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Wu Z, Yang L, Wang R, Yang J, Liang P, Ren W, Yu H. Exploring the Mechanism of Asiatic Acid against Atherosclerosis Based on Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and Experimental Verification. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:969. [PMID: 39065817 PMCID: PMC11279847 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Asiatic acid (AA) is a pentacyclic triterpene derived from the traditional medicine Centella asiatica. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-regulating properties. Though previous studies have suggested its potential therapeutic benefits for atherosclerosis, its pharmacological mechanism is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of AA in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Therefore, network pharmacology was employed to uncover the mechanism by which AA acts as an anti-atherosclerotic agent. Furthermore, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and in vitro experiments were performed to elucidate the mechanism of AA's anti-atherosclerotic effects. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated a strong affinity between AA and PPARγ. Further MD simulations demonstrated the favorable stability of AA-PPARγ protein complexes. In vitro experiments demonstrated that AA can dose-dependently inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells. This effect may be mediated through the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway. This research underscores anti-inflammation as a crucial biological process in AA treatments for atherosclerosis, with PPARγ potentially serving as a key target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (Z.W.); (R.W.)
| | - Luyin Yang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (L.Y.); (P.L.)
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Rong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (Z.W.); (R.W.)
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (Z.W.); (R.W.)
| | - Pan Liang
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (L.Y.); (P.L.)
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Wei Ren
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (L.Y.); (P.L.)
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Hong Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (Z.W.); (R.W.)
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
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2
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Singla A, Harun N, Dilling DF, Merchant K, McMahan S, Ingledue R, French A, Corral JA, Korbee L, Kopras EJ, Gupta N. Safety and efficacy of sirolimus in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Respir Investig 2024; 62:216-222. [PMID: 38211546 DOI: 10.1016/j.resinv.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a critical need to develop novel therapies for COVID-19. METHODS We conducted a phase 2, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised trial; hospitalised patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 and at least one poor prognostic biomarker, were given sirolimus (6 mg on Day 1 followed by 2 mg daily for 14 days or hospital discharge, whichever happens first) or placebo, in a 2:1 randomization scheme favouring sirolimus. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients alive and free from advanced respiratory support measures at Day 28. RESULTS Between April 2020 and April 2021, 32 patients underwent randomization and 28 received either sirolimus (n = 18) or placebo (n = 10). Mean age was 57 years and 75 % of the subjects were men. Twenty-two subjects had at least one co-existing condition (Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, CHF, or asthma/COPD) associated with worse prognosis. Mean FiO2 requirement was 0.35. There was no difference in the proportion of patients who were alive and free from advanced respiratory support measures in the sirolimus group (n = 15, 83 %) compared with the placebo group (n = 8, 80 %). Although patients in the sirolimus group demonstrated faster improvement in oxygenation and spent less time in the hospital, these differences were not statistically significant. There was no between-group difference in the rate of change in serum biomarkers such as LDH, ferritin, d-dimer or lymphocyte count. There was a decreased risk of thromboembolic complications in patients on sirolimus compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS Larger studies are warranted to evaluate the role sirolimus in COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Singla
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Nusrat Harun
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Daniel F Dilling
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Loyola University Medical Centre, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Karim Merchant
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Keck Hospital of University of Southern California, IRD Building 7th Floor, 2020 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Susan McMahan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Rebecca Ingledue
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Alexandria French
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Josefina A Corral
- Clinical Research Office, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Leslie Korbee
- Academic Regulatory & Monitoring Services LLC, 7806 Gapstow Bridge, Cincinnati, OH, 45231, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Kopras
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Nishant Gupta
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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3
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Behboudi E, Nooreddin Faraji S, Daryabor G, Mohammad Ali Hashemi S, Asadi M, Edalat F, Javad Raee M, Hatam G. SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of cell tropism in various organs considering host factors. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26577. [PMID: 38420467 PMCID: PMC10901034 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26577] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
A critical step in the drug design for SARS-CoV-2 is to discover its molecular targets. This study comprehensively reviewed the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2, exploring host cell tropism and interaction targets crucial for cell entry. The findings revealed that beyond ACE2 as the primary entry receptor, alternative receptors, co-receptors, and several proteases such as TMPRSS2, Furin, Cathepsin L, and ADAM play critical roles in virus entry and subsequent pathogenesis. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 displays tropism in various human organs due to its diverse receptors. This review delves into the intricate details of receptors, host proteases, and the involvement of each organ. Polymorphisms in the ACE2 receptor and mutations in the spike or its RBD region contribute to the emergence of variants like Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, impacting the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. The challenge posed by mutations raises questions about the effectiveness of existing vaccines and drugs, necessitating consideration for updates in their formulations. In the urgency of these critical situations, repurposed drugs such as Camostat Mesylate and Nafamostat Mesylate emerge as viable pharmaceutical options. Numerous drugs are involved in inhibiting receptors and host factors crucial for SARS-CoV-2 entry, with most discussed in this review. In conclusion, this study may provide valuable insights to inform decisions in therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Behboudi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
| | - Seyed Nooreddin Faraji
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Daryabor
- Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Hashemi
- Department of Bacteriology & Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Maryam Asadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fahime Edalat
- Department of Bacteriology & Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Raee
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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4
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González-Paz L, Lossada C, Hurtado-León ML, Vera-Villalobos J, Paz JL, Marrero-Ponce Y, Martinez-Rios F, Alvarado Y. Biophysical Analysis of Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Cell Recognition and Their Effect on Viral Dynamics in Different Cell Types: A Computational Prediction from In Vitro Experimental Data. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:8923-8939. [PMID: 38434903 PMCID: PMC10905729 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Recent reports have suggested that the susceptibility of cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection can be influenced by various proteins that potentially act as receptors for the virus. To investigate this further, we conducted simulations of viral dynamics using different cellular systems (Vero E6, HeLa, HEK293, and CaLu3) in the presence and absence of drugs (anthelmintic, ARBs, anticoagulant, serine protease inhibitor, antimalarials, and NSAID) that have been shown to impact cellular recognition by the spike protein based on experimental data. Our simulations revealed that the susceptibility of the simulated cell systems to SARS-CoV-2 infection was similar across all tested systems. Notably, CaLu3 cells exhibited the highest susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, potentially due to the presence of receptors other than ACE2, which may account for a significant portion of the observed susceptibility. Throughout the study, all tested compounds showed thermodynamically favorable and stable binding to the spike protein. Among the tested compounds, the anticoagulant nafamostat demonstrated the most favorable characteristics in terms of thermodynamics, kinetics, theoretical antiviral activity, and potential safety (toxicity) in relation to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated infections in the tested cell lines. This study provides mathematical and bioinformatic models that can aid in the identification of optimal cell lines for compound evaluation and detection, particularly in studies focused on repurposed drugs and their mechanisms of action. It is important to note that these observations should be experimentally validated, and this research is expected to inspire future quantitative experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin González-Paz
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM). Laboratorio de Biocomputación
(LB),Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones
Científicas (IVIC),Maracaibo, Zulia 4001, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
| | - Carla Lossada
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM). Laboratorio de Biocomputación
(LB),Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones
Científicas (IVIC),Maracaibo, Zulia 4001, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
| | - María Laura Hurtado-León
- Facultad
Experimental de Ciencias (FEC). Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio
de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM),Universidad del Zulia (LUZ),Maracaibo 4001, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
| | - Joan Vera-Villalobos
- Facultad
de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Departamento de Química
y Ciencias Ambientales, Laboratorio de Análisis Químico
Instrumental (LAQUINS), Escuela Superior
Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil EC090112, Ecuador
| | - José L. Paz
- Departamento
Académico de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de
Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Cercado de Lima, Lima 15081, Perú
| | - Yovani Marrero-Ponce
- Grupo
de Medicina Molecular y Traslacional (MeM&T), Colegio de Ciencias
de la Salud (COCSA), Escuela de Medicina, Edificio de Especialidades
Médicas; e Instituto de Simulación Computacional (ISC-USFQ),
Diego de Robles y vía Interoceánica, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Pichincha 170157, Ecuador
| | - Felix Martinez-Rios
- Universidad
Panamericana. Facultad de Ingeniería. Augusto Rodin 498, Ciudad de México 03920, México
| | - Ysaías.
