1
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Zhu Y, Gao Z, Feng X, Cheng L, Liu N, Liu C, Han S, Yang Q, Zou Q, Chong H, Zhang Z, Li M, Song G, He Y. Development of potent pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitors with a new design strategy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e666. [PMID: 39070180 PMCID: PMC11283584 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Development of potent and broad-spectrum drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains one of the top priorities, especially in the cases of the emergence of mutant viruses and inability of current vaccines to prevent viral transmission. In this study, we have generated a novel membrane fusion-inhibitory lipopeptide IPB29, which is currently under clinical trials; herein, we report its design strategy and preclinical data. First, we surprisingly found that IPB29 with a rigid linker between the peptide sequence and lipid molecule had greatly improved α-helical structure and antiviral activity. Second, IPB29 potently inhibited a large panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants including the previously and currently circulating viruses, such as Omicron XBB.5.1 and EG.5.1. Third, IPB29 could also cross-neutralize the bat- and pangolin-isolated SARS-CoV-2-related CoVs (RatG13, PCoV-GD, and PCoV-GX) and other human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-229E). Fourth, IPB29 administrated as an inhalation solution (IPB29-IS) in Syrian hamsters exhibited high therapeutic and preventive efficacies against SARS-CoV-2 Delta or Omicron variant. Fifth, the pharmacokinetic profiles and safety pharmacology of IPB29-IS were extensively characterized, providing data to support its evaluation in humans. In conclusion, our studies have demonstrated a novel design strategy for viral fusion inhibitors and offered an ideal drug candidate against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanmei Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of PathogensNational Institute of Pathogen Biology and Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zhongcai Gao
- Research Institute of Youcare Pharmaceutical Group Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Kunming National High‐level Biosafety Research Center for Non‐Human PrimatesCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Lin Cheng
- Institute of HepatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseaseShenzhen Third People's HospitalThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Nian Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of PathogensNational Institute of Pathogen Biology and Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Chao Liu
- Research Institute of Youcare Pharmaceutical Group Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Shaowei Han
- Research Institute of Youcare Pharmaceutical Group Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Qiaojiang Yang
- Kunming National High‐level Biosafety Research Center for Non‐Human PrimatesCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Qingcui Zou
- Kunming National High‐level Biosafety Research Center for Non‐Human PrimatesCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Huihui Chong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of PathogensNational Institute of Pathogen Biology and Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Institute of HepatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseaseShenzhen Third People's HospitalThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Minghua Li
- Kunming National High‐level Biosafety Research Center for Non‐Human PrimatesCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceKunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Gengshen Song
- Research Institute of Youcare Pharmaceutical Group Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Yuxian He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of PathogensNational Institute of Pathogen Biology and Center for AIDS ResearchChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
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2
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Düzgüneş N, Tao Z, Zhang Y, Krajewski K. Peptides Derived from the SARS-CoV-2 S2-Protein Heptad-Repeat-2 Inhibit Pseudoviral Fusion at Micromolar Concentrations: The Role of Palmitic Acid Conjugation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6382. [PMID: 38928089 PMCID: PMC11203579 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126382] [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: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 S-protein-mediated fusion is thought to involve the interaction of the membrane-distal or N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) ("HR1") of the cleaved S2 segment of the protein and the membrane-proximal or C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR) ("HR2") regions of the protein. We examined the fusion inhibitory activity of a PEGylated HR2-derived peptide and its palmitoylated derivative using a pseudovirus infection assay. The latter peptide caused a 76% reduction in fusion activity at 10 µM. Our results suggest that small variations in peptide derivatization and differences in the membrane composition of pseudovirus preparations may affect the inhibitory potency of HR2-derived peptides. We suggest that future studies on the inhibition of infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in both in vitro and in vivo systems consider the need for higher concentrations of peptide inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nejat Düzgüneş
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
| | - Zhihua Tao
