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Alamin MH, Rahaman MM, Ferdousi F, Sarker A, Ali MA, Hossen MB, Sarker B, Kumar N, Mollah MNH. In-silico discovery of common molecular signatures for which SARS-CoV-2 infections and lung diseases stimulate each other, and drug repurposing. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304425. [PMID: 39024368 PMCID: PMC11257407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a global health issue. It is yet a severe risk factor to the patients, who are also suffering from one or more chronic diseases including different lung diseases. In this study, we explored common molecular signatures for which SARS-CoV-2 infections and different lung diseases stimulate each other, and associated candidate drug molecules. We identified both SARS-CoV-2 infections and different lung diseases (Asthma, Tuberculosis, Cystic Fibrosis, Pneumonia, Emphysema, Bronchitis, IPF, ILD, and COPD) causing top-ranked 11 shared genes (STAT1, TLR4, CXCL10, CCL2, JUN, DDX58, IRF7, ICAM1, MX2, IRF9 and ISG15) as the hub of the shared differentially expressed genes (hub-sDEGs). The gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses of hub-sDEGs revealed some crucial common pathogenetic processes of SARS-CoV-2 infections and different lung diseases. The regulatory network analysis of hub-sDEGs detected top-ranked 6 TFs proteins and 6 micro RNAs as the key transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory factors of hub-sDEGs, respectively. Then we proposed hub-sDEGs guided top-ranked three repurposable drug molecules (Entrectinib, Imatinib, and Nilotinib), for the treatment against COVID-19 with different lung diseases. This recommendation is based on the results obtained from molecular docking analysis using the AutoDock Vina and GLIDE module of Schrödinger. The selected drug molecules were optimized through density functional theory (DFT) and observing their good chemical stability. Finally, we explored the binding stability of the highest-ranked receptor protein RELA with top-ordered three drugs (Entrectinib, Imatinib, and Nilotinib) through 100 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulations with YASARA and Desmond module of Schrödinger and observed their consistent performance. Therefore, the findings of this study might be useful resources for the diagnosis and therapies of COVID-19 patients who are also suffering from one or more lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Habibulla Alamin
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Matiur Rahaman
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, P. R. China
| | - Farzana Ferdousi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Arnob Sarker
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Ahad Ali
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Bayazid Hossen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Bandhan Sarker
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Nishith Kumar
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Nurul Haque Mollah
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
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Dhapola R, Kumari S, Sharma P, KumarKushawaha P, HariKrishnaReddy D. Update on monkeypox virus infection: Focusing current treatment and prevention approaches. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:465-478. [PMID: 38226405 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12980] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the world is still facing the global pandemic COVID-19, another zoonosis monkeypox (Mpox) has emerged posing a great threat to society. Insight into the pathogenesis, symptoms, and management strategies will aid in the development of potent therapeutics for the treatment of monkeypox virus infection. OBJECTIVES To get insight into the current treatment and prevention strategies will aid in effectively coping with the disease. METHODS For obtaining information regarding the ongoing treatment and prevention strategies and the drugs under pipeline, we referred to Google Scholar, Pub Med, Pub Chem, and WHO official site. RESULTS There are a few drugs that came out to be effective for the treatment of Mpox. Tecovirimat acts by inhibiting viral replication and viral wrapping. Another drug is cidofovir, which hinders the activity of viral DNA polymerase but has the drawback of nephrotoxicity. To overcome this, a conjugate of cidofovir is being used-known as brincidofovir-which has a similar mechanism as cidofovir but lesser toxicity. Ribavirin acts via inhibiting inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDPH) thus disrupting viral translation. It also interferes with helicase activity. Tiazofurin, Adenosine N1 oxide, and HPMPA have shown efficacy in in-vitro studies by inhibiting IMPDH, DNA polymerase, and viral mRNA translation respectively. In-silico studies have proven the effect of nilotinib, simeprevir, and dihydroergotamine for Mpox treatment. They have shown binding affinity for proteins required for the growth and release of MPXV. Vaccines have also been employed for the prevention of Mpox, which includes JYNNEOS, ACAM2000, and VIGIV. CONCLUSION This review highlights the pathogenesis of the virus, disease manifestations, drugs, and vaccines that are being used and those under pipeline for the treatment and prevention of Mpox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishika Dhapola
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Sneha Kumari
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Prajjwal Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Pramod KumarKushawaha
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Dibbanti HariKrishnaReddy
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
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Khan AAS, Yousaf MA, Azhar J, Maqbool MF, Bibi R. Repurposing FDA approved drugs against monkeypox virus DNA dependent RNA polymerase: virtual screening, normal mode analysis and molecular dynamics simulation studies. Virusdisease 2024; 35:260-270. [PMID: 39071866 PMCID: PMC11269544 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-024-00869-8] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic monkeypox disease, caused by the double-stranded DNA monkeypox virus, has become a global concern. Due to the absence of a specific small molecule drug for the disease, this report aims to identify potential inhibitor drugs for monkeypox. This study explores a drug repurposing strategy using virtual screening to evaluate 1615 FDA approved drugs against the monkeypox virus DNA dependent RNA polymerase subunit A6R. Normal mode analysis and molecular dynamics simulation assessed the flexibility and stability of the target protein in complex with the top screened drugs. The analysis identified Nilotinib (ZINC000006716957), Conivaptan (ZINC000012503187), and Ponatinib (ZINC000036701290) as the most potential RNA polymerase inhibitors with binding energies of - 7.5 kcal/mol. These drugs mainly established hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with the protein active sites, including LEU95, LEU90, PRO96, MET110, and VAL113, and residues nearby. Normal mode analysis and molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stability of interactions between the top drugs and the protein. In conclusion, we have discovered promising drugs that can potentially control the monkeypox virus and should be further explored through experimental assays and clinical trials to assess their actual activity against the disease. The findings of this study could lay the foundation for screening repurposed compounds as possible antiviral treatments against various highly pathogenic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Abrar Yousaf
- Section of Biology and Genetics, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Jahanzaib Azhar
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ruqia Bibi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
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Elnosary ME, Shreadah MA, Ashour ML, Nabil-Adam A. Predictions based on inflammatory cytokine profiling of Egyptian COVID-19 with 2 potential therapeutic effects of certain marine-derived compounds. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111072. [PMID: 38006751 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS A worldwide coronavirus pandemic has affected many healthcare systems in 2019 (COVID-19). Following viral activation, cytokines and chemokines are released, causing inflammation and tissue death, particularly in the lungs, resulting in severe COVID-19 symptoms such as pneumonia and ARDS. COVID-19 induces the release of several chemokines and cytokines in different organs, such as the cardiovascular system and lungs. RESEARCH IDEA COVID-19 and its more severe effects, such as an elevated risk of death, are more common in patients with metabolic syndrome and the elderly. Cytokine storm and COVID-19 severity may be mitigated by immunomodulation targeting NF-κB activation in conjunction with TNF- α -inhibition. In severe cases of COVID-19, inhibiting the NF-κB/TNF- α, the pathway may be employed as a therapeutic option. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study will elaborate on the Egyptian pattern for COVID-19 patients in the first part of our study. An Egyptian patient with COVID-19 inflammatory profiling will be discussed in the second part of this article using approved marine drugs selected to inhabit the significant inflammatory signals. A biomarker profiling study is currently being performed on Egyptian patients with SARS-COV-2. According to the severity of the infection, participants were divided into four groups. The First Group was non-infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Control, n = 16), the Second Group was non-intensive care patients (non-ICU, n = 16), the Third Group was intensive care patients (ICU, n = 16), and the Fourth Group was ICU with endotracheal intubation (ICU + EI, n = 16). To investigate COVID-19 inflammatory biomarkers for Egyptian patients, several inflammatory, oxidative, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory biomarkers were measured. The following are examples of blood tests: CRP, Ferritin, D-dimer, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6., IL-Ib, CD8, NF-κB, MDA, and total antioxidants. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results of the current study revealed many logical findings, such as the elevation of CRP, Ferritin, D-dimer, TNF- α, CD8, IL-6, IL-, NF-κB, and MDA. Where a significant increase showed in ICU group results (23.05 ± 0.30, 2.35 ± 0.86, 433.4 ± 159.3, 26.67 ± 3.51, 7.52 ± 1.48, 7.49 ± 1.04, 5.76 ± 1.31, 7.41 ± 0.73) respectively, and also ICU group results (54.75 ± 3.44, 0.65 ± 0.13, 460.2 ± 121.42, 27.43 ± 2.52, 8.63 ± 2.68, 10.65 ± 2.75, 5.93 ± 1.4, 10.64 ± 0.86) respectively, as well as ICU + EI group results (117.63 ± 11.89, 1.22 ± 0.65, 918.8 ± 159.27, 26.68 ± 2.00, 6.68 ± 1.08, 11.68 ± 6.16, 6.23 ± 0.07, 22.41 ± 1.39),respectively.The elevation in laboratory biomarkers of cytokines storm in three infected groups with remarkable increases in the ICU + EI group was due to the elevation of oxidative stress and inflammatory storm molecules, which lead to highly inflammatory responses, specifically in severe patients of COVID-19. Another approach to be used in the current study is investigating new computational drug compounds for SARS-COV-2 protective agents from the marine environment. The results revealed that (Imatinib and Indinavir) had the highest affinity toward Inflammatory molecules and COVID-19 proteins (PDB ID: -7CZ4 and 7KJR), which may be used in the future as possible COVID-19 drug candidates. CONCLUSION The investigated inflammatory biomarkers in Egyptian COVID-19 patients showed a strong correlation between IL6, TNF-α, NF-κB, CRB, DHL, and ferritin as COVID-19 biomarkers and determined the severity of the infection. Also, the oxidative /antioxidant showed good biomarkers for infection recovery and progression of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed E Elnosary
- Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Science, Botany and Microbiology Department, 11884 Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Attia Shreadah
- Marine Biotechnology and Natural Products Laboratory, National Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries, Egypt
| | - Mohamed L Ashour
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo 11566, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Asmaa Nabil-Adam
- Marine Biotechnology and Natural Products Laboratory, National Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries, Egypt.
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Mulgaonkar N, Wang H, Zhang J, Roundy CM, Tang W, Chaki SP, Pauvolid-Corrêa A, Hamer GL, Fernando S. Montelukast and Telmisartan as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1891. [PMID: 37514075 PMCID: PMC10385313 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Earlier studies with montelukast (M) and telmisartan (T) have revealed their potential antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) but have not assessed their efficacy against emerging Variants of Concern (VOCs) such as Omicron. Our research fills this gap by investigating these drugs' impact on VOCs, a topic that current scientific literature has largely overlooked. We employed computational methodologies, including molecular mechanics and machine learning tools, to identify drugs that could potentially disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD-ACE2 protein interaction. This led to the identification of two FDA-approved small molecule drugs, M and T, conventionally used for treating asthma and hypertension, respectively. Our study presents an additional potential use for these drugs as antivirals. Our results show that both M and T can inhibit not only the WT SARS-CoV-2 but also, in the case of M, the Omicron variant, without reaching cytotoxic concentrations. This novel finding fills an existing gap in the literature and introduces the possibility of repurposing these drugs for SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, an essential step in responding to the evolving global pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmitee Mulgaonkar
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Haoqi Wang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Junrui Zhang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Wendy Tang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sankar Prasad Chaki
- Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex, Division of Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Alex Pauvolid-Corrêa
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Sandun Fernando
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Xue Y, Mei H, Chen Y, Griffin JD, Liu Q, Weisberg E, Yang J. Repurposing clinically available drugs and therapies for pathogenic targets to combat SARS-CoV-2. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e254. [PMID: 37193304 PMCID: PMC10183156 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected a large portion of the global population, both physically and mentally. Current evidence suggests that the rapidly evolving coronavirus subvariants risk rendering vaccines and antibodies ineffective due to their potential to evade existing immunity, with enhanced transmission activity and higher reinfection rates that could lead to new outbreaks across the globe. The goal of viral management is to disrupt the viral life cycle as well as to relieve severe symptoms such as lung damage, cytokine storm, and organ failure. In the fight against viruses, the combination of viral genome sequencing, elucidation of the structure of viral proteins, and identifying proteins that are highly conserved across multiple coronaviruses has revealed many potential molecular targets. In addition, the time- and cost-effective repurposing of preexisting antiviral drugs or approved/clinical drugs for these targets offers considerable clinical advantages for COVID-19 patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various identified pathogenic targets and pathways as well as corresponding repurposed approved/clinical drugs and their potential against COVID-19. These findings provide new insight into the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies that could be applied to the control of disease symptoms emanating from evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Xue
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Husheng Mei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Yisa Chen
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - James D. Griffin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
- Hefei Cancer HospitalChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Ellen Weisberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
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Fan S, Shen Y, Li S, Xiang X, Li N, Li Y, Xu J, Cui M, Han X, Xia J, Huang Y. The S2 Subunit of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Affects Abl2-Mediated Syncytium Formation. Viruses 2023; 15:1246. [PMID: 37376546 DOI: 10.3390/v15061246] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The S2 subunit serves a crucial role in infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection, particularly in facilitating membrane fusion. Using reverse genetic techniques, mutant strains of the S2 locus exhibited substantially different syncytium-forming abilities in chick embryonic kidney cells. To determine the precise formation mechanism of syncytium, we demonstrated the co-ordinated role of Abl2 and its mediated cytoskeletal regulatory pathway within the S2 subunit. Using a combination of fluorescence quantification, RNA silencing, and protein profiling techniques, the functional role of S2 subunits in IBV-infected cells was exhaustively determined. Our findings imply that Abl2 is not the primary cytoskeletal regulator, the viral S2 component is involved in indirect regulation, and the three different viral strains activate various cytoskeletal regulatory pathways through Abl2. CRK, CRKL, ABI1, NCKAP1, and ENAH also play a role in cytoskeleton regulation. Our research provides a point of reference for the development of an intracellular regulatory network for the S2 subunit and a foundation for the rational design of antiviral drug targets against Abl2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyi Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yuxi Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Shuyun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xuelian Xiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Nianling Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yongxin Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jing Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Min Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xinfeng Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jing Xia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yong Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Huimin Road, Wenjiang, Chengdu 611130, China
