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Ojo TO, Elegbeleye OE, Bolaji OQ, Adelusi TI, Oladipo EK, Olawuyi MO, Afolayan BO, Oyaronbi AO, Ogunjobi TT, Oyewole MP, Folorunso KP, Ogunlana AT. Hitting Epstein Barr virus where it hurts: computational methods exploration for siRNA therapy in alleviating Epstein Barr virus-induced multiple sclerosis. Neurogenetics 2024:10.1007/s10048-024-00764-w. [PMID: 38809364 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-024-00764-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS), an intricate neurological disorder, continues to challenge our understanding of the pivotal interplay between the immune system and the central nervous system (CNS). This condition arises from the immune system's misdirected attack on nerve fiber protection, known as myelin sheath, alongside nerve fibers themselves. This enigmatic condition, characterized by demyelination and varied clinical manifestations, prompts exploration into its multifaceted etiology and potential therapeutic avenues. Research has revealed a potential connection between Epstein Barr virus (EBV), specifically Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA-1), and MS. The immune response to EBNA-1 antigen triggers the production of anti-EBNA-1 molecules, including IgG that identify a similar amino acid sequence to EBNA-1 in myelin, inadvertently targeting myelin sheath and contributing to MS progression. Currently, no treatment exists for EBNA-1-induced MS apart from symptom management. Addressing this, a novel potential therapeutic avenue utilizing small interference RNAs (siRNA) has been designed. By targeting the conserved EBNA-1 gene sequences in EBV types 1 and 2, five potential siRNAs were identified in our analysis. Thorough evaluations encompassing off-target binding, thermodynamics and secondary structure elucidation, efficacy prediction, siRNA-mRNA sequence binding affinity exploration, melting temperature, and docking of siRNAs with human argonaute protein 2 (AGO2) were conducted to elucidate the siRNAs efficiency. These designed siRNA molecules harnessed promising silencing activity in the EBNA-1 gene encoding the EBNA-1 antigen protein and thus have the potential to mitigate the severity of this dangerous virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiwo Ooreoluwa Ojo
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Division of Vaccine Design and Development, Helix Biogen Institute, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, 210214, Nigeria
| | - Oluwabamise Emmanuel Elegbeleye
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Olawale Quadri Bolaji
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Temitope Isaac Adelusi
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington Ave, Connecticut, 06030, United States of America
| | - Elijah Kolawole Oladipo
- Division of Vaccine Design and Development, Helix Biogen Institute, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, 210214, Nigeria
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Bioinformatics, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, 232104, Nigeria
| | - Matthew Oluwaseun Olawuyi
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Bukola Oluwafunmilayo Afolayan
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Taiwo Temitope Ogunjobi
- Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Kolade Pelumi Folorunso
- Department of Anatomy, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Abdeen Tunde Ogunlana
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, 200005, Nigeria.
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Akinboade MW, Egbemhenghe AU, Abdulkareem TO, Ibrahim IA, Omotara BS, Aderemi OE, Egejuru WA, Ajala CF, Meejay Kanu I, Oluwafemi OO, Aderemi CO, Ddamulira C, Afuape AR, Adekola AT, Ojeyemi T, Otuomagie OI. Identification of promising small-molecule inhibitors targeting STK17B for cancer therapeutics: molecular docking and molecular dynamics investigations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-8. [PMID: 38147404 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2296605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, leading to the formation of tumours. STK17B, a member of the DAPK family, has been implicated in various cancers and is considered a potential therapeutic target. However, no drug in the market has been approved for the treatment of STK17 B-associated cancer disease. This research aimed to identify direct inhibitors of STK17B using computational techniques. Ligand-based virtual screening and molecular docking were performed, resulting in the selection of three lead compounds (CID_135698391, CID_135453100, CID_136599608) with superior binding affinities compared to the reference compound dovitinib. While molecular docking simulation revealed specific interactions between the lead compounds and key amino acid residues at the binding pocket of STK17B, molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that CID_135453100 and CID_136599608 exhibit stable conformations and comparable flexibility to dovitinib. However, CID_135698391 did not perform well using this metric as it displayed poor stability. Overall, small-molecule compounds CID_135453100 and CID_136599608 showed promising binding interactions and stability, suggesting their potential as direct inhibitors of STK17B. These findings could contribute to the exploration of novel therapeutic options targeting STK17B in cancer treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bamidele Samson Omotara
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Olajide Enoch Aderemi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Ihunanya Meejay Kanu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biotatistics, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Toluwalase Ojeyemi
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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Adelusi TI, Ojo TO, Bolaji OQ, Oyewole MP, Olaoba OT, Oladipo EK. Predicting Plasmodium falciparum kinase inhibitors from antimalarial medicinal herbs using computational modeling approach. In Silico Pharmacol 2023; 12:4. [PMID: 38130691 PMCID: PMC10730500 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-023-00175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, with resistance to available drugs necessitating the development of novel therapies targeting invasion-dependent proteins. Plasmodium falciparum calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (PfCDPK-1) is essential for host erythrocyte invasion and parasite asexual development. This study screened a library of 490 compounds using computational methods to identify potential PfCDPK-1 inhibitors. Three compounds; 17-hydroxyazadiradione, Picracin, and Epicatechin-gallate derived from known antimalarial botanicals, showed potent inhibitory effects on PfCDPK-1. These compounds exhibited better binding affinities (-8.8, -9.1, -9.3 kCal/mol respectively), pharmacokinetics, and physicochemical properties than the purported inhibitory standard of PfCDPK-1, Purfalcamine. Molecular dynamics simulations (50 ns) and molecular mechanics analyses confirmed the stability and binding rigidity of these compounds at the active pocket of PfCDPK-1. The results suggest that these compounds are promising pharmacological targets with potential therapeutic effects for malaria treatment/management without undesirable side effects. Therefore, this study provides new insights into the development of effective antimalarial agents targeting invasion-dependent proteins, which could help combat the global malaria burden. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-023-00175-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope Isaac Adelusi
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 210214, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
| | - Taiwo Ooreoluwa Ojo
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 210214, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
- Genomics unit, Helix Biogen Institute, P.M.B 212102, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
| | - Olawale Quadri Bolaji
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 210214, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
| | - Moyosoluwa Precious Oyewole
- Computational Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 210214, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
| | - Olamide Tosin Olaoba
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 USA
| | - Elijah Kolawole Oladipo
- Genomics unit, Helix Biogen Institute, P.M.B 212102, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State Nigeria
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