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Biernacki K, Ciupak O, Daśko M, Rachon J, Flis D, Budka J, Inkielewicz-Stępniak I, Czaja A, Rak J, Demkowicz S. Development of potent and effective SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors based on maleimide analogs for the potential treatment of COVID-19. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2290910. [PMID: 38093611 PMCID: PMC10732195 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2290910] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work, we report a new series of potent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) inhibitors based on maleimide derivatives. The inhibitory activities were tested in an enzymatic assay using recombinant Mpro (3CL Protease from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2). Within the set of new Mpro inhibitors, 6e demonstrated the highest activity in the enzymatic assay with an IC50 value of 8.52 ± 0.44 µM. The IC50 value for Nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332, used as a reference) was 0.84 ± 0.37 µM. The cytotoxic properties were determined in the MTT assay using MRC-5 and HEK-293 cell lines. In the course of the investigation, we found that the newly obtained maleimide derivatives are not substantially cytotoxic (IC50 values for most compounds were above 200 µM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Biernacki
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Olga Ciupak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mateusz Daśko
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Janusz Rachon
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Damian Flis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Budka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Anna Czaja
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Janusz Rak
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sebastian Demkowicz
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
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2
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Bekono BD, Onguéné PA, Simoben CV, Owono LCO, Ntie-Kang F. Computational discovery of dual potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 spike/ACE2 and M pro: 3D-pharmacophore, docking-based virtual screening, quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2024:10.1007/s00249-024-01713-z. [PMID: 38907013 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-024-01713-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
To find drugs against COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2, promising targets include the fusion of the viral spike with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as well as the main protease (Mpro). These proteins are responsible for viral entry and replication, respectively. We combined several state-of-the-art computational methods, including, protein-ligand interaction fingerprint, 3D-pharmacophores, molecular-docking, MM-GBSA, DFT, and MD simulations to explore two databases: ChEMBL and NANPDB to identify molecules that could both block spike/ACE2 fusion and inhibit Mpro. A total of 1,690,649 compounds from the two databases were screened using the pharmacophore model obtained from PLIF analysis. Five recent complexes of Mpro co-crystallized with different ligands were used to generate the pharmacophore model, allowing 4,829 compounds that passed this prefilter. These were then submitted to molecular docking against Mpro. The 5% top-ranked docking hits from docking result having scores < -8.32 kcal mol-1 were selected and then docked against spike/ACE2. Only four compounds: ChEMBL244958, ChEMBL266531, ChEMBL3680003, and 1-methoxy-3-indolymethyl glucosinolate (4) displayed binding energies < - 8.21 kcal mol-1 (for the native ligand) were considered as putative dual-target inhibitors. Furthermore, predictive ADMET, MM-GBSA and DFT/6-311G(d,p) were performed on these compounds and compared with those of well-known antivirals. DFT calculations showed that ChEMBL244958 and compound 4 had significant predicted reactivity values. Molecular dynamics simulations of the docked complexes were run for 100 ns and used to validate the stability docked poses and to confirm that these hits are putative dual binders of the spike/ACE2 and the Mpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris D Bekono
- Department of Physics, Ecole Normale Supérieure, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, CM-00237, Cameroon.
- Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, CM-00237, Cameroon.
| | - Pascal Amoa Onguéné
- Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, CM-00237, Cameroon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Yaoundé I Institute of Wood Technology Mbalmayo, University of Yaoundé I, BP 50, Mbalmayo, Cameroon
| | - Conrad V Simoben
- Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, CM-00237, Cameroon
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Luc C O Owono
- Department of Physics, Ecole Normale Supérieure, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, CM-00237, Cameroon
- CEPAMOQ, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, CM-00237, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Fidele Ntie-Kang
- Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, CM-00237, Cameroon.
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, CM-00237, Buea, Cameroon.