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Borisevich SS, Zarubaev VV, Shcherbakov DN, Yarovaya OI, Salakhutdinov NF. Molecular Modeling of Viral Type I Fusion Proteins: Inhibitors of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin and the Spike Protein of Coronavirus. Viruses 2023; 15:902. [PMID: 37112882 PMCID: PMC10142020 DOI: 10.3390/v15040902] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The fusion of viral and cell membranes is one of the basic processes in the life cycles of viruses. A number of enveloped viruses confer fusion of the viral envelope and the cell membrane using surface viral fusion proteins. Their conformational rearrangements lead to the unification of lipid bilayers of cell membranes and viral envelopes and the formation of fusion pores through which the viral genome enters the cytoplasm of the cell. A deep understanding of all the stages of conformational transitions preceding the fusion of viral and cell membranes is necessary for the development of specific inhibitors of viral reproduction. This review systematizes knowledge about the results of molecular modeling aimed at finding and explaining the mechanisms of antiviral activity of entry inhibitors. The first section of this review describes types of viral fusion proteins and is followed by a comparison of the structural features of class I fusion proteins, namely influenza virus hemagglutinin and the S-protein of the human coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia S. Borisevich
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, Ufa Institute of Chemistry Ufa Federal Research Center, 450078 Ufa, Russia
| | - Vladimir V. Zarubaev
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Saint-Petersburg Pasteur Institute, 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Dmitriy N. Shcherbakov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, 630559 Koltsovo, Russia;
| | - Olga I. Yarovaya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Nariman F. Salakhutdinov
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
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Kandeel M. An overview of the recent progress in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:385-400. [PMID: 36971501 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2192921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has remained a public health concern since it first emerged in 2012. Although many potential treatments for MERS-CoV have been developed and tested, none have had complete success in stopping the spread of this deadly disease. MERS-CoV replication comprises attachment, entry, fusion and replication steps. Targeting these events may lead to the creation of medications that effectively treat MERS-CoV infection. AREAS COVERED This review updates the research on the development of inhibitors of MERS-CoV. The main topics are MERS-CoV‒related proteins and host cell proteins that are involved in viral protein activation and infection. EXPERT OPINION Research on discovering drugs that can inhibit MERS-CoV started at a slow pace, and although efforts have steadily increased, clinical trials for new drugs specifically targeting MERS-CoV have not been extensive enough. The explosion in efforts to find new medications for the SARS-CoV-2 virus indirectly enhanced the volume of data on MERS-CoV inhibition by including MERS-CoV in drug assays. The appearance of COVID-19 completely transformed the data available on MERS-CoV inhibition. Despite the fact that new infected cases are constantly being diagnosed, there are currently no approved vaccines for or inhibitors of MERS-CoV.
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Islam MA, Kibria MK, Hossen MB, Reza MS, Tasmia SA, Tuly KF, Mosharof MP, Kabir SR, Kabir MH, Mollah MNH. Bioinformatics-based investigation on the genetic influence between SARS-CoV-2 infections and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diseases, and drug repurposing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4685. [PMID: 36949176 PMCID: PMC10031699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Some recent studies showed that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) disease might stimulate each other through the shared genes. Therefore, in this study, an attempt was made to explore common genomic biomarkers for SARS-CoV-2 infections and IPF disease highlighting their functions, pathways, regulators and associated drug molecules. At first, we identified 32 statistically significant common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs) between disease (SARS-CoV-2 and IPF) and control samples of RNA-Seq profiles by using a statistical r-package (edgeR). Then we detected 10 cDEGs (CXCR4, TNFAIP3, VCAM1, NLRP3, TNFAIP6, SELE, MX2, IRF4, UBD and CH25H) out of 32 as the common hub genes (cHubGs) by the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. The cHubGs regulatory network analysis detected few key TFs-proteins and miRNAs as the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators of cHubGs. The cDEGs-set enrichment analysis identified some crucial SARS-CoV-2 and IPF causing common molecular mechanisms including biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components and signaling pathways. Then, we suggested the cHubGs-guided top-ranked 10 candidate drug molecules (Tegobuvir, Nilotinib, Digoxin, Proscillaridin, Simeprevir, Sorafenib, Torin 2, Rapamycin, Vancomycin and Hesperidin) for the treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infections with IFP diseases as comorbidity. Finally, we investigated the resistance performance of our proposed drug molecules compare to the already published molecules, against the state-of-the-art alternatives publicly available top-ranked independent receptors by molecular docking analysis. Molecular docking results suggested that our proposed drug molecules would be more effective compare to the already published drug molecules. Thus, the findings of this study might be played a vital role for diagnosis and therapies of SARS-CoV-2 infections with IPF disease as comorbidity risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ariful Islam
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kaderi Kibria
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Bayazid Hossen
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Selim Reza
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Samme Amena Tasmia
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Khanis Farhana Tuly
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Parvez Mosharof
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
- School of Business, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Syed Rashel Kabir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Hadiul Kabir
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nurul Haque Mollah
- Bioinformatics Lab(Dry), Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
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11
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Sarker B, Rahaman MM, Islam MA, Alamin MH, Husain MM, Ferdousi F, Ahsan MA, Mollah MNH. Identification of host genomic biomarkers from multiple transcriptomics datasets for diagnosis and therapies of SARS-CoV-2 infections. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281981. [PMID: 36913345 PMCID: PMC10010564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281981] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of COVID-19 is a severe threat to human life and the global economy. Despite the success of vaccination efforts in reducing the spread of the virus, the situation remains largely uncontrolled due to the random mutation in the RNA sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which demands different variants of effective drugs. Disease-causing gene-mediated proteins are usually used as receptors to explore effective drug molecules. In this study, we analyzed two different RNA-Seq and one microarray gene expression profile datasets by integrating EdgeR, LIMMA, weighted gene co-expression network and robust rank aggregation approaches, which revealed SARS-CoV-2 infection causing eight hub-genes (HubGs) including HubGs; REL, AURKA, AURKB, FBXL3, OAS1, STAT4, MMP2 and IL6 as the host genomic biomarkers. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses of HubGs significantly enriched some crucial biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components and signaling pathways that are associated with the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Regulatory network analysis identified top-ranked 5 TFs (SRF, PBX1, MEIS1, ESR1 and MYC) and 5 miRNAs (hsa-miR-106b-5p, hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-93-5p, hsa-miR-106a-5p and hsa-miR-20a-5p) as the key transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators of HubGs. Then, we conducted a molecular docking analysis to determine potential drug candidates that could interact with HubGs-mediated receptors. This analysis resulted in the identification of top-ranked ten drug agents, including Nilotinib, Tegobuvir, Digoxin, Proscillaridin, Olysio, Simeprevir, Hesperidin, Oleanolic Acid, Naltrindole and Danoprevir. Finally, we investigated the binding stability of the top-ranked three drug molecules Nilotinib, Tegobuvir and Proscillaridin with the three top-ranked proposed receptors (AURKA, AURKB, OAS1) by using 100 ns MD-based MM-PBSA simulations and observed their stable performance. Therefore, the findings of this study might be useful resources for diagnosis and therapies of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandhan Sarker
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
- Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Matiur Rahaman
