1
|
Ajmal A, Shahab M, Waqas M, Zheng G, Zulfat M, Bin Jardan YA, Wondmie GF, Bourhia M, Ali I. In silico design of peptide inhibitors for Dengue virus to treat Dengue virus-associated infections. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13130. [PMID: 38849372 PMCID: PMC11161489 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63064-1] [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: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus is a single positive-strand RNA virus that is composed of three structural proteins including capsid, envelope, and precursor membrane while seven non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3A, NS3B, NS4, and NS5). Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV). DENV infections are asymptomatic or produce only mild illness. However, DENV can occasionally cause more severe cases and even death. There is no specific treatment for dengue virus infections. Therapeutic peptides have several important advantages over proteins or antibodies: they are small in size, easy to synthesize, and have the ability to penetrate the cell membranes. They also have high activity, specificity, affinity, and less toxicity. Based on the known peptide inhibitor, the current study designs peptide inhibitors for dengue virus envelope protein using an alanine and residue scanning technique. By replacing I21 with Q21, L14 with H14, and V28 with K28, the binding affinity of the peptide inhibitors was increased. The newly designed peptide inhibitors with single residue mutation improved the binding affinity of the peptide inhibitors. The inhibitory capability of the new promising peptide inhibitors was further confirmed by the utilization of MD simulation and free binding energy calculations. The molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated that the newly engineered peptide inhibitors exhibited greater stability compared to the wild-type peptide inhibitors. According to the binding free energies MM(GB)SA of these developed peptides, the first peptide inhibitor was the most effective against the dengue virus envelope protein. All peptide derivatives had higher binding affinities for the envelope protein and have the potential to treat dengue virus-associated infections. In this study, new peptide inhibitors were developed for the dengue virus envelope protein based on the already reported peptide inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amar Ajmal
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahab
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al-Mouz, 616, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Guojun Zheng
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Maryam Zulfat
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Yousef A Bin Jardan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, 70000, Laayoune, Morocco
| | - Ijaz Ali
- Centre for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Hawally, Kuwait
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Serafim MSM, Kronenberger T, Rocha REO, Rosa ADRA, Mello TLG, Poso A, Ferreira RS, Abrahão JS, Kroon EG, Mota BEF, Maltarollo VG. Aminopyrimidine Derivatives as Multiflavivirus Antiviral Compounds Identified from a Consensus Virtual Screening Approach. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:393-411. [PMID: 38194508 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01505] [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: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Around three billion people are at risk of infection by the dengue virus (DENV) and potentially other flaviviruses. Worldwide outbreaks of DENV, Zika virus (ZIKV), and yellow fever virus (YFV), the lack of antiviral drugs, and limitations on vaccine usage emphasize the need for novel antiviral research. Here, we propose a consensus virtual screening approach to discover potential protease inhibitors (NS3pro) against different flavivirus. We employed an in silico combination of a hologram quantitative structure-activity relationship (HQSAR) model and molecular docking on characterized binding sites followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which filtered a data set of 7.6 million compounds to 2,775 hits. Lastly, docking and MD simulations selected six final potential NS3pro inhibitors with stable interactions along the simulations. Five compounds had their antiviral activity confirmed against ZIKV, YFV, DENV-2, and DENV-3 (ranging from 4.21 ± 0.14 to 37.51 ± 0.8 μM), displaying aggregator characteristics for enzymatic inhibition against ZIKV NS3pro (ranging from 28 ± 7 to 70 ± 7 μM). Taken together, the compounds identified in this approach may contribute to the design of promising candidates to treat different flavivirus infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Sá Magalhães Serafim
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry and Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery (TüCAD2), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Excellence Cluster "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" (CMFI), Tübingen 72076, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Rafael Eduardo Oliveira Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Amanda Del Rio Abreu Rosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Thaysa Lara Gonçalves Mello
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Antti Poso
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry and Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery (TüCAD2), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen 70211, Germany
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jonatas Santos Abrahão
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Erna Geessien Kroon
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Bruno Eduardo Fernandes Mota
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Gonçalves Maltarollo
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garaev TM, Grebennikova TV, Lebedeva VV, Avdeeva VV, Larichev VF. Compounds based on Adamantyl-substituted Amino Acids and Peptides as Potential Antiviral Drugs Acting as Viroporin Inhibitors. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:912-920. [PMID: 38482627 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128286111240229074810] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The discussion has revolved around the derivatives of amino acids and peptides containing carbocycles and their potential antiviral activity in vitro against influenza A, hepatitis C viruses, and coronavirus. Studies conducted on cell cultures reveal that aminoadamantane amino acid derivatives exhibit the capacity to hinder the replication of viruses containing viroporins. Furthermore, certain compounds demonstrate potent virucidal activity with respect to influenza A/H5N1 and hepatitis C virus particles. A conceptual framework for viroporin inhibitors has been introduced, incorporating carbocyclic motifs as membranotropic carriers in the structure, alongside a functional segment comprised of amino acids and peptides. These components correspond to the interaction with the inner surface of the channel's pore or another target protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timur M Garaev
- The Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 18 Gamaleya St., Moscow 123098, Russia
| | - Tatyana V Grebennikova
- The Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 18 Gamaleya St., Moscow 123098, Russia
| | - Varvara V Lebedeva
- The Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 18 Gamaleya St., Moscow 123098, Russia
| | - Varvara V Avdeeva
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskii pr. 31, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Viktor F Larichev
- The Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 18 Gamaleya St., Moscow 123098, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma X, Liang Y, Zhang S. iAVPs-ResBi: Identifying antiviral peptides by using deep residual network and bidirectional gated recurrent unit. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2023; 20:21563-21587. [PMID: 38124610 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Human history is also the history of the fight against viral diseases. From the eradication of viruses to coexistence, advances in biomedicine have led to a more objective understanding of viruses and a corresponding increase in the tools and methods to combat them. More recently, antiviral peptides (AVPs) have been discovered, which due to their superior advantages, have achieved great impact as antiviral drugs. Therefore, it is very necessary to develop a prediction model to accurately identify AVPs. In this paper, we develop the iAVPs-ResBi model using k-spaced amino acid pairs (KSAAP), encoding based on grouped weight (EBGW), enhanced grouped amino acid composition (EGAAC) based on the N5C5 sequence, composition, transition and distribution (CTD) based on physicochemical properties for multi-feature extraction. Then we adopt bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) to fuse features for obtaining the most differentiated information from multiple original feature sets. Finally, the deep model is built by combining improved residual network and bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU) to perform classification. The results obtained are better than those of the existing methods, and the accuracies are 95.07, 98.07, 94.29 and 97.50% on the four datasets, which show that iAVPs-ResBi can be used as an effective tool for the identification of antiviral peptides. The datasets and codes are freely available at https://github.com/yunyunliang88/iAVPs-ResBi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Ma
- School of Science, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Yunyun Liang
- School of Science, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Shengli Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Singh S, Verma AK, Chowdhary N, Sharma S, Awasthi A. Dengue havoc: overview and eco-friendly strategies to forestall the current epidemic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:124806-124828. [PMID: 37989950 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30745-9] [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: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that affects over 100 nations around the world, including Africa, America, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. Those who get infected by virus for the second time are at greater risk of having persistent dengue symptoms. Dengue fever has yet to be treated with a long-lasting vaccination or medication. Because of their ease of use, mosquito repellents have become popular as a dengue prevention technique. However, this has resulted in environmental degradation and harm, as well as bioaccumulation and biomagnification of hazardous residues in the ecosystem. Synthetic pesticides have caused a plethora of serious problems that were not foreseen when they were originally introduced. The harm caused by the allopathic medications/synthetic pesticides/chemical mosquito repellents has paved the door to employment of eco-friendly/green approaches in order to reduce dengue cases while protecting the integrity of the nearby environment too. Since the cases of dengue have become rampant these days, hence, starting the medication obtained from green approaches as soon as the disease is detected is advisable. In the present paper, we recommend environmentally friendly dengue management strategies, which, when combined with a reasonable number of vector control approaches, may help to avoid the dengue havoc as well as help in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satpal Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, 174103
| | - Arunima Kumar Verma
- Department of Zoology, Autonomous Government P.G. College, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India, 485001
| | - Nupoor Chowdhary
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, 174103
| | - Shikha Sharma
- Department of Botany, Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector-11, Chandigarh, India, 160011
