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Omotuyi O, Olatunji OM, Nash O, Oyinloye B, Soremekun O, Ijagbuji A, Fatumo S. Benzimidazole compound abrogates SARS-COV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD)/ACE2 interaction In vitro. Microb Pathog 2023; 176:105994. [PMID: 36682669 PMCID: PMC9851952 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.105994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The development of clinically actionable pharmaceuticals against coronavirus disease (COVID-19); an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is very important for ending the pandemic. Coronavirus spike glycoprotein (GP)-Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and its interaction with host receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is one of the most structurally understood but therapeutically untapped aspect of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Binding interface based on previous x-ray structure of RBD/ACE2 were virtually screened to identify fragments with high-binding score from 12,000 chemical building blocks. The hit compound was subjected to fingerprint-based similarity search to identify compounds within the FDA-approved drug library containing the same core scaffold. Identified compounds were then re-docked into of RBD/ACE2. The best ranked compound was validated for RBD/ACE2 inhibition using commercial kit. Molecular dynamics simulation was conducted to provide further insight into the mechanism of inhibition. From the original 12000 chemical building blocks, benzimidazole (BAZ) scaffold was identified. Fingerprint-based similarity search of the FDA-approved drug library for BAZ-containing compounds identified 12 drugs with the benzimidazole-like substructure. When these compounds were re-docked into GP/ACE2 interface, the consensus docking identified bazedoxifene as the hit. In vitro RBD/ACE2 inhibition kinetics showed micromolar IC50 value (1.237 μM) in the presence of bazedoxifene. Molecular dynamics simulation of RBD/ACE2 in the presence BAZ resulted in loss of contact and specific hydrogen-bond interaction required for RBD/ACE2 stability. Taken together, these findings identified benzimidazole scaffold as a building block for developing novel RBD/ACE2 complex inhibitor and provided mechanistic basis for the use of bazedoxifene as a repurposable drug for the treatment of COVID-19 acting at RBD/ACE2 interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaposi Omotuyi
- Institute for Drug Research and Development, S.E. Bogoro Center, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria; Bio-Computing & Drug Research Unit, Mols and Sims, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
| | - Olusina M Olatunji
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Oyekanmi Nash
- Center for Genomics Research and Innovation, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, PMB 5118, Nigeria
| | - Babatunji Oyinloye
- Institute for Drug Research and Development, S.E. Bogoro Center, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria; Phytomedicine, Biochemical Toxicology and Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, Afe Babalola University, PMB 5454, Ado-Ekiti, 360001, Nigeria; Biotechnology and Structural Biology (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, Kwa-Dlangezwa, 3886, South Africa
| | - Opeyemi Soremekun
- The African Computational Genomics (TACG) Research Group, MRC/UVRI, and LSHTM, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Ayodeji Ijagbuji
- Pharmaceutics International, Inc. Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States
| | - Segun Fatumo
- The African Computational Genomics (TACG) Research Group, MRC/UVRI, and LSHTM, Entebbe, Uganda; H3Africa Bioinformatics Network (H3ABioNet) Node, Centre for Genomics Research and Innovation, NABDA/FMST, Abuja, Nigeria; Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Bello IJ, Oyebode OT, Olanlokun JO, Omodara TO, Olorunsogo OO. Plumbagin induces testicular damage via mitochondrial-dependent cell death. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 347:109582. [PMID: 34302802 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Different aspects of reproductive functions are regulated by mitochondrial-controlled events. This study investigated the effect of plumbagin (PL) on testicular mitochondria with a view to unravelling the mechanism of the antifertility potential of plumbagin in testis of healthy rats. Thirty-two male Wistar strain albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups of eight animals each. The control or healthy group received orally 0.1 % DMSO while animals in the remaining three groups received 2.5 mg PL/kg bdwt, 5.0 mg PL/kg bdwt and 10 mg PL/kg bdwt, respectively, for 14 days. In study two, twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three (3) groups and were orally administered 0.1% DMSO (control), 30 and 100 mg/kg PL, respectively once daily for 72 h. Rat testis mitochondria were isolated using differential centrifugation. The mitochondrial Permeability Transition (mPT) pore, mitochondrial ATPase (mATPase) activity and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation were assessed spectrophotometrically. Expression of apoptotic proteins (p53, Bax, Bcl-2) and the release of cytochrome c were determined by immunochemical technique. Reproductive receptors (FSH, PR), the expression of aromatase, Testis Specific Kinase-1 {TESK-1} were quantified by RT-PCR. The various doses of plumbagin (2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg/kg bdwt) induced opening of the testicular mPT pore by 2, 5 and 8 folds, respectively, after 14 days of oral administration. These doses of plumbagin also caused enhancement of mATPase activity, elevated generation of mLPO as well as increases in the concentrations of caspases 9 and 3. Sperm analysis revealed that these doses of PL also caused significant decreases in sperm count and motility and increased sperm abnormalities compared to control. Interestingly, these effects were accompanied by dose-dependent expressions of the Bak, p53 and cytochrome c release. Conversely, the abundance of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein decreased relative to control. The levels of transcripts of FSH and progesterone receptors as well as TESK-1 and aromatase decreased significantly relative to control. Furthermore, PL strongly inhibited p53-MDM2 compared to control. Altogether, these findings show that plumbagin damages testicular cells through the activation of mitochondrial pathway involving the p53 protein network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac J Bello
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olubukola T Oyebode
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
| | - John O Olanlokun
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Todiimu O Omodara
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olufunso O Olorunsogo
- Laboratories for Biomembrane Research and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Liu XH, Zhang X, Lu ZH, Zhu YS, Wang T. Potential molecular targets of nonstructural proteins for the development of antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 133:111035. [PMID: 33254013 PMCID: PMC7671653 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has posed significant threats to public health worldwide. Target-based drug development is a promising approach against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nonstructural proteins may play critical roles from drug design perspectives. Insights into NSPs of different viruses could streamline novel drug development.
Outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 have produced high pathogenicity and mortality rates in human populations. However, to meet the increasing demand for treatment of these pathogenic coronaviruses, accelerating novel antiviral drug development as much as possible has become a public concern. Target-based drug development may be a promising approach to achieve this goal. In this review, the relevant features of potential molecular targets in human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are highlighted, including the viral protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and methyltransferases. Additionally, recent advances in the development of antivirals based on these targets are summarized. This review is expected to provide new insights and potential strategies for the development of novel antiviral drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Huan Liu
- School of Biological Science, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- School of Biological Science, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Zhen-Hua Lu
- College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - You-Shuang Zhu
- School of Biological Science, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Biological Science, Jining Medical University, Jining, China.
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Adelakun N, Obaseki I, Adeniyi A, Fapohunda O, Obaseki E, Omotuyi O. Discovery of new promising USP14 inhibitors: computational evaluation of the thumb-palm pocket. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:3060-3070. [PMID: 33170088 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1844803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) is a member of the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) involved in disrupting the ubiquitin-proteasome regulation system, responsible for the degradation of impaired and misfolded proteins, which is an essential mechanism in eukaryotic cells. The involvement of USP14 in cancer progression and neurodegenerative disorders has been reported. Thereof USP14 is a prime therapeutic target; hence, designing efficacious inhibitors against USP14 is central in curbing these conditions. Herein, we relied on structural bioinformatics methods incorporating molecular docking, molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA), molecular dynamics simulation (MD simulation), and ADME to identify potential allosteric USP14 inhibitors. A library of over 733 compounds from the PubChem repository with >90% match to the IU1 chemical structure was screened in a multi-step framework to attain prospective drug-like inhibitors. Two potential lead compounds (CID 43013232 and CID 112370349) were shown to record better binding affinity compared to IU1, but with subtle difference to IU1-47, a 10-fold potent compound when compared to IU1. The stability of the lead molecules complexed with USP14 was studied via MD simulation. The molecules were found to be stable within the binding site throughout the 50 ns simulation time. Moreover, the protein-ligand interactions across the simulation run time suggest Phe331, Tyr476, and Gln197 as crucial residues for USP14 inhibition. Furthermore, in-silico pharmacological evaluation revealed the lead compounds as pharmacological sound molecules. Overall, the methods deployed in this study revealed two novel candidates that may show selective inhibitory activity against USP14, which could be exploited to produce potent and harmless USP14 inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niyi Adelakun
- Chemogenomics Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | - Ikponwmosa Obaseki
- Department of Biochemistry, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
| | - Ayobami Adeniyi
- Chemogenomics Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | - Oluwaseun Fapohunda
- Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | - Eseiwi Obaseki
- Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Olaposi Omotuyi
- Chemogenomics Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
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Pattis JG, May ER. Markov State Model of Lassa Virus Nucleoprotein Reveals Large Structural Changes during the Trimer to Monomer Transition. Structure 2020; 28:548-554.e3. [PMID: 32234493 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lassa virus contains a nucleoprotein (NP) that encapsulates the viral genomic RNA forming the ribonucleoprotein (RNP). The NP forms trimers that do not bind RNA, but a structure of only the NP N-terminal domain was co-crystallized with RNA bound. These structures suggested a model in which the NP forms a trimer to keep the RNA gate closed, but then is triggered to undergo a change to a form competent for RNA binding. Here, we investigate the scenario in which the trimer is disrupted to observe whether monomeric NP undergoes significant conformational changes. From multi-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations and an adaptive sampling scheme to sample the conformational space, a Markov state model (MSM) is constructed. The MSM reveals an energetically favorable conformational change, with the most significant changes occurring at the domain interface. These results support a model in which significant structural reorganization of the NP is required for RNP formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason G Pattis
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Eric R May
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
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