J. Alvarado
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM). Laboratorio de Química Biofísica
Teórica y Experimental (LQBTE),Instituto
Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC),Maracaibo, Zulia 4001, República Bolivariana
de Venezuela
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5
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Fauquet J, Carette J, Duez P, Zhang J, Nachtergael A. Microfluidic Diffusion Sizing Applied to the Study of Natural Products and Extracts That Modulate the SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD/ACE2 Interaction. Molecules 2023; 28:8072. [PMID: 38138562 PMCID: PMC10745392 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and ACE2 proteins is a crucial step for host cell infection by the virus. Without it, the entire virion entrance mechanism is compromised. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of various natural product classes, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, saponins, ivermectin, chloroquine, and erythromycin, to modulate this interaction. To accomplish this, we applied a recently developed a microfluidic diffusional sizing (MDS) technique that allows us to probe protein-protein interactions via measurements of the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and dissociation constant (KD); the evolution of Rh is monitored in the presence of increasing concentrations of the partner protein (ACE2); and the KD is determined through a binding curve experimental design. In a second time, with the protein partners present in equimolar amounts, the Rh of the protein complex was measured in the presence of different natural products. Five of the nine natural products/extracts tested were found to modulate the formation of the protein complex. A methanol extract of Chenopodium quinoa Willd bitter seed husks (50 µg/mL; bisdesmoside saponins) and the flavonoid naringenin (1 µM) were particularly effective. This rapid selection of effective modulators will allow us to better understand agents that may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Fauquet
- Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Mons (UMONS), 7000 Mons, Belgium; (J.F.); (P.D.); (A.N.)
| | - Julie Carette
- Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Mons (UMONS), 7000 Mons, Belgium; (J.F.); (P.D.); (A.N.)
| | - Pierre Duez
- Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Mons (UMONS), 7000 Mons, Belgium; (J.F.); (P.D.); (A.N.)
| | - Jiuliang Zhang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Amandine Nachtergael
- Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Mons (UMONS), 7000 Mons, Belgium; (J.F.); (P.D.); (A.N.)
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6
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Scheim DE, Vottero P, Santin AD, Hirsh AG. Sialylated Glycan Bindings from SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Blood and Endothelial Cells Govern the Severe Morbidities of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17039. [PMID: 38069362 PMCID: PMC10871123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Consistent with well-established biochemical properties of coronaviruses, sialylated glycan attachments between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) and host cells are key to the virus's pathology. SARS-CoV-2 SP attaches to and aggregates red blood cells (RBCs), as shown in many pre-clinical and clinical studies, causing pulmonary and extrapulmonary microthrombi and hypoxia in severe COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 SP attachments to the heavily sialylated surfaces of platelets (which, like RBCs, have no ACE2) and endothelial cells (having minimal ACE2) compound this vascular damage. Notably, experimentally induced RBC aggregation in vivo causes the same key morbidities as for severe COVID-19, including microvascular occlusion, blood clots, hypoxia and myocarditis. Key risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity, including older age, diabetes and obesity, are all characterized by markedly increased propensity to RBC clumping. For mammalian species, the degree of clinical susceptibility to COVID-19 correlates to RBC aggregability with p = 0.033. Notably, of the five human betacoronaviruses, the two common cold strains express an enzyme that releases glycan attachments, while the deadly SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS do not, although viral loads for COVID-19 and the two common cold infections are similar. These biochemical insights also explain the previously puzzling clinical efficacy of certain generics against COVID-19 and may support the development of future therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 and long COVID patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Paola Vottero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Alessandro D Santin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208063, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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7
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Sokouti B. A review on in silico virtual screening methods in COVID-19 using anticancer drugs and other natural/chemical inhibitors. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:994-1026. [PMID: 38023988 PMCID: PMC10651357 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00177] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic scenario has posed a difficulty for cancer treatment. Even under ideal conditions, malignancies like small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are challenging to treat because of their fast development and early metastases. The treatment of these patients must not be jeopardized, and they must be protected as much as possible from the continuous spread of the COVID-19 infection. Initially identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the contagious coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Finding inhibitors against the druggable targets of SARS-CoV-2 has been a significant focus of research efforts across the globe. The primary motivation for using molecular modeling tools against SARS-CoV-2 was to identify candidates for use as therapeutic targets from a pharmacological database. In the published study, scientists used a combination of medication repurposing and virtual drug screening methodologies to target many structures of SARS-CoV-2. This virus plays an essential part in the maturation and replication of other viruses. In addition, the total binding free energy and molecular dynamics (MD) modeling findings showed that the dynamics of various medications and substances were stable; some of them have been tested experimentally against SARS-CoV-2. Different virtual screening (VS) methods have been discussed as potential means by which the evaluated medications that show strong binding to the active site might be repurposed for use against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Sokouti
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665813, Iran
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8
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Okada S, Muto Y, Zhu B, Ueda H, Nakamura H. Development of a Peptide Sensor Derived from Human ACE2 for Fluorescence Polarization Assays of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain. Anal Chem 2023; 95:6198-6202. [PMID: 37028948 PMCID: PMC10107661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the continuing emergence of infectious variants have caused a serious pandemic and a global economic slump since 2019. To overcome the situation and prepare for future pandemic-prone diseases, there is a need to establish a convenient diagnostic test that is quickly adaptable to unexpected emergence of virus variants. Here we report a fluorescent peptide sensor 26-Dan and its application to the fluorescence polarization (FP) assay for the highly sensitive and convenient detection of SARS-CoV-2. The 26-Dan sensor was developed by fluorescent labeling of the 26th amino acid of a peptide derived from the N-terminal α-helix of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. The 26-Dan sensor maintained the α-helical structure and showed FP changes in a concentration-dependent manner of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the virus. The half maximal effective concentrations (EC50's) for RBD of Wuhan-Hu-1 strain, Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (BA.5) variants were 51, 5.2, and 2.2 nM, respectively, demonstrating that the 26-Dan-based FP assay can be adaptable to virus variants that evade standard diagnostic tests. The 26-Dan-based FP assay could also be applied to model screening of a small molecule that inhibits RBD binding to hACE2 and identified glycyrrhizin as a potential inhibitor. The combination of the sensor with a portable microfluidic fluorescence polarization analyzer allowed for the detection of RBD in a femtomolar range within 3 min, demonstrating the assay could be a promising step toward a rapid and convenient test for SARS-CoV-2 and other possible future pandemic-prone diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Okada