| | - Abhishek Awasthi
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, 174103.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moustafa RI, Faraag AHI, El-Shenawy R, Agwa MM, Elsayed H. Harnessing immunoinformatics for developing a multiple-epitope peptide-based vaccination approach against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103661. [PMID: 37163156 PMCID: PMC10141799 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has spread to over 200 countries with variable severity and mortality rates. Computational analysis is a valuable tool for developing B-cell and T-cell epitope-based vaccines. In this study, by harnessing immunoinformatics tools, we designed a multiple-epitope vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The candidate epitopes were designed from highly conserved regions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein. The consensus amino acids sequence of ten SARS-CoV-2 variants including Gamma, Beta, Epsilon, Delta, Alpha, Kappa, Iota, Lambda, Mu, and Omicron was involved. Applying the multiple sequence alignment plugin and the antigenic prediction tools of Geneious prime 2021, ten predicted variants were identified and consensus S-protein sequences were used to predict the antigenic part. According to ElliPro analysis of S-protein B-cell prediction, we explored 22 continuous linear epitopes with high scores ranging from 0.879 to 0.522. First, we reported five promising epitopes: BE1 1115-1192, BE2 481-563, BE3 287-313, BE4 62-75, and BE5 112-131 with antigenicity scores of 0.879, 0.86, 0.813, 0.779, and 0.765, respectively, while only nine discontinuous epitopes scored between 0.971 and 0.511. Next, we identified 194 Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) - I and 156 MHC - II epitopes with antigenic characteristics. These spike-specific peptide-epitopes with characteristically high immunogenic and antigenic scores have the potential as a SARS-CoV-2 multiple-epitope peptide-based vaccination strategy. Nevertheless, further experimental investigations are needed to test for the vaccine efficacy and efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rehab I Moustafa
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H I Faraag
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Egypt
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mona M Agwa
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, Egypt
| | - Hassan Elsayed
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Urmi UL, Vijay AK, Kuppusamy R, Islam S, Willcox MDP. A Review of the Antiviral Activity of Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides. Peptides 2023; 166:171024. [PMID: 37172781 PMCID: PMC10170872 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Viral epidemics are occurring frequently, and the COVID-19 viral pandemic has resulted in at least 6.5 million deaths worldwide. Although antiviral therapeutics are available, these may not have sufficient effect. The emergence of resistant or novel viruses requires new therapies. Cationic antimicrobial peptides are agents of the innate immune system that may offer a promising solution to viral infections. These peptides are gaining attention as possible therapies for viral infections or for use as prophylactic agents to prevent viral spread. This narrative review examines antiviral peptides, their structural features, and mechanism of activity. A total of 156 cationic antiviral peptides were examined for information of their mechanism of action against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Antiviral peptides can be isolated from various natural sources or can be generated synthetically. The latter tend to be more specific and effective and can be made to have a broad spectrum of activity with minimal side effects. Their unique properties of being positively charges and amphipathic enable their main mode of action which is to target and disrupt viral lipid envelopes, thereby inhibiting viral entry and replication. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of antiviral peptides, which could potentially aid in the design and creation of novel antiviral medications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Umme Laila Urmi
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Ajay Kumar Vijay
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Rajesh Kuppusamy
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Salequl Islam
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
| | - Mark D P Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Castro-Amarante MFD, Pereira SS, Pereira LR, Santos LS, Venceslau-Carvalho AA, Martins EG, Balan A, Souza Ferreira LCD. The Anti-Dengue Virus Peptide DV2 Inhibits Zika Virus Both In Vitro and In Vivo. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040839. [PMID: 37112820 PMCID: PMC10143277 DOI: 10.3390/v15040839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal portion of the E protein, known as stem, is conserved among flaviviruses and is an important target to peptide-based antiviral strategies. Since the dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses share sequences in the stem region, in this study we evaluated the cross-inhibition of ZIKV by the stem-based DV2 peptide (419–447), which was previously described to inhibit all DENV serotypes. Thus, the anti-ZIKV effects induced by treatments with the DV2 peptide were tested in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Molecular modeling approaches have demonstrated that the DV2 peptide interacts with amino acid residues exposed on the surface of pre- and postfusion forms of the ZIKA envelope (E) protein. The peptide did not have any significant cytotoxic effects on eukaryotic cells but efficiently inhibited ZIKV infectivity in cultivated Vero cells. In addition, the DV2 peptide reduced morbidity and mortality in mice subjected to lethal challenges with a ZIKV strain isolated in Brazil. Taken together, the present results support the therapeutic potential of the DV2 peptide against ZIKV infections and open perspectives for the development and clinical testing of anti-flavivirus treatments based on synthetic stem-based peptides.
Collapse
|
9
|
Lee MF, Wu YS, Poh CL. Molecular Mechanisms of Antiviral Agents against Dengue Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030705. [PMID: 36992414 PMCID: PMC10056858 DOI: 10.3390/v15030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue is a major global health threat causing 390 million dengue infections and 25,000 deaths annually. The lack of efficacy of the licensed Dengvaxia vaccine and the absence of a clinically approved antiviral against dengue virus (DENV) drive the urgent demand for the development of novel anti-DENV therapeutics. Various antiviral agents have been developed and investigated for their anti-DENV activities. This review discusses the mechanisms of action employed by various antiviral agents against DENV. The development of host-directed antivirals targeting host receptors and direct-acting antivirals targeting DENV structural and non-structural proteins are reviewed. In addition, the development of antivirals that target different stages during post-infection such as viral replication, viral maturation, and viral assembly are reviewed. Antiviral agents designed based on these molecular mechanisms of action could lead to the discovery and development of novel anti-DENV therapeutics for the treatment of dengue infections. Evaluations of combinations of antiviral drugs with different mechanisms of action could also lead to the development of synergistic drug combinations for the treatment of dengue at any stage of the infection.
Collapse
|
10
|
Pashmforoosh N, Baradaran M. Peptides with Diverse Functions from Scorpion Venom: A Great Opportunity for the Treatment of a Wide Variety of Diseases. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2023; 27:84-99. [PMID: 37070616 PMCID: PMC10314758 DOI: 10.61186/ibj.3863] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Toxicology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran The venom glands are a rich source of biologically important peptides with pharmaceutical properties. Scorpion venoms have been identified as a reservoir for components that might be considered as great candidates for drug development. Pharmacological properties of the venom compounds have been confirmed in the treatment of different disorders. Ion channel blockers and AMPs are the main groups of scorpion venom components. Despite the existence of several studies about scorpion peptides, there are still valuable components to be discovered. Additionally, owing to the improvement of proteomics and transcriptomics, the number of peptide drugs is steadily increasing, which reflects the importance of these medications. This review evaluates available literatures on some important scorpion venom peptides with pharmaceutical activities. Given that the last three years have been dominated by the COVID-19 from the medical/pharmaceutical perspective, scorpion compounds with the potential against the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Masoumeh Baradaran
- Corresponding Author: Masoumeh Baradaran Toxicology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lee MF, Poh CL. Strategies to improve the physicochemical properties of peptide-based drugs. Pharm Res 2023; 40:617-632. [PMID: 36869247 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03486-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Peptides are a rapid-growing class of therapeutics with unique and desirable physicochemical properties. Due to disadvantages such as low membrane permeability and susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, peptide-based drugs have limited bioavailability, a short half-life, and rapid in vivo elimination. Various strategies can be applied to improve the physicochemical properties of peptide-based drugs to overcome limitations such as limited tissue residence time, metabolic instability, and low permeability. Applied strategies including backbone modifications, side chain modifications, conjugation with polymers, modification of peptide termini, fusion to albumin, conjugation with the Fc portion of antibodies, cyclization, stapled peptides, pseudopeptides, cell-penetrating peptide conjugates, conjugation with lipids, and encapsulation in nanocarriers are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Felicia Lee
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Selangor 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dengue virus infection - a review of pathogenesis, vaccines, diagnosis and therapy. Virus Res 2023; 324:199018. [PMID: 36493993 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.199018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transmission of dengue virus (DENV) from an infected Aedes mosquito to a human, causes illness ranging from mild dengue fever to fatal dengue shock syndrome. The similar conserved structure and sequence among distinct DENV serotypes or different flaviviruses has resulted in the occurrence of cross reaction followed by antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). Thus far, the vaccine which can provide effective protection against infection by different DENV serotypes remains the biggest hurdle to overcome. Therefore, deep investigation is crucial for the potent and effective therapeutic drugs development. In addition, the cross-reactivity of flaviviruses that leads to false diagnosis in clinical settings could result to delay proper intervention management. Thus, the accurate diagnostic with high specificity and sensitivity is highly required to provide prompt diagnosis in respect to render early treatment for DENV infected individuals. In this review, the recent development of neutralizing antibodies, antiviral agents, and vaccine candidates in therapeutic platform for DENV infection will be discussed. Moreover, the discovery of antigenic cryptic epitopes, principle of molecular mimicry, and application of single-chain or single-domain antibodies towards DENV will also be presented.
