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Liu X, Sun S, Liu J, Dang Q, Gao Y, Fang L, Min W. Isolation, Virtual Screening, and Evaluation of Hazelnut-Derived Immunoactive Peptides for the Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:11561-11576. [PMID: 38739709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to validate the activity of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.)-derived immunoactive peptides inhibiting the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 and further unveil their interaction mechanism using in vitro assays, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding free energy calculations. In general, the enzymatic hydrolysis components, especially molecular weight < 3 kDa, possess good immune activity as measured by the proliferation ability of mouse splenic lymphocytes and phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Over 866 unique peptide sequences were isolated, purified, and then identified by nanohigh-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (NANO-HPLC-MS/MS) from hazelnut protein hydrolysates, but Trp-Trp-Asn-Leu-Asn (WWNLN) and Trp-Ala-Val-Leu-Lys (WAVLK) in particular are found to increase the cell viability and phagocytic capacity of RAW264.7 macrophages as well as promote the secretion of the cytokines nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay elucidated that WWNLN and WAVLK exhibit excellent inhibitory potency against Mpro, with IC50 values of 6.695 and 16.750 μM, respectively. Classical all-atom MD simulations show that hydrogen bonds play a pivotal role in stabilizing the complex conformation and protein-peptide interaction. Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) calculation indicates that WWNLN has a lower binding free energy with Mpro than WAVLK. Furthermore, adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions illustrate favorable drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of WWNLN compared to WAVLK. This study provides a new understanding of the immunomodulatory activity of hazelnut hydrolysates and sheds light on peptide inhibitors targeting Mpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Sun
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Jiale Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Qiao Dang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Yawen Gao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Li Fang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Weihong Min
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, P. R. China
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, P. R. China
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Liu J, Song W, Gao X, Sun J, Liu C, Fang L, Wang J, Shi J, Leng Y, Liu X, Min W. A combined in vitro and in silico study of the inhibitory mechanism of angiotensin-converting enzyme with peanut peptides. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131901. [PMID: 38677685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131901] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Food-derived peptides with low molecular weight, high bioavailability, and good absorptivity have been exploited as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In the present study, in-vitro inhibition kinetics of peanut peptides, in silico screening, validation of ACE inhibitory activity, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and HUVEC cells were performed to systematically identify the inhibitory mechanism of ACE interacting with peanut peptides. The results indicate that FPHPP, FPHY, and FPHFD peptides have good thermal, pH, and digestive stability. MD trajectories elucidate the dynamic correlation between peptides and ACE and verify the specific binding interaction. Noteworthily, FPHPP is the best inhibitor with a strongest binding affinity and significantly increases NO, SOD production, and AT2R expression, and decreases ROS, MDA, ET-1 levels, ACE, and AT1R accumulation in Ang II-injury HUVEC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Wentian Song
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Xue Gao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Jiaoyan Sun
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Chunlei Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Li Fang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Ji Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Junhua Shi
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Yue Leng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoting Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China.
| | - Weihong Min
- College of Food Science and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, Jilin, China; College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
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Wu J, Zhang HX, Zhang J. The molecular mechanism of non-covalent inhibitor WU-04 targeting SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and computational evaluation of its effectiveness against mainstream coronaviruses. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:23555-23567. [PMID: 37655706 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03828a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for highly effective therapeutic agents to interrupt the continued spread of SARS-CoV-2. As a pivotal protease in the replication process of coronaviruses, the 3CLpro protein is considered as a potential target of drug development to stop the spread and infection of the virus. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of a novel and highly effective non-covalent inhibitor, WU-04, targeting the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro protein. The difference in dynamic behavior between the apo-3CLpro and the holo-3CLpro systems suggests that the presence of WU-04 inhibits the motion amplitude of the 3CLpro protein relative to the apo-3CLpro system, thus maintaining a stable conformational binding state. The energy calculations and interaction analysis show that the hot-spot residues Q189, M165, M49, E166, and H41 and the warm-spot residues H163 and C145 have a strong binding capacity to WU-04 by forming multiple hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, which stabilizes the binding of the inhibitor. After that, the resistance of WU-04 to the six SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Lambda, and Omicron) and two other mainstream coronavirus (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) 3CLpro proteins was further investigated. Excitingly, the slight difference in energy values relative to the SARS-CoV-2 system indicates that WU-04 is still highly effective against the coronaviruses, which becomes crucial evidence that WU-04 is a pan-inhibitor of the 3CLpro protein in various SARS-CoV-2 variants and other mainstream coronaviruses. The study will hopefully provide theoretical insights for the future rational design and improvement of novel non-covalent inhibitors targeting the 3CLpro protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Wu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong-Xing Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jilong Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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Wu J, Zhang HX, Zhang J. Investigation on the interaction mechanism of different SARS-CoV-2 spike variants with hACE2: insights from molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:2304-2319. [PMID: 36597957 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04349a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV-2 has evolved by acquiring genomic mutations, resulting in the recent emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants with improved transmissibility and infectivity relative to the original strain. An