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Ariful Islam
- Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammad Habibulla Alamin
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Maidul Husain
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Ferdousi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Asif Ahsan
- Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Md. Nurul Haque Mollah
- Department of Statistics, Bioinformatics Laboratory (Dry), University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
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12
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Piplani S, Singh P, Petrovsky N, Winkler DA. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 Drugs Binding to the Spike Fatty Acid Binding Pocket Using In Silico Docking and Molecular Dynamics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044192. [PMID: 36835602 PMCID: PMC9966092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044192] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Drugs against novel targets are needed to treat COVID-19 patients, especially as SARS-CoV-2 is capable of rapid mutation. Structure-based de novo drug design and repurposing of drugs and natural products is a rational approach to discovering potentially effective therapies. These in silico simulations can quickly identify existing drugs with known safety profiles that can be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment. Here, we employ the newly identified spike protein free fatty acid binding pocket structure to identify repurposing candidates as potential SARS-CoV-2 therapies. Using a validated docking and molecular dynamics protocol effective at identifying repurposing candidates inhibiting other SARS-CoV-2 molecular targets, this study provides novel insights into the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its potential regulation by endogenous hormones and drugs. Some of the predicted repurposing candidates have already been demonstrated experimentally to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity, but most of the candidate drugs have yet to be tested for activity against the virus. We also elucidated a rationale for the effects of steroid and sex hormones and some vitamins on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Piplani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5046, Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale 5046, Australia
| | - Puneet Singh
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5046, Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale 5046, Australia
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5046, Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale 5046, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - David A. Winkler
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville 3052, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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13
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Yu H, Li L, Huffman A, Beverley J, Hur J, Merrell E, Huang HH, Wang Y, Liu Y, Ong E, Cheng L, Zeng T, Zhang J, Li P, Liu Z, Wang Z, Zhang X, Ye X, Handelman SK, Sexton J, Eaton K, Higgins G, Omenn GS, Athey B, Smith B, Chen L, He Y. A new framework for host-pathogen interaction research. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1066733. [PMID: 36591248 PMCID: PMC9797517 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1066733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 often manifests with different outcomes in different patients, highlighting the complexity of the host-pathogen interactions involved in manifestations of the disease at the molecular and cellular levels. In this paper, we propose a set of postulates and a framework for systematically understanding complex molecular host-pathogen interaction networks. Specifically, we first propose four host-pathogen interaction (HPI) postulates as the basis for understanding molecular and cellular host-pathogen interactions and their relations to disease outcomes. These four postulates cover the evolutionary dispositions involved in HPIs, the dynamic nature of HPI outcomes, roles that HPI components may occupy leading to such outcomes, and HPI checkpoints that are critical for specific disease outcomes. Based on these postulates, an HPI Postulate and Ontology (HPIPO) framework is proposed to apply interoperable ontologies to systematically model and represent various granular details and knowledge within the scope of the HPI postulates, in a way that will support AI-ready data standardization, sharing, integration, and analysis. As a demonstration, the HPI postulates and the HPIPO framework were applied to study COVID-19 with the Coronavirus Infectious Disease Ontology (CIDO), leading to a novel approach to rational design of drug/vaccine cocktails aimed at interrupting processes occurring at critical host-coronavirus interaction checkpoints. Furthermore, the host-coronavirus protein-protein interactions (PPIs) relevant to COVID-19 were predicted and evaluated based on prior knowledge of curated PPIs and domain-domain interactions, and how such studies can be further explored with the HPI postulates and the HPIPO framework is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital and National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Immunological Diseases, People’s Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Anthony Huffman
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John Beverley
- Department of Philosophy, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
- Asymmetric Operations Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United States
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, United States
| | - Eric Merrell
- Department of Philosophy, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Hsin-hui Huang
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital and National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Immunological Diseases, People’s Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Yingtong Liu
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Edison Ong
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Bioinformatics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Helongjian, China
| | - Tao Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingsong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengpai Li
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyan Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital and National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Immunological Diseases, People’s Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xianwei Ye
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital and National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Immunological Diseases, People’s Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | | | - Jonathan Sexton
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Kathryn Eaton
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gerry Higgins
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gilbert S. Omenn
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Brian Athey
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Barry Smith
- Department of Philosophy, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Luonan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongqun He
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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14
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Interaction of Masitinib with Organic Cation Transporters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214189. [PMID: 36430667 PMCID: PMC9693006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as Masitinib were reported to be useful as therapeutic options in malignant disorders and nonmalignant diseases, like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Most kinases must be translocated into targeted cells by the action of specific transport proteins, as they are hydrophilic and not able to cross cell membranes freely. Accordingly, the efficacy of TKI in target cells is closely dependent on the expression of their transporters. Specifically, Masitinib is an organic cation and is expected to interact with organic cation transporters (OCT and Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion proteins-MATE-). The aim of this work was to characterize the interaction of Masitinib with different OCTs. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably transfected with murine or human OCT were used for the experiments. The interaction of Masitinib with OCTs was investigated using quenching experiments. The intracellular accumulation of this drug was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Our results identified interactions of Masitinib with almost all investigated mouse (m) and human (h) OCTs and hMATE1 and indicated OCT1 and hOCT2 to be especially potent Masitinib translocators across cell membranes. Interestingly, some important differences were observed for the interaction with murine and human OCTs. In the future, investigations concerning further in vitro and in vivo properties of Masitinib and its efficacy related to transporter-related uptake mechanisms under pathophysiological conditions should be performed. Clinical trials in humans and other animals with Masitinib have already shown promising results. However, further research is necessary to understand the disease specific transport mechanisms of Masitinib to contribute to a successful and responsible therapy employment.