- Laboratory
for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute
of Innovative Research, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
- School
of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute
of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho,
Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Yuka Muto
- School
of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute
of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho,
Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Bo Zhu
- Laboratory
for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute
of Innovative Research, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Laboratory
for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute
of Innovative Research, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
- World
Research Hub Initiative, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Laboratory
for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute
of Innovative Research, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
- School
of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute
of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho,
Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
- World
Research Hub Initiative, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
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9
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Kalhor H, Abolhasani H, Kalhor R, Komeili Movahhed T, Rahimi H. Interactions of heparin derivatives with recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor: Structural stability and bioactivity effect study. Proteins 2023; 91:542-554. [PMID: 36424813 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Heparin and heparan sulfate are important glycosaminoglycans that can regulate the activities of many vital proteins, especially the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Because FGF7 (KGF) has an important role in tissue repair and maintaining the integrity of the mucosal barrier, recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (rhKGF, palifermin) has been approved for the treatment of wound healing and oral cavity. Due to heparin plays an important role in the KGF signaling pathway, a more detailed study of the drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between rhKGF and heparin at the atomic level and investigating their synergistic effect on each other in terms of biology, especially in silico, is necessary for a better understanding of DDIs. In this study, DDIs between rhKGF and low-molecular weight heparin types (LMWH) were investigated. In this regard, scrutiny of the influence of the synergistic heparin types on the structure and biostability of rhKGF is accomplished using computational methods such as molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations (MDs). Subsequently, the motion behavior of rhKGF in interaction with LMWHs was evaluated based on eigenvectors by using principal component analysis (PCA). Also, the binding free energies of rhKGF-LMWH complexes were calculated by the molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-BPSA) method. The result showed that rhKGF-idraparinux (-6.9 kcal/mol) and rhKGF-heparin (-6.0 kcal/mol) complexes had significant binding affinity as well as they had a more stable binding to rhKGF than to other LMWH during 100 ns simulation. However, in order to confirm the curative effect of these drugs, clinical trials must be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hourieh Kalhor
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Hoda Abolhasani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Kalhor
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.,Department of Genetics, Colleague of Sciences, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran
| | | | - Hamzeh Rahimi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Host-pathogen Interaction Department, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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10
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Borisevich SS, Zarubaev VV, Shcherbakov DN, Yarovaya OI, Salakhutdinov NF. Molecular Modeling of Viral Type I Fusion Proteins: Inhibitors of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin and the Spike Protein of Coronavirus. Viruses 2023; 15:902. [PMID: 37112882 PMCID: PMC10142020 DOI: 10.3390/v15040902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The fusion of viral and cell membranes is one of the basic processes in the life cycles of viruses. A number of enveloped viruses confer fusion of the viral envelope and the cell membrane using surface viral fusion proteins. Their conformational rearrangements lead to the unification of lipid bilayers of cell membranes and viral envelopes and the formation of fusion pores through which the viral genome enters the cytoplasm of the cell. A deep understanding of all the stages of conformational transitions preceding the fusion of viral and cell membranes is necessary for the development of specific inhibitors of viral reproduction. This review systematizes knowledge about the results of molecular modeling aimed at finding and explaining the mechanisms of antiviral activity of entry inhibitors. The first section of this review describes types of viral fusion proteins and is followed by a comparison of the structural features of class I fusion proteins, namely influenza virus hemagglutinin and the S-protein of the human coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia S. Borisevich
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, Ufa Institute of Chemistry Ufa Federal Research Center, 450078 Ufa, Russia
| | - Vladimir V. Zarubaev
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Saint-Petersburg Pasteur Institute, 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Dmitriy N. Shcherbakov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Koltsovo, Russia;
| | - Olga I. Yarovaya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Nariman F. Salakhutdinov
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
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11
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Almeida A, De Mello-Sampayo C, Lopes A, Carvalho da Silva R, Viana P, Meisel L. Predicted Environmental Risk Assessment of Antimicrobials with Increased Consumption in Portugal during the COVID-19 Pandemic; The Groundwork for the Forthcoming Water Quality Survey. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12040652. [PMID: 37107014 PMCID: PMC10135311 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The environmental release of antimicrobial pharmaceuticals is an imminent threat due to ecological impacts and microbial resistance phenomena. The recent COVID-19 outbreak will likely lead to greater loads of antimicrobials in the environment. Thus, identifying the most used antimicrobials likely to pose environmental risks would be valuable. For that, the ambulatory and hospital consumption patterns of antimicrobials in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) were compared with those of 2019. A predicted risk assessment screening approach based on exposure and hazard in the surface water was conducted, combining consumption, excretion rates, and ecotoxicological/microbiological endpoints in five different regions of Portugal. Among the 22 selected substances, only rifaximin and atovaquone demonstrated predicted potential ecotoxicological risks for aquatic organisms. Flucloxacillin, piperacillin, tazobactam, meropenem, ceftriaxone, fosfomycin, and metronidazole showed the most significant potential for antibiotic resistance in all analysed regions. Regarding the current screening approach and the lack of environmental data, it is advisable to consider rifaximin and atovaquone in subsequent water quality surveys. These results might support the forthcoming monitorisation of surface water quality in a post-pandemic survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabela Almeida
- Centro de Investigação Vasco da Gama (CIVG), Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama (EUVG), Campus Universitário de Lordemão, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Universidade de Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Cristina De Mello-Sampayo
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Signaling and Neuroregeneration, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Lopes
- Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA), Rua da Murgueira, 9, 2610-124 Amadora, Portugal
| | - Rita Carvalho da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Biosafety Unit, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paula Viana
- Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA), Rua da Murgueira, 9, 2610-124 Amadora, Portugal
| | - Leonor Meisel
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), 1600-277 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (L.M.)
