1
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Cao C, Mehmood A, Li D. Molecular dynamic simulation reveals spider antimicrobial peptide Latarcin-1 and human eosinophil cationic protein as peptide inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 variants. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:5858-5868. [PMID: 37938133 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2274514] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has rapidly proliferated around 180 countries, and new cases are reported frequently. No peptide medication has been developed that can reliably block SARS-CoV-2 infection. The investigation focuses on the crucial host receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) , which can bind receptor-binding domain (RBD) on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S). To investigate the inhibitory effects of human Eosinophil Cationic Protein (hECP) and Latarcin-1 (L1)on SARS-CoV-2 infection, we have selected them as research subjects. Further, we ran extensive molecular dynamics simulations to bring the docked peptide-ACE2 complex into its equilibrium state. The outcomes were then evaluated with g_MMPBSA and interaction analysis. We have also considered the Delta and Omicron variants to examine these peptides' inhibitory effects. The experimental findings revealed an enhanced capability of L1 and hECP as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, occupying hot spots and numerous key residues in ACE2. These include ASP30, ASP38, GLU35 and GLU75, which significantly inhibit the binding of RBD and ACE2 and are effective against two common variants in a similar manner. In addition, this study can serve as a springboard for future research on SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Cao
- Institute of Biothermal Science and Technology, School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, P.R. China
- AI Research Center, Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Aamir Mehmood
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Daixi Li
- Institute of Biothermal Science and Technology, School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, P.R. China
- AI Research Center, Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P.R. China
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2
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Kombo DC, LaMarche MJ, Konkankit CC, Rackovsky S. Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to the analysis of dynamic protein sequences. Proteins 2024. [PMID: 38808365 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
We apply methods of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to protein dynamic bioinformatics. We rewrite the sequences of a large protein data set, containing both folded and intrinsically disordered molecules, using a representation developed previously, which encodes the intrinsic dynamic properties of the naturally occurring amino acids. We Fourier analyze the resulting sequences. It is demonstrated that classification models built using several different supervised learning methods are able to successfully distinguish folded from intrinsically disordered proteins from sequence alone. It is further shown that the most important sequence property for this discrimination is the sequence mobility, which is the sequence averaged value of the residue-specific average alpha carbon B factor. This is in agreement with previous work, in which we have demonstrated the central role played by the sequence mobility in protein dynamic bioinformatics and biophysics. This finding opens a path to the application of dynamic bioinformatics, in combination with machine learning algorithms, to a range of significant biomedical problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Kombo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Integrated Drug Discovery, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew J LaMarche
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Integrated Drug Discovery, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chilaluck C Konkankit
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - S Rackovsky
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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3
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Alboreggia G, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Muzzarelli K, Assar Z, Pellecchia M. Histidine-Covalent Stapled Alpha-Helical Peptides Targeting hMcl-1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8172-8185. [PMID: 38695666 PMCID: PMC11129181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Several novel and effective cysteine targeting (Cys) covalent drugs are in clinical use. However, the target area containing a druggable Cys residue is limited. Therefore, methods for creating covalent drugs that target different residues are being looked for; examples of such ligands include those that target the residues lysine (Lys) and tyrosine (Tyr). Though the histidine (His) side chain is more frequently found in protein binding locations and has higher desirable nucleophilicity, surprisingly limited research has been done to specifically target this residue, and there are not many examples of His-targeting ligands that have been rationally designed. In the current work, we created novel stapled peptides that are intended to target hMcl-1 His 252 covalently. We describe the in vitro (biochemical, NMR, and X-ray) and cellular design and characterization of such agents. Our findings further suggest that the use of electrophiles to specifically target His residues is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alboreggia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Kendall Muzzarelli
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Zahra Assar
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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4
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Compain G, Monsarrat C, Blagojevic J, Brillet K, Dumas P, Hammann P, Kuhn L, Martiel I, Engilberge S, Oliéric V, Wolff P, Burnouf DY, Wagner J, Guichard G. Peptide-Based Covalent Inhibitors Bearing Mild Electrophiles to Target a Conserved His Residue of the Bacterial Sliding Clamp. JACS AU 2024; 4:432-440. [PMID: 38425897 PMCID: PMC10900491 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Peptide-based covalent inhibitors targeted to nucleophilic protein residues have recently emerged as new modalities to target protein-protein interactions (PPIs) as they may provide some benefits over more classic competitive inhibitors. Covalent inhibitors are generally targeted to cysteine, the most intrinsically reactive amino acid residue, and to lysine, which is more abundant at the surface of proteins but much less frequently to histidine. Herein, we report the structure-guided design of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) able to bind covalently and selectively to the bacterial sliding clamp (SC), by reacting with a well-conserved histidine residue located on the edge of the peptide-binding pocket. SC is an essential component of the bacterial DNA replication machinery, identified as a promising target for the development of new antibacterial compounds. Thermodynamic and kinetic analyses of ligands bearing different mild electrophilic warheads confirmed the higher efficiency of the chloroacetamide compared to Michael acceptors. Two high-resolution X-ray structures of covalent inhibitor-SC adducts were obtained, revealing the canonical orientation of the ligand and details of covalent bond formation with histidine. Proteomic studies were consistent with a selective SC engagement by the chloroacetamide-based TCI. Finally, the TCI of SC was substantially more active than the parent noncovalent inhibitor in an in vitro SC-dependent DNA synthesis assay, validating the potential of the approach to design covalent inhibitors of protein-protein interactions targeted to histidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Compain
- Univ.
Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, 2 Rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - Clément Monsarrat
- Univ.
Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, 2 Rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - Julie Blagojevic
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, FR1589, Plateforme Protéomique Strasbourg
Esplanade, 2 Allée K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Karl Brillet
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN,
UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du
CNRS, 2 Allée
K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Dumas
- Department
of Integrative Structural Biology, IGBMC, Strasbourg University, ESBS, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch, Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Hammann
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, FR1589, Plateforme Protéomique Strasbourg
Esplanade, 2 Allée K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Lauriane Kuhn
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, FR1589, Plateforme Protéomique Strasbourg
Esplanade, 2 Allée K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabelle Martiel
- Swiss
Light Source (SLS), Paul Scherrer Institute
(PSI), 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Engilberge
- Swiss
Light Source (SLS), Paul Scherrer Institute
(PSI), 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Oliéric
- Swiss
Light Source (SLS), Paul Scherrer Institute
(PSI), 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Wolff
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN,
UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du
CNRS, 2 Allée
K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Y. Burnouf
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN,
UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du
CNRS, 2 Allée
K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérôme Wagner
- Université
de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN,
UPR 9002, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du
CNRS, 2 Allée
K. Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Gilles Guichard
- Univ.
Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, 2 Rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
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Sarra H, Salim B, Hocine A. Modeling the Antiviral Activity of Ginkgo biloba Polyphenols against Variola: In Silico Exploration of Inhibitory Candidates for VarTMPK and HssTMPK Enzymes. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2024; 21:e101023221938. [PMID: 37861017 DOI: 10.2174/0115701638261541230922095853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to use modeling methods to estimate the antiviral activity of natural molecules extracted from Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of variola which is a zoonotic disease posing a growing threat to human survival. The recent spread of variola in nonendemic countries and the possibility of its use as a bioterrorism weapon have made it a global threat once again. Therefore, the search for new antiviral therapies with reduced side effects is necessary. METHODS In this study, we examined the interactions between polyphenolic compounds from Ginkgo biloba, a plant known for its antiviral activity, and two enzymes involved in variola treatment, VarTMPK and HssTMPK, using molecular docking. RESULTS The obtained docking scores showed that among the 152 selected polyphenolic compounds; many ligands had high inhibitory potential according to the energy affinity. By considering Lipinski's rules, we found that Liquiritin and Olivil molecules are the best candidates to be developed into drugs that inhibit VarTMPK because of their high obtained scores compared to reference ligands, and zero violations of Lipinski's rules. We also found that ginkgolic acids have good affinities with HssTMPK and acceptable physicochemical properties to be developed into drugs administered orally. CONCLUSION Based on the obtained scores and Lipinski's rules, Liquiritin, Olivil, and ginkgolic acids molecules showed interesting results for both studied enzymes, indicating the existence of promising and moderate activity of these polyphenols for the treatment of variola and for possible multi-targeting. Liquiritin has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects on various inflammation- related diseases such as skin injury, hepatic inflammatory injury, and rheumatoid arthritis. Olivil has been shown to have antioxidant activity. Olivil derivatives have also been studied for their potential use as anticancer agents. Ginkgolic acids have been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. However, ginkgolic acids are also known to cause allergic reactions in some people. Therefore, future studies should consider these results and explore the potential of these compounds as antiviral agents. Further experimental studies in-vitro and in-vivo are required to validate and scale up these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamdani Sarra
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, Tlemcen 13000, P.O. Box 119, Algeria
- Laboratory of Natural and Bioactive Substances (LASNABIO), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, Tlemcen 13000, P.O. Box 119, Algeria
| | - Bouchentouf Salim
- Laboratory of Natural and Bioactive Substances (LASNABIO), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, Tlemcen 13000, P.O. Box 119, Algeria
- Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Doctor Tahar Moulay University of Saida, Algeria, Saïda 20000, BP 138 cité EN-NASR, Algeria
| | - Allali Hocine
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, Tlemcen 13000, P.O. Box 119, Algeria
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Aldaba-Muruato LR, Sánchez-Barbosa S, Rodríguez-Purata VH, Cabrera-Cruz G, Rosales-Domínguez E, Martínez-Valentín D, Alarcón-López YA, Aguirre-Vidal P, Hernández-Serda MA, Cárdenas-Granados LA, Vázquez-Valadez VH, Angeles E, Macías-Pérez JR. In Vivo and In Silico Studies of the Hepatoprotective Activity of Tert-Butylhydroquinone. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:475. [PMID: 38203648 PMCID: PMC10779046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is a synthetic food antioxidant with biological activities, but little is known about its pharmacological benefits in liver disease. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate TBHQ during acute liver damage induced by CCl4 (24 h) or BDL (48 h) in Wistar rats. It was found that pretreatment with TBHQ prevents 50% of mortality induced by a lethal dose of CCl4 (4 g/kg, i.p.), and 80% of BDL+TBHQ rats survived, while only 50% of the BDL group survived. Serum markers of liver damage and macroscopic and microscopic (H&E staining) observations suggest that TBHQ protects from both hepatocellular necrosis caused by the sublethal dose of CCl4 (1.6 g/kg, i.p.), as well as necrosis/ductal proliferation caused by BDL. Additionally, online databases identified 49 potential protein targets for TBHQ. Finally, a biological target candidate (Keap1) was evaluated in a proof-of-concept in silico molecular docking assay, resulting in an interaction energy of -5.5491 kcal/mol, which was higher than RA839 and lower than monoethyl fumarate (compounds known to bind to Keap1). These findings suggest that TBHQ increases the survival of animals subjected to CCl4 intoxication or BDL, presumably by reducing hepatocellular damage, probably due to the interaction of TBHQ with Keap1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liseth Rubi Aldaba-Muruato
- Biomedical Science Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, Mexico; (L.R.A.-M.); (S.S.-B.); (G.C.-C.); (E.R.-D.); (D.M.-V.)
