scholarly journals Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Peptide Inhibitors from Modelling Substrate and Ligand Binding

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Henry Chan ◽  
Marc Alexander Moesser ◽  
Rebecca K. Walters ◽  
Tika R Malla ◽  
Rebecca M Twidale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Viral Maturation ◽  
Structural Aspects

The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is central to viral maturation and is a promising drug target, but little is known about structural aspects of how it binds to its...

The Structural Landscape of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: Hints for Inhibitor Search.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Leonardo Palese
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Substrate Binding Site ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Crystallographic Structures ◽  
Structural Aspects

In 2019, an outbreak occurred which resulted in a global pandemic. The causative agent of this serious global health threat was a coronavirus similar to the agent of SARS, referred to as SARS-CoV-2. In this work an analysis of the available structures of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease has been performed. From a data set of crystallographic structures the dynamics of the protease has been obtained. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the structures of SARS-CoV-2 with those of the main protease of the coronavirus responsible of SARS (SARS-CoV) was carried out. The results of these studies suggest that, although main proteases of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are similar at the backbone level, some plasticity at the substrate binding site can be observed. The consequences of these structural aspects on the search for effective inhibitors of these enzymes are discussed, with a focus on already known compounds. The results obtained show that compounds containing an oxirane ring could be considered as inhibitors of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2.

Bacterial Polyphosphate Kinases Revisited: Role in Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potential

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalit Kumar Gautam ◽  
Prince Sharma ◽  
Neena Capalash
Keyword(s):  
Drug Target ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Polyphosphate Kinase ◽  
Potential Drug Target ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Structural Aspects

Bacterial infections have always been an unrestrained challenge to the medical community due to the rise of multi-drug tolerant and resistant strains. Pioneering work on Escherichia coli polyphosphate kinase (PPK) by Arthur Kornberg has generated great interest in this polyphosphate (PolyP) synthesizing enzyme. PPK has wide distribution among pathogens and is involved in promoting pathogenesis, stress management and susceptibility to antibiotics. Further, the absence of a PPK orthologue in humans makes it a potential drug target. This review covers the functional and structural aspects of polyphosphate kinases in bacterial pathogens. A description of molecules being designed against PPKs has been provided, challenges associated with PPK inhibitor design are highlighted and the strategies to enable development of efficient drug against this enzyme have also been discussed.

scholarly journals Drug Repurposing for Candidate SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors by a Novel in Silico Method

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Sencanski ◽  
Vladimir Perovic ◽  
Snezana Pajovic ◽  
Miroslav Adzic ◽  
Slobodan Paessler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Additional Approach ◽  
Drugbank Database

<p>The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak caused an unprecedented global public health threat, having a high transmission rate with currently no drugs or vaccines approved. An alternative powerful additional approach to counteract COVID-19 is <em>in silico</em> drug repurposing. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease is essential for viral replication and an attractive drug target. In this study, we used the virtual screening (VS) protocol with both long-range and short-range interactions to select candidate SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. First, the ISM applied for Small Molecules was used for searching the Drugbank database and further followed by molecular docking. After <em>in silico</em> screening of drug space, we identified 57 drugs as potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors that we propose for further experimental testing.</p>

scholarly journals Identification of inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL-Pro enzymatic activity using a small molecule in-vitro repurposing screen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Kuzikov ◽  
Elisa Costanzi ◽  
Jeanette Reinshagen ◽  
Francesca Esposito ◽  
Laura Vangeel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cleavage Sites ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Binding Characteristics ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Ic50 Values

Compound repurposing is an important strategy for the identification of effective treatment options against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease. In this regard, SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CL-Pro), also termed M-Pro, is an attractive drug target as it plays a central role in viral replication by processing the viral polyproteins pp1a and pp1ab at multiple distinct cleavage sites. We here report the results of a repurposing program involving 8.7 K compounds containing marketed drugs, clinical and preclinical candidates, and small molecules regarded as safe in humans. We confirmed previously reported inhibitors of 3CL-Pro, and have identified 62 additional compounds with IC50 values below 1 uM and profiled their selectivity towards Chymotrypsin and 3CL-Pro from the MERS virus. A subset of 8 inhibitors showed anti-cytopathic effect in a Vero-E6 cell line and the compounds thioguanosine and MG-132 were analysed for their predicted binding characteristics to SARS-CoV-2 3CL-Pro. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex of myricetin and SARS-Cov-2 3CL-Pro was solved at a resolution of 1.77 Angs., showing that myricetin is covalently bound to the catalytic Cys145 and therefore inhibiting its enzymatic activity.

