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Motsa BB, Sharma T, Cioffi MD, Chapagain PP, Stahelin RV. Minor electrostatic changes robustly increase VP40 membrane binding, assembly, and budding of Ebola virus matrix protein derived virus-like particles. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107213. [PMID: 38522519 PMCID: PMC11061732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) is a filamentous negative-sense RNA virus, which causes severe hemorrhagic fever. There are limited vaccines or therapeutics for prevention and treatment of EBOV, so it is important to get a detailed understanding of the virus lifecycle to illuminate new drug targets. EBOV encodes for the matrix protein, VP40, which regulates assembly and budding of new virions from the inner leaflet of the host cell plasma membrane (PM). In this work, we determine the effects of VP40 mutations altering electrostatics on PM interactions and subsequent budding. VP40 mutations that modify surface electrostatics affect viral assembly and budding by altering VP40 membrane-binding capabilities. Mutations that increase VP40 net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Arg or Asp to Ala) increase VP40 affinity for phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the host cell PM. This increased affinity enhances PM association and budding efficiency leading to more effective formation of virus-like particles. In contrast, mutations that decrease net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Asp) lead to a decrease in assembly and budding because of decreased interactions with the anionic PM. Taken together, our results highlight the sensitivity of slight electrostatic changes on the VP40 surface for assembly and budding. Understanding the effects of single amino acid substitutions on viral budding and assembly will be useful for explaining changes in the infectivity and virulence of different EBOV strains, VP40 variants that occur in nature, and for long-term drug discovery endeavors aimed at EBOV assembly and budding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balindile B Motsa
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Tej Sharma
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Michael D Cioffi
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Prem P Chapagain
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Robert V Stahelin
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
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2
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Cioffi MD, Husby ML, Gerstman BS, Stahelin RV, Chapagain PP. Role of phosphatidic acid lipids on plasma membrane association of the Ebola virus matrix protein VP40. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2024; 1869:159464. [PMID: 38360201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2024.159464] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 is responsible for the formation of the viral matrix by localizing at the inner leaflet of the human plasma membrane (PM). Various lipid types, including PI(4,5)P2 (i.e. PIP2) and phosphatidylserine (PS), play active roles in this process. Specifically, the negatively charged headgroups of both PIP2 and PS interact with the basic residues of VP40 and stabilize it at the membrane surface, allowing for eventual egress. Phosphatidic acid (PA), resulting from the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD), is also known to play an active role in viral development. In this work, we performed a biophysical and computational analysis to investigate the effects of the presence of PA on the membrane localization and association of VP40. We used coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to quantify VP40 hexamer interactions with the inner leaflet of the PM. Analysis of the local distribution of lipids shows enhanced lipid clustering when PA is abundant in the membrane. We observed that PA lipids have a similar role to that of PS lipids in VP40 association due to the geometry and charge. Complementary experiments performed in cell culture demonstrate competition between VP40 and a canonical PA-binding protein for the PM. Also, inhibition of PA synthesis reduced the detectable budding of virus-like particles. These computational and experimental results provide new insights into the early stages of Ebola virus budding and the role that PA lipids have on the VP40-PM association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Cioffi
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Monica L Husby
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Bernard S Gerstman
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Robert V Stahelin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; The Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Prem P Chapagain
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
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Johnson KA, Budicini MR, Bhattarai N, Sharma T, Urata S, Gerstman BS, Chapagain PP, Li S, Stahelin RV. PI(4,5)P 2 binding sites in the Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 modulate assembly and budding. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100512. [PMID: 38295986 PMCID: PMC10909612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and is lethal in a large percentage of those infected. The EBOV matrix protein viral protein 40 kDa (VP40) is a peripheral binding protein that forms a shell beneath the lipid bilayer in virions and virus-like particles (VLPs). VP40 is required for virus assembly and budding from the host cell plasma membrane. VP40 is a dimer that can rearrange into oligomers at the plasma membrane interface, but it is unclear how these structures form and how they are stabilized. We therefore investigated the ability of VP40 to form stable oligomers using in vitro and cellular assays. We characterized two lysine-rich regions in the VP40 C-terminal domain (CTD) that bind phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and play distinct roles in lipid binding and the assembly of the EBOV matrix layer. The extensive analysis of VP40 with and without lipids by hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry revealed that VP40 oligomers become extremely stable when VP40 binds PI(4,5)P2. The PI(4,5)P2-induced stability of VP40 dimers and oligomers is a critical factor in VP40 oligomerization and release of VLPs from the plasma membrane. The two lysine-rich regions of the VP40 CTD have different roles with respect to interactions with plasma membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) and PI(4,5)P2. CTD region 1 (Lys221, Lys224, and Lys225) interacts with PI(4,5)P2 more favorably than PS and is important for VP40 extent of oligomerization. In contrast, region 2 (Lys270, Lys274, Lys275, and Lys279) mediates VP40 oligomer stability via lipid interactions and has a more prominent role in release of VLPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Johnson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Melissa R Budicini