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15
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Rieder AS, Deniz BF, Netto CA, Wyse ATS. A Review of In Silico Research, SARS-CoV-2, and Neurodegeneration: Focus on Papain-Like Protease. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:1553-1569. [PMID: 35917086 PMCID: PMC9343570 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00542-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the search for new approaches to treat this disease took place in the scientific community. The in silico approach has gained importance at this moment, once the methodologies used in this kind of study allow for the identification of specific protein-ligand interactions, which may serve as a filter step for molecules that can act as specific inhibitors. In addition, it is a low-cost and high-speed technology. Molecular docking has been widely used to find potential viral protein inhibitors for structural and non-structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2, aiming to block the infection and the virus multiplication. The papain-like protease (PLpro) participates in the proteolytic processing of SARS-CoV-2 and composes one of the main targets studied for pharmacological intervention by in silico methodologies. Based on that, we performed a systematic review about PLpro inhibitors from the perspective of in silico research, including possible therapeutic molecules in relation to this viral protein. The neurological problems triggered by COVID-19 were also briefly discussed, especially relative to the similarities of neuroinflammation present in Alzheimer's disease. In this context, we focused on two molecules, curcumin and glycyrrhizinic acid, given their PLpro inhibitory actions and neuroprotective properties and potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra S Rieder
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Bruna F Deniz
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alexandre Netto
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Angela T S Wyse
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
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16
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Pipitò L, Rujan R, Reynolds CA, Deganutti G. Molecular dynamics studies reveal structural and functional features of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200060. [PMID: 35843871 PMCID: PMC9350306 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic the world experience since 2019. The protein responsible for the first steps of cell invasion, the spike protein, has probably received the most attention in light of its central role during infection. Computational approaches are among the tools employed by the scientific community in the enormous effort to study this new affliction. One of these methods, namely molecular dynamics (MD), has been used to characterize the function of the spike protein at the atomic level and unveil its structural features from a dynamic perspective. In this review, we focus on these main findings, including spike protein flexibility, rare S protein conformational changes, cryptic epitopes, the role of glycans, drug repurposing, and the effect of spike protein variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovico Pipitò
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences (CSELS)Faculty of Health and Life SciencesCoventry UniversityCoventryUK
| | - Roxana‐Maria Rujan
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences (CSELS)Faculty of Health and Life SciencesCoventry UniversityCoventryUK
| | - Christopher A. Reynolds
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences (CSELS)Faculty of Health and Life SciencesCoventry UniversityCoventryUK
| | - Giuseppe Deganutti
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences (CSELS)Faculty of Health and Life SciencesCoventry UniversityCoventryUK
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17
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Puppala RK, Subbaiah N, Maheswaramma KS. Trace level detection and quantification of genotoxic impurities 3‐amino‐4‐methylbenzoate, 3‐amino‐4‐methylbenzoic acid, and 3‐(4‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐5‐(trifluoromethyl) aniline in Nilotinib dihydrochloride active pharmaceutical ingredient using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. SEPARATION SCIENCE PLUS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/sscp.202200047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kumar Puppala
- Department of Chemistry Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur Ananthapuramu India
| | - Nelaturi Subbaiah
- Department of Chemistry Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur Ananthapuramu India
| | - K Sesha Maheswaramma
- Department of Chemistry Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur College of Engineering Pulivendula Kadapa India
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18
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Agrawal P, Sambaturu N, Olgun G, Hannenhalli S. A Path-Based Analysis of Infected Cell Line and COVID-19 Patient Transcriptome Reveals Novel Potential Targets and Drugs Against SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2022; 13:918817. [PMID: 35844595 PMCID: PMC9284228 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.918817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most transcriptomic studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection have focused on differentially expressed genes, which do not necessarily reveal the genes mediating the transcriptomic changes. In contrast, exploiting curated biological network, our PathExt tool identifies central genes from the differentially active paths mediating global transcriptomic response. Here we apply PathExt to multiple cell line infection models of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, as well as to COVID-19 patient-derived PBMCs. The central genes mediating SARS-CoV-2 response in cell lines were uniquely enriched for ATP metabolic process, G1/S transition, leukocyte activation and migration. In contrast, PBMC response reveals dysregulated cell-cycle processes. In PBMC, the most frequently central genes are associated with COVID-19 severity. Importantly, relative to differential genes, PathExt-identified genes show greater concordance with several benchmark anti-COVID-19 target gene sets. We propose six novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 targets ADCY2, ADSL, OCRL, TIAM1, PBK, and BUB1, and potential drugs targeting these genes, such as Bemcentinib, Phthalocyanine, and Conivaptan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Agrawal
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Narmada Sambaturu
- IISc Mathematics Initiative, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gulden Olgun
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sridhar Hannenhalli
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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19
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Strobelt R, Adler J, Paran N, Yahalom-Ronen Y, Melamed S, Politi B, Shulman Z, Schmiedel D, Shaul Y. Imatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by an off-target-mechanism. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5758. [PMID: 35388061 PMCID: PMC8984672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09664-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causal agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 274 million individuals have suffered from COVID-19 and over five million people have died from this disease so far. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic drugs. Repurposing FDA approved drugs should be favored since evaluation of safety and efficacy of de-novo drug design are both costly and time consuming. We report that imatinib, an Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, robustly decreases SARS-CoV-2 infection and uncover a mechanism of action. We show that imatinib inhibits the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its surrogate lentivector pseudotype. In latter, imatinib inhibited both routes of viral entry, endocytosis and membrane-fusion. We utilized a system to quantify in real-time cell-cell membrane fusion mediated by the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein, Spike, and its receptor, hACE2, to demonstrate that imatinib inhibits this process in an Abl1 and Abl2 independent manner. Furthermore, cellular thermal shift assay revealed a direct imatinib-Spike interaction that affects Spike susceptibility to trypsin digest. Collectively, our data suggest that imatinib inhibits Spike mediated viral entry by an off-target mechanism. These findings mark imatinib as a promising therapeutic drug in inhibiting the early steps of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Strobelt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Julia Adler
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nir Paran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Yfat Yahalom-Ronen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Sharon Melamed
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Boaz Politi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ziv Shulman
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dominik Schmiedel
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yosef Shaul
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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20
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Kouznetsova VL, Zhang A, Miller MA, Tatineni M, Greenberg JP, Tsigelny IF. Potential SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-ACE2 Interface Inhibitors: Repurposing FDA-approved Drugs. JOURNAL OF EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 7:17-29. [DOI: 10.14218/jerp.2021.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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21
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Dokainish HM, Re S, Mori T, Kobayashi C, Jung J, Sugita Y. The inherent flexibility of receptor binding domains in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. eLife 2022; 11:e75720. [PMID: 35323112 PMCID: PMC8963885 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spike (S) protein is the primary antigenic target for neutralization and vaccine development for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It decorates the virus surface and undergoes large motions of its receptor binding domains (RBDs) to enter the host cell. Here, we observe Down, one-Up, one-Open, and two-Up-like structures in enhanced molecular dynamics simulations, and characterize the transition pathways via inter-domain interactions. Transient salt-bridges between RBDA and RBDC and the interaction with glycan at N343B support RBDA motions from Down to one-Up. Reduced interactions between RBDA and RBDB in one-Up induce RBDB motions toward two-Up. The simulations overall agree with cryo-electron microscopy structure distributions and FRET experiments and provide hidden functional structures, namely, intermediates along Down-to-one-Up transition with druggable cryptic pockets as well as one-Open with a maximum exposed RBD. The inherent flexibility of S-protein thus provides essential information for antiviral drug rational design or vaccine development.