- BPS Bioscience, 6405 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; (Z.T.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yuxia Zhang
- BPS Bioscience, 6405 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; (Z.T.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Krzysztof Krajewski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 3057 Genetic Medicine, CB# 7260, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
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3
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Zannella C, Chianese A, Monti A, Giugliano R, Morone MV, Secci F, Sanna G, Manzin A, De Filippis A, Doti N, Galdiero M. SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Peptide Conjugated to a Tetravalent Dendrimer Selectively Inhibits Viral Infection. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2791. [PMID: 38140131 PMCID: PMC10748278 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122791] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusion is a key event for enveloped viruses, through which viral and cell membranes come into close contact. This event is mediated by viral fusion proteins, which are divided into three structural and functional classes. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein belongs to class I fusion proteins, characterized by a trimer of helical hairpins and an internal fusion peptide (FP), which is exposed once fusion occurs. Many efforts have been directed at finding antivirals capable of interfering with the fusion mechanism, mainly by designing peptides on the two heptad-repeat regions present in class I viral fusion proteins. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of the FP sequence conjugated to a tetravalent dendrimer through a classical organic nucleophilic substitution reaction (SN2) using a synthetic bromoacetylated peptide mimicking the FP and a branched scaffold of poly-L-Lysine functionalized with cysteine residues. We found that the FP peptide conjugated to the dendrimer, unlike the monomeric FP sequence, has virucidal activity by impairing the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to cells. Furthermore, we found that the peptide dendrimer does not have the same effects on other coronaviruses, demonstrating that it is selective against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Annalisa Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Alessandra Monti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Rosa Giugliano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Morone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Francesco Secci
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Aldo Manzin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Anna De Filippis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
- UOC of Virology and Microbiology, University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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4
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Siebert HC, Eckert T, Bhunia A, Klatte N, Mohri M, Siebert S, Kozarova A, Hudson JW, Zhang R, Zhang N, Li L, Gousias K, Kanakis D, Yan M, Jiménez-Barbero J, Kožár T, Nifantiev NE, Vollmer C, Brandenburger T, Kindgen-Milles D, Haak T, Petridis AK. Blood pH Analysis in Combination with Molecular Medical Tools in Relation to COVID-19 Symptoms. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051421. [PMID: 37239092 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051421] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 provided the stage to accumulate an enormous biomedical data set and an opportunity as well as a challenge to test new concepts and strategies to combat the pandemic. New research and molecular medical protocols may be deployed in different scientific fields, e.g., glycobiology, nanopharmacology, or nanomedicine. We correlated clinical biomedical data derived from patients in intensive care units with structural biology and biophysical data from NMR and/or CAMM (computer-aided molecular modeling). Consequently, new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated. Specifically, we tested the suitability of incretin mimetics with one or two pH-sensitive amino acid residues as potential drugs to prevent or cure long-COVID symptoms. Blood pH values in correlation with temperature alterations in patient bodies were of clinical importance. The effects of biophysical parameters such as temperature and pH value variation in relation to physical-chemical membrane properties (e.g., glycosylation state, affinity of certain amino acid sequences to sialic acids as well as other carbohydrate residues and lipid structures) provided helpful hints in identifying a potential Achilles heel against long COVID. In silico CAMM methods and in vitro NMR experiments (including 31P NMR measurements) were applied to analyze the structural behavior of incretin mimetics and SARS-CoV fusion peptides interacting with dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. These supramolecular complexes were analyzed under physiological conditions by 1H and 31P NMR techniques. We were able to observe characteristic interaction states of incretin mimetics, SARS-CoV fusion peptides and DPC membranes. Novel interaction profiles (indicated, e.g., by 31P NMR signal splitting) were detected. Furthermore, we evaluated GM1 gangliosides and sialic acid-coated silica nanoparticles in complex with DPC micelles in order to create a simple virus host cell membrane model. This is a first step in exploring the structure-function relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and incretin mimetics with conserved pH-sensitive histidine residues in their carbohydrate recognition domains as found in galectins. The applied methods were effective in identifying peptide sequences as well as certain carbohydrate moieties with the potential to protect the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These clinically relevant observations on low blood pH values in fatal COVID-19 cases open routes for new therapeutic approaches, especially against long-COVID symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Christian Siebert