| | - Sandra Sánchez-Barbosa
- Biomedical Science Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, Mexico; (L.R.A.-M.); (S.S.-B.); (G.C.-C.); (E.R.-D.); (D.M.-V.)
| | - Víctor Hugo Rodríguez-Purata
- Pharmacobiological Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi 78210, Mexico;
| | - Georgina Cabrera-Cruz
- Biomedical Science Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, Mexico; (L.R.A.-M.); (S.S.-B.); (G.C.-C.); (E.R.-D.); (D.M.-V.)
| | - Estefany Rosales-Domínguez
- Biomedical Science Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, Mexico; (L.R.A.-M.); (S.S.-B.); (G.C.-C.); (E.R.-D.); (D.M.-V.)
| | - Daniela Martínez-Valentín
- Biomedical Science Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, Mexico; (L.R.A.-M.); (S.S.-B.); (G.C.-C.); (E.R.-D.); (D.M.-V.)
| | - Yoshio Aldo Alarcón-López
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Medicinal, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida 1 de Mayo S/N, Santa María las Torre, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54750, Estado de México, Mexico; (Y.A.A.-L.); (P.A.-V.); (M.A.H.-S.); (L.A.C.-G.); (V.H.V.-V.); (E.A.)
| | - Pablo Aguirre-Vidal
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Medicinal, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida 1 de Mayo S/N, Santa María las Torre, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54750, Estado de México, Mexico; (Y.A.A.-L.); (P.A.-V.); (M.A.H.-S.); (L.A.C.-G.); (V.H.V.-V.); (E.A.)
| | - Manuel Alejandro Hernández-Serda
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Medicinal, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida 1 de Mayo S/N, Santa María las Torre, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54750, Estado de México, Mexico; (Y.A.A.-L.); (P.A.-V.); (M.A.H.-S.); (L.A.C.-G.); (V.H.V.-V.); (E.A.)
| | - Luis Alfonso Cárdenas-Granados
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Medicinal, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida 1 de Mayo S/N, Santa María las Torre, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54750, Estado de México, Mexico; (Y.A.A.-L.); (P.A.-V.); (M.A.H.-S.); (L.A.C.-G.); (V.H.V.-V.); (E.A.)
| | - Víctor Hugo Vázquez-Valadez
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Medicinal, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida 1 de Mayo S/N, Santa María las Torre, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54750, Estado de México, Mexico; (Y.A.A.-L.); (P.A.-V.); (M.A.H.-S.); (L.A.C.-G.); (V.H.V.-V.); (E.A.)
| | - Enrique Angeles
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Medicinal, FESC, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida 1 de Mayo S/N, Santa María las Torre, Cuautitlán Izcalli 54750, Estado de México, Mexico; (Y.A.A.-L.); (P.A.-V.); (M.A.H.-S.); (L.A.C.-G.); (V.H.V.-V.); (E.A.)
| | - José Roberto Macías-Pérez
- Biomedical Science Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, Mexico; (L.R.A.-M.); (S.S.-B.); (G.C.-C.); (E.R.-D.); (D.M.-V.)
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Mehta NV, Degani MS. The expanding repertoire of covalent warheads for drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103799. [PMID: 37839776 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The reactive functionalities of drugs that engage in covalent interactions with the enzyme/receptor residue in either a reversible or an irreversible manner are called 'warheads'. Covalent warheads that were previously neglected because of safety concerns have recently gained center stage as a result of their various advantages over noncovalent drugs, including increased selectivity, increased residence time, and higher potency. With the approval of several covalent inhibitors over the past decade, research in this area has accelerated. Various strategies are being continuously developed to tune the characteristics of warheads to improve their potency and mitigate toxicity. Here, we review research progress in warhead discovery over the past 5 years to provide valuable insights for future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrashee V Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Mariam S Degani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India.
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8
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Calvo-Barreiro L, Talagayev V, Pach S, Abdel-Rahman SA, Wolber G, Gabr MT. Discovery of ICOS-Targeted Small Molecules Using Pharmacophore-Based Screening. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300305. [PMID: 37845178 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
There are currently no small molecules clinically approved as immune checkpoint modulators. Besides possessing oral bioavailability, cell-penetrating capabilities and enhanced tumor penetration compared to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), small molecules are amenable to pharmacokinetic optimization, which allows adopting flexible dosage regimens that may avoid immune-related adverse events associated with mAbs. The interaction of inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) with its ligand (ICOS-L) plays key roles in T-cell differentiation and activation of T-cell to B-cell functions. This study represents the development and validation of a virtual screening strategy to identify small molecules that bind a novel druggable binding pocket in human ICOS. We used a lipophilic canyon in the apo-structure of ICOS and the ICOS/ICOS-L interface individually as templates for molecular dynamics simulation to generate 3D pharmacophores subsequently used for virtual screening campaigns. Our strategy was successful finding a first-in-class small molecule ICOS binder (5P, KD value=108.08±26.76 μM) and validating biophysical screening platforms for ICOS-targeted small molecules. We anticipate that future structural optimization of 5P will result in the discovery of high affinity chemical ligands for ICOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Calvo-Barreiro
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY-10065, USA
| | - Valerij Talagayev
- Molecular Design Lab, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luisestr. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Szymon Pach
- Molecular Design Lab, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luisestr. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Somaya A Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY-10065, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Gerhard Wolber
- Molecular Design Lab, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luisestr. 2+4, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Moustafa T Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY-10065, USA
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9
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Rios L, Pokhrel S, Li SJ, Heo G, Haileselassie B, Mochly-Rosen D. Targeting an allosteric site in dynamin-related protein 1 to inhibit Fis1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4356. [PMID: 37468472 PMCID: PMC10356917 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40043-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The large cytosolic GTPase, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mediates both physiological and pathological mitochondrial fission. Cell stress triggers Drp1 binding to mitochondrial Fis1 and subsequently, mitochondrial fragmentation, ROS production, metabolic collapse, and cell death. Because Drp1 also mediates physiological fission by binding to mitochondrial Mff, therapeutics that inhibit pathological fission should spare physiological mitochondrial fission. P110, a peptide inhibitor of Drp1-Fis1 interaction, reduces pathology in numerous models of neurodegeneration, ischemia, and sepsis without blocking the physiological functions of Drp1. Since peptides have pharmacokinetic limitations, we set out to identify small molecules that mimic P110's benefit. We map the P110-binding site to a switch I-adjacent grove (SWAG) on Drp1. Screening for SWAG-binding small molecules identifies SC9, which mimics P110's benefits in cells and a mouse model of endotoxemia. We suggest that the SWAG-binding small molecules discovered in this study may reduce the burden of Drp1-mediated pathologies and potentially pathologies associated with other members of the GTPase family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Rios
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Suman Pokhrel
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sin-Jin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Bachelor Program of Biotechnology and Food Nutrition, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Gwangbeom Heo
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Daria Mochly-Rosen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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10
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Vottero P, Tavernini S, Santin AD, Scheim DE, Tuszynski JA, Aminpour M. Computational Prediction of the Interaction of Ivermectin with Fibrinogen. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11449. [PMID: 37511206 PMCID: PMC10380762 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercoagulability and formation of extensive and difficult-to-lyse microclots are a hallmark of both acute COVID-19 and long COVID. Fibrinogen, when converted to fibrin, is responsible for clot formation, but abnormal structural and mechanical clot properties can lead to pathologic thrombosis. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the spike protein (SP) from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may directly bind to the blood coagulation factor fibrinogen and induce structurally abnormal blood clots with heightened proinflammatory activity. Accordingly, in this study, we used molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to explore the potential activity of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin (IVM) to prevent the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 SP to fibrinogen and reduce the occurrence of microclots. Our computational results indicate that IVM may bind with high affinity to multiple sites on the fibrinogen peptide, with binding more likely in the central, E region, and in the coiled-coil region, as opposed to the globular D region. Taken together, our in silico results suggest that IVM may interfere with SP-fibrinogen binding and, potentially, decrease the formation of fibrin clots resistant to degradation. Additional in vitro studies are warranted to validate whether IVM binding to fibrinogen is sufficiently stable to prevent interaction with the SP, and potentially reduce its thrombo-inflammatory effect in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Vottero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (P.V.); (M.A.)
| | - Scott Tavernini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada;
| | - Alessandro D. Santin
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208063, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA;
| | - David E. Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060-6367, USA;
| | - Jack A. Tuszynski
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, The Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Maral Aminpour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada; (P.V.); (M.A.)