Collapse
|
13
|
A Review: The Antiviral Activity of Cyclic Peptides. Int J Pept Res Ther 2023; 29:7. [PMID: 36471676 PMCID: PMC9713128 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10478-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In the design and development of therapeutic agents, macromolecules with restricted structures have stronger competitive edges than linear biological entities since cyclization can overcome the limitations of linear structures. The common issues of linear peptides include susceptibility to degradation of the peptidase enzyme, off-target effects, and necessity of routine dosing, leading to instability and ineffectiveness. The unique conformational constraint of cyclic peptides provides a larger surface area to interact with the target at the same time, improving the membrane permeability and in vivo stability compared to their linear counterparts. Currently, cyclic peptides have been reported to possess various activities, such as antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial activities. To date, there is emerging interest in cyclic peptide therapeutics, and increasing numbers of clinically approved cyclic peptide drugs are available on the market. In this review, the medical significance of cyclic peptides in the defence against viral infections will be highlighted. Except for chikungunya virus, which lacks specific antiviral treatment, all the viral diseases targeted in this review are those with effective treatments yet with certain limitations to date. Thus, strategies and approaches to optimise the antiviral effect of cyclic peptides will be discussed along with their respective outcomes. Apart from isolated naturally occurring cyclic peptides, chemically synthesized or modified cyclic peptides with antiviral activities targeting coronavirus, herpes simplex viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, Ebola virus, influenza virus, dengue virus, five main hepatitis viruses, termed as type A, B, C, D and E and chikungunya virus will be reviewed herein. Graphical Abstract
Collapse
|
14
|
Raja RK, Nguyen-Tri P, Balasubramani G, Alagarsamy A, Hazir S, Ladhari S, Saidi A, Pugazhendhi A, Samy AA. SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants: a comprehensive review on nanotechnological application insights into potential approaches. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE 2023; 13:65-93. [PMID: 34131555 PMCID: PMC8190993 DOI: 10.1007/s13204-021-01900-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) spreads and develops quickly worldwide as a new global crisis which has left deep socio-economic damage and massive human mortality. This virus accounts for the ongoing outbreak and forces an urgent need to improve antiviral therapeutics and targeted diagnosing tools. Researchers have been working to find a new drug to combat the virus since the outbreak started in late 2019, but there are currently no successful drugs to control the SARS-CoV-2, which makes the situation riskier. Very recently, new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is identified in many countries which make the situation very critical. No successful treatment has yet been shown although enormous international commitment to combat this pandemic and the start of different clinical trials. Nanomedicine has outstanding potential to solve several specific health issues, like viruses, which are regarded a significant medical issue. In this review, we presented an up-to-date drug design strategy against SARS-CoV-2, including the development of novel drugs and repurposed product potentials were useful, and successful drugs discovery is a constant requirement. The use of nanomaterials in treatment against SARS-CoV-2 and their use as carriers for the transport of the most frequently used antiviral therapeutics are discussed systematically here. We also addressed the possibilities of practical applications of nanoparticles to give the status of COVID-19 antiviral systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Phuong Nguyen-Tri
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, University du Québec àTrois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, Canada
| | - Govindasamy Balasubramani
- Aquatic Animal Health and Environmental Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, 600028 India
| | - Arun Alagarsamy
- Department of Microbiology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu 630003 India
| | - Selcuk Hazir
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Safa Ladhari
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, University du Québec àTrois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, Canada
| | - Alireza Saidi
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST), 505 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, QC H3A 3C2 Canada
| | - Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
- Innovative Green Product Synthesis and Renewable Environment Development Research Group, Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Freitas ED, Bataglioli RA, Oshodi J, Beppu MM. Antimicrobial peptides and their potential application in antiviral coating agents. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 217:112693. [PMID: 35853393 PMCID: PMC9262651 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus pandemic has evidenced the importance of creating bioactive materials to mitigate viral infections, especially in healthcare settings and public places. Advances in antiviral coatings have led to materials with impressive antiviral performance; however, their application may face health and environmental challenges. Bio-inspired antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are suitable building blocks for antimicrobial coatings due to their versatile design, scalability, and environmentally friendly features. This review presents the advances and opportunities on the AMPs to create virucidal coatings. The review first describes the fundamental characteristics of peptide structure and synthesis, highlighting the recent findings on AMPs and the role of peptide structure (α-helix, β-sheet, random, and cyclic peptides) on the virucidal mechanism. The following section presents the advances in AMPs coating on medical devices with a detailed description of the materials coated and the targeted pathogens. The use of peptides in vaccine formulations is also reported, emphasizing the molecular interaction of peptides with different viruses and the current clinical stage of each formulation. The role of several materials (metallic particles, inorganic materials, and synthetic polymers) in the design of antiviral coatings is also presented, discussing the advantages and the drawbacks of each material. The final section offers future directions and opportunities for using AMPs on antiviral coatings to prevent viral outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle D Freitas
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Rogério A Bataglioli
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Josephine Oshodi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Marisa M Beppu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Recalde-Reyes DP, Rodríguez-Salazar CA, Castaño-Osorio JC, Giraldo MI. PD1 CD44 antiviral peptide as an inhibitor of the protein-protein interaction in dengue virus invasion. Peptides 2022; 153:170797. [PMID: 35378215 PMCID: PMC10807690 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) infection is mediated by the interaction between the virus envelope protein and cellular receptors of the host cells. In this study, we designed peptides to inhibit protein-protein interaction between dengue virus and CD44 receptor, which is one of the receptors used by DENV for entry. In silico model complexes were designed between domain III of the viral envelope protein of dengue virus 2 and the domain of human CD44 receptor using ClusPro 2.0, (https://cluspro.bu.edu/login.php), and inhibition peptides were designed with Rosetta Online-Server(http://rosie.rosettacommons.org/peptiderive). We identified one linear antiviral peptide of 18 amino acids derived from the human CD44 receptor, PD1 CD44. It did not show hemolysis or toxicity in HepG2 or BHK cell lines, nor did it stimulate the release of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, below 100 µM. It had an IC50 of 13.8 µM and maximum effective dose of 54.9 µM evaluated in BHK cells. The decrease in plaque-forming units/mL for DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4 was 99.60%, 99.40%, 97.80%, and 70.50%, respectively, and similar results were obtained by RT-qPCR. Non-structural protein 1 release was decreased in pre- and co-treatment but not in post-treatment. Competition assays between the DN59 peptide, envelope protein, and the fragment of domain III "MDKLQLKGMSYSMCTGKF" of the viral envelope of DENV2 and PD1 CD44 showed that our peptide lost its antiviral activity. We demonstrated that our peptide decreased endosome formation, and we propose that it binds to the envelope protein of DENV, inhibiting viral invasion/fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delia Piedad Recalde-Reyes
- Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia 630003, Colombia; Molecular Biology and Virology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander Von Humboldt, Armenia 630003, Colombia.
| | - Carlos Andrés Rodríguez-Salazar
- Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia 630003, Colombia; Molecular Biology and Virology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander Von Humboldt, Armenia 630003, Colombia
| | - Jhon Carlos Castaño-Osorio
- Center of Biomedical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia 630003, Colombia.
| | - María Isabel Giraldo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555,USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pourmand S, Zareei S, Shahlaei M, Moradi S. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by potent peptides designed by the mutation of ACE2 binding region. Comput Biol Med 2022; 146:105625. [PMID: 35688710 PMCID: PMC9110306 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in millions of deaths. Despite all attempts that have been made to combat the pandemic, the re-emergence of new variants complicated SARS-CoV-2 eradication. The ongoing global spread of COVID-19 demands the incessant development of novel agents in vaccination, diagnosis, and therapeutics. Targeting receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein by which the virus identifies host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), is a promising strategy for curbing viral infection. This study aims to discover novel peptide inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 entry using computational approaches. The RBD binding domain of ACE2 was extracted and docked against the RBD. MMPBSA calculations revealed the binding energies of each residue in the template. The residues with unfavorable binding energies were considered as mutation spots by OSPREY. Binding energies of the residues in RBD-ACE2 interface was determined by molecular docking. Peptide inhibitors were designed by the mutation of RBD residues in the virus-receptors complex which had unfavorable energies. Peptide tendency for RBD binding, safety, and allergenicity were the criteria based on which the final hits were screened among the initial library. Molecular dynamics simulations also provided information on the mechanisms of inhibitory action in peptides. The results were finally validated by molecular docking simulations to make sure the peptides are capable of hindering virus-host interaction. Our results introduce three peptides P7 (RAWTFLDKFNHEAEDLRYQSSLASWN), P13 (RASTFLDKFNHEAEDLRYQSSLASWN), and P19 (RADTFLDKFNHEAEDLRYQSSLASWN) as potential effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry which could be considered in drug development for COVID-19 treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Pourmand
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sara Zareei
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Shahlaei
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Sajad Moradi
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Parra ALC, Bezerra LP, Shawar DE, Neto NAS, Mesquita FP, da Silva GO, Souza PFN. Synthetic antiviral peptides: a new way to develop targeted antiviral drugs. Future Virol 2022. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The global concern over emerging and re-emerging viral infections has spurred the search for novel antiviral agents. Peptides with antiviral activity stand out, by overcoming limitations of the current drugs utilized, due to their biocompatibility, specificity and effectiveness. Synthetic peptides have been shown to be viable alternatives to natural peptides due to several difficulties of using of the latter in clinical trials. Various platforms have been utilized by researchers to predict the most effective peptide sequences against HIV, influenza, dengue, MERS and SARS. Synthetic peptides are already employed in the treatment of HIV infection. The novelty of this study is to discuss, for the first time, the potential of synthetic peptides as antiviral molecules. We conclude that synthetic peptides can act as new weapons against viral threats to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aura LC Parra