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Ciaglia T, Vestuto V, Di Sarno V, Musella S, Smaldone G, Di Matteo F, Napolitano V, Miranda MR, Pepe G, Basilicata MG, Novi S, Capolupo I, Bifulco G, Campiglia P, Gomez-Monterrey I, Snoeck R, Andrei G, Manfra M, Ostacolo C, Lauro G, Bertamino A. Peptidomimetics as potent dual SARS-CoV-2 cathepsin-L and main protease inhibitors: In silico design, synthesis and pharmacological characterization. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116128. [PMID: 38232463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116128] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
In this paper we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new series of peptidomimetics acting as potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Starting from our previously described Main Protease (MPro) and Papain Like Protease (PLPro) dual inhibitor, CV11, here we disclose its high inhibitory activity against cathepsin L (CTSL) (IC50 = 19.80 ± 4.44 nM), an emerging target in SARS-CoV-2 infection machinery. An in silico design, inspired by the structure of CV11, led to the development of a library of peptidomimetics showing interesting activities against CTSL and Mpro, allowing us to trace the chemical requirements for the binding to both enzymes. The screening in Vero cells infected with 5 different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns, highlighted sub-micromolar activities for most of the synthesized compounds (13, 15, 16, 17 and 31) in agreement with the enzymatic inhibition assays results. The compounds showed lack of activity against several different RNA viruses except for the 229E and OC43 human coronavirus strains, also characterized by a cathepsin-L dependent release into the host cells. The most promising derivatives were also evaluated for their chemical and metabolic in-vitro stability, with derivatives 15 and 17 showing a suitable profile for further preclinical characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Ciaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Vestuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Veronica Di Sarno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Simona Musella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gerardina Smaldone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Matteo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valeria Napolitano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Miranda
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Sara Novi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Ilaria Capolupo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bifulco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy; European Biomedical Research Institute (EBRIS), Via S. De Renzi 50, 84125, Salerno, Italy
| | - Isabel Gomez-Monterrey
- Department of Pharmacy, University Federico II of Naples, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Robert Snoeck
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Graciela Andrei
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michele Manfra
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Via Dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy
| | - Carmine Ostacolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Lauro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Alessia Bertamino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
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Sulimov AV, Ilin IS, Tashchilova AS, Kondakova OA, Kutov DC, Sulimov VB. Docking and other computing tools in drug design against SARS-CoV-2. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 35:91-136. [PMID: 38353209 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2024.2306336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The use of computer simulation methods has become an indispensable component in identifying drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. There is a huge body of literature on application of molecular modelling to predict inhibitors against target proteins of SARS-CoV-2. To keep our review clear and readable, we limited ourselves primarily to works that use computational methods to find inhibitors and test the predicted compounds experimentally either in target protein assays or in cell culture with live SARS-CoV-2. Some works containing results of experimental discovery of corresponding inhibitors without using computer modelling are included as examples of a success. Also, some computational works without experimental confirmations are also included if they attract our attention either by simulation methods or by databases used. This review collects studies that use various molecular modelling methods: docking, molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics, machine learning, and others. Most of these studies are based on docking, and other methods are used mainly for post-processing to select the best compounds among those found through docking. Simulation methods are presented concisely, information is also provided on databases of organic compounds that can be useful for virtual screening, and the review itself is structured in accordance with coronavirus target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Sulimov
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I S Ilin
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Tashchilova
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O A Kondakova
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - D C Kutov
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - V B Sulimov
- Dimonta Ltd., Moscow, Russia
- Research Computing Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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5
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Wang Q, Lu X, Jia R, Yan X, Wang J, Zhao L, Zhong R, Sun G. Recent advances in chemometric modelling of inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24209. [PMID: 38293468 PMCID: PMC10826659 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused great harm to all countries worldwide. This disease can be prevented by vaccination and managed using various treatment methods, including injections, oral medications, or aerosol therapies. However, the selection of suitable compounds for the research and development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs is a daunting task because of the vast databases of available compounds. The traditional process of drug research and development is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and costly. The application of chemometrics can significantly expedite drug R&D. This is particularly necessary and important for drug development against pandemic public emergency diseases, such as COVID-19. Through various chemometric techniques, such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modelling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, compounds with inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 can be quickly screened, allowing researchers to focus on the few prioritised candidates. In addition, the ADMET properties of the screened candidate compounds should be further explored to promote the successful discovery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. In this case, considerable time and economic costs can be saved while minimising the need for extensive animal experiments, in line with the 3R principles. This paper focuses on recent advances in chemometric modelling studies of COVID-19-related inhibitors, highlights current limitations, and outlines potential future directions for development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Xinyi Lu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Runqing Jia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Xinlong Yan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Child Development and Nutriomics, Translational Medicine Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Lijiao Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Rugang Zhong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Guohui Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
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6
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Yang Y, Zhang C, Qian X, Jia F, Liang S. Computational study on the mechanisms of inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 M pro by aldehyde warheads based on DFT. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:26308-26315. [PMID: 37747304 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03394e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 main protease, Mpro, plays a crucial role in the virus replication cycle, making it an important target for antiviral research. In this study, a simplified model obtained through truncation is used to explore the reaction mechanism of aldehyde warhead compounds inhibiting Mpro at the level of density functional theory. According to the calculation results, proton transfer (P_T)-nucleophilic attack (N_A) is the rate-determining step in the entire reaction pathway. The water molecule that plays a catalytic role occupies the oxyanion hole, which is unfavorable for the aldehyde warhead to approach the Cys145 SH. Through a hypothetical study of substituting the main chain NH with methylene, it is further confirmed that the P_T-N_A is a proton transfer-dominated process accompanied by a nucleophilic attack reaction. In this process, the oxyanion hole serves only to stabilize the aldehyde oxygen anion and therefore does not have a significant impact on the activation free energy barrier of the step. Our research results provide a unique perspective for understanding the covalent inhibition reaction of the Mpro active site. This study also offers theoretical guidance for the design of new Mpro covalent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Yang
- School of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China.
