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Ashley CN, Broni E, Wood CM, Okuneye T, Ojukwu MPT, Dong Q, Gallagher C, Miller WA. Identifying potential monkeypox virus inhibitors: an in silico study targeting the A42R protein. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1351737. [PMID: 38500508 PMCID: PMC10945028 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1351737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox (now Mpox), a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an emerging threat to global health. In the time span of only six months, from May to October 2022, the number of MPXV cases breached 80,000 and many of the outbreaks occurred in locations that had never previously reported MPXV. Currently there are no FDA-approved MPXV-specific vaccines or treatments, therefore, finding drugs to combat MPXV is of utmost importance. The A42R profilin-like protein of the MPXV is involved in cell development and motility making it a critical drug target. A42R protein is highly conserved across orthopoxviruses, thus A42R inhibitors may work for other family members. This study sought to identify potential A42R inhibitors for MPXV treatment using computational approaches. The energy minimized 3D structure of the A42R profilin-like protein (PDB ID: 4QWO) underwent virtual screening using a library of 36,366 compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), AfroDb, and PubChem databases as well as known inhibitor tecovirimat via AutoDock Vina. A total of seven compounds comprising PubChem CID: 11371962, ZINC000000899909, ZINC000001632866, ZINC000015151344, ZINC000013378519, ZINC000000086470, and ZINC000095486204, predicted to have favorable binding were shortlisted. Molecular docking suggested that all seven proposed compounds have higher binding affinities to A42R (-7.2 to -8.3 kcal/mol) than tecovirimat (-6.7 kcal/mol). This was corroborated by MM/PBSA calculations, with tecovirimat demonstrating the highest binding free energy of -68.694 kJ/mol (lowest binding affinity) compared to the seven shortlisted compounds that ranged from -73.252 to -97.140 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the 7 compounds in complex with A42R demonstrated higher stability than the A42R-tecovirimat complex when subjected to 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations. The protein-ligand interaction maps generated using LigPlot+ suggested that residues Met1, Glu3, Trp4, Ile7, Arg127, Val128, Thr131, and Asn133 are important for binding. These seven compounds were adequately profiled to be potential antivirals via PASS predictions and structural similarity searches. All seven potential lead compounds were scored Pa > Pi for antiviral activity while ZINC000001632866 and ZINC000015151344 were predicted as poxvirus inhibitors with Pa values of 0.315 and 0.215, and Pi values of 0.052 and 0.136, respectively. Further experimental validations of the identified lead compounds are required to corroborate their predicted activity. These seven identified compounds represent solid footing for development of antivirals against MPXV and other orthopoxviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn N. Ashley
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Chanyah M. Wood
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lincoln University, Lincoln, PA, United States
| | - Tunmise Okuneye
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Biology, Lincoln University, Lincoln, PA, United States
| | - Mary-Pearl T. Ojukwu
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lincoln University, Lincoln, PA, United States
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Qunfeng Dong
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Carla Gallagher
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lincoln University, Lincoln, PA, United States
| | - Whelton A. Miller
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
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Gao Z, He X, Chen G, Fang Y, Meng Z, Tian H, Zhang H, Jing Z. The Viral Protein Poly(A) Polymerase Catalytic Subunit Interacts with Guanylate-Binding Proteins 2 to Antagonize the Antiviral Ability of Targeting Ectromelia Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15750. [PMID: 37958732 PMCID: PMC10648259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent spread of the monkeypox virus among humans has heightened concerns regarding orthopoxvirus infections. Consequently, conducting a comprehensive study on the immunobiology of the monkeypox virus is imperative for the development of effective therapeutics. Ectromelia virus (ECTV) closely resembles the genetic and disease characteristics of monkeypox virus, making it a valuable research tool for studying orthopoxvirus-host interactions. Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs), highly expressed interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), have antagonistic effects against various intracellular pathogenic microorganisms. Our previous research has shown that GBP2 has a mild but statistically significant inhibitory effect on ECTV infection. The presence of a significant number of molecules in the poxvirus genome that encode the host immune response raises questions about whether it also includes proteins that counteract the antiviral activity of GBP2. Using IP/MS and co-IP technology, we discovered that the poly(A) polymerase catalytic subunit (PAPL) protein of ECTV is a viral regulatory molecule that interacts with GBP2. Further studies have shown that PAPL antagonizes the antiviral activity of GBP2 by reducing its protein levels. Knocking out the PAPL gene of ECTV with the CRISPR/Cas9 system significantly diminishes the replication ability of the virus, indicating the indispensable role of PAPL in the replication process of ECTV. In conclusion, our study presents preliminary evidence supporting the significance of PAPL as a virulence factor that can interact with GBP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
| | - Xiaobing He
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
| | - Guohua Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yongxiang Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
| | - Zejing Meng
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
| | - Huihui Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
| | - Zhizhong Jing
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.G.); (X.H.); (G.C.); (Y.F.); (H.T.); (H.Z.)
