, which is a key process in host cell entry and a hallmark of enhanced virulence. Our whole-exome sequencing analysis shows the genetic variants/alleles in Furin were found to alter the binding affinity for viral spike glycoprotein and could vary in infectivity in humans. Unravelling the mechanisms of Furin action, binding dynamics, and the genetic variants opens the growing arena of bona fide antibodies and development of potential therapeutics targeting the blockage of Furin cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Vankadari
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash
University, Victoria 3800,
Australia
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42
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Braun NJ, Quek JP, Huber S, Kouretova J, Rogge D, Lang‐Henkel H, Cheong EZK, Chew BLA, Heine A, Luo D, Steinmetzer T. Structure-Based Macrocyclization of Substrate Analogue NS2B-NS3 Protease Inhibitors of Zika, West Nile and Dengue viruses. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1439-1452. [PMID: 32501637 PMCID: PMC7497253 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A series of cyclic active-site-directed inhibitors of the NS2B-NS3 proteases from Zika (ZIKV), West Nile (WNV), and dengue-4 (DENV4) viruses has been designed. The most potent compounds contain a reversely incorporated d-lysine residue in the P1 position. Its side chain is connected to the P2 backbone, its α-amino group is converted into a guanidine to interact with the conserved Asp129 side chain in the S1 pocket, and its C terminus is connected to the P3 residue via different linker segments. The most potent compounds inhibit the ZIKV protease with Ki values <5 nM. Crystal structures of seven ZIKV protease inhibitor complexes were determined to support the inhibitor design. All the cyclic compounds possess high selectivity against trypsin-like serine proteases and furin-like proprotein convertases. Both WNV and DENV4 proteases are inhibited less efficiently. Nonetheless, similar structure-activity relationships were observed for these enzymes, thus suggesting their potential application as pan-flaviviral protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas J. Braun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
| | - Jun P. Quek
- Lee Kong Chian School of MedicineNanyang Technological University, EMB 03–0759 Nanyang DriveSingapore636921Singapore
- Institute of Structural BiologyNanyang Technological University EMB 06–0159 Nanyang DriveSingapore636921Singapore
| | - Simon Huber
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
| | - Jenny Kouretova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
| | - Dorothee Rogge
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
| | - Heike Lang‐Henkel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
| | - Ezekiel Z. K. Cheong
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological University60 Nanyang Dr.Singapore637551Singapore
| | - Bing L. A. Chew
- Lee Kong Chian School of MedicineNanyang Technological University, EMB 03–0759 Nanyang DriveSingapore636921Singapore
- Institute of Structural BiologyNanyang Technological University EMB 06–0159 Nanyang DriveSingapore636921Singapore
- Institute of Health TechnologiesInterdisciplinary Graduate ProgrammeNanyang Technological University61 Nanyang Dr.Singapore637335Singapore
| | - Andreas Heine
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
| | - Dahai Luo
- Lee Kong Chian School of MedicineNanyang Technological University, EMB 03–0759 Nanyang DriveSingapore636921Singapore
- Institute of Structural BiologyNanyang Technological University EMB 06–0159 Nanyang DriveSingapore636921Singapore
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological University60 Nanyang Dr.Singapore637551Singapore
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ChemistryPhilipps UniversityMarbacher Weg 635032MarburgGermany
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43
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Richards LS, Millán C, Miao J, Martynowycz MW, Sawaya MR, Gonen T, Borges RJ, Usón I, Rodriguez JA. Fragment-based determination of a proteinase K structure from MicroED data using ARCIMBOLDO_SHREDDER. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2020; 76:703-712. [PMID: 32744252 PMCID: PMC7397493 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798320008049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Structure determination of novel biological macromolecules by X-ray crystallography can be facilitated by the use of small structural fragments, some of only a few residues in length, as effective search models for molecular replacement to overcome the phase problem. Independence from the need for a complete pre-existing model with sequence similarity to the crystallized molecule is the primary appeal of ARCIMBOLDO, a suite of programs which employs this ab initio algorithm for phase determination. Here, the use of ARCIMBOLDO is investigated to overcome the phase problem with the electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) method known as microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). The results support the use of the ARCIMBOLDO_SHREDDER pipeline to provide phasing solutions for a structure of proteinase K from 1.6 Å resolution data using model fragments derived from the structures of proteins sharing a sequence identity of as low as 20%. ARCIMBOLDO_SHREDDER identified the most accurate polyalanine fragments from a set of distantly related sequence homologues. Alternatively, such templates were extracted in spherical volumes and given internal degrees of freedom to refine towards the target structure. Both modes relied on the rotation function in Phaser to identify or refine fragment models and its translation function to place them. Model completion from the placed fragments proceeded through phase combination of partial solutions and/or density modification and main-chain autotracing using SHELXE. The combined set of fragments was sufficient to arrive at a solution that resembled that determined by conventional molecular replacement using the known target structure as a search model. This approach obviates the need for a single, complete and highly accurate search model when phasing MicroED data, and permits the evaluation of large fragment libraries for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan S. Richards
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics; STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Claudia Millán
- Crystallographic Methods, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB–CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, Helix Building, Baldiri Reixac 15, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jennifer Miao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics; STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michael W. Martynowycz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michael R. Sawaya
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tamir Gonen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rafael J. Borges
- Crystallographic Methods, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB–CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, Helix Building, Baldiri Reixac 15, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Usón