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Grants
- FLAGSHIP 2020 project Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 19K06532 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Dynamic Structural Biology/Glycolipidologue Initiative/Biology of Intracellular Environments RIKEN
- Priority Issue on Post-K computer Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Program for Promoting Researches on the Supercomputer Fugaku Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JPMXP1020200101 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- JPMXP1020200201 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 19H05645 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 21H05249 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 20K15737 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 19K12229 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 21H05157 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- hp200135 HPCI System Research project
- hp200153 HPCI System Research project
- hp200028 HPCI System Research project
- hp210107 HPCI System Research project
- hp210177 HPCI System Research project
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham M Dokainish
- Theoretical Molecular Science Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Suyong Re
- Artificial Intelligence Center for Health and Biomedical Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and NutritionOsakaJapan
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Function Simulation, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchKobeJapan
| | - Takaharu Mori
- Theoretical Molecular Science Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Chigusa Kobayashi
- Computational Biophysics Research Team, RIKEN Center for Computational ScienceKobeJapan
| | - Jaewoon Jung
- Theoretical Molecular Science Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
- Computational Biophysics Research Team, RIKEN Center for Computational ScienceKobeJapan
| | - Yuji Sugita
- Theoretical Molecular Science Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Function Simulation, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchKobeJapan
- Computational Biophysics Research Team, RIKEN Center for Computational ScienceKobeJapan
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22
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Guo Y, Esfahani F, Shao X, Srinivasan V, Thomo A, Xing L, Zhang X. Integrative COVID-19 biological network inference with probabilistic core decomposition. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6425808. [PMID: 34791019 PMCID: PMC8689992 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for millions of deaths around the world. To help contribute to the understanding of crucial knowledge and to further generate new hypotheses relevant to SARS-CoV-2 and human protein interactions, we make use of the information abundant Biomine probabilistic database and extend the experimentally identified SARS-CoV-2-human protein-protein interaction (PPI) network in silico. We generate an extended network by integrating information from the Biomine database, the PPI network and other experimentally validated results. To generate novel hypotheses, we focus on the high-connectivity sub-communities that overlap most with the integrated experimentally validated results in the extended network. Therefore, we propose a new data analysis pipeline that can efficiently compute core decomposition on the extended network and identify dense subgraphs. We then evaluate the identified dense subgraph and the generated hypotheses in three contexts: literature validation for uncovered virus targeting genes and proteins, gene function enrichment analysis on subgraphs and literature support on drug repurposing for identified tissues and diseases related to COVID-19. The major types of the generated hypotheses are proteins with their encoding genes and we rank them by sorting their connections to the integrated experimentally validated nodes. In addition, we compile a comprehensive list of novel genes, and proteins potentially related to COVID-19, as well as novel diseases which might be comorbidities. Together with the generated hypotheses, our results provide novel knowledge relevant to COVID-19 for further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Guo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, V8P 5C2, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Esfahani
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, V8P 5C2, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Xiaojian Shao
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, K1A 0R6, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Venkatesh Srinivasan
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, V8P 5C2, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Alex Thomo
- Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, V8P 5C2, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Li Xing
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Saskatchewan, 110 Science Place, S7N 5A2, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Xuekui Zhang
- Corresponding author: Xuekui Zhang, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, V8P 5C2, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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23
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Peralta-Garcia A, Torrens-Fontanals M, Stepniewski TM, Grau-Expósito J, Perea D, Ayinampudi V, Waldhoer M, Zimmermann M, Buzón MJ, Genescà M, Selent J. Entrectinib-A SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor in Human Lung Tissue (HLT) Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13592. [PMID: 34948390 PMCID: PMC8707862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, pharmaceutical companies and research groups have focused on the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we apply a drug repurposing strategy to identify drug candidates that are able to block the entrance of the virus into human cells. By combining virtual screening with in vitro pseudovirus assays and antiviral assays in Human Lung Tissue (HLT) cells, we identify entrectinib as a potential antiviral drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Peralta-Garcia
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Mariona Torrens-Fontanals
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Tomasz Maciej Stepniewski
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.)
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK InnovAARE, 5234 Villigen, Switzerland; (V.A.); (M.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Judith Grau-Expósito
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (J.G.-E.); (D.P.); (M.J.B.); (M.G.)
| | - David Perea
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (J.G.-E.); (D.P.); (M.J.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Vikram Ayinampudi
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK InnovAARE, 5234 Villigen, Switzerland; (V.A.); (M.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Maria Waldhoer
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK InnovAARE, 5234 Villigen, Switzerland; (V.A.); (M.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mirjam Zimmermann
- InterAx Biotech AG, PARK InnovAARE, 5234 Villigen, Switzerland; (V.A.); (M.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - María J. Buzón
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (J.G.-E.); (D.P.); (M.J.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Meritxell Genescà
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (J.G.-E.); (D.P.); (M.J.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Jana Selent
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.P.-G.); (M.T.-F.); (T.M.S.)