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, 60440-554, Brazil
| | - Leandro P Bezerra
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, 60440-554, Brazil
| | - Dur E Shawar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, 60440-554, Brazil
| | - Nilton AS Neto
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, 60440-554, Brazil
| | - Felipe P Mesquita
- Drug Research & Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, Rodolfo Teófilo, 1000, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Gabrielly O da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, 60440-554, Brazil
| | - Pedro FN Souza
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, 60440-554, Brazil
- Drug Research & Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, Rodolfo Teófilo, 1000, Fortaleza, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sajid M, Marriam S, Mukhtar H, Sohail S, Sajid M, Sehgal SA. Epitope-based peptide vaccine design and elucidation of novel compounds against 3C like protein of SARS-CoV-2. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264700. [PMID: 35324925 PMCID: PMC8947391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-stranded RNA viruses with short clubs on their edges. CoVs are pathogenic viruses that infect several animals and plant organisms, as well as humans (lethal respiratory dysfunctions). A noval strain of CoV has been reported and named as SARS-CoV-2. Numerous COVID-19 cases were being reported all over the World. COVID-19 and has a high mortality rate. In the present study, immunoinformatics techniques were utilized to predict the antigenic epitopes against 3C like protein. B-cell epitopes and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) were designed computationally against SARS-CoV-2. Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) of seven complete strains (HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) was performed to elucidate the binding domain and interacting residues. MHC-I binding epitopes were evaluated by analyzing the binding affinity of the top-ranked peptides having HLA molecule. By utilizing the docked complexes of CTL epitopes with antigenic sites, the binding relationship and affinity of top-ranked predicted peptides with the MHC-I HLA protein were investigated. The molecular docking analyses were conducted on the ZINC database library and twelve compounds having least binding energy were scrutinized. In conclusion, twelve CTL epitopes (GTDLEGNFY, TVNVLAWLY, GSVGFNIDY, SEDMLNPNY, LSQTGIAV, VLDMCASLK, LTQDHVDIL, TTLNDFNLV, CTSEDMLNP, TTITVNVLA, YNGSPSGVY, and SMQNCVLKL) were identified against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sajid
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Saigha Marriam
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | | | - Summar Sohail
- Department of Forestry, Kohsar University Murree, Murree, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajid
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
- * E-mail: (MS); (SAS)
| | - Sheikh Arslan Sehgal
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
- * E-mail: (MS); (SAS)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Rani P, Kapoor B, Gulati M, Atanasov AG, Alzahrani Q, Gupta R. Antimicrobial peptides: A plausible approach for COVID-19 treatment. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:473-487. [PMID: 35255763 PMCID: PMC8935455 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2050693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which emerged as a major public health threat, has affected >400 million people globally leading to >5 million mortalities to date. Treatments of COVID-19 are still to be developed as the available therapeutic approaches are not able to combat the virus causing the disease (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SARS-CoV-2) satisfactorily. However, antiviral peptides (AVPs) have demonstrated prophylactic and therapeutic effects against many coronaviruses (CoVs). AREAS COVERED This review critically discusses various types of AVPs evaluated for the treatment of COVID-19 along with their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the peptides inhibiting the entry of the virus by targeting its binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) or integrins, fusion mechanism as well as activation of proteolytic enzymes (cathepsin L, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), or furin) are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Although extensively investigated, successful treatment of COVID-19 is still a challenge due to emergence of virus mutants. Antiviral peptides are anticipated to be blockbuster drugs for the management of this serious infection because of their formulation and therapeutic advantages. Although they may act on different pathways, AVPs having a multi-targeted approach are considered to have the upper hand in the management of this infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Rani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Bhupinder Kapoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Qushmua Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacy/Nursing/Medicine Health and Environment, University of the Region of Joinville (UNIVILLE) volunteer researcher, Joinville, Brazil
| | - Reena Gupta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Therapeutic peptides: current applications and future directions. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:48. [PMID: 35165272 PMCID: PMC8844085 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00904-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 437] [Impact Index Per Article: 218.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide drug development has made great progress in the last decade thanks to new production, modification, and analytic technologies. Peptides have been produced and modified using both chemical and biological methods, together with novel design and delivery strategies, which have helped to overcome the inherent drawbacks of peptides and have allowed the continued advancement of this field. A wide variety of natural and modified peptides have been obtained and studied, covering multiple therapeutic areas. This review summarizes the efforts and achievements in peptide drug discovery, production, and modification, and their current applications. We also discuss the value and challenges associated with future developments in therapeutic peptides.
Collapse
|
22
|
Hung SJ, Tsai HP, Wang YF, Ko WC, Wang JR, Huang SW. Assessment of the Risk of Severe Dengue Using Intrahost Viral Population in Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Patients via Machine Learning. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:831281. [PMID: 35223554 PMCID: PMC8866709 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.831281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus, a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, continuously threatens human health. Although several criteria for evaluation of severe dengue have been recently established, the ability to prognose the risk of severe outcomes for dengue patients remains limited. Mutant spectra of RNA viruses, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and defective virus genomes (DVGs), contribute to viral virulence and growth. Here, we determine the potency of intrahost viral population in dengue patients with primary infection that progresses into severe dengue. A total of 65 dengue virus serotype 2 infected patients in primary infection including 17 severe cases were enrolled. We utilized deep sequencing to directly define the frequency of SNVs and detection times of DVGs in sera of dengue patients and analyzed their associations with severe dengue. Among the detected SNVs and DVGs, the frequencies of 9 SNVs and the detection time of 1 DVG exhibited statistically significant differences between patients with dengue fever and those with severe dengue. By utilizing the detected frequencies/times of the selected SNVs/DVG as features, the machine learning model showed high average with a value of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC, 0.966 ± 0.064). The elevation of the frequency of SNVs at E (nucleotide position 995 and 2216), NS2A (nucleotide position 4105), NS3 (nucleotide position 4536, 4606), and NS5 protein (nucleotide position 7643 and 10067) and the detection times of the selected DVG that had a deletion junction in the E protein region (nucleotide positions of the junction: between 969 and 1022) increased the possibility of dengue patients for severe dengue. In summary, we demonstrated the detected frequencies/times of SNVs/DVG in dengue patients associated with severe disease and successfully utilized them to discriminate severe patients using machine learning algorithm. The identified SNVs and DVGs that are associated with severe dengue will expand our understanding of intrahost viral population in dengue pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su-Jhen Hung
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Pin Tsai
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Fang Wang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Ren Wang
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wen Huang
- National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Sheng-Wen Huang,
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Molecular dynamics simulations and Gaussian network model for designing antibody mimicking protein towards dengue envelope protein. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.118086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
24
|
Masomian M, Lalani S, Poh CL. Molecular Docking of SP40 Peptide towards Cellular Receptors for Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71). Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216576. [PMID: 34770987 PMCID: PMC8587434 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is one of the predominant etiological agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HMFD), which can cause severe central nervous system infections in young children. There is no clinically approved vaccine or antiviral agent against HFMD. The SP40 peptide, derived from the VP1 capsid of EV-A71, was reported to be a promising antiviral peptide that targeted the host receptor(s) involved in viral attachment or entry. So far, the mechanism of action of SP40 peptide is unknown. In this study, interactions between ten reported cell receptors of EV-A71 and the antiviral SP40 peptide were evaluated through molecular docking simulations, followed by in vitro receptor blocking with specific antibodies. The preferable binding region of each receptor to SP40 was predicted by global docking using HPEPDOCK and the cell receptor-SP40 peptide complexes were refined using FlexPepDock. Local molecular docking using GOLD (Genetic Optimization for Ligand Docking) showed that the SP40 peptide had the highest binding score to nucleolin followed by annexin A2, SCARB2 and human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase. The average GoldScore for 5 top-scoring models of human cyclophilin, fibronectin, human galectin, DC-SIGN and vimentin were almost similar. Analysis of the nucleolin-SP40 peptide complex showed that SP40 peptide binds to the RNA binding domains (RBDs) of nucleolin. Furthermore, receptor blocking by specific monoclonal antibody was performed for seven cell receptors of EV-A71 and the results showed that the blocking of nucleolin by anti-nucleolin alone conferred a 93% reduction in viral infectivity. Maximum viral inhibition (99.5%) occurred when SCARB2 was concurrently blocked with anti-SCARB2 and the SP40 peptide. This is the first report to reveal the mechanism of action of SP40 peptide in silico through molecular docking analysis. This study provides information on the possible binding site of SP40 peptide to EV-A71 cellular receptors. Such information could be useful to further validate the interaction of the SP40 peptide with nucleolin by site-directed mutagenesis of the nucleolin binding site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Masomian
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (C.L.P.); Tel.: +603-74918622 (ext. 7603) (M.M.); +603-74918622 (ext. 7338) (C.L.P.)