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
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Identification, Isolation, and Characterization of an Ectromelia Virus New Strain from an Experimental Mouse. Virol Sin 2020; 36:155-158. [PMID: 32696398 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-020-00263-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Pimm ML, Hotaling J, Henty-Ridilla JL. Profilin choreographs actin and microtubules in cells and cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 355:155-204. [PMID: 32859370 PMCID: PMC7461721 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Actin and microtubules play essential roles in aberrant cell processes that define and converge in cancer including: signaling, morphology, motility, and division. Actin and microtubules do not directly interact, however shared regulators coordinate these polymers. While many of the individual proteins important for regulating and choreographing actin and microtubule behaviors have been identified, the way these molecules collaborate or fail in normal or disease contexts is not fully understood. Decades of research focus on Profilin as a signaling molecule, lipid-binding protein, and canonical regulator of actin assembly. Recent reports demonstrate that Profilin also regulates microtubule dynamics and polymerization. Thus, Profilin can coordinate both actin and microtubule polymer systems. Here we reconsider the biochemical and cellular roles for Profilin with a focus on the essential cytoskeletal-based cell processes that go awry in cancer. We also explore how the use of model organisms has helped to elucidate mechanisms that underlie the regulatory essence of Profilin in vivo and in the context of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L Pimm
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Jessica Hotaling
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Jessica L Henty-Ridilla
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States.
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Szulc-Dabrowska L, Gregorczyk KP, Struzik J, Boratynska-Jasinska A, Szczepanowska J, Wyzewski Z, Toka FN, Gierynska M, Ostrowska A, Niemialtowski MG. Remodeling of the fibroblast cytoskeletal architecture during the replication cycle of Ectromelia virus: A morphological in vitro study in a murine cell line. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2016; 73:396-417. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Szulc-Dabrowska
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
| | - Karolina P. Gregorczyk
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
| | - Justyna Struzik
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
| | - Anna Boratynska-Jasinska
- Molecular Biology Unit, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences; Warsaw Poland
| | - Joanna Szczepanowska
- Laboratory of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes, Department of Biochemistry; Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology; Warsaw Poland
| | - Zbigniew Wyzewski
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
| | - Felix N. Toka
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine; St. Kitts West Indies
| | - Malgorzata Gierynska
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
| | | | - Marek G. Niemialtowski
- Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW; Warsaw Poland
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Proteomic analysis of interaction between P7-1 of Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus and the insect vector reveals diverse insect proteins involved in successful transmission. J Proteomics 2014; 102:83-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Lynn H, Horsington J, Ter LK, Han S, Chew YL, Diefenbach RJ, Way M, Chaudhri G, Karupiah G, Newsome TP. Loss of cytoskeletal transport during egress critically attenuates ectromelia virus infection in vivo. J Virol 2012; 86:7427-43. [PMID: 22532690 PMCID: PMC3416336 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.06636-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Egress of wrapped virus (WV) to the cell periphery following vaccinia virus (VACV) replication is dependent on interactions with the microtubule motor complex kinesin-1 and is mediated by the viral envelope protein A36. Here we report that ectromelia virus (ECTV), a related orthopoxvirus and the causative agent of mousepox, encodes an A36 homologue (ECTV-Mos-142) that is highly conserved despite a large truncation at the C terminus. Deleting the ECTV A36R gene leads to a reduction in the number of extracellular viruses formed and to a reduced plaque size, consistent with a role in microtubule transport. We also observed a complete loss of virus-associated actin comets, another phenotype dependent on A36 expression during VACV infection. ECTV ΔA36R was severely attenuated when used to infect the normally susceptible BALB/c mouse strain. ECTV ΔA36R replication and spread from the draining lymph nodes to the liver and spleen were significantly reduced in BALB/c mice and in Rag-1-deficient mice, which lack T and B lymphocytes. The dramatic reduction in ECTV ΔA36R titers early during the course of infection was not associated with an augmented immune response. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the critical role that subcellular transport pathways play not only in orthopoxvirus infection in an in vitro context but also during orthopoxvirus pathogenesis in a natural host. Furthermore, despite the attenuation of the mutant virus, we found that infection nonetheless induced protective immunity in mice, suggesting that orthopoxvirus vectors with A36 deletions may be considered another safe vaccine alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Lynn
