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Dankwa B, Broni E, Enninful KS, Kwofie SK, Wilson MD. Consensus docking and MM-PBSA computations identify putative furin protease inhibitors for developing potential therapeutics against COVID-19. Struct Chem 2022; 33:2221-2241. [PMID: 36118173 PMCID: PMC9470509 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-02056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has severely posed substantial health challenges and claimed millions of lives. Though vaccines have been produced to stem the spread of this disease, the death rate remains high since drugs used for treatment have therapeutic challenges. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the disease, has a slew of potential therapeutic targets. Among them is the furin protease, which has a cleavage site on the virus’s spike protein. The cleavage site facilitates the entry of the virus into human cells via cell–cell fusion. This critical involvement of furin in the disease pathogenicity has made it a viable therapeutic strategy against the virus. This study employs the consensus docking approach using HYBRID and AutoDock Vina to virtually screen a pre-filtered library of 3942 natural product compounds of African origin against the human furin protease (PDB: 4RYD). Twenty of these compounds were selected as hits after meeting molecular docking cut-off of − 7 kcal.mol−1, pose alignment inspection, and having favorable furin-ligand interactions. An area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.72 was computed from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, and Boltzmann-enhanced discrimination of the ROC curve (BEDROC) value of 0.65 showed that AutoDock Vina was a reasonable tool for selecting actives for this target. Seven of these hits were proposed as potential leads having had bonding interactions with catalytic triad residues Ser368, His194, and Asp153, and other essential residues in the active site with plausible binding free energies between − 189 and − 95 kJ/mol from the Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) calculations as well as favorable ADME/Tox properties. The molecules were also predicted as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, membrane permeability inhibitors, RNA synthesis inhibitors, cytoprotective, and hepatoprotective with probable activity (Pa) above 0.5 and probable inactivity values below 0.1. Some of them also have anti-influenza activity. Influenza virus has many similarities with SARS-CoV-2 in their mode of entry into human cells as both are facilitated by the furin protease. Pinobanksin 3-(E)-caffeate, one of the potential leads is a propolis compound. Propolis compounds have shown inhibitory effects against ACE2, TMPRSS2, and PAK1 signaling pathways of SARS-CoV-2 in previous studies. Likewise, quercitrin is structurally similar to isoquercetin, which is currently in clinical trials as possible medication for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bismark Dankwa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Computer Science, School of Physical & Mathematical Science, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 163 Legon, Accra Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Kweku S. Enninful
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
| | - Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
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Kwofie SK, Hanson G, Sasu H, Enninful KS, Mensah FA, Nortey RT, Yeboah OP, Agoni C, Wilson MD. Molecular Modelling and Atomistic Insights into the Binding Mechanism of MmpL3 Mtb. Chem Biodivers 2022; 19:e202200160. [PMID: 35969844 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterial membrane proteins Large (MmpLs), which belong to the resistance, nodulation, and division (RND) protein superfamily, play critical roles in transporting polymers, lipids, and immunomodulators. MmpLs have become one of the important therapeutic drug targets to emerge in recent times. In this study, two homology modelling techniques, Modeller and SWISS-MODEL, were used in modelling the three-dimensional protein structure of the MmpL3 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using that of M. smegmatis as template. MmpL3 inhibitors, namely BM212, NITD304, SPIRO, and NITD349, in addition to the co-crystalized ligands AU1235, ICA38, SQ109 and rimonabant, were screened against the modelled structure and the Mmpl3 of M. smegmatis using molecular docking techniques. Protein-ligand interactions were analysed using molecular dynamics simulations and Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area computations. Novel residues Gln32, Leu165, Ile414, and Phe35 were identified as critical for binding to M. tuberculosis MmpL3, and conformational dynamics upon inhibitor binding were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Kojo Kwofie
- University of Ghana, Biomedical Engineering, Department Of Biomedical Engineering, University Of Ghana, Legon, Pmb LG77, Legon, PMB LG77, Accra, GHANA
| | - George Hanson
- University of Ghana, Biomedical Engineering, Department Of Biomedical Engineering, University O, PMB LG77, Accra, GHANA
| | - Henrietta Sasu
- University of Ghana, Biomedical Engineering, Department Of Biomedical Engineering, University Of Ghana, Legon, Pmb LG77, Legon, PMB LG77, Accra, GHANA
| | - Kweku S Enninful
- University of Ghana, Parasitology, Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMI, LG 581, Accra, GHANA
| | - Francis A Mensah
- University of Ghana, Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Of Ghana, L, PMB LG77, Accra, GHANA
| | - Richmond T Nortey
- University of Ghana, Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Of Ghana, L, PMB LG77, Accra, GHANA
| | - Omane P Yeboah
- University of Ghana, Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Of Ghana, L, PMB LG77, Accra, GHANA