| | | | - Chit Laa Poh
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (C.L.P.); Tel.: +603-74918622 (ext. 7603) (M.M.); +603-74918622 (ext. 7338) (C.L.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Aldakheel FM, Abrar A, Munir S, Aslam S, Allemailem KS, Khurshid M, Ashfaq UA. Proteome-Wide Mapping and Reverse Vaccinology Approaches to Design a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Clostridium perfringens. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1079. [PMID: 34696187 PMCID: PMC8539331 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
C. perfringens is a highly versatile bacteria of livestock and humans, causing enteritis (a common food-borne illness in humans), enterotoxaemia (in which toxins are formed in the intestine which damage and destroy organs, i.e., the brain), and gangrene (wound infection). There is no particular cure for the toxins of C. perfringens. Supportive care (medical control of pain, intravenous fluids) is the standard treatment. Therefore, a multiple-epitope vaccine (MEV) should be designed to battle against C. perfringens infection. Furthermore, the main objective of this in silico investigation is to design an MEV that targets C. perfringens. For this purpose, we selected the top three proteins that were highly antigenic using immuno-informatics approaches, including molecular docking. B-cells, IFN-gamma, and T cells for target proteins were predicted and the most conserved epitopes were selected for further investigation. For the development of the final MEV, epitopes of LBL5, CTL17, and HTL13 were linked to GPGPG, AAY, and KK linkers. The vaccine N-end was joined to an adjuvant through an EAAK linker to improve immunogenicity. After the attachment of linkers and adjuvants, the final construct was 415 amino acids. B-cell and IFN-gamma epitopes demonstrate that the model structure is enhanced for humoral and cellular immune responses. To validate the immunogenicity and safety of the final construct, various physicochemical properties, and other properties such as antigenicity and non-allergens, were evaluated. Furthermore, molecular docking was carried out for verification of vaccine compatibility with the receptor, evaluated in silico. Also, in silico cloning was employed for the verification of the proper expression and credibility of the construct.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fahad M. Aldakheel
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Amna Abrar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (A.A.); (S.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Samman Munir
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (A.A.); (S.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Sehar Aslam
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (A.A.); (S.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Khaled S. Allemailem
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohsin Khurshid
- Department of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
| | - Usman Ali Ashfaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (A.A.); (S.M.); (S.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
El Hidan MA, Laaradia MA, El Hiba O, Draoui A, Aimrane A, Kahime K. Scorpion-Derived Antiviral Peptides with a Special Focus on Medically Important Viruses: An Update. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:9998420. [PMID: 34527748 PMCID: PMC8437663 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9998420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The global burden of viral infection, especially the current pandemics of SARS-CoV-2, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis, is a very risky one. Additionally, HCV expresses the necessity for antiviral therapeutic elements. Venoms are known to contain an array of bioactive peptides that are commonly used in the treatment of various medical issues. Several peptides isolated from scorpion venom have recently been proven to possess an antiviral activity against several viral families. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of scorpion antiviral peptides and to discuss their modes of action and potential biomedical application against different viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moulay Abdelmonaim El Hidan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | | | - Omar El Hiba
- Nutritional Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
| | - Ahmed Draoui
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences and Environment, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
| | - Abdelmohcine Aimrane
- Nutritional Physiopathology Team, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
- Metabolic Platform, Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Cadi Ayad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Kholoud Kahime
- SAEDD Laboratory, School of Technology Essaouira, Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakesh, Morocco
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hollmann A, Cardoso NP, Espeche JC, Maffía PC. Review of antiviral peptides for use against zoonotic and selected non-zoonotic viruses. Peptides 2021; 142:170570. [PMID: 34000327 PMCID: PMC8120785 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Viruses remain one of the leading causes of animal and human disease. Some animal viral infections spread sporadically to human populations, posing a serious health risk. Particularly the emerging viral zoonotic diseases such as the novel, zoonotic coronavirus represent an actual challenge for the scientific and medical community. Besides human health risks, some animal viral infections, although still not zoonotic, represent important economic loses to the livestock industry. Viral infections pose a genuine concern for which there has been an increasing interest for new antiviral molecules. Among these novel compounds, antiviral peptides have been proposed as promising therapeutic options, not only for the growing body of evidence showing hopeful results but also due to the many adverse effects of chemical-based drugs. Here we review the current progress, key targets and considerations for the development of antiviral peptides (AVPs). The review summarizes the state of the art of the AVPs tested in zoonotic (coronaviruses, Rift Valley fever viruses, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, Dengue and Junín virus) and also non-zoonotic farm animal viruses (avian and cattle viruses). Their molecular target, amino acid sequence and mechanism of action are summarized and reviewed. Antiviral peptides are currently on the cutting edge since they have been reported to display anti-coronavirus activity. Particularly, the review will discuss the specific mode of action of AVPs that specifically inhibit the fusion of viral and host-cell membranes for SARS-CoV-2, showing in detail some important features of the fusion inhibiting peptides that target the spike protein of these risky viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Axel Hollmann
- Laboratorio de Compuestos Bioactivos, Centro de Investigaciones en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos (CIBAAL), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero, RN 9, Km 1125, 4206, Santiago del Estero, Argentina; Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Microbiología Básica y Aplicada, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nancy P Cardoso
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas, IVIT - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan C Espeche
- Laboratorio de Compuestos Bioactivos, Centro de Investigaciones en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos (CIBAAL), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero, RN 9, Km 1125, 4206, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Paulo C Maffía
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, Av. Vergara 2222, Villa Tesei, Hurlingham, B1688GEZ, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Omar NAS, Fen YW, Ramli I, Sadrolhosseini AR, Abdullah J, Yusof NA, Kamil YM, Mahdi MA. An Optical Sensor for Dengue Envelope Proteins Using Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposite Thin Film: Enhanced Sensitivity, Selectivity, and Recovery Studies. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:762. [PMID: 33671059 PMCID: PMC7957696 DOI: 10.3390/polym13050762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel idea to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical sensor for detection of dengue virus type-2 envelope proteins (DENV-2 E-proteins) using polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer biopolymer-based nanocomposite thin film. For this purpose, two ranges of DENV-2 E-protein concentrations, i.e., 0.000008-0.0001 nM and 0.00008-0.005 nM were evaluated, and the lowest detectable concentration was achieved at 0.00008 nM. The incorporation of PAMAM dendrimer-based nanocomposite thin film with an SPR sensor exhibited a significant increase in sensitivity and binding affinity to a lower range DENV-2 E-protein concentrations. Moreover, the proposed sensor displayed good selectivity towards DENV-2 E-proteins and have an average recovery of 80-120%. The findings of this study demonstrated that PAMAM dendrimer-based nanocomposite thin film combined with SPR sensor is a promising diagnostic tool for sensitive and selective detection of DENV-2 E-proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nur Alia Sheh Omar
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (N.A.S.O.); (I.R.); (J.A.); (N.A.Y.)
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Yap Wing Fen
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (N.A.S.O.); (I.R.); (J.A.); (N.A.Y.)
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Irmawati Ramli
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (N.A.S.O.); (I.R.); (J.A.); (N.A.Y.)
| | - Amir Reza Sadrolhosseini
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Jaafar Abdullah
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (N.A.S.O.); (I.R.); (J.A.); (N.A.Y.)
| | - Nor Azah Yusof
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (N.A.S.O.); (I.R.); (J.A.); (N.A.Y.)