underlying mechanism may be the increased ability of the mutants to bind the receptor proteins and infect the host cell. In this work, we implemented all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the binding and interaction of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein singly (D614G), doubly (D614G + L452R and D614G + N501Y), triply (D614G + N501Y + E484K), and quadruply (D614G + N501Y + E484K + K417T) mutated variants with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor protein in the host cell. A combination of multiple analysis approaches elucidated the effects of mutations and the extent of molecular divergence from multiple perspectives, including the dynamic correlated motions, interaction patterns, dominant motions, free energy landscape, and charge distribution on the electrostatic potential surface between the hACE2 and all RBD variants. Moreover, free energy calculations using the MM/PBSA method evaluated the binding affinity between these RBD variants and hACE2. The results showed that the D614G + N501Y + E484K variant possessed the lowest free energy value (highest affinity) compared to the D614G + N501Y + E484K + K417T, D614G + L452R, D614G + N501Y, and D614G mutants. The residue-based energy decomposition also indicated that the energy contribution of residues at the mutation site to the total binding energy was highly variable. The interaction mechanisms between the different RBD variants and hACE2 elucidated in this study will provide some insights into the development of drugs targeting the new SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Wu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong-Xing Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jilong Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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Wu J, Zhang J, Zhang HX. Computational Design of Miniprotein Inhibitors Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:10690-10703. [PMID: 35984970 PMCID: PMC9437664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a global health problem. There is an urgent need to develop therapeutic drugs, effective therapies, and vaccines to prevent the spread of the virus. The virus first enters the host cell through the interaction between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike protein and the peptidase domain (PD) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Therefore, blocking the binding of RBD and ACE2 is a promising strategy to inhibit the invasion and infection of the virus in the host cell. In the study, we designed several miniprotein inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 by single/double/triple-point mutant, based on the initial inhibitor LCB3. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and trajectory analysis were performed for an in-depth analysis of the structural stability, essential protein motions, and per-residue energy decomposition involved in the interaction of inhibitors with the RBD. The results showed that the inhibitors have adapted the protein RBD in the binding interface, thereby forming stable complexes. These inhibitors display low binding free energy in the MM/PBSA calculations, substantiating their strong interaction with RBD. Moreover, the binding affinity of the best miniprotein inhibitor, H6Y-M7L-L17F mutant, to RBD was ∼45 980 times (ΔG = RT ln Ki) higher than that of the initial inhibitor LCB3. Following H6Y-M7L-L17F mutant, the inhibitors with strong binding activity are successively H6Y-L17F, L17F, H6Y, and F30Y mutants. Our research proves that the miniprotein inhibitors can maintain their secondary structure and have a highly stable blocking (binding) effect on SARS-CoV-2. This study proposes novel miniprotein mutant inhibitors with enhanced binding to spike protein and provides potential guidance for the rational design of new SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Wu
- Institute
of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jilong Zhang
- Institute
of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-Xing Zhang
- Institute
of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
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Wu J, Zhou Y, Zhang J, Zhang HX, Jia R. Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation of the Binding and Interaction of the EphA6-Odin Protein Complex. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:4914-4924. [PMID: 35732074 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c01492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interaction plays an important role in the development of almost all cells. Elucidating the dynamic binding and affinity of a protein-protein complex is essential for understanding the biological functions of proteins. EphA6 and Odin proteins are members of the Eph (erythropoietin-producing hepatocyte) receptor family and the Anks (ankyrin repeat and sterile α motif domain-containing) family, respectively. Odin significantly functions in regulating endocytosis, degradation, and stability of EphA receptors. In this work, the key residues of the interaction interface were determined through a hydrogen bond, root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), and dynamic correlation analysis of the conventional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The calculated standard binding free energy, -7.92 kcal/mol, between EphA6 and Odin is quite consistent with the experimental measurement value, -8.73 kcal/mol. By the combination of several MD simulation techniques, our investigation of the binding process reveals the detailed representative characteristics of the entire binding pathway at the molecular level. Based on the obtained potential of the mean force (PMF) curve, the analysis of the simulation trajectories shows that the residue Arg1013 in the receptor EphA6 is responsible for capturing Asp739 and Asp740 in the ligand Odin during the initial stage of binding. In the later stage of binding, the hydrogen bonds and salt bridges between a series of residues Lys973, Leu1007, Gly1009, His1010, and Arg1012 in the receptor and residues Leu735, Asn736, Asp739, Asp740, and Asp753 in the ligand mainly contribute to the stability of the protein complex. In addition, the specific change process of the receptor-ligand-binding mode is also clarified during the binding process. Our present simulation will promote a deep understanding of the protein-protein interaction, and the identified key interresidue interaction will be theoretical guidance for the design of protein drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Wu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jilong Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Xing Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Jia
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, Jilin, People's Republic of China
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Ji H, Zhao W, Yu Z, Wu S. Mechanism of interactions between egg protein–derived tri‐peptides and cellular membrane by molecular dynamic simulation and isothermal titration calorimetry. Int J Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.15736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huizhuo Ji
- School of Food Science and Engineering Hainan University Haikou 570228 China
- College of Food Science and Engineering Bohai University Jinzhou 121013 China
| | - Wenzhu Zhao
- School of Food Science and Engineering Hainan University Haikou 570228 China
| | - Zhipeng Yu
- School of Food Science and Engineering Hainan University Haikou 570228 China
| | - Sijia Wu
- College of Food Science and Engineering Bohai University Jinzhou 121013 China
- Lab of Nutrition and Functional Food Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
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