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Shahid M, Alaofi AL, Ahmad Ansari M, Fayaz Ahmad S, Alsuwayeh S, Taha E, Raish M. Utilizing sinapic acid as an inhibitory antiviral agent against MERS-CoV PLpro. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:101986. [PMID: 38487020 PMCID: PMC10937238 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.101986] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Concerns about the social and economic collapse, high mortality rates, and stress on the healthcare system are developing due to the coronavirus onslaught in the form of various species and their variants. In the recent past, infections brought on by coronaviruses severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) as well as middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported. There is a severe lack of medications to treat various coronavirus types including MERS-CoV which is hazard to public health due to its ability for pandemic spread by human-to-human transmission. Here, we utilized sinapic acid (SA) against papain-like protease (PLpro), a crucial enzyme involved in MERS-CoV replication, because phytomedicine derived from nature has less well-known negative effects. The thermal shift assay (TSA) was used in the current study to determine whether the drug interact with the recombinant MERS-CoV PLpro. Also, inhibition assay was conducted as the hydrolysis of fluorogenic peptide from the Z-RLRGG-AMC-peptide bond in the presence of SA to determine the level of inhibition of the MERS-CoV PLpro. To study the structural binding efficiency Autodock Vina was used to dock SA to the MERS-CoV PLpro and results were analyzed using PyMOL and Maestro Schrödinger programs. Our results show a convincing interaction between SA and the MERS protease, as SA reduced MERS-CoV PLpro in a dose-dependent way IC50 values of 68.58 μM (of SA). The TSA showed SA raised temperature of melting to 54.61 °C near IC50 and at approximately 2X IC50 concentration (111.5 μM) the Tm for SA + MERS-CoV PLpro was 59.72 °C. SA was docked to MERS-CoV PLpro to identify the binding site. SA bound to the blocking loop (BL2) region of MERS-CoV PLpro interacts with F268, E272, V275, and P249 residues of MERS-CoV PLpro. The effectiveness of protease inhibitors against MERS-CoV has been established and SA is already known for broad range biological activity including antiviral properties; it can be a suitable candidate for anti-MERS-CoV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudassar Shahid
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed L. Alaofi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mushtaq Ahmad Ansari
- Department of Phamacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad
- Department of Phamacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alsuwayeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Taha
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Raish
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Gattan HS, Mahmoud Alawi M, Bajrai LH, Alandijany TA, Alsaady IM, El-Daly MM, Dwivedi VD, Azhar EI. A Multifaceted Computational Approach to Understanding the MERS-CoV Main Protease and Brown Algae Compounds' Interaction. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:626. [PMID: 38132947 PMCID: PMC10744363 DOI: 10.3390/md21120626] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused b a special type of coronavirus called MERS-CoV. In the search for effective substances against the MERS-CoV main protease, we looked into compounds from brown algae, known for their medicinal benefits. From a set of 1212 such compounds, our computer-based screening highlighted four-CMNPD27819, CMNPD1843, CMNPD4184, and CMNPD3156. These showed good potential in how they might attach to the MERS-CoV protease, comparable to a known inhibitor. We confirmed these results with multiple computer tests. Studies on the dynamics and steadiness of these compounds with the MERS-CoV protease were performed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Metrics like RMSD and RMSF showed their stability. We also studied how these compounds and the protease interact in detail. An analysis technique, PCA, showed changes in atomic positions over time. Overall, our computer studies suggest brown algae compounds could be valuable in fighting MERS. However, experimental validation is needed to prove their real-world effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hattan S. Gattan
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Mahmoud Alawi
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Infection Control & Environmental Health Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Leena H. Bajrai
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamir A. Alandijany
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Isra M. Alsaady
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai M. El-Daly
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vivek Dhar Dwivedi
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 605102, India
- Bioinformatics Research Division, Quanta Calculus, Greater Noida 201310, India
| | - Esam I. Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia; (H.S.G.); (M.M.A.); (L.H.B.); (T.A.A.); (M.M.E.-D.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21362, Saudi Arabia
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Marković S, Andrejević NS, Milošević J, Polović NĐ. Structural Transitions of Papain-like Cysteine Proteases: Implications for Sensor Development. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:281. [PMID: 37504169 PMCID: PMC10807080 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8030281] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The significant role of papain-like cysteine proteases, including papain, cathepsin L and SARS-CoV-2 PLpro, in biomedicine and biotechnology makes them interesting model systems for sensor development. These enzymes have a free thiol group that is suitable for many sensor designs including strong binding to gold nanoparticles or low-molecular-weight inhibitors. Focusing on the importance of the preservation of native protein structure for inhibitor-binding and molecular-imprinting, which has been applied in some efficient examples of sensor development, the aim of this work was to examine the effects of the free-thiol-group's reversible blocking on papain denaturation that is the basis of its activity loss and aggregation. To utilize biophysical methods common in protein structural transitions characterization, such as fluorimetry and high-resolution infrared spectroscopy, low-molecular-weight electrophilic thiol blocking reagent S-Methyl methanethiosulfonate (MMTS) was used in solution. MMTS binding led to a two-fold increase in 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid fluorescence, indicating increased hydrophobic residue exposure. A more in-depth analysis showed significant transitions on the secondary structure level upon MMTS binding, mostly characterized by the lowered content of α-helices and unordered structures (either for approximately one third), and the increase in aggregation-specific β-sheets (from 25 to 52%) in a dose-dependant manner. The recovery of this inhibited protein showed that reversibility of inhibition is accompanied by reversibility of protein denaturation. Nevertheless, a 100-fold molar excess of the inhibitor led to the incomplete recovery of proteolytic activity, which can be explained by irreversible denaturation. The structural stability of the C-terminal β-sheet rich domain of the papain-like cysteine protease family opens up an interesting possibility to use its foldamers as a strategy for sensor development and other multiple potential applications that rely on the great commercial value of papain-like cysteine proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Natalija Đ. Polović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Kandeel M. An overview of the recent progress in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:385-400. [PMID: 36971501 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2192921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has remained a public health concern since it first emerged in 2012. Although many potential treatments for MERS-CoV have been developed and tested, none have had complete success in stopping the spread of this deadly disease. MERS-CoV replication comprises attachment, entry, fusion and replication steps. Targeting these events may lead to the creation of medications that effectively treat MERS-CoV infection. AREAS COVERED This review updates the research on the development of inhibitors of MERS-CoV. The main topics are MERS-CoV‒related proteins and host cell proteins that are involved in viral protein activation and infection. EXPERT OPINION Research on discovering drugs that can inhibit MERS-CoV started at a slow pace, and although efforts have steadily increased, clinical trials for new drugs specifically targeting MERS-CoV have not been extensive enough. The explosion in efforts to find new medications for the SARS-CoV-2 virus indirectly enhanced the volume of data on MERS-CoV inhibition by including MERS-CoV in drug assays. The appearance of COVID-19 completely transformed the data available on MERS-CoV inhibition. Despite the fact that new infected cases are constantly being diagnosed, there are currently no approved vaccines for or inhibitors of MERS-CoV.
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