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12
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González-Paz L, Lossada C, Hurtado-León ML, Fernández-Materán FV, Paz JL, Parvizi S, Cardenas Castillo RE, Romero F, Alvarado YJ. Intrinsic Dynamics of the ClpXP Proteolytic Machine Using Elastic Network Models. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:7302-7318. [PMID: 36873006 PMCID: PMC9979342 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ClpXP complex is an ATP-dependent mitochondrial matrix protease that binds, unfolds, translocates, and subsequently degrades specific protein substrates. Its mechanisms of operation are still being debated, and several have been proposed, including the sequential translocation of two residues (SC/2R), six residues (SC/6R), and even long-pass probabilistic models. Therefore, it has been suggested to employ biophysical-computational approaches that can determine the kinetics and thermodynamics of the translocation. In this sense, and based on the apparent inconsistency between structural and functional studies, we propose to apply biophysical approaches based on elastic network models (ENM) to study the intrinsic dynamics of the theoretically most probable hydrolysis mechanism. The proposed models ENM suggest that the ClpP region is decisive for the stabilization of the ClpXP complex, contributing to the flexibility of the residues adjacent to the pore, favoring the increase in pore size and, therefore, with the energy of interaction of its residues with a larger portion of the substrate. It is predicted that the complex may undergo a stable configurational change once assembled and that the deformability of the system once assembled is oriented, to increase the rigidity of the domains of each region (ClpP and ClpX) and to gain flexibility of the pore. Our predictions could suggest under the conditions of this study the mechanism of the interaction of the system, of which the substrate passes through the unfolding of the pore in parallel with a folding of the bottleneck. The variations in the distance calculated by molecular dynamics could allow the passage of a substrate with a size equivalent to ∼3 residues. The theoretical behavior of the pore and the stability and energy of binding to the substrate based on ENM models suggest that in this system, there are thermodynamic, structural, and configurational conditions that allow a possible translocation mechanism that is not strictly sequential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin González-Paz
- Facultad
Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio
de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM), Universidad del Zulia (LUZ), 4001 Maracaibo, Zulia, República Bolivariana
de Venezuela
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM). Laboratorio de Biocomputación
(LB), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones
Científicas (IVIC), 4001 Maracaibo, Zulia, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
| | - Carla Lossada
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM). Laboratorio de Biocomputación
(LB), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones
Científicas (IVIC), 4001 Maracaibo, Zulia, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
| | - Maria Laura Hurtado-León
- Facultad
Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio
de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM), Universidad del Zulia (LUZ), 4001 Maracaibo, Zulia, República Bolivariana
de Venezuela
| | - Francelys V. Fernández-Materán
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM). Laboratorio de Biocomputación
(LB), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones
Científicas (IVIC), 4001 Maracaibo, Zulia, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
| | - José Luis Paz
- Departamento
Académico de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de
Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, 15081 Lima, Perú
| | - Shayan Parvizi
- Pulmonary,
Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | | | - Freddy Romero
- Pulmonary,
Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ysaias J. Alvarado
- Centro
de Biomedicina Molecular (CBM), Laboratorio de Química Biofísica
Teórica y Experimental (LQBTE), Instituto
Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas (IVIC), 4001 Maracaibo, Zulia, República Bolivariana de Venezuela
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13
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Miah MM, Tabassum N, Afroj Zinnia M, Islam ABMMK. Drug and Anti-Viral Peptide Design to Inhibit the Monkeypox Virus by Restricting A36R Protein. Bioinform Biol Insights 2022; 16:11779322221141164. [PMID: 36570327 PMCID: PMC9772960 DOI: 10.1177/11779322221141164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Most recently, monkeypox virus (MPXV) has emanated as a global public health threat. Unavailability of effective medicament against MPXV escalates demand for new therapeutic agent. In this study, in silico strategies were conducted to identify novel drug against the A36R protein of MPXV. The A36R protein of MPXV is responsible for the viral migration, adhesion, and vesicle trafficking to the host cell. To block the A36R protein, 4893 potential antiviral peptides (AVPs) were retrieved from DRAMP and SATPdb databases. Finally, 57 sequences were screened based on peptide filtering criteria, which were then modeled. Likewise, 31 monkeypox virus A36R protein sequences were collected from NCBI protein database to find consensus sequence and to predict 3D protein model. The refined and validated models of the A36R protein and AVP peptides were used to predict receptor-ligand interactions using DINC 2 server. Three peptides that showed best interactions were SATPdb10193, SATPdb21850, and SATPdb26811 with binding energies -6.10, -6.10, and -6.30 kcal/mol, respectively. Small molecules from drug databases were also used to perform virtual screening against the A36R protein. Among databases, Enamine-HTSC showed strong affinity with docking scores ranging from -8.8 to 9.8 kcal/mol. Interaction of target protein A36R with the top 3 peptides and the most probable drug (Z55287118) examined by molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. Trajectory analyses (RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and Rg) confirmed the stable nature of protein-ligand and protein-peptide complexes. This work suggests that identified top AVPs and small molecules might interfere with the function of the A36R protein of MPXV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nuzhat Tabassum
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Abul Bashar Mir Md. Khademul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh,Abul Bashar Mir Md. Khademul Islam, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Nilkhet Rd, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
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14
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Banerjee S, Baidya SK, Adhikari N, Ghosh B, Jha T. Glycyrrhizin as a promising kryptonite against SARS-CoV-2: Clinical, experimental, and theoretical evidences. J Mol Struct 2022; 1275:134642. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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Barati N, Motavallihaghi S, Nikfar B, Chaichian S, Momtazi-Borojeni AA. Potential therapeutic effects of Ivermectin in COVID-19. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2022; 247:1388-1396. [PMID: 35686662 PMCID: PMC9442455 DOI: 10.1177/15353702221099579] [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] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a critical pandemic that affected communities around the world, and there is currently no specific drug treatment for it. The virus enters the human cells via spikes and induces cytokine production and finally arrests the cell cycle. Ivermectin shows therapeutic potential for treating COVID-19 infection based on in vitro studies. Docking studies have shown a strong affinity between Ivermectin and some virulence factors of COVID-19. Notably, clinical evidence has demonstrated that Ivermectin with usual doses is effective by both the prophylactic and therapeutic approaches in all phases of the disease. Ivermectin inhibits both the adhesion and replication of the virus. Local therapy of the lung with Ivermectin or combination therapy may get better results and decrease the dose of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nastaran Barati
- Research Center For Molecular
Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan 9174223425,
Iran
- Medicinal Plants and Natural
Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan
9174223425, Iran
| | | | - Banafsheh Nikfar
- Pars Advanced and Minimally
Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran 1415944911, Iran
| | - Shahla Chaichian
- Pars Advanced and Minimally
Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran 1415944911, Iran
| | - Amir Abbas Momtazi-Borojeni
- Department of Medical
Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad 8167994434, Iran
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16
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Iraci N, Corsaro C, Giofrè SV, Neri G, Mezzasalma AM, Vacalebre M, Speciale A, Saija A, Cimino F, Fazio E. Nanoscale Technologies in the Fight against COVID-19: From Innovative Nanomaterials to Computer-Aided Discovery of Potential Antiviral Plant-Derived Drugs. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1060. [PMID: 36008954 PMCID: PMC9405735 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The last few years have increasingly emphasized the need to develop new active antiviral products obtained from artificial synthesis processes using nanomaterials, but also derived from natural matrices. At the same time, advanced computational approaches have found themselves fundamental in the repurposing of active therapeutics or for reducing the very long developing phases of new drugs discovery, which represents a real limitation, especially in the case of pandemics. The first part of the review is focused on the most innovative nanomaterials promising both in the field of therapeutic agents, as well as measures to control virus spread (i.e., innovative antiviral textiles). The second part of the review aims to show how computer-aided technologies can allow us to identify, in a rapid and therefore constantly updated way, plant-derived molecules (i.e., those included in terpenoids) potentially able to efficiently interact with SARS-CoV-2 cell penetration pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (S.V.G.); (G.N.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Carmelo Corsaro
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physics Science and Earth Science, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (A.M.M.); (M.V.); (E.F.)
