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Yaghi RM, Andrews CL, Wylie DC, Iverson BL. High-Resolution Substrate Specificity Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 M pro; Comparison to SARS-CoV M pro. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 38865301 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protease from COVID-19 cleaves the pp1a and pp2b polyproteins at 11 sites during viral maturation and is the target of Nirmatrelvir, one of the two components of the frontline treatment sold as Paxlovid. We used the YESS 2.0 platform, combining protease and substrate expression in the yeast endoplasmic reticulum with fluorescence-activated cell sorting and next-generation sequencing, to carry out the high-resolution substrate specificity profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro as well as the related SARS-CoV Mpro from SARS 2003. Even at such a high level of resolution, the substrate specificity profiles of both enzymes are essentially identical. The population of cleaved substrates isolated in our sorts is so deep, the relative catalytic efficiencies of the different cleavage sites on the SARS-CoV-2 polyproteins pp1a and pp2b are qualitatively predicted. These results not only demonstrated the precise and reproducible nature of the YESS 2.0/NGS approach to protease substrate specificity profiling but also should be useful in the design of next generation SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors, and by analogy, SARS-CoV Mpro inhibitors as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha M Yaghi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States of America
| | - Collin L Andrews
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States of America
| | - Dennis C Wylie
- Center of Biomedical Research Support, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States of America
| | - Brent L Iverson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States of America
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Wamser R, Zhang X, Kuropka B, Arkona C, Rademann J. Protein-Templated Ugi Reactions versus In-Situ Ligation Screening: Two Roads to the Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303940. [PMID: 38246870 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303940] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Protein-templated fragment ligation was established as a method for the rapid identification of high affinity ligands, and multicomponent reactions (MCR) such as the Ugi four-component reaction (Ugi 4CR) have been efficient in the synthesis of drug candidates. Thus, the combination of both strategies should provide a powerful approach to drug discovery. Here, we investigate protein-templated Ugi 4CR quantitatively using a fluorescence-based enzyme assay, HPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry (MS), and native protein MS with SARS-CoV-2 main protease as template. Ugi reactions were analyzed in aqueous buffer at varying pH and fragment concentration. Potent inhibitors of the protease were formed in presence of the protein via Ugi 4CR together with Ugi three-component reaction (Ugi 3CR) products. Binding of inhibitors to the protease was confirmed by native MS and resulted in the dimerization of the protein target. Formation of Ugi products was, however, more efficient in the non-templated reaction, apparently due to interactions of the protein with the isocyanide and imine fragments. Consequently, in-situ ligation screening of Ugi 4CR products was identified as a superior approach to the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Wamser
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str.2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xinting Zhang
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str.2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benno Kuropka
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Arkona
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str.2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Rademann
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str.2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Haghir Ebrahim Abadi MH, Ghasemlou A, Bayani F, Sefidbakht Y, Vosough M, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Uversky VN. AI-driven covalent drug design strategies targeting main protease (m pro) against SARS-CoV-2: structural insights and molecular mechanisms. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-29. [PMID: 38287509 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2308769] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. To address this challenge, small-molecule antivirals have been proposed as a crucial therapeutic option. Among potential targets for anti-COVID-19 therapy, the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is important due to its essential role in the virus's life cycle and high conservation. The substrate-binding region of the core proteases of various coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), could be used for the generation of new protease inhibitors. Various drug discovery methods have employed a diverse range of strategies, targeting both monomeric and dimeric forms, including drug repurposing, integrating virtual screening with high-throughput screening (HTS), and structure-based drug design, each demonstrating varying levels of efficiency. Covalent inhibitors, such as Nirmatrelvir and MG-101, showcase robust and high-affinity binding to Mpro, exhibiting stable interactions confirmed by molecular docking studies. Development of effective antiviral drugs is imperative to address potential pandemic situations. This review explores recent advances in the search for Mpro inhibitors and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug design. AI leverages vast datasets and advanced algorithms to streamline the design and identification of promising Mpro inhibitors. AI-driven drug discovery methods, including molecular docking, predictive modeling, and structure-based drug repurposing, are at the forefront of identifying potential candidates for effective antiviral therapy. In a time when COVID-19 potentially threat global health, the quest for potent antiviral solutions targeting Mpro could be critical for inhibiting the virus.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fatemeh Bayani
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yahya Sefidbakht
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Bianconi E, Gidari A, Souma M, Sabbatini S, Grifagni D, Bigiotti C, Schiaroli E, Comez L, Paciaroni A, Cantini F, Francisci D, Macchiarulo A. The hope and hype of ellagic acid and urolithins as ligands of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp5 and inhibitors of viral replication. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2251721. [PMID: 37638806 PMCID: PMC10464554 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2251721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-structural protein 5 (Nsp5) is a cysteine protease that plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 replication, suppressing host protein synthesis and promoting immune evasion. The investigation of natural products as a potential strategy for Nsp5 inhibition is gaining attention as a means of developing antiviral agents. In this work, we have investigated the physicochemical properties and structure-activity relationships of ellagic acid and its gut metabolites, urolithins A-D, as ligands of Nsp5. Results allow us to identify urolithin D as promising ligand of Nsp5, with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range of potency. Although urolithin D is able to bind to the catalytic cleft of Nsp5, the appraisal of its viral replication inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 assay highlights a lack of activity. While these results are discussed in the framework of the available literature reporting conflicting data on polyphenol antiviral activity, they provide new clues for natural products as potential viral protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bianconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Anna Gidari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Souma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Samuele Sabbatini
- Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Deborah Grifagni
- Centre for Magnetic Resonance, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Carlo Bigiotti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucia Comez
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-IOM, National Research Council-CNR, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Cantini
- Centre for Magnetic Resonance, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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