| | - Chenghua Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xingcan Qian
- School of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China.
| | - Feiyun Jia
- School of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China.
| | - Shiwei Liang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China
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7
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D′Oliviera A, Dai X, Mottaghinia S, Geissler EP, Etienne L, Zhang Y, Mugridge JS. Recognition and Cleavage of Human tRNA Methyltransferase TRMT1 by the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.20.529306. [PMID: 36865253 PMCID: PMC9980103 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.20.529306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is critical for the production of functional viral proteins during infection and, like many viral proteases, can also target host proteins to subvert their cellular functions. Here, we show that the human tRNA methyltransferase TRMT1 can be recognized and cleaved by SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. TRMT1 installs the N2,N2-dimethylguanosine (m2,2G) modification on mammalian tRNAs, which promotes global protein synthesis and cellular redox homeostasis. We find that Mpro can cleave endogenous TRMT1 in human cell lysate, resulting in removal of the TRMT1 zinc finger domain required for tRNA modification activity in cells. Evolutionary analysis shows that the TRMT1 cleavage site is highly conserved in mammals, except in Muroidea, where TRMT1 may be resistant to cleavage. In primates, regions outside the cleavage site with rapid evolution could indicate adaptation to ancient viral pathogens. We determined the structure of a TRMT1 peptide in complex with Mpro, revealing a substrate binding conformation distinct from the majority of available Mpro-peptide complexes. Kinetic parameters for peptide cleavage showed that the TRMT1(526-536) sequence is cleaved with comparable efficiency to the Mpro-targeted nsp8/9 viral cleavage site. Mutagenesis studies and molecular dynamics simulations together indicate that kinetic discrimination occurs during a later step of Mpro-mediated proteolysis that follows substrate binding. Our results provide new information about the structural basis for Mpro substrate recognition and cleavage that could help inform future therapeutic design and raise the possibility that proteolysis of human TRMT1 during SARS-CoV-2 infection suppresses protein translation and oxidative stress response to impact viral pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel D′Oliviera
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Xuhang Dai
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY 10003
| | - Saba Mottaghinia
- CIRI (Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Evan P. Geissler
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Lucie Etienne
- CIRI (Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Yingkai Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY 10003
- Simons Center for Computational Physical Chemistry at New York University, New York, NY 10003
| | - Jeffrey S. Mugridge
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
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8
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Rampogu S, Jung TS, Ha MW, Lee KW. Repurposing and computational design of PARP inhibitors as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10583. [PMID: 37386052 PMCID: PMC10310815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36342-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a recent pandemic that caused serious global emergency. To identify new and effective therapeutics, we employed a drug repurposing approach. The poly (ADP ribose) polymerase inhibitors were used for this purpose and were repurposed against the main protease (Mpro) target of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The results from these studies were used to design compounds using the 'Grow Scaffold' modules available on Discovery Studio v2018. The three designed compounds, olaparib 1826 and olaparib 1885, and rucaparib 184 demonstrated better CDOCKER docking scores for Mpro than their parent compounds. Moreover, the compounds adhered to Lipinski's rule of five and demonstrated a synthetic accessibility score of 3.55, 3.63, and 4.30 for olaparib 1826, olaparib 1885, and rucaparib 184, respectively. The short-range Coulombic and Lennard-Jones potentials also support the potential binding of the modified compounds to Mpro. Therefore, we propose these three compounds as novel SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailima Rampogu
- Department of Bio and Medical Big Data (BK4 Program), Division of Life Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU), Jinju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tae Sung Jung
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min Woo Ha
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea.
| | - Keun Woo Lee
- Department of Bio and Medical Big Data (BK4 Program), Division of Life Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU), Jinju, Republic of Korea.