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24
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Siminea N, Popescu V, Sanchez Martin JA, Florea D, Gavril G, Gheorghe AM, Iţcuş C, Kanhaiya K, Pacioglu O, Popa IL, Trandafir R, Tusa MI, Sidoroff M, Păun M, Czeizler E, Păun A, Petre I. Network analytics for drug repurposing in COVID-19. Brief Bioinform 2021; 23:6447433. [PMID: 34864885 PMCID: PMC8690228 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To better understand the potential of drug repurposing in COVID-19, we analyzed control strategies over essential host factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We constructed comprehensive directed protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks integrating the top-ranked host factors, the drug target proteins and directed PPI data. We analyzed the networks to identify drug targets and combinations thereof that offer efficient control over the host factors. We validated our findings against clinical studies data and bioinformatics studies. Our method offers a new insight into the molecular details of the disease and into potentially new therapy targets for it. Our approach for drug repurposing is significant beyond COVID-19 and may be applied also to other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoleta Siminea
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania.,Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bucharest, 14 Academiei, 010014, Romania
| | - Victor Popescu
- Department of Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, 3 Tuomiokirkontori, 20500, Finland
| | - Jose Angel Sanchez Martin
- Department of Computer Science, Technical University of Madrid, 7 Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 28040, Spain
| | - Daniela Florea
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Georgiana Gavril
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Gheorghe
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Corina Iţcuş
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Krishna Kanhaiya
- Department of Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, 3 Tuomiokirkontori, 20500, Finland
| | - Octavian Pacioglu
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Ioana Laura Popa
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Romica Trandafir
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Maria Iris Tusa
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Manuela Sidoroff
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Mihaela Păun
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania.,Faculty of Administration and Business, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, 030018, Romania
| | - Eugen Czeizler
- Department of Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, 3 Tuomiokirkontori, 20500, Finland.,Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Andrei Păun
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania.,Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bucharest, 14 Academiei, 010014, Romania
| | - Ion Petre
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Turku, 5 Vesilinnantie, 20014, Finland.,Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
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25
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Mathez G, Cagno V. Clinical severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 isolation and antiviral testing. Antivir Chem Chemother 2021; 29:20402066211061063. [PMID: 34806440 PMCID: PMC8606911 DOI: 10.1177/20402066211061063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is an RNA virus currently causing a pandemic. Due to errors during replication, mutations can occur and result in cell adaptation by the virus or in the rise of new variants. This can change the attachment receptors' usage, result in different morphology of plaques, and can affect as well antiviral development. Indeed, a molecule can be active on laboratory strains but not necessarily on circulating strains or be effective only against some viral variants. Experiments with clinical samples with limited cell adaptation should be performed to confirm the efficiency of drugs of interest. In this protocol, we present a method to culture severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from nasopharyngeal swabs, obtain a high viral titer while limiting cell adaptation, and assess antiviral efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Mathez
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, 419236University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Cagno
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, 419236University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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26
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Banerjee S, Yadav S, Banerjee S, Fakayode SO, Parvathareddy J, Reichard W, Surendranathan S, Mahmud F, Whatcott R, Thammathong J, Meibohm B, Miller DD, Jonsson CB, Dubey KD. Drug Repurposing to Identify Nilotinib as a Potential SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitor: Insights from a Computational and In Vitro Study. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5469-5483. [PMID: 34666487 PMCID: PMC8547516 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19, an acute viral pneumonia, has emerged as a devastating pandemic. Drug repurposing allows researchers to find different indications of FDA-approved or investigational drugs. In this current study, a sequence of pharmacophore and molecular modeling-based screening against COVID-19 Mpro (PDB: 6LU7) suggested a subset of drugs, from the Drug Bank database, which may have antiviral activity. A total of 44 out of 8823 of the most promising virtual hits from the Drug Bank were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation experiments to explore the strength of their interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro active site. MD findings point toward three drugs (DB04020, DB12411, and DB11779) with very low relative free energies for SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with interactions at His41 and Met49. MD simulations identified an additional interaction with Glu166, which enhanced the binding affinity significantly. Therefore, Glu166 could be an interesting target for structure-based drug design. Quantitative structural-activity relationship analysis was performed on the 44 most promising hits from molecular docking-based virtual screening. Partial least square regression accurately predicted the values of independent drug candidates' binding energy with impressively high accuracy. Finally, the EC50 and CC50 of 10 drug candidates were measured against SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture. Nilotinib and bemcentinib had EC50 values of 2.6 and 1.1 μM, respectively. In summary, the results of our computer-aided drug design provide a roadmap for rational drug design of Mpro inhibitors and the discovery of certified medications as COVID-19 antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Physical Sciences,
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort
Smith, Arkansas 72904, United States
| | - Shalini Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Shiv Nadar
University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314,
India
| | - Sourav Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, School of Basic and Applied
Sciences, Adamas University, Kolkata 700126,
India
| | - Sayo O. Fakayode
- Department of Physical Sciences,
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort
Smith, Arkansas 72904, United States
| | - Jyothi Parvathareddy
- Regional Biocontainment Laboratory,
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 901 Monroe
Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Walter Reichard
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and
Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Surekha Surendranathan
- Regional Biocontainment Laboratory,
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 901 Monroe
Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Foyez Mahmud
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice
University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United
States
| | - Ryan Whatcott
- Department of Physical Sciences,
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort
Smith, Arkansas 72904, United States
| | - Joshua Thammathong
- Department of Physical Sciences,
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort
Smith, Arkansas 72904, United States
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of
Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Duane D. Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of
Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Colleen B. Jonsson
- Regional Biocontainment Laboratory,
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 901 Monroe
Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and
Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of
Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Kshatresh Dutta Dubey
- Department of Chemistry, Shiv Nadar
University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314,
India
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27
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Yuce M, Cicek E, Inan T, Dag AB, Kurkcuoglu O, Sungur FA. Repurposing of FDA-approved drugs against active site and potential allosteric drug-binding sites of COVID-19 main protease. Proteins 2021; 89:1425-1441. [PMID: 34169568 PMCID: PMC8441840 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) still has serious negative effects on health, social life, and economics. Recently, vaccines from various companies have been urgently approved to control SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, any specific antiviral drug has not been confirmed so far for regular treatment. An important target is the main protease (Mpro ), which plays a major role in replication of the virus. In this study, Gaussian and residue network models are employed to reveal two distinct potential allosteric sites on Mpro that can be evaluated as drug targets besides the active site. Then, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs are docked to three distinct sites with flexible docking using AutoDock Vina to identify potential drug candidates. Fourteen best molecule hits for the active site of Mpro are determined. Six of these also exhibit high docking scores for the potential allosteric regions. Full-atom molecular dynamics simulations with MM-GBSA method indicate that compounds docked to active and potential allosteric sites form stable interactions with high binding free energy (∆Gbind ) values. ∆Gbind values reach -52.06 kcal/mol for the active site, -51.08 kcal/mol for the potential allosteric site 1, and - 42.93 kcal/mol for the potential allosteric site 2. Energy decomposition calculations per residue elucidate key binding residues stabilizing the ligands that can further serve to design pharmacophores. This systematic and efficient computational analysis successfully determines ivermectine, diosmin, and selinexor currently subjected to clinical trials, and further proposes bromocriptine, elbasvir as Mpro inhibitor candidates to be evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Yuce
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Erdem Cicek
- Computational Science and Engineering DivisionInformatics Institute, Istanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Tugce Inan
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Aslihan Basak Dag
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Ozge Kurkcuoglu
- Department of Chemical EngineeringIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
| | - Fethiye Aylin Sungur
- Computational Science and Engineering DivisionInformatics Institute, Istanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
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28
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Targeting the Integrated Stress Response Kinase GCN2 to Modulate Retroviral Integration. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175423. [PMID: 34500856 PMCID: PMC8434491 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple viral targets are now available in the clinic to fight HIV infection. Even if this targeted therapy is highly effective at suppressing viral replication, caregivers are facing growing therapeutic failures in patients due to resistance, with or without treatment-adherence glitches. Accordingly, it is important to better understand how HIV and other retroviruses replicate in order to propose alternative antiviral strategies. Recent studies have shown that multiple cellular factors are implicated during the integration step and, more specifically, that integrase can be regulated through post-translational modifications. We have shown that integrase is phosphorylated by GCN2, a cellular protein kinase of the integrated stress response, leading to a restriction of HIV replication. In addition, we found that this mechanism is conserved among other retroviruses. Accordingly, we developed an in vitro interaction assay, based on the AlphaLISA technology, to monitor the integrase-GCN2 interaction. From an initial library of 133 FDA-approved molecules, we identified nine compounds that either inhibited or stimulated the interaction between GCN2 and HIV integrase. In vitro characterization of these nine hits validated this pilot screen and demonstrated that the GCN2-integrase interaction could be a viable solution for targeting integrase out of its active site.