| | - Salvatore V. Giofrè
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (S.V.G.); (G.N.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Giulia Neri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (S.V.G.); (G.N.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Angela Maria Mezzasalma
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physics Science and Earth Science, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (A.M.M.); (M.V.); (E.F.)
| | - Martina Vacalebre
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physics Science and Earth Science, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (A.M.M.); (M.V.); (E.F.)
| | - Antonio Speciale
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (S.V.G.); (G.N.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonina Saija
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (S.V.G.); (G.N.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Francesco Cimino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (N.I.); (S.V.G.); (G.N.); (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Enza Fazio
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physics Science and Earth Science, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; (A.M.M.); (M.V.); (E.F.)
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17
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In Silico Analysis of the Multi-Targeted Mode of Action of Ivermectin and Related Compounds. COMPUTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/computation10040051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Some clinical studies have indicated activity of ivermectin, a macrocyclic lactone, against COVID-19, but a biological mechanism initially proposed for this anti-viral effect is not applicable at physiological concentrations. This in silico investigation explores potential modes of action of ivermectin and 14 related compounds, by which the infectivity and morbidity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be limited. Binding affinity computations were performed for these agents on several docking sites each for models of (1) the spike glycoprotein of the virus, (2) the CD147 receptor, which has been identified as a secondary attachment point for the virus, and (3) the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChr), an indicated point of viral penetration of neuronal tissue as well as an activation site for the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway controlled by the vagus nerve. Binding affinities were calculated for these multiple docking sites and binding modes of each compound. Our results indicate the high affinity of ivermectin, and even higher affinities for some of the other compounds evaluated, for all three of these molecular targets. These results suggest biological mechanisms by which ivermectin may limit the infectivity and morbidity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and stimulate an α7nAChr-mediated anti-inflammatory pathway that could limit cytokine production by immune cells.
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18
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Scheim DE. A Deadly Embrace: Hemagglutination Mediated by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein at Its 22 N-Glycosylation Sites, Red Blood Cell Surface Sialoglycoproteins, and Antibody. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2558. [PMID: 35269703 PMCID: PMC8910562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rouleaux (stacked clumps) of red blood cells (RBCs) observed in the blood of COVID-19 patients in three studies call attention to the properties of several enveloped virus strains dating back to seminal findings of the 1940s. For COVID-19, key such properties are: (1) SARS-CoV-2 binds to RBCs in vitro and also in the blood of COVID-19 patients; (2) although ACE2 is its target for viral fusion and replication, SARS-CoV-2 initially attaches to sialic acid (SA) terminal moieties on host cell membranes via glycans on its spike protein; (3) certain enveloped viruses express hemagglutinin esterase (HE), an enzyme that releases these glycan-mediated bindings to host cells, which is expressed among betacoronaviruses in the common cold strains but not the virulent strains, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS. The arrangement and chemical composition of the glycans at the 22 N-glycosylation sites of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and those at the sialoglycoprotein coating of RBCs allow exploration of specifics as to how virally induced RBC clumping may form. The in vitro and clinical testing of these possibilities can be sharpened by the incorporation of an existing anti-COVID-19 therapeutic that has been found in silico to competitively bind to multiple glycans on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Officer, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
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19
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Fereshteh S, Kalhor H, Sepehr A, Rahimi H, Zafari M, Ahangari Cohan R, Badmasti F. Rational design of inhibitors against LpxA protein of Acinetobacter baumannii using a virtual screening method. J INDIAN CHEM SOC 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2021.100319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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20
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DrugDevCovid19: An Atlas of Anti-COVID-19 Compounds Derived by Computer-Aided Drug Design. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030683. [PMID: 35163948 PMCID: PMC8838031 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, numerous compounds against COVID-19 have been derived by computer-aided drug design (CADD) studies. They are valuable resources for the development of COVID-19 therapeutics. In this work, we reviewed these studies and analyzed 779 compounds against 16 target proteins from 181 CADD publications. We performed unified docking simulations and neck-to-neck comparison with the solved co-crystal structures. We computed their chemical features and classified these compounds, aiming to provide insights for subsequent drug design. Through detailed analyses, we recommended a batch of compounds that are worth further study. Moreover, we organized all the abundant data and constructed a freely available database, DrugDevCovid19, to facilitate the development of COVID-19 therapeutics.
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21
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IMTIAZ F, PASHA MK. A systematic review of RdRp of SARS-CoV-2 through artificial intelligence and machine learning utilizing structure-based drug design strategy. Turk J Chem 2021; 46:583-594. [PMID: 37720604 PMCID: PMC10503974 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0527.3355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the coronavirus disease has been declared a global pandemic, it had posed a challenge among researchers and raised common awareness and collaborative efforts towards finding the solution. Caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2), coronavirus drug design strategy needs to be optimized. It is understandable that cognizance of the pathobiology of COVID-19 can help scientists in the development and discovery of therapeutically effective antiviral drugs by elucidating the unknown viral pathways and structures. Considering the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning with its advancements in the field of science, it is rational to use these methods which can aid in the discovery of new potent candidates in silico. Our review utilizes similar methodologies and focuses on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), based on its importance as an essential element for virus replication and also a promising target for COVID-19 therapeutics. Artificial neural network technique was used to shortlist articles with the support of PRISMA, from different research platforms including Scopus, PubMed, PubChem, and Web of Science, through a combination of keywords. "English language", from the year "2000" and "published articles in journals" were selected to carry out this research. We summarized that structural details of the RdRp reviewed in this analysis will have the potential to be taken into consideration when developing therapeutic solutions and if further multidisciplinary efforts are taken in this domain then potential clinical candidates for RdRp of SARS-CoV-2 could be successfully delivered for experimental validations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariha IMTIAZ
- Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore,
Pakistan
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22
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González-Paz L, Hurtado-León ML, Lossada C, Fernández-Materán FV, Vera-Villalobos J, Loroño M, Paz JL, Jeffreys L, Alvarado YJ. Comparative study of the interaction of ivermectin with proteins of interest associated with SARS-CoV-2: A computational and biophysical approach. Biophys Chem 2021; 278:106677. [PMID: 34428682 PMCID: PMC8373590 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has accelerated the study of existing drugs. The mixture of homologs called ivermectin (avermectin-B1a [HB1a] + avermectin-B1b [HB1b]) has shown antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. However, there are few reports on the behavior of each homolog. We investigated the interaction of each homolog with promising targets of interest associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection from a biophysical and computational-chemistry perspective using docking and molecular dynamics. We observed a differential behavior for each homolog, with an affinity of HB1b for viral structures, and of HB1a for host structures considered. The induced disturbances were differential and influenced by the hydrophobicity of each homolog and of the binding pockets. We present the first comparative analysis of the potential theoretical inhibitory effect of both avermectins on biomolecules associated with COVID-19, and suggest that ivermectin through its homologs, has a multiobjective behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin González-Paz
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ), Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM), 4001 Maracaibo, Venezuela; Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Estudios Botánicos y Agroforestales (CEBA), Laboratorio de Protección Vegetal (LPV), 4001 Maracaibo, Venezuela.