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Nisha Bhattarai
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tej Sharma
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sarah Urata
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Bernard S Gerstman
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Prem P Chapagain
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Robert V Stahelin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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Motsa BB, Sharma T, Chapagain PP, Stahelin RV. Minor changes in electrostatics robustly increase VP40 membrane binding, assembly, and budding of Ebola virus matrix protein derived virus-like particles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.30.578092. [PMID: 38352396 PMCID: PMC10862912 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.30.578092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) is a filamentous negative-sense RNA virus which causes severe hemorrhagic fever. There are limited vaccines or therapeutics for prevention and treatment of EBOV, so it is important to get a detailed understanding of the virus lifecycle to illuminate new drug targets. EBOV encodes for the matrix protein, VP40, which regulates assembly and budding of new virions from the inner leaflet of the host cell plasma membrane (PM). In this work we determine the effects of VP40 mutations altering electrostatics on PM interactions and subsequent budding. VP40 mutations that modify surface electrostatics affect viral assembly and budding by altering VP40 membrane binding capabilities. Mutations that increase VP40 net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Arg or Asp to Ala) increase VP40 affinity for phosphatidylserine (PS) and PI(4,5)P2 in the host cell PM. This increased affinity enhances PM association and budding efficiency leading to more effective formation of virus-like particles (VLPs). In contrast, mutations that decrease net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Asp) lead to a decrease in assembly and budding because of decreased interactions with the anionic PM. Taken together our results highlight the sensitivity of slight electrostatic changes on the VP40 surface for assembly and budding. Understanding the effects of single amino acid substitutions on viral budding and assembly will be useful for explaining changes in the infectivity and virulence of different EBOV strains, VP40 variants that occur in nature, and for long-term drug discovery endeavors aimed at EBOV assembly and budding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balindile B. Motsa
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Tej Sharma
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Prem P. Chapagain
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Robert V. Stahelin
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Luo Z, Liang Y, Tian M, Ruan Z, Su R, Shereen MA, Yin J, Wu K, Guo J, Zhang Q, Li Y, Wu J. Inhibition of PIKFYVE kinase interferes ESCRT pathway to suppress RNA virus replication. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28527. [PMID: 36695658 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) is essential in the functional operation of endosomal transport in envelopment and budding of enveloped RNA viruses. However, in nonenveloped RNA viruses such as enteroviruses of the Picornaviridae family, the precise function of ESCRT pathway in viral replication remains elusive. Here, we initially evaluated that the ESCRT pathway is important for viral replication upon enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. Furthermore, we discovered that YM201636, a specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide kinase, FYVE finger containing (PIKFYVE) kinase, significantly suppressed EV71 replication and virus-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, YM201636 inhibits PIKFYVE kinase to block the ESCRT pathway and endosomal transport, leading to the disruption of viral entry and replication complex in subcellular components and ultimately repression of intracellular RNA virus replication and virus-induced inflammatory responses. Further studies found that YM201636 broadly represses the replication of other RNA viruses, including coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), poliovirus 1 (PV1), echovirus 11 (E11), Zika virus (ZIKV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), rather than DNA viruses, including adenovirus 3 (ADV3) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Our findings shed light on the mechanism underlying PIKFYVE-modulated ESCRT pathway involved in RNA virus replication, and also provide a prospective antiviral therapy during RNA viruses infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan, China
| | - Yicong Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingfu Tian
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Ruan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan, China
| | - Rui Su
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drug, School of Basic Medical Science, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Muhammad Adnan Shereen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Microbiology, Kohsar University Murree, Kashmir Point, Pakistan
| | - Jialing Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kailang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiwei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan, China