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Lee Kuan Ter
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Shuyi Han
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yee Lian Chew
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Russell J. Diefenbach
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Way
- Cancer Research UK, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geeta Chaudhri
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gunasegaran Karupiah
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Timothy P. Newsome
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Jimenez-Lopez JC, Morales S, Castro AJ, Volkmann D, Rodríguez-García MI, Alché JDD. Characterization of profilin polymorphism in pollen with a focus on multifunctionality. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30878. [PMID: 22348028 PMCID: PMC3279341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Profilin, a multigene family involved in actin dynamics, is a multiple partners-interacting protein, as regard of the presence of at least of three binding domains encompassing actin, phosphoinositide lipids, and poly-L-proline interacting patches. In addition, pollen profilins are important allergens in several species like Olea europaea L. (Ole e 2), Betula pendula (Bet v 2), Phleum pratense (Phl p 12), Zea mays (Zea m 12) and Corylus avellana (Cor a 2). In spite of the biological and clinical importance of these molecules, variability in pollen profilin sequences has been poorly pointed out up until now. In this work, a relatively high number of pollen profilin sequences have been cloned, with the aim of carrying out an extensive characterization of their polymorphism among 24 olive cultivars and the above mentioned plant species. Our results indicate a high level of variability in the sequences analyzed. Quantitative intra-specific/varietal polymorphism was higher in comparison to inter-specific/cultivars comparisons. Multi-optional posttranslational modifications, e.g. phosphorylation sites, physicochemical properties, and partners-interacting functional residues have been shown to be affected by profilin polymorphism. As a result of this variability, profilins yielded a clear taxonomic separation between the five plant species. Profilin family multifunctionality might be inferred by natural variation through profilin isovariants generated among olive germplasm, as a result of polymorphism. The high variability might result in both differential profilin properties and differences in the regulation of the interaction with natural partners, affecting the mechanisms underlying the transmission of signals throughout signaling pathways in response to different stress environments. Moreover, elucidating the effect of profilin polymorphism in adaptive responses like actin dynamics, and cellular behavior, represents an exciting research goal for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose C. Jimenez-Lopez
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, High Council for Scientific Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Sonia Morales
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, High Council for Scientific Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio J. Castro
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, High Council for Scientific Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Dieter Volkmann
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, Department of Plant Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - María I. Rodríguez-García
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, High Council for Scientific Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan de D. Alché
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology of Plants, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, High Council for Scientific Research, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail:
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A-type inclusion bodies: a factor influencing cowpox virus lesion pathogenesis. Arch Virol 2011; 156:617-28. [PMID: 21212997 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-010-0900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The family Poxviridae comprises the most complex animal DNA viruses. During some poxvirus infections, A-type inclusion bodies (ATIs), codified by the ati gene, are produced. Although some studies have compared poxviruses that encode these inclusion bodies with those that do not, the biological function of ATIs is poorly understood. A recombinant ati-deleted cowpox virus was constructed and compared with the wild-type virus in in vitro experiments including electron microscopy and plaque and viral growth assays. No significant differences were observed in vitro. This reinforces the conclusion that the inclusion body is not essential for in vitro viral replication and morphogenesis. Additionally, different lesion progressions in vivo were observed by macroscopic and histological analysis, suggesting that the presence or absence of ATIs could result in different healing dynamics. This is the first time that the role of ATIs during viral replication has been studied based solely on one variable, the presence or absence of ATIs.
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