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Yasmin Mustapha Kamil
- inLAZER Dynamics Sdn Bhd, InnoHub Unit, Putra Science Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Mohd Adzir Mahdi
- Wireless and Photonics Network Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Waqas M, Haider A, Rehman A, Qasim M, Umar A, Sufyan M, Akram HN, Mir A, Razzaq R, Rasool D, Tahir RA, Sehgal SA. Immunoinformatics and Molecular Docking Studies Predicted Potential Multiepitope-Based Peptide Vaccine and Novel Compounds against Novel SARS-CoV-2 through Virtual Screening. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1596834. [PMID: 33728324 PMCID: PMC7910514 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1596834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-strand RNA viruses which have club-like spikes at the surface with a unique replication process. Coronaviruses are categorized as major pathogenic viruses causing a variety of diseases in birds and mammals including humans (lethal respiratory dysfunctions). Nowadays, a new strain of coronaviruses is identified and named as SARS-CoV-2. Multiple cases of SARS-CoV-2 attacks are being reported all over the world. SARS-CoV-2 showed high death rate; however, no specific treatment is available against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS In the current study, immunoinformatics approaches were employed to predict the antigenic epitopes against SARS-CoV-2 for the development of the coronavirus vaccine. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and B-cell epitopes were predicted for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus protein. Multiple sequence alignment of three genomes (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) was used to conserved binding domain analysis. RESULTS The docking complexes of 4 CTL epitopes with antigenic sites were analyzed followed by binding affinity and binding interaction analyses of top-ranked predicted peptides with MHC-I HLA molecule. The molecular docking (Food and Drug Regulatory Authority library) was performed, and four compounds exhibiting least binding energy were identified. The designed epitopes lead to the molecular docking against MHC-I, and interactional analyses of the selected docked complexes were investigated. In conclusion, four CTL epitopes (GTDLEGNFY, TVNVLAWLY, GSVGFNIDY, and QTFSVLACY) and four FDA-scrutinized compounds exhibited potential targets as peptide vaccines and potential biomolecules against deadly SARS-CoV-2, respectively. A multiepitope vaccine was also designed from different epitopes of coronavirus proteins joined by linkers and led by an adjuvant. CONCLUSION Our investigations predicted epitopes and the reported molecules that may have the potential to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These findings can be a step towards the development of a peptide-based vaccine or natural compound drug target against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ali Haider
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdur Rehman
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahitsham Umar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sufyan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Hafiza Nisha Akram
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Asif Mir
- Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Roha Razzaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Danish Rasool
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Rana Adnan Tahir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Sahiwal Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sheikh Arslan Sehgal
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mulgaonkar N, Wang H, King M, Fernando S. Druggability assessment of precursor membrane protein as a target for inhibiting the Zika virus. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:3508-3524. [PMID: 33256554 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1851304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The Zika virus (ZIKV), a significant zoonotic flavivirus, was neglected as a human pathogen until the recent epidemic. The rapid geographic spread of the virus and association with neurological disorders has created a global public health concern pressing the need for anti-ZIKV drugs. Previous ZIKV drug discovery research has focused on three primary targets, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, envelope protein, and viral proteases, and none has yet resulted in a commercially viable inhibitor. In the quest for finding effective inhibitors, it is important to expand the number of targets available for drug discovery research. To this end, the ZIKV precursor membrane protein (prM) comes to the forefront as a potential target due to its critical role in virus infectivity and pathogenicity. prM acts as a chaperone for envelope protein folding and prevents premature fusion of virions to the host membrane and has not been attempted as a drug target before. One critical requirement for a protein to be an effective target is the ability of the protein to be druggable, i.e. having active sites that can bind to specific ligands. In this work, the druggability of prM was assessed via molecular docking combined molecular dynamics simulations followed binding affinity kinetics studies. Compounds that had a high affinity to the prM protein were screened in silico and ligand-binding free energies were computed using molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area continuum solvation (MM-GBSA) method. In vitro binding kinetics via biolayer interferometry (BLI) and interaction analysis confirmed that prM could be targeted for drug discovery to combat ZIKV infection.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirmitee Mulgaonkar
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Haoqi Wang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Maria King
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sandun Fernando
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Puentes PR, Henao MC, Torres CE, Gómez SC, Gómez LA, Burgos JC, Arbeláez P, Osma JF, Muñoz-Camargo C, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. Design, Screening, and Testing of Non-Rational Peptide Libraries with Antimicrobial Activity: In Silico and Experimental Approaches. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E854. [PMID: 33265897 PMCID: PMC7759991 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the challenges of modern biotechnology is to find new routes to mitigate the resistance to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an alternative type of biomolecules, naturally present in a wide variety of organisms, with the capacity to overcome the current microorganism resistance threat. Here, we reviewed our recent efforts to develop a new library of non-rationally produced AMPs that relies on bacterial genome inherent diversity and compared it with rationally designed libraries. Our approach is based on a four-stage workflow process that incorporates the interplay of recent developments in four major emerging technologies: artificial intelligence, molecular dynamics, surface-display in microorganisms, and microfluidics. Implementing this framework is challenging because to obtain reliable results, the in silico algorithms to search for candidate AMPs need to overcome issues of the state-of-the-art approaches that limit the possibilities for multi-space data distribution analyses in extremely large databases. We expect to tackle this challenge by using a recently developed classification algorithm based on deep learning models that rely on convolutional layers and gated recurrent units. This will be complemented by carefully tailored molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate specific interactions with lipid bilayers. Candidate AMPs will be recombinantly-expressed on the surface of microorganisms for further screening via different droplet-based microfluidic-based strategies to identify AMPs with the desired lytic abilities. We believe that the proposed approach opens opportunities for searching and screening bioactive peptides for other applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ruiz Puentes
- Center for Research and Formation in Artificial Intelligence, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (P.R.P.); (P.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - María C. Henao
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia;
| | - Carlos E. Torres
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Saúl C. Gómez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Laura A. Gómez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Juan C. Burgos
- Chemical Engineering Program, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena 130015, Colombia;
| | - Pablo Arbeláez
- Center for Research and Formation in Artificial Intelligence, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (P.R.P.); (P.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia;
| | - Carolina Muñoz-Camargo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia;
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota DC 111711, Colombia; (C.E.T.); (S.C.G.); (L.A.G.); (C.M.-C.)
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Waqas M, Haider A, Sufyan M, Siraj S, Sehgal SA. Determine the Potential Epitope Based Peptide Vaccine Against Novel SARS-CoV-2 Targeting Structural Proteins Using Immunoinformatics Approaches. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:227. [PMID: 33195402 PMCID: PMC7593713 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the Coronaviridae-family. The genus Beta-coronaviruses, are enveloped positive strand RNA viruses with club-like spikes at the surface with a unique replication process and a large RNA genome (∼25 kb). CoVs are known as one of the major pathogenic viruses causing a variety of diseases in birds and mammals including humans (lethal respiratory dysfunctions). Recently, a new strain of coronavirus has been identified and named as SARS-CoV-2. A large number of COVID-19 (disease caused by SARS-CoV-2) cases are being diagnosed all over the World especially in China (Wuhan). COVID-19 showed high mortality rate exponentially, however, not even a single effective cure is being introduced yet against COVID-19. In the current study, immunoinformatics approaches were employed to predict the antigenic epitopes against COVID-19 for the development of a coronavirus peptide vaccine. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and B-cell epitopes were predicted for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus structural proteins (Spikes, Membrane, Envelope, and Nucleocapsid). The docking complexes of the top 10 epitopes having antigenic sites were analyzed led by binding affinity and binding interactional analyses of top ranked predicted peptides with the MHC-I HLA molecule. The predicted peptides may have potential to be used as peptide vaccine against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ali Haider
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sufyan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Sami Siraj
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Sheikh Arslan Sehgal
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pattnaik GP, Chakraborty H. Entry Inhibitors: Efficient Means to Block Viral Infection. J Membr Biol 2020; 253:425-444. [PMID: 32862236 PMCID: PMC7456447 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-020-00136-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The emerging and re-emerging viral infections are constant threats to human health and wellbeing. Several strategies have been explored to develop vaccines against these viral diseases. The main effort in the journey of development of vaccines is to neutralize the fusion protein using antibodies. However, significant efforts have been made in discovering peptides and small molecules that inhibit the fusion between virus and host cell, thereby inhibiting the entry of viruses. This class of inhibitors is called entry inhibitors, and they are extremely efficient in reducing viral infection as the entry of the virus is considered as the first step of infection. Nevertheless, these inhibitors are highly selective for a particular virus as antibody-based vaccines. The recent COVID-19 pandemic lets us ponder to shift our attention towards broad-spectrum antiviral agents from the so-called ‘one bug-one drug’ approach. This review discusses peptide and small molecule-based entry inhibitors against class I, II, and III viruses and sheds light on broad-spectrum antiviral agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hirak Chakraborty
- School of Chemistry, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Odisha, 768 019, India. .,Centre of Excellence in Natural Products and Therapeutics, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Odisha, 768 019, India.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Su X, Wang Q, Wen Y, Jiang S, Lu L. Protein- and Peptide-Based Virus Inactivators: Inactivating Viruses Before Their Entry Into Cells. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1063. [PMID: 32523582 PMCID: PMC7261908 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other highly pathogenic enveloped viruses, have threatened the global public health. Most antiviral drugs act as passive defenders to inhibit viral replication inside the cell, while a few of them function as gate keepers to combat viruses outside the cell, including fusion inhibitors, e.g., enfuvirtide, and receptor antagonists, e.g., maraviroc, as well as virus inactivators (including attachment inhibitors). Different from fusion inhibitors and receptor antagonists that must act in the presence of target cells, virus inactivators can actively inactivate cell-free virions in the blood, through interaction with one or more sites in the envelope glycoproteins (Envs) on virions. Notably, a number of protein- and peptide-based virus inactivators (PPVIs) under development are expected to have a better utilization rate than the current antiviral drugs and be safer for in vivo human application than the chemical-based virus inactivators. Here we have highlighted recent progress in developing PPVIs against several important enveloped viruses, including HIV, influenza virus, Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue virus (DENV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV), and the potential use of PPVIs for urgent treatment of infection by newly emerging or re-emerging viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Su
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yumei Wen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Agarwal G, Gabrani R. Antiviral Peptides: Identification and Validation. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020; 27:149-168. [PMID: 32427225 PMCID: PMC7233194 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10072-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Despite rapid advances in the human healthcare, the infection caused by certain viruses results in high morbidity and mortality accentuate the importance for development of new antivirals. The existing antiviral drugs are limited, due to their inadequate response, increased rate of resistance and several adverse side effects. Therefore, one of the newly emerging field “peptide-based therapeutics” against viruses is being explored and seems promising. Over the last few years, a lot of scientific effort has been made for the identification of novel and potential peptide-based therapeutics using various advanced technologies. Consequently, there are more than 60 approved peptide drugs available for sale in the market of United States, Europe, Japan, and some Asian countries. Moreover, the number of peptide drugs undergoing the clinical trials is rising gradually year by year. The peptide-based antiviral therapeutics have been approved for the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Influenza virus and Hepatitis virus (B and C). This review enlightens the various peptide sources and the different approaches that have contributed to the search of potential antiviral peptides. These include computational approaches, natural and biological sources (library based high throughput screening) for the identification of lead peptide molecules against their target. Further the applications of few advanced techniques based on combinatorial chemistry and molecular biology have been illustrated to measure the binding parameters such as affinity and kinetics of the screened interacting partners. The employment of these advanced techniques can contribute to investigate antiviral peptide therapeutics for emerging infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Garima Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Center for Emerging Diseases, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, UP 201309 India
| | - Reema Gabrani
- Department of Biotechnology, Center for Emerging Diseases, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, UP 201309 India
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Target Identification Using Homopharma and Network-Based Methods for Predicting Compounds Against Dengue Virus-Infected Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081883. [PMID: 32325755 PMCID: PMC7221756 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug target prediction is an important method for drug discovery and design, can disclose the potential inhibitory effect of active compounds, and is particularly relevant to many diseases that have the potential to kill, such as dengue, but lack any healing agent. An antiviral drug is urgently required for dengue treatment. Some potential antiviral agents are still in the process of drug discovery, but the development of more effective active molecules is in critical demand. Herein, we aimed to provide an efficient technique for target prediction using homopharma and network-based methods, which is reliable and expeditious to hunt for the possible human targets of three phenolic lipids (anarcardic acid, cardol, and cardanol) related to dengue viral (DENV) infection as a case study. Using several databases, the similarity search and network-based analyses were applied on the three phenolic lipids resulting in the identification of seven possible targets as follows. Based on protein annotation, three phenolic lipids may interrupt or disturb the human proteins, namely KAT5, GAPDH, ACTB, and HSP90AA1, whose biological functions have been previously reported to be involved with viruses in the family Flaviviridae. In addition, these phenolic lipids might inhibit the mechanism of the viral proteins: NS3, NS5, and E proteins. The DENV and human proteins obtained from this study could be potential targets for further molecular optimization on compounds with a phenolic lipid core structure in anti-dengue drug discovery. As such, this pipeline could be a valuable tool to identify possible targets of active compounds.