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11
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Hargreaves D, Carbajo RJ, Bodnarchuk MS, Embrey K, Rawlins PB, Packer M, Degorce SL, Hird AW, Johannes JW, Chiarparin E, Schade M. Design of rigid protein-protein interaction inhibitors enables targeting of undruggable Mcl-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221967120. [PMID: 37186857 PMCID: PMC10214187 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221967120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure-based design of small-molecule inhibitors targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) remains a huge challenge as the drug must bind typically wide and shallow protein sites. A PPI target of high interest for hematological cancer therapy is myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1), a prosurvival guardian protein from the Bcl-2 family. Despite being previously considered undruggable, seven small-molecule Mcl-1 inhibitors have recently entered clinical trials. Here, we report the crystal structure of the clinical-stage inhibitor AMG-176 bound to Mcl-1 and analyze its interaction along with clinical inhibitors AZD5991 and S64315. Our X-ray data reveal high plasticity of Mcl-1 and a remarkable ligand-induced pocket deepening. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-based free ligand conformer analysis demonstrates that such unprecedented induced fit is uniquely achieved by designing highly rigid inhibitors, preorganized in their bioactive conformation. By elucidating key chemistry design principles, this work provides a roadmap for targeting the largely untapped PPI class more successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hargreaves
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca, CambridgeCB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kevin Embrey
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca, CambridgeCB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martin Packer
- Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, CambridgeCB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Markus Schade
- Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, CambridgeCB4 0WG, United Kingdom
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12
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Mayasich SA, Goldsmith MR, Mattingly KZ, LaLone CA. Combining In Vitro and In Silico New Approach Methods to Investigate Type 3 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Chemical Inhibition Across Species. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1032-1048. [PMID: 36825751 PMCID: PMC10895443 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
New approach methodologies (NAMs) are being developed to reduce and replace vertebrate animal testing in support of ecotoxicology and risk assessment. The US Environmental Protection Agency's Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) bioinformatic tool was used to evaluate amino acid sequence conservation of the type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO3) enzyme across species to demonstrate NAM applications for understanding effects of chemical interactions with a specific protein target. Existing literature was used to identify critical amino acids for thyroid hormone binding and interaction with a reducing cofactor. The SeqAPASS tool identifies whether known critical amino acids involved in ligand binding are exact, partial, or not matches across species compared with a template species based on molecular weight and side chain classification. This evaluation guided the design of variant proteins representing critical amino acid substitutions found in various species. Site-directed mutagenesis of the wild-type (WT) human DIO3 gene sequence was used to create six variant proteins expressed in cell culture, which were then tested in vitro for chemical inhibition. Significant differences in in vitro median inhibitory concentration results were observed among variants for potential competitive inhibitors. A molecular model representing the WT human DIO3 was constructed using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software and mutated in silico to create the six variants. The MOE Site Finder tool identified the proposed catalytic and cofactor sites and potential alternative binding sites. Virtual docking did not provide affinity scores with sufficient resolution to rank the potency of the chemical inhibitors. Chemical characteristics, function and location of substituted amino acids, and complexities of the protein target are important considerations in developing NAMs to evaluate chemical susceptibility across species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1032-1048. © 2023 University of Wisconsin-Madison. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A. Mayasich
- Aquatic Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin‐Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Michael R. Goldsmith
- Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Congruence Therapeutics, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Carlie A. LaLone
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Ecology, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
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13
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Istvan ES, Guerra F, Abraham M, Huang KS, Rocamora F, Zhao H, Xu L, Pasaje C, Kumpornsin K, Luth MR, Cui H, Yang T, Diaz SP, Gomez-Lorenzo MG, Qahash T, Mittal N, Ottilie S, Niles J, Lee MCS, Llinas M, Kato N, Okombo J, Fidock DA, Schimmel P, Gamo FJ, Goldberg DE, Winzeler EA. Cytoplasmic isoleucyl tRNA synthetase as an attractive multistage antimalarial drug target. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadc9249. [PMID: 36888694 PMCID: PMC10286833 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adc9249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Development of antimalarial compounds into clinical candidates remains costly and arduous without detailed knowledge of the target. As resistance increases and treatment options at various stages of disease are limited, it is critical to identify multistage drug targets that are readily interrogated in biochemical assays. Whole-genome sequencing of 18 parasite clones evolved using thienopyrimidine compounds with submicromolar, rapid-killing, pan-life cycle antiparasitic activity showed that all had acquired mutations in the P. falciparum cytoplasmic isoleucyl tRNA synthetase (cIRS). Engineering two of the mutations into drug-naïve parasites recapitulated the resistance phenotype, and parasites with conditional knockdowns of cIRS became hypersensitive to two thienopyrimidines. Purified recombinant P. vivax cIRS inhibition, cross-resistance, and biochemical assays indicated a noncompetitive, allosteric binding site that is distinct from that of known cIRS inhibitors mupirocin and reveromycin A. Our data show that Plasmodium cIRS is an important chemically and genetically validated target for next-generation medicines for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva S. Istvan
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Francisco Guerra
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Matthew Abraham
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | | | - Frances Rocamora
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | | | - Lan Xu
- The Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Tsinghua University 30 Shuangqing Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Charisse Pasaje
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Madeline R. Luth
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Haissi Cui
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tuo Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Sara Palomo Diaz
- Global Health Medicines, GlaxoSmithKline, Severo Ochoa 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Spain
| | | | - Tarrick Qahash
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Nimisha Mittal
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Sabine Ottilie
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Jacquin Niles
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Marcus C. S. Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Manuel Llinas
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Center for Malaria Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Nobutaka Kato
- The Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Tsinghua University 30 Shuangqing Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - David A. Fidock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Daniel E. Goldberg
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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14
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Galindo-Hernández O, García-Salazar LA, García-González VG, Díaz-Molina R, Vique-Sánchez JL. Potential Inhibitors of The OTUB1 Catalytic Site to Develop an Anti-Cancer Drug Using In-Silico Approaches. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 11:684-693. [PMID: 37131907 PMCID: PMC10149122 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.11.4.684] [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: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Background : Cancer continues worldwide. It has been reported that OTUB1, a cysteine protease, plays a critical role in a variety of tumors and is strongly related to tumor proliferation, migration, and clinical prognosis by its functions on deubiquitination. Drug advances continue against new therapeutic targets. In this study we used OTUB1 to develop a specific pharmacological treatment to regulate deubiquitination by OTUB1. The aim of this research is to regulate OTUB1 functions. Methods By molecular docking in a specific potential OTUB1 interaction site between Asp88, Cys91, and His26 amino acids, using a chemical library of over 500,000 compounds, we selected potential inhibitors of the OTUB1 catalytic site. Results Ten compounds (OT1 - OT10) were selected by molecular docking to develop a new anti-cancer drug to decrease OTUB1 functions in cancer processes. Conclusion OT1 - OT10 compounds could be interacting in the potential site between Asp88, Cys91, and His265 amino acids in OTUB1. This site is necessary for the deubiquitinating function of OTUB1. Therefore, this study shows another way to attack cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Galindo-Hernández
- Autonomous University of Baja California, School of Medicine Campus Mexicali, Mexicali, BC, México.
- Corresponding author: José Luis Vique-Sánchez; Tel: +52 5549928664; E-mail: .
| | | | | | - Raúl Díaz-Molina
- Autonomous University of Baja California, School of Medicine Campus Mexicali, Mexicali, BC, México.
| | - José Luis Vique-Sánchez
- Autonomous University of Baja California, School of Medicine Campus Mexicali, Mexicali, BC, México.
- Corresponding author: José Luis Vique-Sánchez; Tel: +52 5549928664; E-mail: .
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15
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González-Ortiz A, Pulido-Capiz A, Castañeda-Sánchez CY, Ibarra-López E, Galindo-Hernández O, Calderón-Fernández MA, López-Cossio LY, Díaz-Molina R, Chimal-Vega B, Serafín-Higuera N, Córdova-Guerrero I, García-González V. eIF4A/PDCD4 Pathway, a Factor for Doxorubicin Chemoresistance in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Model. Cells 2022; 11:4069. [PMID: 36552834 PMCID: PMC9776898 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells employ several adaptive mechanisms under conditions of accelerated cell division, such as the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is composed of a tripartite signaling system that involves ATF6, PERK, and IRE1, which maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis). However, deregulation of protein translation initiation could be associated with breast cancer (BC) chemoresistance. Specifically, eukaryotic initiation factor-4A (eIF4A) is involved in the unfolding of the secondary structures of several mRNAs at the 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR), as well as in the regulation of targets involved in chemoresistance. Importantly, the tumor suppressor gene PDCD4 could modulate this process. This regulation might be disrupted in chemoresistant triple negative-BC (TNBC) cells. Therefore, we characterized the effect of doxorubicin (Dox), a commonly used anthracycline medication, on human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells. Here, we generated and characterized models of Dox chemoresistance, and chemoresistant cells exhibited lower Dox internalization levels followed by alteration of the IRE1 and PERK arms of the UPR and triggering of the antioxidant Nrf2 axis. Critically, chemoresistant cells exhibited PDCD4 downregulation, which coincided with a reduction in eIF4A interaction, suggesting a sophisticated regulation of protein translation. Likewise, Dox-induced chemoresistance was associated with alterations in cellular migration and invasion, which are key cancer hallmarks, coupled with changes in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Moreover, eIF4A knockdown via siRNA and its overexpression in chemoresistant cells suggested that eIF4A regulates FAK. Pro-atherogenic low-density lipoproteins (LDL) promoted cellular invasion in parental and chemoresistant cells in an MMP-9-dependent manner. Moreover, Dox only inhibited parental cell invasion. Significantly, chemoresistance was modulated by cryptotanshinone (Cry), a natural terpene purified from the roots of Salvia brandegeei. Cry and Dox co-exposure induced chemosensitization, connected with the Cry effect on eIF4A interaction. We further demonstrated the Cry binding capability on eIF4A and in silico assays suggest Cry inhibition on the RNA-processing domain. Therefore, strategic disruption of protein translation initiation is a druggable pathway by natural compounds during chemoresistance in TNBC. However, plasmatic LDL levels should be closely monitored throughout treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina González-Ortiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Angel Pulido-Capiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - César Y. Castañeda-Sánchez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Esmeralda Ibarra-López
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Octavio Galindo-Hernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Maritza Anahí Calderón-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Leslie Y. López-Cossio
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Raul Díaz-Molina
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Brenda Chimal-Vega
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Nicolás Serafín-Higuera
- Facultad de Odontología Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
| | - Iván Córdova-Guerrero
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana 22424, Mexico
| | - Victor García-González
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
- Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Estudios Metabólicos y Cáncer, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21000, Mexico
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16
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Yoshioka S, Ikeda T, Fukuchi S, Kawai Y, Ohta K, Murakami H, Ogo N, Muraoka D, Takikawa O, Asai A. Identification and Characterization of a Novel Dual Inhibitor of
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 and Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. Int J Tryptophan Res 2022; 15:11786469221138456. [PMCID: PMC9716449 DOI: 10.1177/11786469221138456] [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: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine (Kyn), a metabolite of tryptophan (Trp), is a key regulator of mammal
immune responses such as cancer immune tolerance. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase
(IDO) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) are main enzymes regulating the first
and rate-limiting step of the Kyn pathway. To identify new small molecule
inhibitors of TDO, we selected A172 glioblastoma cell line constitutively
expressed TDO. Characterization of this cell line using kinase inhibitor library
resulted in identification of MEK/ERK pathway-dependent TDO expression. After
knowing the properties for TDO expression, we further proceeded to screen
chemical library for TDO inhibitors. We previously determined that
S-benzylisothiourea derivatives are enzymatic inhibitors of indoleamine
2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and suggested that the isothiourea moiety could be an
important pharmacophore for binding to heme. Based on this premise, we screened
an in-house library composed of various isothiourea derivatives and identified a
bisisothiourea derivative, PVZB3001, as an inhibitor of TDO. Interestingly,
PVZB3001 also inhibited the enzymatic activity of IDO1 in both cell-based and
cell-free assays but did not inhibit other heme enzymes. Molecular docking
studies suggested the importance of isothiourea moieties at the ortho position
of the phenyl ring for the inhibition of catalytic activity. PVZB3001 showed
competitive inhibition against TDO, and this was supported by the docking
simulation. PVZB3001 recovered natural killer (NK) cell viability and functions
by inhibiting Kyn accumulation in conditioned medium of both IDO1- and
TDO-expressing cells. Furthermore, oral administration of IDO1-overexpressing
tumor-bearing mice with PVZB3001 significantly inhibited tumor growth. Thus, we
identified a novel selective dual inhibitor of IDO1 and TDO using the Kyn
production assay with a glioblastoma cell line. This inhibitor could be a useful
pharmacological tool for modulating the Kyn pathway in a variety of experimental
systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeko Yoshioka
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tomonori Ikeda
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Sogo Fukuchi
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yurika Kawai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Katsumi Ohta
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Murakami
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Naohisa Ogo
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Muraoka
- Department of Oncology, Nagasaki
University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Osamu Takikawa
- National Institute for Longevity
Sciences, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akira Asai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan,Akira Asai, Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka
422-8526, Japan.