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Eckert
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
- RISCC-Research Institute for Scientific Computing and Consulting, Ludwig-Schunk-Str. 15, 35452 Heuchelheim, Germany
- Institut für Veterinärphysiologie und Biochemie, Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Str. 100, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Anirban Bhunia
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M), Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Nele Klatte
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
| | - Marzieh Mohri
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Simone Siebert
- RI-B-NT-Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Schauenburgerstr. 116, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Anna Kozarova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - John W Hudson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Ruiyan Zhang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Lan Li
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus, Rüttenscheid, Alfried-Krupp-Straße 21, 45131 Essen, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Gousias
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinikum Lünen, St.-Marien-Hospital, Akad. Lehrkrankenhaus der Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 44534 Lünen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Kanakis
- Institute of Pathology, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Egkomi, Cyprus
| | - Mingdi Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | | | - Tibor Kožár
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park, P. J. Šafárik University, Jesenná 5, 04001 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Nikolay E Nifantiev
- Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Chemistry, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 47, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Christian Vollmer
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Timo Brandenburger
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Detlef Kindgen-Milles
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Haak
- Diabetes Klinik Bad Mergentheim, Theodor-Klotzbücher-Str. 12, 97980 Bad Mergentheim, Germany
| | - Athanasios K Petridis
- Medical School, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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5
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EF4K bola-amphiphilic peptide nanomembrane: structural, energetic and dynamic properties using molecular dynamics. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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6
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Kim TY, Kim JY, Kwon HC, Jeon S, Lee SJ, Jung H, Kim S, Jang DS, Lee CJ. Astersaponin I from Aster koraiensis is a natural viral fusion blocker that inhibits the infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants and syncytium formation. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105428. [PMID: 36252824 PMCID: PMC9568284 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants prolongs COVID-19 pandemic. Although SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics are currently available, there is still a need for development of safe and effective drugs against SARS-CoV-2 and also for preparedness for the next pandemic. Here, we discover that astersaponin I (AI), a triterpenoid saponin in Aster koraiensis inhibits SARS-CoV-2 entry pathways at the plasma membrane and within the endosomal compartments mainly by increasing cholesterol content in the plasma membrane and interfering with the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 envelope with the host cell membrane. Moreover, we find that this functional property of AI as a fusion blocker enables it to inhibit the infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants including the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron with a similar efficacy, and the formation of syncytium, a multinucleated cells driven by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cell-to-cell fusion. Finally, we claim that the triterpene backbone as well as the attached hydrophilic sugar moieties of AI are structurally important for its inhibitory activity against the membrane fusion event. Overall, this study demonstrates that AI is a natural viral fusion inhibitor and proposes that it can be a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against current COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks of novel viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai Young Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34126, South Korea
| | - Ji-Young Kim
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
| | - Hak Cheol Kwon
- KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, 25451, South Korea
| | - Sangeun Jeon
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Sol Ji Lee
- IBS Virus Facility, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34126, South Korea
| | - Haejin Jung
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Research Solution Center, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34126, South Korea
| | - Seungtaek Kim
- Zoonotic Virus Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dae Sik Jang
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 34126, South Korea.