| | - Yongkui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan, China.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Husby ML, Amiar S, Prugar LI, David EA, Plescia CB, Huie KE, Brannan JM, Dye JM, Pienaar E, Stahelin RV. Phosphatidylserine clustering by the Ebola virus matrix protein is a critical step in viral budding. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e51709. [PMID: 36094794 PMCID: PMC9638875 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a critical lipid factor in the assembly and spread of numerous lipid-enveloped viruses. Here, we describe the ability of the Ebola virus (EBOV) matrix protein eVP40 to induce clustering of PS and promote viral budding in vitro, as well as the ability of an FDA-approved drug, fendiline, to reduce PS clustering and subsequent virus budding and entry. To gain mechanistic insight into fendiline inhibition of EBOV replication, multiple in vitro assays were run including imaging, viral budding and viral entry assays. Fendiline lowers PS content in mammalian cells and PS in the plasma membrane, where the ability of VP40 to form new virus particles is greatly lower. Further, particles that form from fendiline-treated cells have altered particle morphology and cannot significantly infect/enter cells. These complementary studies reveal the mechanism by which EBOV matrix protein clusters PS to enhance viral assembly, budding, and spread from the host cell while also laying the groundwork for fundamental drug targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L Husby
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular PharmacologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D)Purdue University, West LafayetteWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - Souad Amiar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular PharmacologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D)Purdue University, West LafayetteWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - Laura I Prugar
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases USAMRIIDFort DetrickFrederickMDUSA
| | - Emily A David
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular PharmacologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - Caroline B Plescia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular PharmacologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - Kathleen E Huie
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases USAMRIIDFort DetrickFrederickMDUSA
| | - Jennifer M Brannan
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases USAMRIIDFort DetrickFrederickMDUSA
| | - John M Dye
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases USAMRIIDFort DetrickFrederickMDUSA
| | - Elsje Pienaar
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D)Purdue University, West LafayetteWest LafayetteINUSA
- Weldon School of Biomedical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - Robert V Stahelin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular PharmacologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D)Purdue University, West LafayetteWest LafayetteINUSA
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Johnson KA, Bhattarai N, Budicini MR, LaBonia CM, Baker SCB, Gerstman BS, Chapagain PP, Stahelin RV. Cysteine Mutations in the Ebolavirus Matrix Protein VP40 Promote Phosphatidylserine Binding by Increasing the Flexibility of a Lipid-Binding Loop. Viruses 2021; 13:1375. [PMID: 34372582 PMCID: PMC8310056 DOI: 10.3390/v13071375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebolavirus (EBOV) is a negative-sense RNA virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. The matrix protein VP40 facilitates viral budding by binding to lipids in the host cell plasma membrane and driving the formation of filamentous, pleomorphic virus particles. The C-terminal domain of VP40 contains two highly-conserved cysteine residues at positions 311 and 314, but their role in the viral life cycle is unknown. We therefore investigated the properties of VP40 mutants in which the conserved cysteine residues were replaced with alanine. The C311A mutation significantly increased the affinity of VP40 for membranes containing phosphatidylserine (PS), resulting in the assembly of longer virus-like particles (VLPs) compared to wild-type VP40. The C314A mutation also increased the affinity of VP40 for membranes containing PS, albeit to a lesser degree than C311A. The double mutant behaved in a similar manner to the individual mutants. Computer modeling revealed that both cysteine residues restrain a loop segment containing lysine residues that interact with the plasma membrane, but Cys311 has the dominant role. Accordingly, the C311A mutation increases the flexibility of this membrane-binding loop, changes the profile of hydrogen bonding within VP40 and therefore binds to PS with greater affinity. This is the first evidence that mutations in VP40 can increase its affinity for biological membranes and modify the length of Ebola VLPs. The Cys311 and Cys314 residues therefore play an important role in dynamic interactions at the plasma membrane by modulating the ability of VP40 to bind PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A. Johnson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (K.A.J.); (M.R.B.); (C.M.L.); (S.C.B.B.)
| | - Nisha Bhattarai
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (N.B.); (B.S.G.); (P.P.C.)
| | - Melissa R. Budicini
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (K.A.J.); (M.R.B.); (C.M.L.); (S.C.B.B.)
| | - Carolyn M. LaBonia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (K.A.J.); (M.R.B.); (C.M.L.); (S.C.B.B.)
| | - Sarah Catherine B. Baker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (K.A.J.); (M.R.B.); (C.M.L.); (S.C.B.B.)
| | - Bernard S. Gerstman
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (N.B.); (B.S.G.); (P.P.C.)
- The Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Prem P. Chapagain
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (N.B.); (B.S.G.); (P.P.C.)
- The Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Robert V. Stahelin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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