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17
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Fukunishi Y, Higo J, Kasahara K. Computer simulation of molecular recognition in biomolecular system: from in silico screening to generalized ensembles. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:1423-1447. [PMID: 36465086 PMCID: PMC9703445 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-01015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prediction of ligand-receptor complex structure is important in both the basic science and the industry such as drug discovery. We report various computation molecular docking methods: fundamental in silico (virtual) screening, ensemble docking, enhanced sampling (generalized ensemble) methods, and other methods to improve the accuracy of the complex structure. We explain not only the merits of these methods but also their limits of application and discuss some interaction terms which are not considered in the in silico methods. In silico screening and ensemble docking are useful when one focuses on obtaining the native complex structure (the most thermodynamically stable complex). Generalized ensemble method provides a free-energy landscape, which shows the distribution of the most stable complex structure and semi-stable ones in a conformational space. Also, barriers separating those stable structures are identified. A researcher should select one of the methods according to the research aim and depending on complexity of the molecular system to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Fukunishi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-3-26, Aomi, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 135-0064 Japan
| | - Junichi Higo
- Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo, 7-1-28 Minatojima Minamimachi, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 Japan ,Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577 Japan
| | - Kota Kasahara
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577 Japan
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18
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Che J, Jones LH. Covalent drugs targeting histidine - an unexploited opportunity? RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1121-1126. [PMID: 36325394 PMCID: PMC9579939 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00258b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Covalent drugs and chemical probes often possess pharmacological advantages over reversible binding ligands, such as enhanced potency and pharmacodynamic duration. The highly nucleophilic cysteine thiol is commonly targeted using acrylamide electrophiles, but the amino acid is rarely present in protein binding sites. Sulfonyl exchange chemistry has expanded the covalent drug discovery toolkit by enabling the rational design of irreversible inhibitors targeting tyrosine, lysine, serine and threonine. Probes containing the sulfonyl fluoride warhead have also been shown to serendipitously label histidine residues in proteins. Histidine targeting is an attractive prospect because the residue is frequently proximal to protein small molecule ligands and the imidazole side chain possesses desirable nucleophilicity. We recently reported the design of cereblon molecular glues to site-selectively modify a histidine in the thalidomide binding site using sulfonyl exchange chemistry. We believe that histidine targeting holds great promise for future covalent drug development and this Opinion highlights these opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Che
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 360 Longwood Avenue Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Lyn H Jones
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 360 Longwood Avenue Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
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19
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Okafor SN, Angsantikul P, Ahmed H. Discovery of Novel HIV Protease Inhibitors Using Modern Computational Techniques. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12149. [PMID: 36293006 PMCID: PMC9603388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has continued to be a global concern. With the new HIV incidence, the emergence of multi-drug resistance and the untoward side effects of currently used anti-HIV drugs, there is an urgent need to discover more efficient anti-HIV drugs. Modern computational tools have played vital roles in facilitating the drug discovery process. This research focuses on a pharmacophore-based similarity search to screen 111,566,735 unique compounds in the PubChem database to discover novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs). We used an in silico approach involving a 3D-similarity search, physicochemical and ADMET evaluations, HIV protease-inhibitor prediction (IC50/percent inhibition), rigid receptor-molecular docking studies, binding free energy calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The 10 FDA-approved HIV PIs (saquinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, atazanavir, nelfinavir, darunavir, tipranavir and indinavir) were used as reference. The in silico analysis revealed that fourteen out of the twenty-eight selected optimized hit molecules were within the acceptable range of all the parameters investigated. The hit molecules demonstrated significant binding affinity to the HIV protease (PR) when compared to the reference drugs. The important amino acid residues involved in hydrogen bonding and п-п stacked interactions include ASP25, GLY27, ASP29, ASP30 and ILE50. These interactions help to stabilize the optimized hit molecules in the active binding site of the HIV-1 PR (PDB ID: 2Q5K). HPS/002 and HPS/004 have been found to be most promising in terms of IC50/percent inhibition (90.15%) of HIV-1 PR, in addition to their drug metabolism and safety profile. These hit candidates should be investigated further as possible HIV-1 PIs with improved efficacy and low toxicity through in vitro experiments and clinical trial investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunday N. Okafor
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 41001, Nigeria
| | | | - Hashim Ahmed
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY 10065, USA
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20
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Monteleone S, Fedorov DG, Townsend-Nicholson A, Southey M, Bodkin M, Heifetz A. Hotspot Identification and Drug Design of Protein-Protein Interaction Modulators Using the Fragment Molecular Orbital Method. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:3784-3799. [PMID: 35939049 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are essential for the function of many proteins. Aberrant PPIs have the potential to lead to disease, making PPIs promising targets for drug discovery. There are over 64,000 PPIs in the human interactome reference database; however, to date, very few PPI modulators have been approved for clinical use. Further development of PPI-specific therapeutics is highly dependent on the availability of structural data and the existence of reliable computational tools to explore the interface between two interacting proteins. The fragment molecular orbital (FMO) quantum mechanics method offers comprehensive and computationally inexpensive means of identifying the strength (in kcal/mol) and the chemical nature (electrostatic or hydrophobic) of the molecular interactions taking place at the protein-protein interface. We have integrated FMO and PPI exploration (FMO-PPI) to identify the residues that are critical for protein-protein binding (hotspots). To validate this approach, we have applied FMO-PPI to a dataset of protein-protein complexes representing several different protein subfamilies and obtained FMO-PPI results that are in agreement with published mutagenesis data. We observed that critical PPIs can be divided into three major categories: interactions between residues of two proteins (intermolecular), interactions between residues within the same protein (intramolecular), and interactions between residues of two proteins that are mediated by water molecules (water bridges). We extended our findings by demonstrating how this information obtained by FMO-PPI can be utilized to support the structure-based drug design of PPI modulators (SBDD-PPI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Monteleone
- Evotec UK Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | - Dmitri G Fedorov
- Research Center for Computational Design of Advanced Functional Materials (CD-FMat), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
| | - Andrea Townsend-Nicholson
- Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology, Research Department of Structural & Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Southey
- Evotec UK Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Bodkin
- Evotec UK Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Heifetz
- Evotec UK Ltd., 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, United Kingdom
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21
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Che X, Chai S, Zhang Z, Zhang L. Prediction of Ligand Binding Sites Using Improved Blind Docking Method with a Machine Learning-Based Scoring Function. Chem Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.117962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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22
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Cannariato M, Miceli M, Deriu MA. In silico investigation of Alsin RLD conformational dynamics and phosphoinositides binding mechanism. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270955. [PMID: 35849605 PMCID: PMC9292110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alsin is a protein known for its major role in neuronal homeostasis and whose mutation is associated with early-onset neurodegenerative diseases. It has been shown that its relocalization from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane is crucial to induce early endosomes maturation. In particular, evidences suggest that the N-terminal regulator of chromosome condensation 1 like domain (RLD) is necessary for membrane association thanks to its affinity to phosphoinositides, membrane lipids involved in the regulation of several signaling processes. Interestingly, this domain showed affinity towards phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P], which is highly expressed in endosomes membrane. However, Alsin structure has not been experimentally resolved yet and molecular mechanisms associated with its biological functions are mostly unknown. In this work, Alsin RLD has been investigated through computational molecular modeling techniques to analyze its conformational dynamics and obtain a representative 3D model of this domain. Moreover, a putative phosphoinositide binding site has been proposed and PI(3)P interaction mechanism studied. Results highlight the substantial conformational stability of Alsin RLD secondary structure and suggest the role of one highly flexible region in the phosphoinositides selectivity of this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cannariato
- PolitoMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marcello Miceli
- PolitoMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Agostino Deriu
- PolitoMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
- * E-mail:
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23
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The hop cones (Humulus lupulus L.): Chemical composition, antioxidant properties and molecular docking simulations. J Herb Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2022.100566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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24
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Lal Gupta P, Carlson HA. Cosolvent Simulations with Fragment-Bound Proteins Identify Hot Spots to Direct Lead Growth. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:3829-3844. [PMID: 35533286 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c01054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In drug design, chemical groups are sequentially added to improve a weak-binding fragment into a tight-binding lead molecule. Often, the direction to make these additions is unclear, and there are numerous chemical modifications to choose. Lead development can be guided by crystal structures of the fragment-bound protein, but this alone is unable to capture structural changes like closing or opening of the binding site and any side-chain movements. Accounting for adaptation of the site requires a dynamic approach. Here, we use molecular dynamics calculations of small organic solvents with protein-fragment pairs to reveal the nearest "hot spots". These close hot spots show the direction to make appropriate additions and suggest types of chemical modifications that could improve binding affinity. Mixed-solvent molecular dynamics (MixMD) is a cosolvent simulation technique that is well established for finding binding "hot spots" in active sites and allosteric sites of proteins. We simulated 20 fragment-bound and apo forms of key pharmaceutical targets to map out hot spots for potential lead space. Furthermore, we analyzed whether the presence of a fragment facilitates the probes' binding in the lead space, a type of binding cooperativity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of cosolvent MD conducted with bound inhibitors in the simulation. Our work provides a general framework to extract molecular features of binding sites to choose chemical groups for growing lead molecules. Of the 20 systems, 17 systems were well mapped by MixMD. For the three not-mapped systems, two had lead growth out into solution away from the protein, and the third had very small modifications which indicated no nearby hot spots. Therefore, our lack of mapping in three systems was appropriate given the experimental data (true-negative cases). The simulations are run for very short time scales, making this method tractable for use in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pancham Lal Gupta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1065, United States
| | - Heather A Carlson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1065, United States
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25
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Chan WKB, Olson KM, Wotring JW, Sexton JZ, Carlson HA, Traynor JR. In silico analysis of SARS-CoV-2 proteins as targets for clinically available drugs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5320. [PMID: 35351926 PMCID: PMC8963407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) requires treatments with rapid clinical translatability. Here we develop a multi-target and multi-ligand virtual screening method to identify FDA-approved drugs with potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 at traditional and understudied viral targets. 1,268 FDA-approved small molecule drugs were docked to 47 putative binding sites across 23 SARS-CoV-2 proteins. We compared drugs between binding sites and filtered out compounds that had no reported activity in an in vitro screen against SARS-CoV-2 infection of human liver (Huh-7) cells. This identified 17 "high-confidence", and 97 "medium-confidence" drug-site pairs. The "high-confidence" group was subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to yield six compounds with stable binding poses at their optimal target proteins. Three drugs-amprenavir, levomefolic acid, and calcipotriol-were predicted to bind to 3 different sites on the spike protein, domperidone to the Mac1 domain of the non-structural protein (Nsp) 3, avanafil to Nsp15, and nintedanib to the nucleocapsid protein involved in packaging the viral RNA. Our "two-way" virtual docking screen also provides a framework to prioritize drugs for testing in future emergencies requiring rapidly available clinical drugs and/or treating diseases where a moderate number of targets are known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace K B Chan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 2301 MSRBIII, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190-5606, USA
- Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA
| | - Keith M Olson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 2301 MSRBIII, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190-5606, USA
- Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA
| | - Jesse W Wotring
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA
| | - Jonathan Z Sexton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA
| | - Heather A Carlson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 2301 MSRBIII, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190-5606, USA.
- Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48190, USA.
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26
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Human rhinovirus promotes STING trafficking to replication organelles to promote viral replication. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1406. [PMID: 35301296 PMCID: PMC8931115 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28745-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human rhinovirus (HRV), like coronavirus (HCoV), are positive-strand RNA viruses that cause both upper and lower respiratory tract illness, with their replication facilitated by concentrating RNA-synthesizing machinery in intracellular compartments made of modified host membranes, referred to as replication organelles (ROs). Here we report a non-canonical, essential function for stimulator of interferon genes (STING) during HRV infections. While the canonical function of STING is to detect cytosolic DNA and activate inflammatory responses, HRV infection triggers the release of STIM1-bound STING in the ER by lowering Ca2+, thereby allowing STING to interact with phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) and traffic to ROs to facilitates viral replication and transmission via autophagy. Our results thus hint a critical function of STING in HRV viral replication and transmission, with possible implications for other RO-mediated RNA viruses. Evidence exists that the typically antiviral signaling mediator STING is, counterintuitively, needed for optimal human rhinovirus infection. Here the authors confirm this finding and show how human rhinovirus can reduce stored Ca2+ levels to drive this effect.
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27
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STAT3 inhibition suppresses adaptive survival of ALK-rearranged lung cancer cells through transcriptional modulation of apoptosis. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:11. [PMID: 35228642 PMCID: PMC8885877 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00254-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer who are prescribed ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) rarely have complete responses, with residual tumors relapsing as heterogeneous resistant phenotypes. Herein, we investigated new therapeutic strategies to reduce and eliminate residual tumors in the early treatment phase. Functional genomic screening using small guide RNA libraries showed that treatment-induced adaptive survival of ALK-rearranged lung cancer cells was predominantly dependent on STAT3 activity upon ALK inhibition. STAT3 inhibition effectively suppressed the adaptive survival of ALK-rearranged lung cancer cells by enhancing ALK inhibition-induced apoptosis. The combined effects were characterized by treatment-induced STAT3 dependence and transcriptional regulation of anti-apoptotic factor BCL-XL. In xenograft study, the combination of YHO-1701 (STAT3 inhibitor) and alectinib significantly suppressed tumor regrowth after treatment cessation with near tumor remission compared with alectinib alone. Hence, this study provides new insights into combined therapeutic strategies for patients with ALK-rearranged lung cancer.
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28
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Djeujo FM, Ragazzi E, Urettini M, Sauro B, Cichero E, Tonelli M, Froldi G. Magnolol and Luteolin Inhibition of α-Glucosidase Activity: Kinetics and Type of Interaction Detected by In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020205. [PMID: 35215317 PMCID: PMC8880268 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnolol and luteolin are two natural compounds recognized in several medicinal plants widely used in traditional medicine, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. This research aimed to determine the inhibitory activity of magnolol and luteolin on α-glucosidase activity. Their biological profile was studied by multispectroscopic methods along with inhibitory kinetic analysis and computational experiments. Magnolol and luteolin decreased the enzymatic activity in a concentration-dependent manner. With 0.075 µM α-glucosidase, the IC50 values were similar for both compounds (~ 32 µM) and significantly lower than for acarbose (815 μM). Magnolol showed a mixed-type antagonism, while luteolin showed a non-competitive inhibition mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the binding of magnolol was predominantly sustained by hydrophobic interactions, while luteolin mainly exploited van der Waals contacts and hydrogen bonds. Synchronous fluorescence revealed that magnolol interacted with the target, influencing the microenvironment around tyrosine residues, and circular dichroism explained a rearrangement of the secondary structure of α-glucosidase from the initial α-helix to the final conformation enriched with β-sheet and random coil. Docking studies provided support for the experimental results. Altogether, the data propose magnolol, for the first time, as a potential α-glucosidase inhibitor and add further evidence to the inhibitory role of luteolin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Medjiofack Djeujo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.M.D.); (E.R.); (M.U.); (B.S.)
| | - Eugenio Ragazzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.M.D.); (E.R.); (M.U.); (B.S.)
| | - Miriana Urettini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.M.D.); (E.R.); (M.U.); (B.S.)
| | - Beatrice Sauro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.M.D.); (E.R.); (M.U.); (B.S.)
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16128 Genova, Italy;
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (G.F.); Tel.: +39-049-827-5092 (G.F.); Fax: +39-049-827-5093 (G.F.)
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, 16128 Genova, Italy;
| | - Guglielmina Froldi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.M.D.); (E.R.); (M.U.); (B.S.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (G.F.); Tel.: +39-049-827-5092 (G.F.); Fax: +39-049-827-5093 (G.F.)
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29
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Repurposing α-Adrenoreceptor Blockers as Promising Anti-Virulence Agents in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020178. [PMID: 35203781 PMCID: PMC8868568 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is among the world’s most urgent public health problems. Diminishing of the virulence of bacteria is a promising approach to decrease the development of bacterial resistance. Quorum sensing (QS) systems orchestrate the bacterial virulence in inducer–receptors manner. Bacteria can spy on the cells of the host by sensing adrenergic hormones and other neurotransmitters, and in turn, these neurotransmitters can induce bacterial pathogenesis. In this direction, α-adrenergic blockers were proposed as an anti-virulence agents through inhibiting the bacterial espionage. The current study aimed to explore the α-blockers’ anti-QS activities. Within comprehensive in silico investigation, the binding affinities of seven α-adrenoreceptor blockers were evaluated towards structurally different QS receptors. From the best docked α-blockers into QS receptors, terazosin was nominated to be subjected for further in vivo and in vitro anti-QS and anti-virulence activities against Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Terazosin showed a significant ability to diminish the QS-controlled pigment production in C. violaceum. Moreover, Terazosin decreased the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and down-regulated its QS-encoding genes. Terazosin protected mice from the P. aeruginosa pathogenesis. In conclusion, α-adrenergic blockers are proposed as promising anti-virulence agents as they hinder QS receptors and inhibit bacterial espionage.
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30
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Nassan MA, Aldhahrani A, Amer HH, Elhenawy A, Swelum AA, Ali OM, Zaki YH. Investigation of the Anticancer Effect of α-Aminophosphonates and Arylidine Derivatives of 3-Acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2( 1H)-one on the DMBA Model of Breast Cancer in Albino Rats with In Silico Prediction of Their Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitory Effect. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030756. [PMID: 35164019 PMCID: PMC8839308 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a major cause of death in women worldwide. In this study, 60 female rats were classified into 6 groups; negative control, α-aminophosphonates, arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one, DMBA, DMBA & α-aminophosphonates, and DMBA & arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one. New α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one were synthesized and elucidated by different spectroscopic and elemental analysis. Histopathological examination showed marked proliferation of cancer cells in the DMBA group. Treatment with α-aminophosphonates mainly decreased tumor mass. Bcl2 expression increased in DMBA-administered rats and then declined in the treated groups, mostly with α-aminophosphonates. The level of CA15-3 markedly declined in DMBA groups treated with α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one. Gene expression of GST-P, PCNA, PDK, and PIK3CA decreased in the DMBA group treated with α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one, whereas PIK3R1 and BAX increased in the DMBA group treated with α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one. The molecular docking postulated that the investigated compounds can inhibt the Thymidylate synthase TM due to high hydrophobicity charachter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Nassan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Turabah University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Adil Aldhahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Turabah University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Hamada H. Amer
- Department of Chemistry, Turabah University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
- Correspondence: (H.H.A.); (Y.H.Z.)
| | - Ahmed Elhenawy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt;
| | - Ayman A. Swelum
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt;
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar M. Ali
- Department of Chemistry, Turabah University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Yasser H. Zaki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62514, Egypt
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Humanity Studies at Al-Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Al-Quwayiyah 11961, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (H.H.A.); (Y.H.Z.)