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7
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented health crisis and economic burden worldwide. Its etiological agent SARS-CoV-2, a new virus in the coronavirus family, has infected hundreds of millions of people worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 has evolved over the past 2 years to increase its transmissibility as well as to evade the immunity established by previous infection and vaccination. Nevertheless, strong immune responses can be elicited by viral infection and vaccination, which have proved to be protective against the emergence of variants, particularly with respect to hospitalization or severe disease. Here, we review our current understanding of how the virus enters the host cell and how our immune system is able to defend against cell entry and infection. Neutralizing antibodies are a major component of our immune defense and have been extensively studied for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Structures of these neutralizing antibodies have provided valuable insights into epitopes that are protective against the original ancestral virus and the variants that have emerged. The molecular characterization of neutralizing epitopes as well as epitope conservation and resistance are important for design of next-generation vaccines and antibody therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejun Liu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ian A. Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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8
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Identification of antiviral peptide inhibitors for receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 omicron and its sub-variants: an in-silico approach. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:198. [PMID: 35923684 PMCID: PMC9342843 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03258-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Omicron, a variant of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2, emerged in South Africa in November 2021. Omicron has been continuously acquiring a series of new mutations, especially in the spike (S) protein that led to high infectivity and transmissibility. Peptides targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein by which omicron and its variants attach to the host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) can block the viral infection at the first step. This study aims to identify antiviral peptides from the Antiviral peptide database (AVPdb) and HIV-inhibitory peptide database (HIPdb) against the RBD of omicron by using a molecular docking approach. The lead RBD binder peptides obtained through molecular docking were screened for allergenicity and physicochemical criteria (isoelectric point (pI) and net charge) required for peptide-based drugs. The binding affinity of the best five peptide inhibitors with the RBD of omicron was validated further by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our result introduces five antiviral peptides, including AVP1056, AVP1059, AVP1225, AVP1801, and HIP755, that may effectively hinder omicron-host interactions. It is worth mentioning that all the three major sub-variants of omicron, BA.1 (B.1.1.529.1), BA.2 (B.1.1.529.2), and BA.3 (B.1.1.529.3), exhibits conserved ACE-2 interacting residues. Hence, the screened antiviral peptides with similar affinity can also interrupt the RBD-mediated invasion of different major sub-variants of omicron. Altogether, these peptides can be considered in the peptide-based therapeutics development for omicron treatment after further experimentation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03258-4.
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9
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Schmidt TF, Caseli L. Molecular organization of dengue fusion peptide in phospholipid monolayers revealed by tensiometry and vibrational spectroscopy. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 215:112477. [PMID: 35381500 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112477] [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: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of Dengue fusion peptide (FLAg) in selected lipid Langmuir monolayers was characterized with surface pressure-area isotherms and infrared spectroscopy to investigate the role of the membrane charge and molecular organization in the peptide-lipid binding. Surface pressure-area isotherms were employed to analyze the thermodynamic and mechanical properties of the FLAg-lipid monolayer, showing that charged lipid monolayers showed different peptide adsorption patterns for an optimized peptide concentration (maximum membrane adsorption). Polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy pointed out that incorporating FLAg changed the dipole orientations for the lipid polar head groups, as confirmed in PG-containing monolayers. Also, FLAg reorients the lipid film when it interacts with the phosphate and choline groups. Finally, analysis of the 310-helix bands suggests that FLAg assumes a configuration as a hairpin, an essential premise for the beginning of the membrane fusion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís F Schmidt
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil; Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul, São Caetano do Sul, SP, Brazil.
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10
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Yoon E, Kim D, Jeon H, Kwon Y, Jang Y, Kim S, Yeon Hwang K. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants—Possibility of Universal Vaccine Design: A Review. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3533-3544. [PMID: 35765543 PMCID: PMC9221512 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Both novel and conventional vaccination strategies have been implemented worldwide since the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite various medical advances in the treatment and prevention of the spread of this contagious disease, it remains a major public health threat with a high mortality rate. As several lethal SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge, the development of several vaccines and medicines, each with certain advantages and disadvantages, is underway. Additionally, many modalities are at various stages of research and development or clinical trials. Here, we summarize emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, including delta, omicron, and “stealth omicron,” as well as available oral drugs for COVID-19. We also discuss possible antigen candidates other than the receptor-binding domain protein for the development of a universal COVID-19 vaccine. The present review will serve as a helpful resource for future vaccine and drug development to combat COVID-19.