| | - Clement Agoni
- University College Dublin, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, IRELAND
| | - Michael D Wilson
- University of Ghana, Parasitology, Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMI, LG 581, Accra, GHANA
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Enninful KS, Kwofie SK, Tetteh-Tsifoanya M, Lamptey ANL, Djameh G, Nyarko S, Ghansah A, Wilson MD. Targeting the Plasmodium falciparum’s Thymidylate Monophosphate Kinase for the Identification of Novel Antimalarial Natural Compounds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:868529. [PMID: 35694550 PMCID: PMC9174469 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.868529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports of resistance to artemisinin-based combination drugs necessitate the need to discover novel antimalarial compounds. The present study was aimed at identifying novel antimalarial compounds from natural product libraries using computational methods. Plasmodium falciparum is highly dependent on the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, a de novo pathway responsible for the production of pyrimidines, and the parasite lacks the pyrimidine salvage enzymes. The P. falciparum thymidylate monophosphate kinase (PfTMPK) is an important protein necessary for rapid DNA replication; however, due to its broad substrate specificity, the protein is distinguished from its homologs, making it a suitable drug target. Compounds from AfroDB, a database of natural products originating from Africa, were screened virtually against PfTMPK after filtering the compounds for absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET)-acceptable compounds with FAF-Drugs4. Thirteen hits with lower binding energies than thymidine monophosphate were selected after docking. Among the thirteen compounds, ZINC13374323 and ZINC13365918 with binding energies of −9.4 and −8.9 kcal/mol, respectively, were selected as plausible lead compounds because they exhibited structural properties that ensure proper binding at the active site and inhibitory effect against PfTMPK. ZINC13374323 (also called aurantiamide acetate) is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities, and ZINC13365918 exhibits antileishmanial activity. Furthermore, aurantiamide acetate, which is commercially available, is a constituent of Artemisia annua, the herb from which artemisinin was derived. The compound also shares interactions with several residues with a potent thymidine analog inhibitor of PfTMPK. The anti-plasmodial activity of aurantiamide acetate was evaluated in vitro, and the mean half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 69.33 μM when synchronized P. falciparum 3D7 culture was used as compared to IC50 > 100 μM with asynchronized culture. The significance of our findings within the context of malaria treatment strategies and challenges is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kweku S. Enninful
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mark Tetteh-Tsifoanya
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Amanda N. L. Lamptey
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Georgina Djameh
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Nyarko
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anita Ghansah
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael D. Wilson,
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Kwofie SK, Broni E, Asiedu SO, Kwarko GB, Dankwa B, Enninful KS, Tiburu EK, Wilson MD. Cheminformatics-Based Identification of Potential Novel Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Natural Compounds of African Origin. Molecules 2021; 26:E406. [PMID: 33466743 PMCID: PMC7829843 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted negatively on public health and socioeconomic status, globally. Although, there are currently no specific drugs approved, several existing drugs are being repurposed, but their successful outcomes are not guaranteed. Therefore, the search for novel therapeutics remains a priority. We screened for inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein from an integrated library of African natural products, compounds generated from machine learning studies and antiviral drugs using AutoDock Vina. The binding mechanisms between the compounds and the proteins were characterized using LigPlot+ and molecular dynamics simulations techniques. The biological activities of the hit compounds were also predicted using a Bayesian-based approach. Six potential bioactive molecules NANPDB2245, NANPDB2403, fusidic acid, ZINC000095486008, ZINC0000556656943 and ZINC001645993538 were identified, all of which had plausible binding mechanisms with both viral receptors. Molecular dynamics simulations, including molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) computations revealed stable protein-ligand complexes with all the compounds having acceptable free binding energies <-15 kJ/mol with each receptor. NANPDB2245, NANPDB2403 and ZINC000095486008 were predicted as antivirals; ZINC000095486008 as a membrane permeability inhibitor; NANPDB2403 as a cell adhesion inhibitor and RNA-directed RNA polymerase inhibitor; and NANPDB2245 as a membrane integrity antagonist. Therefore, they have the potential to inhibit viral entry and replication. These drug-like molecules were predicted to possess attractive pharmacological profiles with negligible toxicity. Novel critical residues identified for both targets could aid in a better understanding of the binding mechanisms and design of fragment-based de novo inhibitors. The compounds are proposed as worthy of further in vitro assaying and as scaffolds for the development of novel SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana; (S.K.K.); (E.B.); (E.K.T.)