- Crystallographic Methods, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB–CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, Helix Building, Baldiri Reixac 15, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose A. Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics; STROBE, NSF Science and Technology Center, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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44
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Izaguirre G. The Proteolytic Regulation of Virus Cell Entry by Furin and Other Proprotein Convertases. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090837. [PMID: 31505793 PMCID: PMC6784293 DOI: 10.3390/v11090837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of viruses exploit furin and other proprotein convertases (PCs) of the constitutive protein secretion pathway in order to regulate their cell entry mechanism and infectivity. Surface proteins of enveloped, as well as non-enveloped, viruses become processed by these proteases intracellularly during morphogenesis or extracellularly after egress and during entry in order to produce mature virions activated for infection. Although viruses also take advantage of other proteases, it is when some viruses become reactive with PCs that they may develop high pathogenicity. Besides reacting with furin, some viruses may also react with the PCs of the other specificity group constituted by PC4/PC5/PACE4/PC7. The targeting of PCs for inhibition may result in a useful strategy to treat infections with some highly pathogenic viruses. A wide variety of PC inhibitors have been developed and tested for their antiviral activity in cell-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Izaguirre
- College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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45
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Bollati M, Scalone E, Bonì F, Mastrangelo E, Giorgino T, Milani M, de Rosa M. High-resolution crystal structure of gelsolin domain 2 in complex with the physiological calcium ion. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 518:94-99. [PMID: 31416615 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The second domain of gelsolin (G2) hosts mutations responsible for a hereditary form of amyloidosis. The active form of gelsolin is Ca2+-bound; it is also a dynamic protein, hence structural biologists often rely on the study of the isolated G2. However, the wild type G2 structure that have been used so far in comparative studies is bound to a crystallographic Cd2+, in lieu of the physiological calcium. Here, we report the wild type structure of G2 in complex with Ca2+ highlighting subtle ion-dependent differences. Previous findings on different G2 mutations are also briefly revised in light of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bollati
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Scalone
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonì
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Eloise Mastrangelo
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Toni Giorgino
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Milani
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo de Rosa
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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46
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Löw K, Hardes K, Fedeli C, Seidah NG, Constam DB, Pasquato A, Steinmetzer T, Roulin A, Kunz S. A novel cell-based sensor detecting the activity of individual basic proprotein convertases. FEBS J 2019; 286:4597-4620. [PMID: 31276291 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The basic proprotein convertases (PCs) furin, PC1/3, PC2, PC5/6, PACE4, PC4, and PC7 are promising drug targets for human diseases. However, developing selective inhibitors remains challenging due to overlapping substrate recognition motifs and limited structural information. Classical drug screening approaches for basic PC inhibitors involve homogeneous biochemical assays using soluble recombinant enzymes combined with fluorogenic substrate peptides that may not accurately recapitulate the complex cellular context of the basic PC-substrate interaction. Herein we report basic PC sensor (BPCS), a novel cell-based molecular sensor that allows rapid screening of candidate inhibitors and their selectivity toward individual basic PCs within mammalian cells. BPCS consists of Gaussia luciferase linked to a sortilin-1 membrane anchor via a cleavage motif that allows efficient release of luciferase specifically if individual basic PCs are provided in the same membrane. Screening of selected candidate peptidomimetic inhibitors revealed that BPCS can readily distinguish between general and selective PC inhibitors in a high-throughput screening format. The robust and cost-effective assay format of BPCS makes it suitable to identify novel specific small-molecule inhibitors against basic PCs for therapeutic application. Its cell-based nature will allow screening for drug targets in addition to the catalytically active mature enzyme, including maturation, transport, and cellular factors that modulate the enzyme's activity. This broadened 'target range' will enhance the likelihood to identify novel small-molecule compounds that inhibit basic PCs in a direct or indirect manner and represents a conceptual advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Löw
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Fedeli
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, (Affiliated to the University of Montreal), Canada
| | - Daniel B Constam
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Switzerland
| | - Antonella Pasquato
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kunz
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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47
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Pearce KH, Overton LK, Gampe RT, Barrett GB, Taylor JD, McKee DD, Campobasso N, Nolte RT, Reid RA. BacMam production and crystal structure of nonglycosylated apo human furin at 1.89 Å resolution. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2019; 75:239-245. [PMID: 30950824 PMCID: PMC6450522 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x19001419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Furin, also called proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 3 (PCSK3), is a calcium-dependent serine endoprotease that processes a wide variety of proproteins involved in cell function and homeostasis. Dysregulation of furin has been implicated in numerous disease states, including cancer and fibrosis. Mammalian cell expression of the furin ectodomain typically produces a highly glycosylated, heterogeneous protein, which can make crystallographic studies difficult. Here, the expression and purification of nonglycosylated human furin using the BacMam technology and site-directed mutagenesis of the glycosylation sites is reported. Nonglycosylated furin produced using this system retains full proteolytic activity indistinguishable from that of the glycosylated protein. Importantly, the nonglycosylated furin protein reliably forms extremely durable apo crystals that diffract to high resolution. These crystals can be soaked with a wide variety of inhibitors to enable a structure-guided drug-discovery campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth H. Pearce