| | - María Laura Hurtado-León
- Universidad del Zulia (LUZ), Facultad Experimental de Ciencias (FEC), Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular (LGBM), 4001 Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Carla Lossada
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología de Materiales (CITeMA), Laboratorio de Caracterización Molecular y Biomolecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Francelys V Fernández-Materán
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología de Materiales (CITeMA), Laboratorio de Caracterización Molecular y Biomolecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Venezuela
| | - Joan Vera-Villalobos
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Departamento de Química y Ciencias Ambientales, Laboratorio de Análisis Químico Instrumental (LAQUINS), Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Marcos Loroño
- Departamento Académico de Química Analítica e Instrumental, Facultad de Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - J L Paz
- Departamento Académico de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Laura Jeffreys
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Ysaias J Alvarado
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Investigación y Tecnología de Materiales (CITeMA), Laboratorio de Caracterización Molecular y Biomolecular, 4001 Maracaibo, Venezuela.
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23
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Mahmud S, Hasan MR, Biswas S, Paul GK, Afrose S, Mita MA, Sultana Shimu MS, Promi MM, Hani U, Rahamathulla M, Khan MA, Zaman S, Uddin MS, Rahmatullah M, Jahan R, Alqahtani AM, Saleh MA, Emran TB. Screening of Potent Phytochemical Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: An Integrative Computational Approach. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 1:717141. [PMID: 36303755 PMCID: PMC9581031 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2021.717141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially lethal and devastating disease that has quickly become a public health threat worldwide. Due to its high transmission rate, many countries were forced to implement lockdown protocols, wreaking havoc on the global economy and the medical crisis. The main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative virus for COVID-19, represent an effective target for the development of a new drug/vaccine because it is well-conserved and plays a vital role in viral replication. Mpro inhibition can stop the replication, transcription as well as recombination of SARS-CoV-2 after the infection and thus can halt the formation of virus particles, making Mpro a viable therapeutic target. Here, we constructed a phytochemical dataset based on a rigorous literature review and explored the probability that various phytochemicals will bind with the main protease using a molecular docking approach. The top three hit compounds, medicagol, faradiol, and flavanthrin, had binding scores of −8.3, −8.6, and −8.8 kcal/mol, respectively, in the docking analysis. These three compounds bind to the active groove, consisting of His41, Cys45, Met165, Met49, Gln189, Thr24, and Thr190, resulting in main protease inhibition. Moreover, the multiple descriptors from the molecular dynamics simulation, including the root-mean-square deviation, root-mean-square fluctuation, solvent-accessible surface area, radius of gyration, and hydrogen bond analysis, confirmed the stable nature of the docked complexes. In addition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis confirmed a lack of toxicity or carcinogenicity for the screened compounds. Our computational analysis may contribute toward the design of an effective drug against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafi Mahmud
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Robiul Hasan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Suvro Biswas
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Gobindo Kumar Paul
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Shamima Afrose
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Mohsana Akter Mita
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | | | - Maria Meha Promi
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Umme Hani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Rahamathulla
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md. Arif Khan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shahriar Zaman
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Salah Uddin
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Rahmatullah
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rownak Jahan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ali M. Alqahtani
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md. Abu Saleh
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Microbiology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- *Correspondence: Md. Abu Saleh, ; Talha Bin Emran,
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh
- *Correspondence: Md. Abu Saleh, ; Talha Bin Emran,
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24
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Singh R, Goel S, Bourgeade P, Aleya L, Tewari D. Ayurveda Rasayana as antivirals and immunomodulators: potential applications in COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:55925-55951. [PMID: 34491498 PMCID: PMC8422837 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16280-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization with rapid spread across 216 countries. COVID-19 pandemic has left its imprints on various health systems globally and caused immense social and economic disruptions. The scientific community across the globe is in a quest for digging the effective treatment for COVID-19 and exploring potential leads from traditional systems of healthcare across the world too. Ayurveda (Indian traditional system of medicine) has a comprehensive aspect of immunity through Rasayana which is a rejuvenation therapy. Here we attempt to generate the potential leads based on the classical text from Ayurveda in general and Rasayana in particular to develop effective antiviral and/or immunomodulator for potential or adjunct therapy in SARS-CoV-2. The Rasayana acts not only by resisting body to restrain or withstand the strength, severity or progression of a disease but also by promoting power of the body to prevent the manifestation of a disease. These Rasayana herbs are common in practice as immunomodulator, antiviral and protectives. The studies on Rasayana can provide an insight into the future course of research for the plausible development of effective management of COVID-19 by the utilization and development of various traditional systems of healthcare. Keeping in view the current pandemic situation, there is an urgent need of developing potential medicines. This study proposes certain prominent medicinal plants which may be further studied for drug development process and also in clinical setup under repurposing of these herbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeshwari Singh
- Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi, 110058, India
| | - Sumeet Goel
- Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi, 110058, India
| | - Pascale Bourgeade
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, F-25030, Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, F-25030, Besançon Cedex, France.
| | - Devesh Tewari
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.