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31
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Cruite JT, Dann GP, Che J, Donovan KA, Ferrao S, Ficarro SB, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Huerta F, Kong NR, Liu H, Marto JA, Metivier RJ, Nowak RP, Zerfas BL, Jones LH. Cereblon covalent modulation through structure-based design of histidine targeting chemical probes. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:1105-1110. [PMID: 36128501 PMCID: PMC9428674 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00078d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic re-engineering of a surface histidine residue on cereblon using sulfonyl exchange chemistry yielded potent irreversible modulators of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, including a molecular glue degrader of the novel neosubstrate NTAQ1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T. Cruite
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geoffrey P. Dann
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jianwei Che
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Silas Ferrao
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott B. Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fidel Huerta
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikki R. Kong
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hu Liu
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jarrod A. Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Radosław P. Nowak
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Breanna L. Zerfas
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lyn H. Jones
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhang H, Gao C, Zhang L, Yu R, Kang C. Homology modeling, virtual screening and MD simulations for identification of NUAK1 and ULK1 potential dual inhibitors. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj03690d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to their severe metabolic stress. SNF1 like kinase 1 (NUAK1) is the key part of the cellular antioxidant system. Inhibiting the...
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33
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Chheda PR, Cooling GT, Dean SF, Propp J, Hobbs KF, Spies MA. Decrypting a Cryptic Allosteric Pocket in H. pylori Glutamate Racemase. Commun Chem 2021; 4:172. [PMID: 35673630 PMCID: PMC9169614 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-021-00605-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
One of our greatest challenges in drug design is targeting cryptic allosteric pockets in enzyme targets. Drug leads that do bind to these cryptic pockets are often discovered during HTS campaigns, and the mechanisms of action are rarely understood. Nevertheless, it is often the case that the allosteric pocket provides the best option for drug development against a given target. In the current studies we present a successful way forward in rationally exploiting the cryptic allosteric pocket of H. pylori glutamate racemase, an essential enzyme in this pathogen's life cycle. A wide range of computational and experimental methods are employed in a workflow leading to the discovery of a series of natural product allosteric inhibitors which occupy the allosteric pocket of this essential racemase. The confluence of these studies reveals a fascinating source of the allosteric inhibition, which centers on the abolition of essential monomer-monomer coupled motion networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Rajesh Chheda
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - Grant T. Cooling
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - Sondra F. Dean
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - Jonah Propp
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - Kathryn F. Hobbs
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
| | - M. Ashley Spies
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
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Qiao X, Qu L, Guo Y, Hoshino T. Secondary Structure and Conformational Stability of the Antigen Residues Making Contact with Antibodies. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:11374-11385. [PMID: 34615354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c05997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are crucial biomolecules that bring high therapeutic efficacy in medicine and accurate molecular detection in diagnosis. Many studies have been devoted to analyzing the antigen-antibody interaction from the importance of understanding the antibody recognition mechanism. However, most of the previous studies examined the characteristic of the antibody for interaction. It is also informative to clarify the significant antigen residues contributing to the binding. To characterize the molecular interaction of antigens, we computationally analyzed 350 antigen-antibody complex structures by molecular mechanics (MM) calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Based on the MM calculations, the antigen residues contributing to the binding were extracted from all the 350 complexes. The extracted residues are located at the antigen-antibody interface and are responsible for making contact with the antibody. The appearances of the charged polar residues, Asp, Glu, Arg, and Lys, were noticeably large. In contrast, the populations of the hydrophobic residues, Leu, Val, and Ala, were relatively low. The appearance frequencies of the other amino acid residues were almost close to the abundance of general proteins of eukaryotes. The binding score indicated that the hydrophilic interaction was dominant at the antigen-antibody contact instead of the hydrophobic one. The positively charged residues, Arg and Lys, remarkably contributed to the binding compared to the negatively charged ones, Asp and Glu. Considerable contributions were also observed for the noncharged polar residues, Asn and Gln. The analysis of the secondary structures of the extracted antigen residues suggested that there was no marked difference in recognition by antibodies among helix, sheet, turn, and coil. A long helix of the antigen sometimes made contact with antibody complementarity-determining regions, and a large sheet also frequently covered the antibody heavy and light chains. The turn structure was the most popularly observed at the contact with antibody among 350 complexes. Three typical complexes were picked up for each of the four secondary structures. MD simulations were performed to examine the stability of the interfacial structures of the antigens for these 12 complex models. The alterations of secondary structures were monitored through the simulations. The structural fluctuations of the contact residues were low compared with the other domains of antigen molecules. No drastic conversion was observed for every model during the 100 ns simulation. The motions of the interfacial antigen residues were small compared to the other residues on the protein surface. Therefore, diverse molecular conformations are possible for antibody recognition as long as the target areas are polar, nonflexible, and protruding on the protein surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Qiao
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Liang Qu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Yan Guo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Tyuji Hoshino
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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35
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Kosugi T, Ohue M. Quantitative Estimate Index for Early-Stage Screening of Compounds Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10925. [PMID: 34681589 PMCID: PMC8539639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-likeness quantification is useful for screening drug candidates. Quantitative estimates of drug-likeness (QED) are commonly used to assess quantitative drug efficacy but are not suitable for screening compounds targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs), which have recently gained attention. Therefore, we developed a quantitative estimate index for compounds targeting PPIs (QEPPI), specifically for early-stage screening of PPI-targeting compounds. QEPPI is an extension of the QED method for PPI-targeting drugs that models physicochemical properties based on the information available for drugs/compounds, specifically those reported to act on PPIs. FDA-approved drugs and compounds in iPPI-DB, which comprise PPI inhibitors and stabilizers, were evaluated using QEPPI. The results showed that QEPPI is more suitable than QED for early screening of PPI-targeting compounds. QEPPI was also considered an extended concept of the "Rule-of-Four" (RO4), a PPI inhibitor index. We evaluated the discriminatory performance of QEPPI and RO4 for datasets of PPI-target compounds and FDA-approved drugs using F-score and other indices. The F-scores of RO4 and QEPPI were 0.451 and 0.501, respectively. QEPPI showed better performance and enabled quantification of drug-likeness for early-stage PPI drug discovery. Hence, it can be used as an initial filter to efficiently screen PPI-targeting compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masahito Ohue
- Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, G3-56-4259 Nagatsutacho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Kanagawa, Japan;
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36
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NBD2 Is Required for the Rescue of Mutant F508del CFTR by a Thiazole-Based Molecule: A Class II Corrector for the Multi-Drug Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11101417. [PMID: 34680050 PMCID: PMC8533355 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, an anion channel that regulates epithelial surface fluid secretion. The deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del) is the most common CFTR mutation. F508del CFTR is characterized by folding and trafficking defects, resulting in decreased functional expression of the protein on the plasma membrane. Several classes of small molecules, named correctors, have been developed to rescue defective F508del CFTR. Although individual correctors failed to improve the clinical status of CF patients carrying the F508del mutation, better results were obtained using correctors combinations. These results were obtained according to the premise that the administration of correctors having different sites of action should enhance F508del CFTR rescue. We investigated the putative site of action of an aminoarylthiazole 4-(3-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-(methylthio)phenyl)thiazol-2-amine, named FCG, with proven CFTR corrector activity, and its synergistic effect with the corrector VX809. We found that neither the total expression nor the maturation of WT CFTR transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells was influenced by FCG, administrated alone or in combination with VX809. On the contrary, FCG was able to enhance F508del CFTR total expression, and its combination with VX809 provided a further effect, being able to increase not only the total expression but also the maturation of the mutant protein. Analyses on different CFTR domains and groups of domains, heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells, show that NBD2 is necessary for FCG corrector activity. Molecular modelling analyses suggest that FCG interacts with a putative region located into the NBD2, ascribing this molecule to class II correctors. Our study indicates that the continuous development and testing of combinations of correctors targeting different structural and functional defects of mutant CFTR is the best strategy to ensure a valuable therapeutic perspective to a larger cohort of CF patients.
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Aminpour M, Cannariato M, Zucco A, Di Gregorio E, Israel S, Perioli A, Tucci D, Rossi F, Pionato S, Marino S, Deriu MA, Velpula KK, Tuszynski JA. Computational Study of Potential Galectin-3 Inhibitors in the Treatment of COVID-19. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1208. [PMID: 34572394 PMCID: PMC8466820 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate-binding protein and the most studied member of the galectin family. It regulates several functions throughout the body, among which are inflammation and post-injury remodelling. Recent studies have highlighted the similarity between Galectin-3's carbohydrate recognition domain and the so-called "galectin fold" present on the N-terminal domain of the S1 sub-unit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Sialic acids binding to the N-terminal domain of the Spike protein are known to be crucial for viral entry into humans, and the role of Galectin-3 as a mediator of lung fibrosis has long been the object of study since its levels have been found to be abnormally high in alveolar macrophages following lung injury. In this context, the discovery of a double inhibitor may both prevent viral entry and reduce post-infection pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we use a database of 56 compounds, among which 37 have known experimental affinity with Galectin-3. We carry out virtual screening of this database with respect to Galectin-3 and Spike protein. Several ligands are found to exhibit promising binding affinity and interaction with the Spike protein's N-terminal domain as well as with Galectin-3. This finding strongly suggests that existing Galectin-3 inhibitors possess dual-binding capabilities to disrupt Spike-ACE2 interactions. Herein we identify the most promising inhibitors of Galectin-3 and Spike proteins, of which five emerge as potential dual effective inhibitors. Our preliminary results warrant further in vitro and in vivo testing of these putative inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 with the hope of being able to halt the spread of the virus in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maral Aminpour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada;
| | - Marco Cannariato
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Angelica Zucco
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Elisabetta Di Gregorio
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Simone Israel
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Annalisa Perioli
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Davide Tucci
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Francesca Rossi
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Sara Pionato
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Silvia Marino
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Marco A. Deriu
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Kiran K. Velpula
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, IL 61605, USA
| | - Jack A. Tuszynski
- DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; (M.C.); (A.Z.); (E.D.G.); (S.I.); (A.P.); (D.T.); (F.R.); (S.P.); (S.M.); (M.A.D.)