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana;
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana; (S.K.K.); (E.B.); (E.K.T.)
| | - Seth O. Asiedu
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana; (S.O.A.); (B.D.); (K.S.E.)
| | - Gabriel B. Kwarko
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana;
| | - Bismark Dankwa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana; (S.O.A.); (B.D.); (K.S.E.)
| | - Kweku S. Enninful
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana; (S.O.A.); (B.D.); (K.S.E.)
| | - Elvis K. Tiburu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana; (S.K.K.); (E.B.); (E.K.T.)
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 54, Accra, Ghana;
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana; (S.O.A.); (B.D.); (K.S.E.)
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Kwofie SK, Broni E, Dankwa B, Enninful KS, Kwarko GB, Darko L, Durvasula R, Kempaiah P, Rathi B, Miller Iii WA, Yaya A, Wilson MD. Outwitting an Old Neglected Nemesis: A Review on Leveraging Integrated Data-Driven Approaches to Aid in Unraveling of Leishmanicides of Therapeutic Potential. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:349-366. [PMID: 31994465 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200128160454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The global prevalence of leishmaniasis has increased with skyrocketed mortality in the past decade. The causative agent of leishmaniasis is Leishmania species, which infects populations in almost all the continents. Prevailing treatment regimens are consistently inefficient with reported side effects, toxicity and drug resistance. This review complements existing ones by discussing the current state of treatment options, therapeutic bottlenecks including chemoresistance and toxicity, as well as drug targets. It further highlights innovative applications of nanotherapeutics-based formulations, inhibitory potential of leishmanicides, anti-microbial peptides and organometallic compounds on leishmanial species. Moreover, it provides essential insights into recent machine learning-based models that have been used to predict novel leishmanicides and also discusses other new models that could be adopted to develop fast, efficient, robust and novel algorithms to aid in unraveling the next generation of anti-leishmanial drugs. A plethora of enriched functional genomic, proteomic, structural biology, high throughput bioassay and drug-related datasets are currently warehoused in both general and leishmania-specific databases. The warehoused datasets are essential inputs for training and testing algorithms to augment the prediction of biotherapeutic entities. In addition, we demonstrate how pharmacoinformatics techniques including ligand-, structure- and pharmacophore-based virtual screening approaches have been utilized to screen ligand libraries against both modeled and experimentally solved 3D structures of essential drug targets. In the era of data-driven decision-making, we believe that highlighting intricately linked topical issues relevant to leishmanial drug discovery offers a one-stop-shop opportunity to decipher critical literature with the potential to unlock implicit breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel K Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, United States
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bismark Dankwa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kweku S Enninful
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gabriel B Kwarko
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Louis Darko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, PMB LG 77, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ravi Durvasula
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, United States
| | - Prakasha Kempaiah
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, United States
| | - Brijesh Rathi
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College University Enclave, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Whelton A Miller Iii
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Engineering, Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA 19352, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Abu Yaya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, United States.,Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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