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Kattula B, Reddi B, Jangam A, Naik L, Adimoolam BM, Vavilapalli S, Are S, Thota JR, Jadav SS, Arifuddin M, Addlagatta A. Development of 2-chloroquinoline based heterocyclic frameworks as dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 M Pro and PL Pro. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124772. [PMID: 37172706 PMCID: PMC10171901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124772] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Evolution of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 warrant the need for the continued efforts in identifying target-oriented new drugs. Dual targeting agents against MPro and PLPro not only overcome the incomplete efficacy but also the drug resistance, which is common problem. Since both these are cysteine proteases, we designed 2-chloroquinoline based molecules with additional imine moiety in the middle as possible nucleophilic warheads. In the first round of design and synthesis, three molecules (C3, C4 and C5) inhibited (Ki < 2 μM) only MPro by binding covalently to C145 and one molecule (C10) inhibited both the proteases non-covalently (Ki < 2 μM) with negligible cytotoxicity. Further conversion of the imine in C10 to azetidinone (C11) improved the potency against both the enzymes in the nanomolar range (820 nM against MPro and 350 nM against PLPro) with no cytotoxicity. Conversion of imine to thiazolidinone (C12), reduced the inhibition by 3-5 folds against both the enzymes. Biochemical and computational studies suggest that C10-C12 bind in the substrate binding pocket of MPro and in the BL2 loop of the PLPro. Since these dual inhibitors have least cytotoxicity, they could be further explored as therapeutics against the SARS-CoV-2 and other analogous viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavita Kattula
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Bharati Reddi
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Aruna Jangam
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Lekhika Naik
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad 500 037, Telangana, India
| | - Bala Manikanta Adimoolam
- Analytical and Structural Chemistry Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Suresh Vavilapalli
- Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India
| | - Sayanna Are
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
| | - Jagadeshwar Reddy Thota
- Analytical and Structural Chemistry Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Organic Synthesis and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
| | - Surender Singh Jadav
- Department of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India.
| | - Mohammed Arifuddin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad 500 037, Telangana, India.
| | - Anthony Addlagatta
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India.
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Andrianov AM, Shuldau MA, Furs KV, Yushkevich AM, Tuzikov AV. AI-Driven De Novo Design and Molecular Modeling for Discovery of Small-Molecule Compounds as Potential Drug Candidates Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098083. [PMID: 37175788 PMCID: PMC10178971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098083] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past three years, significant progress has been made in the development of novel promising drug candidates against COVID-19. However, SARS-CoV-2 mutations resulting in the emergence of new viral strains that can be resistant to the drugs used currently in the clinic necessitate the development of novel potent and broad therapeutic agents targeting different vulnerable spots of the viral proteins. In this study, two deep learning generative models were developed and used in combination with molecular modeling tools for de novo design of small molecule compounds that can inhibit the catalytic activity of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), an enzyme critically important for mediating viral replication and transcription. As a result, the seven best scoring compounds that exhibited low values of binding free energy comparable with those calculated for two potent inhibitors of Mpro, via the same computational protocol, were selected as the most probable inhibitors of the enzyme catalytic site. In light of the data obtained, the identified compounds are assumed to present promising scaffolds for the development of new potent and broad-spectrum drugs inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, an attractive therapeutic target for anti-COVID-19 agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Andrianov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Mikita A Shuldau
- United Institute of Informatics Problems, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220012 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Konstantin V Furs
- United Institute of Informatics Problems, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220012 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Artsemi M Yushkevich
- United Institute of Informatics Problems, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220012 Minsk, Belarus
| | - Alexander V Tuzikov
- United Institute of Informatics Problems, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220012 Minsk, Belarus
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