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
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38
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Giubilaro J, Schuetz DA, Stepniewski TM, Namkung Y, Khoury E, Lara-Márquez M, Campbell S, Beautrait A, Armando S, Radresa O, Duchaine J, Lamarche-Vane N, Claing A, Selent J, Bouvier M, Marinier A, Laporte SA. Discovery of a dual Ras and ARF6 inhibitor from a GPCR endocytosis screen. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4688. [PMID: 34344896 PMCID: PMC8333425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24968-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Internalization and intracellular trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play pivotal roles in cell responsiveness. Dysregulation in receptor trafficking can lead to aberrant signaling and cell behavior. Here, using an endosomal BRET-based assay in a high-throughput screen with the prototypical GPCR angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), we sought to identify receptor trafficking inhibitors from a library of ~115,000 small molecules. We identified a novel dual Ras and ARF6 inhibitor, which we named Rasarfin, that blocks agonist-mediated internalization of AT1R and other GPCRs. Rasarfin also potently inhibits agonist-induced ERK1/2 signaling by GPCRs, and MAPK and Akt signaling by EGFR, as well as prevents cancer cell proliferation. In silico modeling and in vitro studies reveal a unique binding modality of Rasarfin within the SOS-binding domain of Ras. Our findings unveil a class of dual small G protein inhibitors for receptor trafficking and signaling, useful for the inhibition of oncogenic cellular responses. While Ras is a promising target for cancer therapy, development of inhibitors targeting Ras signaling has proven challenging. Here, the authors report the discovery of Rasarfin, a small molecule from a phenotypic screen on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) endocytosis that acts as a dual Ras and ARF6 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Giubilaro
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Doris A Schuetz
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Tomasz M Stepniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of Pompeu, Fabra University (UPF)-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.,InterAx Biotech AG, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Yoon Namkung
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Etienne Khoury
- Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mónica Lara-Márquez
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Shirley Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Beautrait
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Schrödinger, Inc., New York, NY, United States
| | - Sylvain Armando
- Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Olivier Radresa
- Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean Duchaine
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Lamarche-Vane
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Audrey Claing
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of Pompeu, Fabra University (UPF)-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Marinier
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane A Laporte
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada. .,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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39
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Radaeva M, Ton AT, Hsing M, Ban F, Cherkasov A. Drugging the 'undruggable'. Therapeutic targeting of protein-DNA interactions with the use of computer-aided drug discovery methods. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2660-2679. [PMID: 34332092 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) act as major oncodrivers in many cancers and are frequently regarded as high-value therapeutic targets. The functionality of TFs relies on direct protein-DNA interactions, which are notoriously difficult to target with small molecules. However, this prior view of the 'undruggability' of protein-DNA interfaces has shifted substantially in recent years, in part because of significant advances in computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). In this review, we highlight recent examples of successful CADD campaigns resulting in drug candidates that directly interfere with protein-DNA interactions of several key cancer TFs, including androgen receptor (AR), ETS-related gene (ERG), MYC, thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein (TOX), topoisomerase II (TOP2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Importantly, these findings open novel and compelling avenues for therapeutic targeting of over 1600 human TFs implicated in many conditions including and beyond cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Radaeva
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Anh-Tien Ton
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Michael Hsing
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
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40
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Gajić M, Ilić BS, Bondžić BP, Džambaski Z, Kojić VV, Jakimov DS, Kocić G, Šmelcerović A. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives as a Novel Deoxyribonuclease I Inhibitors. Chem Biodivers 2021; 18:e2100261. [PMID: 34170076 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202100261] [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] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Herein we report an assessment of 24 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives for potential DNase I (deoxyribonuclease I) inhibitory properties in vitro. Four of them inhibited DNase I with IC50 values below 200 μM. The most potent was 1-(6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)propan-2-one (2) (IC50 =134.35±11.38 μM) exhibiting slightly better IC50 value compared to three other active compounds, 2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl]-1-phenylethan-1-one (15) (IC50 =147.51±14.87 μM), 2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl]cyclohexan-1-one (18) (IC50 =149.07±2.98 μM) and 2-[6,7-dimethoxy-2-(p-tolyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl]cyclohexan-1-one (22) (IC50 =148.31±2.96 μM). Cytotoxicity assessment of the active DNase I inhibitors revealed a lack of toxic effects on the healthy cell lines MRC-5. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that interactions with Glu 39, His 134, Asn 170, Tyr 211, Asp 251 and His 252 are an important factor for inhibitors affinity toward the DNase I. Observed interactions would be beneficial for the discovery of new active 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-based inhibitors of DNase I, but might also encourage researchers to further explore and utilize potential therapeutic application of DNase I inhibitors, based on a versatile role of DNase I during apoptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihajlo Gajić
- University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000, Niš, Serbia
| | - Budimir S Ilić
- University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry, Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000, Niš, Serbia
| | - Bojan P Bondžić
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Njegoševa 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zdravko Džambaski
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Njegoševa 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vesna V Kojić
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Put Dr. Goldmana 4, 21204, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
| | - Dimitar S Jakimov
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Put Dr. Goldmana 4, 21204, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
| | - Gordana Kocić
- University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000, Niš, Serbia
| | - Andrija Šmelcerović
- University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry, Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000, Niš, Serbia
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Pokhrel S, Kraemer BR, Burkholz S, Mochly-Rosen D. Natural variants in SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein pinpoint structural and functional hotspots with implications for prophylaxis and therapeutic strategies. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13120. [PMID: 34162970 PMCID: PMC8222349 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92641-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of pneumonia with severe respiratory distress and outbreaks in Wuhan, China. The rapid and global spread of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Earlier during the pandemic, there were limited genetic viral variations. As millions of people became infected, multiple single amino acid substitutions emerged. Many of these substitutions have no consequences. However, some of the new variants show a greater infection rate, more severe disease, and reduced sensitivity to current prophylaxes and treatments. Of particular importance in SARS-CoV-2 transmission are mutations that occur in the Spike (S) protein, the protein on the viral outer envelope that binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor (hACE2). Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 441,168 individual virus sequences isolated from humans throughout the world. From the individual sequences, we identified 3540 unique amino acid substitutions in the S protein. Analysis of these different variants in the S protein pinpointed important functional and structural sites in the protein. This information may guide the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics to help arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Pokhrel
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin R Kraemer
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Daria Mochly-Rosen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Xie J, Frank AT. Mining for Ligandable Cavities in RNA. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:928-934. [PMID: 34141071 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying potential ligand binding cavities is a critical step in structure-based screening of biomolecular targets. Cavity mapping methods can detect such binding cavities; however, for ribonucleic acid (RNA) targets, determining which of the detected cavities are "ligandable" remains an unsolved challenge. In this study, we trained a set of machine learning classifiers to distinguish ligandable RNA cavities from decoy cavities. Application of our classifiers to two independent test sets demonstrated that we could recover ligandable cavities from decoys with an AUC > 0.83. Interestingly, when we applied our classifiers to a library of modeled structures of the HIV-1 transactivation response (TAR) element RNA, we found that several of the conformers that harbored cavities with high ligandability scores resembled known holo-TAR structures. On the basis of our results, we envision that our classifiers could find utility as a tool to parse RNA structures and prospectively mine for ligandable binding cavities and, in so doing, facilitate structure-based virtual screening efforts against RNA drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Xie
- Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Aaron T. Frank
- Biophysics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Zhao Y, Chen X, Lyu S, Ding Z, Wu Y, Gao Y, Du J. Identification of novel P2X7R antagonists by using structure-based virtual screening and cell-based assays. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:192-205. [PMID: 33993620 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, inflammation and necrosis cause the accumulations of ATP extracellularly, and high concentrations of ATP can activate P2X7 receptors (P2X7R), which leads to the influx of Na+ , K+ , or Ca2+ into cells and trigger the downstream signaling pathways. P2X7R is a relatively unique ligand-gated ion channel, which is over-expressed in most tumor cells. The activated P2X7R facilitates the tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Inhibition of the P2X7R activation can be applied as a potential anti-tumor therapy strategy. There are currently no anti-tumor agents against P2X7R, though several P2X7R antagonists for indications such as anti-inflammatory and anti-depression were reported. In this study, we combined homology modeling (HM), virtual screening, and EB intake assay to characterize the structural features of P2X7R and identify several novel antagonists, which were chemically different from any other known P2X7R antagonists. The identified antagonists could effectively prevent the pore opening of P2X7R with IC50 values ranging from 29.14 to 35.34 μM. HM model showed the area between ATP-binding pocket, and allosteric sides were hydrophobic and suitable for small molecule interaction. Molecular docking indicated a universal binding mode, of which residues R294 and K311 were used as hydrogen bond donors to participate in antagonist interactions. The binding mode can potentially be utilized for inhibitor optimization for increased affinity, and the identified antagonists can be further tested for anti-cancer activity or may serve as chemical agents to study P2X7R related functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunshuo Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaotong Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sifan Lyu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhe Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yahong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiangfeng Du
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Hendrix SG, Chang KY, Ryu Z, Xie ZR. DeepDISE: DNA Binding Site Prediction Using a Deep Learning Method. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115510. [PMID: 34073705 PMCID: PMC8197219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is essential for future research to develop a new, reliable prediction method of DNA binding sites because DNA binding sites on DNA-binding proteins provide critical clues about protein function and drug discovery. However, the current prediction methods of DNA binding sites have relatively poor accuracy. Using 3D coordinates and the atom-type of surface protein atom as the input, we trained and tested a deep learning model to predict how likely a voxel on the protein surface is to be a DNA-binding site. Based on three different evaluation datasets, the results show that our model not only outperforms several previous methods on two commonly used datasets, but also demonstrates its robust performance to be consistent among the three datasets. The visualized prediction outcomes show that the binding sites are also mostly located in correct regions. We successfully built a deep learning model to predict the DNA binding sites on target proteins. It demonstrates that 3D protein structures plus atom-type information on protein surfaces can be used to predict the potential binding sites on a protein. This approach should be further extended to develop the binding sites of other important biological molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Godfrey Hendrix
- Computational Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (S.G.H.); (Z.R.)
| | - Kuan Y. Chang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan;
| | - Zeezoo Ryu
- Computational Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (S.G.H.); (Z.R.)