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25
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Shahabadi N, Zendehcheshm S, Mahdavi M, Khademi F. Inhibitory activity of FDA-approved drugs cetilistat, abiraterone, diiodohydroxyquinoline, bexarotene, remdesivir, and hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 main protease and human ACE2 receptor: A comparative in silico approach. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021; 26:100745. [PMID: 34568544 PMCID: PMC8455240 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100745] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
By September 1, 2021, SARS-CoV-2, a respiratory virus that prompted Coronavirus Disease in 2019, had infected approximately 218,567,442 patients and claimed 4,534,151 lives. There are currently no specific treatments available for this lethal virus, although several drugs, including remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine, have been tested. The purpose of this study is to assess the activity of FDA-approved drugs cetilistat, abiraterone, diiodohydroxyquinoline, bexarotene, remdesivir, and hydroxychloroquine as potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. Additionally, this study aims to provide insight into the development of potential inhibitors that may inhibit ACE2, thereby preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cell and infection. To this end, remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine were used as comparator drugs. The calculations revealed that cetilistat, abiraterone, diiodohydroxyquinoline, and bexarotene inhibit main protease and ACE2 receptors more effectively than the well-known drug hydroxychloroquine when used against COVID-19. Meanwhile, bexarotene and cetilistat bind more tightly to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and the ACE2 receptor, respectively, than remdesivir, a potential treatment for COVID-19 that is the first FDA-approved drug against this virus. As a result, the molecular dynamic simulations of these two drugs in the presence of proteins were investigated. The MD simulation results demonstrated that these drugs interact to stabilize the systems, allowing them to be used as effective inhibitors of these proteins. Meanwhile, bexarotene, abiraterone, cetilistat, and diiodohydroxyquinoline's systemic effects should be further investigated in suitable ex vivo human organ culture or organoids, animal models, or clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Shahabadi
- Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Saba Zendehcheshm
- Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdavi
- Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khademi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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26
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Piplani S, Singh PK, Winkler DA, Petrovsky N. Computationally repurposed drugs and natural products against RNA dependent RNA polymerase as potential COVID-19 therapies. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:28. [PMID: 34766004 PMCID: PMC8450033 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00050-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposing of existing drugs and drug candidates is an ideal approach to identify new potential therapies for SARS-CoV-2 that can be tested without delay in human trials of infected patients. Here we applied a virtual screening approach using Autodock Vina and molecular dynamics simulation in tandem to calculate binding energies for repurposed drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). We thereby identified 80 promising compounds with potential activity against SARS-Cov2, consisting of a mixture of antiviral drugs, natural products and drugs with diverse modes of action. A substantial proportion of the top 80 compounds identified in this study had been shown by others to have SARS-CoV-2 antiviral effects in vitro or in vivo, thereby validating our approach. Amongst our top hits not previously reported to have SARS-CoV-2 activity, were eribulin, a macrocyclic ketone analogue of the marine compound halichondrin B and an anticancer drug, the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor bemcentinib. Our top hits from our RdRp drug screen may not only have utility in treating COVID-19 but may provide a useful starting point for therapeutics against other coronaviruses. Hence, our modelling approach successfully identified multiple drugs with potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 RdRp. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43556-021-00050-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Piplani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5046 Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, 5046 Australia
| | | | - David A. Winkler
- School of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086 Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, 3052 Australia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5046 Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, 5046 Australia
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27
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Jokinen EM, Gopinath K, Kurkinen ST, Pentikäinen OT. Detection of Binding Sites on SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain by Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Mixed Solvents. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 18:1281-1289. [PMID: 33914685 PMCID: PMC8791430 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2021.3076259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The novel SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) receptor as an entry point. Insights on S protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) interaction with ACE2 receptor and drug repurposing has accelerated drug discovery for the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finding small molecule binding sites in S protein and ACE2 interface is crucial in search of effective drugs to prevent viral entry. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations in mixed solvents together with virtual screening to identify small molecules that could be potential inhibitors of S protein -ACE2 interaction. Observation of organic probe molecule localization during the simulations revealed multiple sites at the S protein surface related to small molecule, antibody, and ACE2 binding. In addition, a novel conformation of the S protein was discovered that could be stabilized by small molecules to inhibit attachment to ACE2. The most promising binding site on RBD-ACE2 interface was targeted with virtual screening and top-ranked compounds (DB08248, DB02651, DB03714, and DB14826) are suggested for experimental testing. The protocol described here offers an extremely fast method for characterizing key proteins of a novel pathogen and for the identification of compounds that could inhibit or accelerate spreading of the disease.
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28
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Singh A, Dhar R. A large-scale computational screen identifies strong potential inhibitors for disrupting SARS-CoV-2 S-protein and human ACE2 interaction. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:9004-9017. [PMID: 33998954 PMCID: PMC8146306 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1921034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has infected millions of individuals across the globe and has killed over 2.7 million people. Even though vaccines against this virus have recently been introduced, the antibody generated in the process has been reported to decline quickly. This can reduce the efficacy of vaccines over time and can result in re-infections. Thus, drugs that are effective against COVID-19 can provide a second line of defence and can prevent occurrence of the severe form of the disease. The interaction between SARS-CoV2 S-protein and human ACE2 (hACE2) is essential for the infection of the virus. Thus, drugs that block this interaction could potentially inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection into the host cells. To identify such drugs, we first analyzed the recently published crystal structure of S-protein-hACE2 complex and identified essential residues of both S-protein and hACE2 for this interaction. We used this knowledge to virtually dock a drug library containing 4115 drug molecules against S-protein for repurposing drugs that could inhibit binding of S-protein to hACE2. We identified several potential inhibitors based on their docking scores, pharmacological effects and ability to block residues of S protein required for interaction with hACE2. The top inhibitors included drugs used for the treatment of hepatitis C (velpatasvir, pibrentasvir) as well as several vitamin D derivatives. Several molecules obtained from our screen already have good experimental support in published literature. Thus, we believe that our results will facilitate the discovery of an effective drug against COVID-19. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsh Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Riddhiman Dhar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
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29
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Chang CK, Lin SM, Satange R, Lin SC, Sun SC, Wu HY, Kehn-Hall K, Hou MH. Targeting protein-protein interaction interfaces in COVID-19 drug discovery. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2246-2255. [PMID: 33936565 PMCID: PMC8064971 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 1 million human lives, infected another 50 million individuals and wreaked havoc on the global economy. The crisis has spurred the ongoing development of drugs targeting its etiological agent, the SARS-CoV-2. Targeting relevant protein-protein interaction interfaces (PPIIs) is a viable paradigm for the design of antiviral drugs and enriches the targetable chemical space by providing alternative targets for drug discovery. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the theory, methods and applications of PPII-targeted drug development towards COVID-19 based on recent literature. We will also highlight novel developments, such as the successful use of non-native protein-protein interactions as targets for antiviral drug screening. We hope that this review may serve as an entry point for those interested in applying PPIIs towards COVID-19 drug discovery and speed up drug development against the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Ke Chang
- Taiwan Biobank, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Meng Lin
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Roshan Satange
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chao Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Cih Sun
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Kylene Kehn-Hall
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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30