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Laurie K. Overton
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert T. Gampe
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - George B. Barrett
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - J. David Taylor
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - David D. McKee
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Nino Campobasso
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert T. Nolte
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert A. Reid
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
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48
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Izaguirre G, Arciniega M, Quezada AG. Specific and Selective Inhibitors of Proprotein Convertases Engineered by Transferring Serpin B8 Reactive-Site and Exosite Determinants of Reactivity to the Serpin α1PDX. Biochemistry 2019; 58:1679-1688. [PMID: 30848586 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The molecular determinants of substrate specificity and selectivity in the proprotein convertase (PC) family of proteases are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the natural serpin family inhibitor, serpin B8, is a specific and selective inhibitor of furin relative to the other PCs of the constitutive protein secretion pathway, PC4, PC5, PACE4, and PC7 (PC4-PC7, respectively), and identify reactive-site (P6-P5' residues) and exosite elements of the serpin that contribute to this specificity and selectivity through studies of chimeras of serpin B8 and α1PDX, an engineered serpin inhibitor of furin. Kinetic studies revealed that the specificity and selectivity of the serpin chimeras for inhibiting PCs were determined by P6-P5 and P3-P2 residue-dependent recognition of the P4Arg-X-X-P1Arg PC consensus sequence and exosite-dependent recognition of the reactive loop P2' residue of the chimeras by the PCs. Both productive and nonproductive binding of the chimeras to PC4-PC7 but not to furin contributed to a decreased specificity for inhibiting PC4-PC7 and an increased selectivity for inhibiting furin. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that nonproductive binding of the chimeras to the PCs was correlated with a greater conformational variability of the catalytic sites of PC4-PC7 relative to that of furin. Our findings suggest a new approach for designing selective inhibitors of PCs using α1PDX as a scaffold, as evidenced by our ability to engineer highly specific and selective inhibitors of furin and PC4-PC7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Izaguirre
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60612 , United States
| | - Marcelino Arciniega
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Institute of Cellular Physiology , National Autonomous University of Mexico , Mexico City 04510 , Mexico
| | - Andrea G Quezada
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Institute of Cellular Physiology , National Autonomous University of Mexico , Mexico City 04510 , Mexico
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Dirks NF, Smith ER, van Schoor NM, Vervloet MG, Ackermans MT, de Jonge R, Heijboer AC. Pre-analytical stability of FGF23 with the contemporary immunoassays. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 493:104-106. [PMID: 30826370 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several publications have reported on the pre-analytical stability of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and some recommend coating blood collecting tubes with protease inhibitors, in order to prevent degradation. These recommendations are based on observations for a first generation assay for the measurement of intact FGF23. However, if this also applies for the contemporary immunoassays, and at what stage of pre-analysis, is unknown. METHODS We reviewed data from these previous reports on the issue of FGF23 stability and complemented these findings with data from novel experiments. RESULTS We concluded that the contemporary intact FGF23 assays by Immutopics, Kainos, Millipore and DiaSorin do not suffer from immediate loss of FGF23 signal and do not require blood withdrawal in protease inhibitor-coated collecting tubes. Nevertheless, FGF23 concentrations do decline when centrifugation is delayed up to 8 h and prompt centrifugation is therefore advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niek F Dirks
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Edward R Smith
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Nephrology, Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natasja M van Schoor
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marc G Vervloet
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Nephrology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mariëtte T Ackermans
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Robert de Jonge
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Annemieke C Heijboer
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Endocrine Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Van Lam van T, Ivanova T, Hardes K, Heindl MR, Morty RE, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Lindberg I, Than ME, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Macrocyclic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:673-685. [PMID: 30680958 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The activation of viral glycoproteins by the host protease furin is an essential step in the replication of numerous pathogenic viruses. Thus, effective inhibitors of furin could serve as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. A crystal structure of an inhibitory hexapeptide derivative in complex with furin served as template for the rational design of various types of new cyclic inhibitors. Most of the prepared derivatives are relatively potent furin inhibitors with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar or even sub-nanomolar range. For seven derivatives the crystal structures in complex with furin could be determined. In three complexes, electron density was found for the entire inhibitor. In the other cases the structures could be determined only for the P6/P5-P1 segments, which directly interact with furin. The cyclic derivatives together with two non-cyclic reference compounds were tested as inhibitors of the proteolytic activation and replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cells. Significant antiviral activity was found for both linear reference inhibitors, whereas a negligible efficacy was determined for the cyclic derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Van Lam van
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rory E Morty
- Department of Lung Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | | | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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