- Department of Computer Science, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Zhong-Ru Xie
- Computational Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (S.G.H.); (Z.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Qu L, Qiao X, Qi F, Nishida N, Hoshino T. Analysis of Binding Modes of Antigen-Antibody Complexes by Molecular Mechanics Calculation. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2396-2406. [PMID: 33934602 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are one of the most important protein molecules in biopharmaceutics. Due to the recent advance in technology for producing monoclonal antibodies, many structural data are available on the antigen-antibody complexes. To characterize the molecular interaction in antigen-antibody recognition, we computationally analyzed 500 complex structures by molecular mechanics calculations. The presence of Ser and Tyr is markedly large in the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). Although Ser is abundant in CDRs, its contribution to the binding score is not large. Instead, Tyr, Asp, Glu, and Arg significantly contribute to the molecular interaction from the viewpoint of the binding score. The decomposition of the binding score suggests that the hydrophilic interaction is predominant in all CDRs compared with the hydrophobic one. The contribution of the heavy chain is larger than that of the light chain. In particular, H2 and H3 largely contribute to the binding interaction. Tyr is a main contributing residue both in H2 and H3. The positively charged residue Arg also significantly contributes to the binding score in H3, while the contribution of Lys is small. The appearance of Ser is remarkable in H2, and Asp is abundant in H3. The non-charged polar residues, Thr, Asn, and Gln, appear much in H2, compared to appearing in H3. The negatively charged residues Asp and Glu significantly contribute to the binding score in H3. The contributions of Phe and Trp are not large in spite that the aromatic residues are capable of making the π-π or CH-π interaction. Gly is commonly abundant both in H2 and H3. The average distance of the shortest direct hydrogen bond between the antigen and antibody is longer than that of the hydrogen bonds observed in the complexes between compounds and their target proteins. Therefore, the antigen-antibody interface is not so tight as the compound-target protein interface. The calculation of shape complementarity is consistent with the result of the hydrogen bonds in that the fitness of the antigen-antibody contact is not so high as that of the compound-target protein contact. There exist many water molecules at the antigen-antibody interface. These findings suggest that Tyr, Asp, Glu, and Arg are rich in H3 and work as major contributors for the interaction with the antigen. Ser, Thr, Asn, and Gln are rich in H2 and support the interaction with enhancing molecular fitness. Gly is helpful in increasing flexibility and geometrical diversity. Because the antigen-antibody binding is fundamentally hydrophilic-driven, the non-polar residues are unfavorable for mediating the contact even for the aromatic residues such as Phe and Trp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Qu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba UniversityRINGGOLD, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Xinyue Qiao
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba UniversityRINGGOLD, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Fei Qi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba UniversityRINGGOLD, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Noritaka Nishida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba UniversityRINGGOLD, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Tyuji Hoshino
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba UniversityRINGGOLD, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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Chen X, Zhao Y, Lyu S, Gao G, Gao Y, Qi Y, Du J. Identification of novel inhibitors of GLUT1 by virtual screening and cell-based assays. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:1242-1255. [PMID: 33900490 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In order to fuel the uncontrolled cell proliferation and division, tumor cells reprogram the energy metabolism to Warburg effect, where glucose is preferably converted by glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen. However, the high energetic demand of tumor cells require upregulating the expression of glucose transporters, notably GLUT1, which substantially increases glucose uptake into cytoplasm. GLUT1 is overexpressed in a variety of tumor cells and is likely to be a potential drug target in the treatment of pan-cancers. Although many small molecules were reported to inhibit the glucose uptake function by various measurements, several shortcomings such as weak binding affinity, low specificity of the known inhibitors demand the identification of alternative inhibitors with novel scaffolds. In this study, we performed a virtual screening campaign by docking each compound from Chemdiv database to the glucose binding pocket based on the crystal structure of GLUT1 (PDB ID 4PYP) and four small molecules with novel scaffolds were identified to inhibit the glucose uptake of cancer cells at the sub-micromole level. The identified compounds may serve as starting points for the development of anti-cancer drugs via the manipulation of the energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yunshuo Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Sifan Lyu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Guanfei Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yuanming Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jiangfeng Du
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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Jenepha Mary SJ, Pradhan S, James C. Molecular structure, NBO analysis of the hydrogen-bonded interactions, spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman), drug likeness and molecular docking of the novel anti COVID-2 molecule (2E)-N-methyl-2-[(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarbothioamide (Dimer) - quantum chemical approach. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2021; 251:119388. [PMID: 33503560 PMCID: PMC7834302 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2020.119388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Prospective antiviral molecule (2E)-N-methyl-2-[(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarbothioamide has been probed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), FT-Raman and quantum chemical computations. The geometry equilibrium and natural bond orbital analysis have been carried out with density functional theory employing Becke, 3-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr method with the 6-311G++(d,p) basis set. The vibrational assignments pertaining to different modes of vibrations have been augmented by normal coordinate analysis, force constant and potential energy distributions. Drug likeness and oral activity have been carried out based on Lipinski's rule of five. The inhibiting potency of 2(2E)-methyl-2-[(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarbothioamide has been investigated by docking simulation against SARS-CoV-2 protein. The optimized geometry shows a planar structure between the chromone and the side chain. Differences in the geometries due to the substitution of the electronegative atom and intermolecular contacts due to the chromone and hydrazinecarbothioamide were analyzed. NBO analysis confirms the presence of two strong stable hydrogen bonded NH⋯O intermolecular interactions and two weak hydrogen bonded CH⋯O interactions. The red shift in NH stretching frequency exposed from IR substantiates the formation of NH⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bond and the blue shift in CH stretching frequency substantiates the formation of CH⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bond. Drug likeness, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity property gives an idea about the pharmacokinetic properties of the title molecule. The binding energy of the nonbonding interaction with Histidine 41 and Cysteine 145, present a clear view that 2(2E)-methyl-2-[(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylidene]-hydrazinecarbothioamide can irreversibly interact with SARS-CoV-2 protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Jenepha Mary
- Department of Physics and Research Centre, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil 629003, Tamil Nadu, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundarnar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli 627012, India
| | - Sayantan Pradhan
- Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, West Bengal, India
| | - C James
- Department of Physics and Research Centre, Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil 629003, Tamil Nadu, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundarnar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli 627012, India.
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48
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Al-Rabia MW, Alhakamy NA, Ahmed OAA, Eljaaly K, Alaofi AL, Mostafa A, Asfour HZ, Aldarmahi AA, Darwish KM, Ibrahim TS, Fahmy UA. Repurposing of Sitagliptin- Melittin Optimized Nanoformula against SARS-CoV-2: Antiviral Screening and Molecular Docking Studies. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:307. [PMID: 33652894 PMCID: PMC8025909 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China has become an urgent health and economic challenge. The objective of the current work was to evaluate the efficacy of the combined complex of Sitagliptin (SIT) with melittin (MEL) against SARS-CoV-2 virus. SIT-MEL nano-conjugates were optimized by a full three-factor bi-level (23) factorial design. In addition, SIT concentration (mM, X1), MEL concentration (mM, X2), and pH (X3) were selected as the critical factors. Particle size (nm, Y1) and zeta potential (mV, Y2) were assessed as responses. Characterization of the optimized formula for Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) was carried out. The optimized formula showed particle size and zeta potential values of 77.42 nm and 27.67 mV, respectively. When compared with SIT and MEL, the combination of SIT-MEL complex has shown anti-viral potential against isolate of SARS-CoV-2 with IC50 values of 8.439 μM with significant improvement (p < 0.001). In addition, the complex showed IC50 in vitro 3CL-protease inhibition with IC50 7.216 µM. Molecular docking has revealed that formula components have good predicted pocket accommodation of the SARS-CoV-2 3-CL protease. An optimized formulation of SIT-MEL could guarantee both enhanced delivery to the target cells and the enhanced cellular uptake with promising activities against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed W. Al-Rabia
- Department of Medical microbiology and parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.W.A.-R.); (H.Z.A.)
| | - Nabil A. Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.A.); (O.A.A.A.)
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A. A. Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.A.); (O.A.A.A.)
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Eljaaly
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Pharmacy Practice and Science Department, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Ahmed L. Alaofi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Hani Z. Asfour
- Department of Medical microbiology and parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.W.A.-R.); (H.Z.A.)
| | - Ahmed A. Aldarmahi
- College of Sciences and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah 21582, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Tarek S. Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Usama A. Fahmy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (N.A.A.); (O.A.A.A.)
- Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Ilić BS, Gajić M, Bondžić BP, Džambaski Z, Kocić G, Šmelcerović A. Deoxyribonuclease I Inhibitory Properties, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of 1‐(Pyrrolidin‐2‐yl)propan‐2‐one Derivatives. Chem Biodivers 2021; 18:e2000996. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202000996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Budimir S. Ilić
- University of Niš Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81 18000 Niš Serbia
| | - Mihajlo Gajić
- University of Niš Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81 18000 Niš Serbia
| | - Bojan P. Bondžić
- University of Belgrade Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy Njegoševa 12 11000 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Zdravko Džambaski
- University of Belgrade Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy Njegoševa 12 11000 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Gordana Kocić
- University of Niš Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81 18000 Niš Serbia
| | - Andrija Šmelcerović
- University of Niš Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry Blvd. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81 18000 Niš Serbia
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50
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Vique-Sánchez JL. Potential inhibitors interacting in Neuropilin-1 to develop an adjuvant drug against COVID-19, by molecular docking. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 33:116040. [PMID: 33515918 PMCID: PMC7826060 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues without specific treatment. In this study it is proposed compounds that can be developed as adjuvant / complementary drugs against COVID-19. Through a search for molecular docking, for the development of a new drug using pharmacological compounds targeting the b1 region in neuropilin-1 (NRP1), which is important for the interaction with the S1 region of the S-Protein of SARS-CoV-2, to slow down the infection process of this virus. A molecular docking was performed using almost 500,000 compounds targeted to interact in the region between amino acids (Thr316, Asp320, Ser346, Thr349, and Tyr353) in NRP1 to determine compounds able to hinder the interaction with the S1 region in the S-Protein. In this study, ten compounds are proposed as potential inhibitors between S1 region in the S-Protein of SARS-CoV-2 with the b1 region in NRP1, to develop a new adjuvant / complementary drug against COVID-19, and to hinder the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and human cells, with a high probability to be safe in humans, validated by web servers for prediction of ADME and toxicity (PreADMET).
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Vique-Sánchez
- Facultad de Medicina Mexicali, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, BC, México.
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