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29
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Gawriljuk VO, Zin PPK, Puhl AC, Zorn KM, Foil DH, Lane TR, Hurst B, Tavella TA, Costa FTM, Lakshmanane P, Bernatchez J, Godoy AS, Oliva G, Siqueira-Neto JL, Madrid PB, Ekins S. Machine Learning Models Identify Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:4224-4235. [PMID: 34387990 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
With the rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, there is an urgent need for the discovery of further treatments for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Drug repurposing is one of the most rapid strategies for addressing this need, and numerous compounds have already been selected for in vitro testing by several groups. These have led to a growing database of molecules with in vitro activity against the virus. Machine learning models can assist drug discovery through prediction of the best compounds based on previously published data. Herein, we have implemented several machine learning methods to develop predictive models from recent SARS-CoV-2 in vitro inhibition data and used them to prioritize additional FDA-approved compounds for in vitro testing selected from our in-house compound library. From the compounds predicted with a Bayesian machine learning model, lumefantrine, an antimalarial was selected for testing and showed limited antiviral activity in cell-based assays while demonstrating binding (Kd 259 nM) to the spike protein using microscale thermophoresis. Several other compounds which we prioritized have since been tested by others and were also found to be active in vitro. This combined machine learning and in vitro testing approach can be expanded to virtually screen available molecules with predicted activity against SARS-CoV-2 reference WIV04 strain and circulating variants of concern. In the process of this work, we have created multiple iterations of machine learning models that can be used as a prioritization tool for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug discovery programs. The very latest model for SARS-CoV-2 with over 500 compounds is now freely available at www.assaycentral.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor O Gawriljuk
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100-Santa Angelina, São Carlos, São Paulo 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Phyo Phyo Kyaw Zin
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Ana C Puhl
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Kimberley M Zorn
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Daniel H Foil
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Thomas R Lane
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Brett Hurst
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-5600, United States.,Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-4815, United States
| | - Tatyana Almeida Tavella
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases-Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio Trindade Maranhão Costa
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases-Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Premkumar Lakshmanane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jean Bernatchez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Andre S Godoy
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100-Santa Angelina, São Carlos, São Paulo 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Glaucius Oliva
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100-Santa Angelina, São Carlos, São Paulo 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Jair L Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Peter B Madrid
- SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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Tsegay KB, Adeyemi CM, Gniffke EP, Sather DN, Walker JK, Smith SEP. A Repurposed Drug Screen Identifies Compounds That Inhibit the Binding of the COVID-19 Spike Protein to ACE2. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:685308. [PMID: 34194331 PMCID: PMC8236845 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.685308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposed drugs that block the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its receptor ACE2 could offer a rapid route to novel COVID-19 treatments or prophylactics. Here, we screened 2,701 compounds from a commercial library of drugs approved by international regulatory agencies for their ability to inhibit the binding of recombinant, trimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to recombinant human ACE2. We identified 56 compounds that inhibited binding in a concentration-dependent manner, measured the IC50 of binding inhibition, and computationally modeled the docking of the best inhibitors to the Spike-ACE2 binding interface. The best candidates were Thiostrepton, Oxytocin, Nilotinib, and Hydroxycamptothecin with IC50's in the 4-9 μM range. These results highlight an effective screening approach to identify compounds capable of disrupting the Spike-ACE2 interaction, as well as identify several potential inhibitors of the Spike-ACE2 interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaleb B. Tsegay
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christiana M. Adeyemi
- St. Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Edward P. Gniffke
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - D. Noah Sather
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - John K. Walker
- St. Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University St. Louis, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Stephen E. P. Smith
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Ahmad S, Waheed Y, Ismail S, Bhatti S, Abbasi SW, Muhammad K. Structure-Based Virtual Screening Identifies Multiple Stable Binding Sites at the RecA Domains of SARS-CoV-2 Helicase Enzyme. Molecules 2021; 26:1446. [PMID: 33800013 PMCID: PMC7962107 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With the emergence and global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community worldwide has focused on search for new therapeutic strategies against this disease. One such critical approach is targeting proteins such as helicases that regulate most of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA metabolism. The purpose of the current study was to predict a library of phytochemicals derived from diverse plant families with high binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2 helicase (Nsp13) enzyme. High throughput virtual screening of the Medicinal Plant Database for Drug Design (MPD3) database was performed on SARS-CoV-2 helicase using AutoDock Vina. Nilotinib, with a docking value of -9.6 kcal/mol, was chosen as a reference molecule. A compound (PubChem CID: 110143421, ZINC database ID: ZINC257223845, eMolecules: 43290531) was screened as the best binder (binding energy of -10.2 kcal/mol on average) to the enzyme by using repeated docking runs in the screening process. On inspection, the compound was disclosed to show different binding sites of the triangular pockets collectively formed by Rec1A, Rec2A, and 1B domains and a stalk domain at the base. The molecule is often bound to the ATP binding site (referred to as binding site 2) of the helicase enzyme. The compound was further discovered to fulfill drug-likeness and lead-likeness criteria, have good physicochemical and pharmacokinetics properties, and to be non-toxic. Molecular dynamic simulation analysis of the control/lead compound complexes demonstrated the formation of stable complexes with good intermolecular binding affinity. Lastly, affirmation of the docking simulation studies was accomplished by estimating the binding free energy by MMPB/GBSA technique. Taken together, these findings present further in silco investigation of plant-derived lead compounds to effectively address COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Ahmad
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.I.)
- Department of Health and Biological Sciences, Abasyn University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.I.)
| | - Saba Ismail
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.I.)
| | - Saadia Bhatti
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan;
| | - Sumra Wajid Abbasi
- NUMS Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Abid Majeed Rd, The Mall, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan;
| | - Khalid Muhammad
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
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