Collapse
|
37
|
Omar NAS, Fen YW, Abdullah J, Mustapha Kamil Y, Daniyal WMEMM, Sadrolhosseini AR, Mahdi MA. Sensitive Detection of Dengue Virus Type 2 E-Proteins Signals Using Self-Assembled Monolayers/Reduced Graphene Oxide-PAMAM Dendrimer Thin Film-SPR Optical Sensor. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2374. [PMID: 32047209 PMCID: PMC7012912 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59388-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, sensitive detection of dengue virus type 2 E-proteins (DENV-2 E-proteins) was performed in the range of 0.08 pM to 0.5 pM. The successful DENV detection at very low concentration is a matter of concern for targeting the early detection after the onset of dengue symptoms. Here, we developed a SPR sensor based on self-assembled monolayer/reduced graphene oxide-polyamidoamine dendrimer (SAM/NH2rGO/PAMAM) thin film to detect DENV-2 E-proteins. Surface characterizations involving X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the incorporation of NH2rGO-PAMAM nanoparticles in the prepared sensor films. The specificity, sensitivity, binding affinity, and selectivity of the SPR sensor were then evaluated. Results indicated that the variation of the sensing layer due to different spin speed, time incubation, and concentration provided a better interaction between the analyte and sensing layer. The linear dependence of the SPR sensor showed good linearity (R2 = 0.92) with the lowest detection of 0.08 pM DENV-2 E-proteins. By using the Langmuir model, the equilibrium association constant was obtained at very high value of 6.6844 TM−1 (R2 = 0.99). High selectivity of the SPR sensor towards DENV-2 E-proteins was achieved in the presence of other competitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nur Alia Sheh Omar
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yap Wing Fen
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. .,Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Jaafar Abdullah
- Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yasmin Mustapha Kamil
- inLAZER Dynamics Sdn Bhd, InnoHub Unit, Putra Science Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Amir Reza Sadrolhosseini
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Adzir Mahdi
- Wireless and Photonics Network Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Basith S, Manavalan B, Hwan Shin T, Lee G. Machine intelligence in peptide therapeutics: A next‐generation tool for rapid disease screening. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1276-1314. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaherin Basith
- Department of PhysiologyAjou University School of MedicineSuwon Republic of Korea
| | | | - Tae Hwan Shin
- Department of PhysiologyAjou University School of MedicineSuwon Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Lee
- Department of PhysiologyAjou University School of MedicineSuwon Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Nasar S, Rashid N, Iftikhar S. Dengue proteins with their role in pathogenesis, and strategies for developing an effective anti-dengue treatment: A review. J Med Virol 2019; 92:941-955. [PMID: 31784997 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dengue virus is an arbovirus belonging to class Flaviviridae Its clinical manifestation ranges from asymptomatic to extreme conditions (dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome). A lot of research has been done on this ailment, yet there is no effective treatment available for the disease. This review provides the systematic understanding of all dengue proteins, role of its structural proteins (C-protein, E-protein, prM) in virus entry, assembly, and secretion in host cell, and nonstructural proteins (NS1, NS2a, NS2b, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, and NS5) in viral assembly, replication, and immune evasion during dengue progression and pathogenesis. Furthermore, the review has highlighted the controversies related to the only commercially available dengue vaccine, that is, Dengvaxia, and the risk associated with it. Lastly, it provides an insight regarding various approaches for developing an effective anti-dengue treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sitara Nasar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Naeem Rashid
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saima Iftikhar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Bi W, Xu W, Cheng L, Xue J, Wang Q, Yu F, Xia S, Wang Q, Li G, Qin C, Lu L, Su L, Jiang S. IgG Fc-binding motif-conjugated HIV-1 fusion inhibitor exhibits improved potency and in vivo half-life: Potential application in combination with broad neutralizing antibodies. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008082. [PMID: 31805154 PMCID: PMC6894747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical application of conventional peptide drugs, such as the HIV-1 fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide, is limited by their short half-life in vivo. To overcome this limitation, we developed a new strategy to extend the in vivo half-life of a short HIV-1 fusion inhibitory peptide, CP24, by fusing it with the human IgG Fc-binding peptide (IBP). The newly engineered peptide IBP-CP24 exhibited potent and broad anti-HIV-1 activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.2 to 173.7 nM for inhibiting a broad spectrum of HIV-1 strains with different subtypes and tropisms, including those resistant to enfuvirtide. Most importantly, its half-life in the plasma of rhesus monkeys was 46.1 h, about 26- and 14-fold longer than that of CP24 (t1/2 = 1.7 h) and enfuvirtide (t1/2 = 3 h), respectively. IBP-CP24 intravenously administered in rhesus monkeys could not induce significant IBP-CP24-specific antibody response and it showed no obvious in vitro or in vivo toxicity. In the prophylactic study, humanized mice pretreated with IBP-CP24 were protected from HIV-1 infection. As a therapeutic treatment, coadministration of IBP-CP24 and normal human IgG to humanized mice with chronic HIV-1 infection resulted in a significant decrease of plasma viremia. Combining IBP-CP24 with a broad neutralizing antibody (bNAb) targeting CD4-binding site (CD4bs) in gp120 or a membrane proximal external region (MPER) in gp41 exhibited synergistic effect, resulting in significant dose-reduction of the bNAb and IBP-CP24. These results suggest that IBP-CP24 has the potential to be further developed as a new HIV-1 fusion inhibitor-based, long-acting anti-HIV drug that can be used alone or in combination with a bNAb for treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Bi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Cheng
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jing Xue
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Guangming Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Chuan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Chinese Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (LL); (LS); (SJ)
| | - Lishan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LL); (LS); (SJ)
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/NHC/CAMS, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LL); (LS); (SJ)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Vilas Boas LCP, Campos ML, Berlanda RLA, de Carvalho Neves N, Franco OL. Antiviral peptides as promising therapeutic drugs. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:3525-3542. [PMID: 31101936 PMCID: PMC7079787 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03138-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
While scientific advances have led to large-scale production and widespread distribution of vaccines and antiviral drugs, viruses still remain a major cause of human diseases today. The ever-increasing reports of viral resistance and the emergence and re-emergence of viral epidemics pressure the health and scientific community to constantly find novel molecules with antiviral potential. This search involves numerous different approaches, and the use of antimicrobial peptides has presented itself as an interesting alternative. Even though the number of antimicrobial peptides with antiviral activity is still low, they already show immense potential to become pharmaceutically available antiviral drugs. Such peptides can originate from natural sources, such as those isolated from mammals and from animal venoms, or from artificial sources, when bioinformatics tools are used. This review aims to shed some light on antimicrobial peptides with antiviral activities against human viruses and update the data about the already well-known peptides that are still undergoing studies, emphasizing the most promising ones that may become medicines for clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo Lattarulo Campos
- Centro de Análises Bioquímicas e Proteômicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70790-160, Brazil
- Departamento de Botânica e Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Rhayfa Lorrayne Araujo Berlanda
- Centro de Análises Bioquímicas e Proteômicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70790-160, Brazil
| | - Natan de Carvalho Neves
- Centro de Análises Bioquímicas e Proteômicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70790-160, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Universidade de Brasília, Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
- Centro de Análises Bioquímicas e Proteômicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70790-160, Brazil.