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He M, Wang Y, Huang S, Zhao N, Cheng M, Zhang X. Computational exploration of natural peptides targeting ACE2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:8018-8029. [PMID: 33826484 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1905555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Interaction between the SARS-COV-2 (2019 novel coronavirus) spike protein and ACE2 receptors expressed on cellular surfaces initialises viral attachment and consequent infection. Blocking this interaction shows promise for blocking or ameliorating the virus' pathological effects on the body. By contrast to work focusing on the coronavirus, which has significant potential diversity through possible accumulation of mutations during transmission, targeting the conserved ACE2 protein expressed on human cells offers an attractive alternative route to developing pharmacological prophylactics against viral invasion. In this study, we screened a virtual database of natural peptides in silico, with ACE2 as the target, and performed structural analyses of the interface region in the SARS-COV-2 RBD/ACE2 complex. These analyses have identified 15 potentially effective compounds. Analyses of ACE2/polypeptide interactions suggest that these peptides can block viral invasion of cells by stably binding in the ACE2 active site pocket. Molecular simulation results for Complestatin and Valinomycin indicate that they may share this mechanism. The discovery of this probable binding mechanism provides a frame of reference for further optimization, and design of high affinity ACE2 inhibitors that could serve as leads for production of drugs with preventive and therapeutic effects against SARS-COV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixi He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences of Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences of Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences of Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences of Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China
| | - Mengchun Cheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences of Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaozhe Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences of Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, China.,Partner Group of Max Planck Society, Dalian, China
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31
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Mahmud S, Uddin MAR, Paul GK, Shimu MSS, Islam S, Rahman E, Islam A, Islam MS, Promi MM, Emran TB, Saleh MA. Virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation study of plant-derived compounds to identify potential inhibitors of main protease from SARS-CoV-2. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:1402-1414. [PMID: 33517367 PMCID: PMC7929365 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) halts the world economy and caused unbearable medical emergency due to high transmission rate and also no effective vaccine and drugs has been developed which brought the world pandemic situations. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 may act as an effective target for drug development due to the conservation level. Herein, we have employed a rigorous literature review pipeline to enlist 3063 compounds from more than 200 plants from the Asian region. Therefore, the virtual screening procedure helps us to shortlist the total compounds into 19 based on their better binding energy. Moreover, the Prime MM-GBSA procedure screened the compound dataset further where curcumin, gartanin and robinetin had a score of (-59.439, -52.421 and - 47.544) kcal/mol, respectively. The top three ligands based on binding energy and MM-GBSA scores have most of the binding in the catalytic groove Cys145, His41, Met165, required for the target protein inhibition. The molecular dynamics simulation study confirms the docked complex rigidity and stability by exploring root mean square deviations, root mean square fluctuations, solvent accessible surface area, radius of gyration and hydrogen bond analysis from simulation trajectories. The post-molecular dynamics analysis also confirms the interactions of the curcumin, gartanin and robinetin in the similar binding pockets. Our computational drug designing approach may contribute to the development of drugs against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafi Mahmud
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Abu Raihan Uddin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Gobindo Kumar Paul
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | | | - Saiful Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Ekhtiar Rahman
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Ariful Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md Samiul Islam
- Department of Molecular Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Maria Meha Promi
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy at the BGC Trust University, Bangladesh
- University of Chittagong, PhD from Graduate School of Medicines, Kanazawa University, Japan
| | - Md Abu Saleh
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Administration Building 1, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
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32
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Patel CN, Goswami D, Jaiswal DG, Parmar RM, Solanki HA, Pandya HA. Pinpointing the potential hits for hindering interaction of SARS-CoV-2 S-protein with ACE2 from the pool of antiviral phytochemicals utilizing molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. J Mol Graph Model 2021; 105:107874. [PMID: 33647752 PMCID: PMC7897937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.107874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the viral particle, is responsible for triggering the 2019 Coronavirus disease outbreak (COVID-19). To tackle this situation, a number of strategies are being devised to either create an antidote, a vaccine, or agents capable of preventing its infection. To enable research on these strategies, numerous target proteins are identified where Spike (S) protein is presumed to be of immense potential. S-protein interacts with human angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE2) for cell entry. The key region of S-protein that interacts with ACE2 is a portion of it designated as a receptor-binding domain (RBD), following whereby the viral membrane fuses with the alveolar membrane to enter the human cell. The proposition is to recognize molecules from the bundle of phytochemicals of medicinal plants known to possess antiviral potentials as a lead that could interact and mask RBD, rendering them unavailable to form ACE2 interactions. Such a molecule is called the 'S-protein blocker'. A total of 110 phytochemicals from Withania somnifera, Asparagus racemosus, Zinziber officinalis, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa and Adhatoda vasica were used in the study, of which Racemoside A, Ashwagandhanolide, Withanoside VI, Withanoside IV and Racemoside C were identified as top five hits using molecular docking. Further, essential Pharmacophore features and their ADMET profiles of these compounds were studied following to which the best three hits were analyzed for their interaction with RBD using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. Binding free energy calculations were performed using MM/GBSA, proving these phytochemicals can serve as S-protein blocker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag N Patel
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics, and Climate Change Impacts Management, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Dweipayan Goswami
- Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Dharmesh G Jaiswal
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics, and Climate Change Impacts Management, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Robin M Parmar
- Department of Zoology, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Hitesh A Solanki
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics, and Climate Change Impacts Management, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Himanshu A Pandya
- Department of Botany, Bioinformatics, and Climate Change Impacts Management, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, 380009, India.
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Lardone RD, Garay YC, Parodi P, de la Fuente S, Angeloni G, Bravo EO, Schmider AK, Irazoqui FJ. How glycobiology can help us treat and beat the COVID-19 pandemic. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100375. [PMID: 33548227 PMCID: PMC7857991 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged during the last months of 2019, spreading throughout the world as a highly transmissible infectious illness designated as COVID-19. Vaccines have now appeared, but the challenges in producing sufficient material and distributing them around the world means that effective treatments to limit infection and improve recovery are still urgently needed. This review focuses on the relevance of different glycobiological molecules that could potentially serve as or inspire therapeutic tools during SARS-CoV-2 infection. As such, we highlight the glycobiology of the SARS-CoV-2 infection process, where glycans on viral proteins and on host glycosaminoglycans have critical roles in efficient infection. We also take notice of the glycan-binding proteins involved in the infective capacity of virus and in human defense. In addition, we critically evaluate the glycobiological contribution of candidate drugs for COVID-19 therapy such as glycans for vaccines, anti-glycan antibodies, recombinant lectins, lectin inhibitors, glycosidase inhibitors, polysaccharides, and numerous glycosides, emphasizing some opportunities to repurpose FDA-approved drugs. For the next-generation drugs suggested here, biotechnological engineering of new probes to block the SARS-CoV-2 infection might be based on the essential glycobiological insight on glycosyltransferases, glycans, glycan-binding proteins, and glycosidases related to this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo D Lardone
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CIQUIBIC, CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Yohana C Garay
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CIQUIBIC, CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pedro Parodi
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CIQUIBIC, CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Sofia de la Fuente
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CIQUIBIC, CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Genaro Angeloni
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CIQUIBIC, CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eduardo O Bravo
- Medicina Interna, Nuevo Hospital San Roque, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anneke K Schmider
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychiatrische Klinik Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Fernando J Irazoqui
- Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CIQUIBIC, CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina.
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