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11
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Sukmarini L. Antiviral Peptides (AVPs) of Marine Origin as Propitious Therapeutic Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Human Viruses. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092619. [PMID: 35565968 PMCID: PMC9101517 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The marine environment presents a favorable avenue for potential therapeutic agents as a reservoir of new bioactive natural products. Due to their numerous potential pharmacological effects, marine-derived natural products—particularly marine peptides—have gained considerable attention. These peptides have shown a broad spectrum of biological functions, such as antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulatory, and analgesic effects. The emergence of new virus strains and viral resistance leads to continuing efforts to develop more effective antiviral drugs. Interestingly, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that possess antiviral properties and are alternatively regarded as antiviral peptides (AVPs) demonstrate vast potential as alternative peptide-based drug candidates available for viral infection treatments. Hence, AVPs obtained from various marine organisms have been evaluated. This brief review features recent updates of marine-derived AVPs from 2011 to 2021. Moreover, the biosynthesis of this class of compounds and their possible mechanisms of action are also discussed. Selected peptides from various marine organisms possessing antiviral activities against important human viruses—such as human immunodeficiency viruses, herpes simplex viruses, influenza viruses, hepatitis C virus, and coronaviruses—are highlighted herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sukmarini
- Research Center for Applied Microbiology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, West Java, Indonesia
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Yan Q, Liu X, Sun Y, Zeng W, Li Y, Zhao F, Wu K, Fan S, Zhao M, Chen J, Yi L. Swine Enteric Coronavirus: Diverse Pathogen–Host Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073953. [PMID: 35409315 PMCID: PMC8999375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Swine enteric coronavirus (SeCoV) causes acute gastroenteritis and high mortality in newborn piglets. Since the last century, porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) have swept farms all over the world and caused substantial economic losses. In recent years, porcine delta coronavirus (PDCoV) and swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) have been emerging SeCoVs. Some of them even spread across species, which made the epidemic situation of SeCoV more complex and changeable. Recent studies have begun to reveal the complex SeCoV–host interaction mechanism in detail. This review summarizes the current advances in autophagy, apoptosis, and innate immunity induced by SeCoV infection. These complex interactions may be directly involved in viral replication or the alteration of some signal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanhui Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiaodi Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yawei Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Weijun Zeng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuwan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Feifan Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Keke Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shuangqi Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Mingqiu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jinding Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (J.C.); (L.Y.); Tel.: +86-20-8528-8017 (J.C. & L.Y.)
| | - Lin Yi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Q.Y.); (X.L.); (Y.S.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.Z.); (K.W.); (S.F.); (M.Z.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (J.C.); (L.Y.); Tel.: +86-20-8528-8017 (J.C. & L.Y.)
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Wang H, Wang X, Li J, Li Q, Feng S, Lu L, Wang C, Jiang S. Design of artificial α-helical peptides targeting both gp41 deep pocket and subpocket as potent HIV-1 fusion inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114336. [PMID: 35395438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114336] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Both the deep pocket region and its neighboring subpocket site on the N-trimer of HIV-1 gp41 protein can serve as targets for the development of HIV-1 entry inhibitors. Pocket-binding domain (PBD)-containing peptides with the potential to inhibit HIV-1 fusion through targeting the deep pocket have been extensively exploited. However, using an artificial peptide strategy, we herein report the design of α-helical lipopeptides with non-native protein sequences as HIV-1 fusion inhibitors that can occupy both gp41 deep cavity and subpocket sites. The most active compound, PP24C, inhibited HIV-1 replication, including T20-resistant HIV-1 mutants, at low nanomolar level. Biophysical approaches revealed that both the artificial α-helical peptide P35A4 and its cholesterol-tagged peptide PP24C could bind to T21 peptide used as a target surrogate comprising both pockets. Our study offers a new template for the design of artificial anti-HIV-1 therapeutics and highlights the novel concept of peptide secondary structure-based virus fusion inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xinling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 131 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Key Laboratory of Structure-based Drug Design and Discovery of the Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Siliang Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 131 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 131 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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