- S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, 79117-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lu Y, Qiu Q, Li C, Cheng L, Liu J. Computational identification of self-inhibitory peptides from white spot syndrome virus envelope protein VP28. AQUACULTURE REPORTS 2019; 14:100195. [PMID: 32289063 PMCID: PMC7104047 DOI: 10.1016/j.aqrep.2019.100195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Since effective chemotherapeutics or preventive measures are still unavailable, finding feasible approaches against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has always been the vital subject in shrimp farming field. Envelope proteins are the ideal targets for antiviral strategies development due to their indispensable roles in virus entry, and inhibitory peptides targeting them have been proved to be promising in blocking virus infection. In this study, the Wimley-White interfacial hydrophobicity scale (WWIHS) in combination with known structural data was applied to identify potential inhibitory peptides that targeted the envelope protein VP28 of WSSV. Results showed that two potential inhibitory peptides were identified, one of which exhibited not only obvious antiviral activity, but also broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The inhibitory peptide identified here can serve as a lead compound for anti-WSSV strategies development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhong Lu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, No. 53, Zhengzhou Road, 266042, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Qiu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, No. 53, Zhengzhou Road, 266042, Qingdao, China
| | - Chen Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy Of Fishery Sciences, No. 106, Nanjing Road, 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Linyue Cheng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, No. 53, Zhengzhou Road, 266042, Qingdao, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, No. 53, Zhengzhou Road, 266042, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tick-borne encephalitis in Europe and Russia: Review of pathogenesis, clinical features, therapy, and vaccines. Antiviral Res 2019; 164:23-51. [PMID: 30710567 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an illness caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection which is often limited to a febrile illness, but may lead to very aggressive downstream neurological manifestations. The disease is prevalent in forested areas of Europe and northeastern Asia, and is typically caused by infection involving one of three TBEV subtypes, namely the European (TBEV-Eu), the Siberian (TBEV-Sib), or the Far Eastern (TBEV-FE) subtypes. In addition to the three main TBEV subtypes, two other subtypes; i.e., the Baikalian (TBEV-Bkl) and the Himalayan subtype (TBEV-Him), have been described recently. In Europe, TBEV-Eu infection usually results in only mild TBE associated with a mortality rate of <2%. TBEV-Sib infection also results in a generally mild TBE associated with a non-paralytic febrile form of encephalitis, although there is a tendency towards persistent TBE caused by chronic viral infection. TBE-FE infection is considered to induce the most severe forms of TBE. Importantly though, viral subtype is not the sole determinant of TBE severity; both mild and severe cases of TBE are in fact associated with infection by any of the subtypes. In keeping with this observation, the overall TBE mortality rate in Russia is ∼2%, in spite of the fact that TBEV-Sib and TBEV-FE subtypes appear to be inducers of more severe TBE than TBEV-Eu. On the other hand, TBEV-Sib and TBEV-FE subtype infections in Russia are associated with essentially unique forms of TBE rarely seen elsewhere if at all, such as the hemorrhagic and chronic (progressive) forms of the disease. For post-exposure prophylaxis and TBE treatment in Russia and Kazakhstan, a specific anti-TBEV immunoglobulin is currently used with well-documented efficacy, but the use of specific TBEV immunoglobulins has been discontinued in Europe due to concerns regarding antibody-enhanced disease in naïve individuals. Therefore, new treatments are essential. This review summarizes available data on the pathogenesis and clinical features of TBE, plus different vaccine preparations available in Europe and Russia. In addition, new treatment possibilities, including small molecule drugs and experimental immunotherapies are reviewed. The authors caution that their descriptions of approved or experimental therapies should not be considered to be recommendations for patient care.
Collapse
|
44
|
Dengue drug discovery: Progress, challenges and outlook. Antiviral Res 2018; 163:156-178. [PMID: 30597183 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the context of the only available vaccine (DENGVAXIA) that was marketed in several countries, but poses higher risks to unexposed individuals, the development of antivirals for dengue virus (DENV), whilst challenging, would bring significant benefits to public health. Here recent progress in the field of DENV drug discovery made in academic laboratories and industry is reviewed. Characteristics of an ideal DENV antiviral molecule, given the specific immunopathology provoked by this acute viral infection, are described. New chemical classes identified from biochemical, biophysical and phenotypic screens that target viral (especially NS4B) and host proteins, offer promising opportunities for further development. In particular, new methodologies ("omics") can accelerate the discovery of much awaited flavivirus specific inhibitors. Challenges and opportunities in lead identification activities as well as the path to clinical development of dengue drugs are discussed. To galvanize DENV drug discovery, collaborative public-public partnerships and open-access resources will greatly benefit both the DENV research community and DENV patients.
Collapse
|
45
|
Han Y, Mesplède T. Investigational drugs for the treatment of Zika virus infection: a preclinical and clinical update. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:951-962. [PMID: 30430882 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1548609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Zika virus (ZIKV) infection results in severe neurological complications and has emerged as a threat to public health worldwide. No drugs or vaccines are available for use in the clinic and the need for novel and effective therapeutic agents is urgent. AREAS COVERED This review describes the latest progress of antiviral development for the treatment of ZIKV infection; it primarily focuses on the literature describing 20 potential anti-ZIKV drugs/agents currently being tested in vivo or in clinical trials. The paper also discusses the need for novel ZIKV inhibitors and the critical issues for successful antiviral drug development. EXPERT OPINION So far, 20 compounds have been tested in vivo and three in the clinical trials; progressing these compounds to the clinic is a challenge. Novel ZIKV inhibitors that target virus or host factors are urgently needed. Knowledge-driven drug repurposing, structure-based discovery, RNA interference, long noncoding RNAs, miRNAs, and peptide inhibitors may pave the way for the discovery of such novel agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingshan Han
- a McGill University AIDS Centre , Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal , Canada
| | - Thibault Mesplède
- a McGill University AIDS Centre , Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal , Canada
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Development of a NS2B/NS3 protease inhibition assay using AlphaScreen ® beads for screening of anti-dengue activities. Heliyon 2018; 4:e01023. [PMID: 30560214 PMCID: PMC6289942 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dengue infection is an endemic infectious disease and it can lead to dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and/or dengue shock syndromes. Dengue NS2B/NS3 protease complex is essential for viral replication and is a primary target for anti-dengue drug development. In this study, a NS2B/NS3 protease inhibition assay was developed using AlphaScreen® beads and was used to screen compounds for their protease inhibition activities. Methods The assay system utilized a known NS2B/NS3 peptide substrate, a recombinant of NS2B/NS3 protease with proprietary StrepTactin® donor and nickel chelate acceptor beads in 384-well format. Results The optimized assay to screen for NS2B/NS3 protease inhibitors was demonstrated to be potentially useful with reasonable zʹ factor, coefficient variance and signal to background ratio. However, screening of synthesized thioguanine derivatives using the optimized AlphaScreen® assay revealed weak NS2B/NS3 inhibition activities. Conclusion The AlphaScreen® assay to screen for NS2B/NS3 protease inhibitors is potentially applicable for high throughput screening.
Collapse
|
47
|
Tahir RA, Wu H, Rizwan MA, Jafar TH, Saleem S, Sehgal SA. Immunoinformatics and molecular docking studies reveal potential epitope-based peptide vaccine against DENV-NS3 protein. J Theor Biol 2018; 459:162-170. [PMID: 30291844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dengue, still a "Neglected Tropical Disease" is somehow injustice and remains uncontrolled globally. World Health Organization (2012-2020) reported that the world's half population is living in dengue-affected regions. Therefore, effective drug candidates or promising vaccines are urgently needed to control the dengue. It is an acute febrile disease caused by mosquito borne dengue viruses (DENVs) which belong to the genus Flavivirus with four serotypes. In present work, immunoinformatics approach was utilized to predict the antigenic epitopes of dengue proteins for the development of DENV vaccine. B-cell and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes were predicted for NS3 dengue protein. Docking complexes of 17 antigenic B-cell epitopes of various lengths and 4 CTL epitopes with antigenic sites were investigated followed by binding interaction analyses of top predicted peptides with MHC-I HLA-A2 molecule. These predicted epitopes with antigenic amino acids might present a preliminary set of peptides for future vaccine development against DENV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rana Adnan Tahir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan; Beijing Key Laboratory of Separation and Analysis in Biomedical and Pharmaceuticals, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Shahzad Saleem
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan
| | - Sheikh Arslan Sehgal
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan; State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Huang YW, Lee CT, Wang TC, Kao YC, Yang CH, Lin YM, Huang KS. The Development of Peptide-based Antimicrobial Agents against Dengue Virus. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2018; 19:998-1010. [PMID: 29852867 PMCID: PMC6446661 DOI: 10.2174/1389203719666180531122724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dengue fever has become an imminent threat to international public health because of global warming and climate change. The World Health Organization proclaimed that more than 50% of the world's population is at risk of dengue virus (DENV) infection. Therefore, developing a clinically approved vaccine and effective therapeutic remedy for treating dengue fever is imperative. Peptide drug development has become a novel pharmaceutical research field. This article reviews various peptidesbased antimicrobial agents targeting three pathways involved in the DENV lifecycle. Specifically, they are peptide vaccines from immunomodulation, peptide drugs that inhibit virus entry, and peptide drugs that interfere with viral replication. Many antiviral peptide studies against DENV have been conducted in animal model trials, and progression to clinical trials for these promising peptide drugs is anticipated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Keng-Shiang Huang
- Address correspondence to this author at the School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;, Tel: +886-988-399-979; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|