scholarly journals In Silico Study of Coumarins and Quinolines Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osvaldo Yañez ◽  
Manuel Isaías Osorio ◽  
Eugenio Uriarte ◽  
Carlos Areche ◽  
William Tiznado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Ligand Efficiency ◽  
Infected People ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
In Silico Study ◽  
The World ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Viral Maturation ◽  
New Treatments

The pandemic that started in Wuhan (China) in 2019 has caused a large number of deaths, and infected people around the world due to the absence of effective therapy against coronavirus 2 of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Viral maturation requires the activity of the main viral protease (Mpro), so its inhibition stops the progress of the disease. To evaluate possible inhibitors, a computational model of the SARS-CoV-2 enzyme Mpro was constructed in complex with 26 synthetic ligands derived from coumarins and quinolines. Analysis of simulations of molecular dynamics and molecular docking of the models show a high affinity for the enzyme (∆Ebinding between −5.1 and 7.1 kcal mol−1). The six compounds with the highest affinity show Kd between 6.26 × 10–6 and 17.2 × 10–6, with binding affinity between −20 and −25 kcal mol−1, with ligand efficiency less than 0.3 associated with possible inhibitory candidates. In addition to the high affinity of these compounds for SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, low toxicity is expected considering the Lipinski, Veber and Pfizer rules. Therefore, this novel study provides candidate inhibitors that would allow experimental studies which can lead to the development of new treatments for SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Feline coronavirus drug inhibits the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 and blocks virus replication

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Vuong ◽  
Muhammad Bashir Khan ◽  
Conrad Fischer ◽  
Elena Arutyunova ◽  
Tess Lamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Target ◽  
Covalent Modification ◽  
Human Coronavirus ◽  
Feline Infectious Peritonitis ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Reversible Formation ◽  
Nanomolar Range ◽  
Feline Coronavirus

Abstract The main protease, Mpro (or 3CLpro) in SARS-CoV-2 is a viable drug target because of its essential role in the cleavage of the virus polypeptide. Feline infectious peritonitis, a fatal coronavirus infection in cats, was successfully treated previously with a prodrug GC376, a dipeptide-based protease inhibitor. Here, we show the prodrug and its parent GC373, are effective inhibitors of the Mpro from both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with these inhibitors have a covalent modification of the nucleophilic Cys145. NMR analysis reveals that inhibition proceeds via reversible formation of a hemithioacetal. GC373 and GC376 are potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture. They are strong drug candidates for the treatment of human coronavirus infections because they have already been successful in animals. The work here lays the framework for their use in human trials for the treatment of COVID-19.

Structural aspects of agonism and antagonism in the oestrogen receptor

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. W. Pike ◽  
A. M. Brzozowski ◽  
J. Walton ◽  
R. E. Hubbard ◽  
T. Bonn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Oestrogen Receptor ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Antagonist Action ◽  
Receptor Agonists And Antagonists ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Structural Aspects

We have determined the three-dimensional structures of both α- and β-forms of the ligand-binding domain of the oestrogen receptor (ER) in complexes with a range of receptor agonists and antagonists. Here, we summarize how these structures provide both an understanding of the ER's distinctive pharmacophore and a rationale for its ability to bind a diverse range of chemically distinct compounds. In addition, these studies provide a unique insight into the mechanisms that underlie receptor activation, as well as providing a structural basis for the antagonist action of molecules, such as raloxifene.

scholarly journals Golgi Recruitment Assay for Visualizing Small-Molecule Ligand–target Engagement in Cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachio Suzuki ◽  
Masahiro Ikuta ◽  
Tatsuyuki Yoshii ◽  
Akinobu Nakamura ◽  
Keiko Kuwata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Chemical Biology ◽  
Protein Isoforms ◽  
Target Engagement ◽  
Ligand Affinity ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Small Molecule Ligand ◽  
In Cells

<b>The development of methods that allow detection of ligand–target engagement in cells is an important challenge in chemical biology and drug discovery. Here, we present a Golgi recruitment (G-REC) assay in which the ligand binding to the target protein can be visualized as Golgi-localized fluorescence signals. We show that the G-REC assay is applicable to the detection of various ligand–target interactions, ligand affinity comparison among distinct protein isoforms, and the monitoring of unmodified drug–target engagement in cells.</b>

scholarly journals Xanthohumol Is a Potent Pan-Inhibitor of Coronaviruses Targeting Main Protease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12134
Author(s):  
Yuxi Lin ◽  
Ruochen Zang ◽  
Yanlong Ma ◽  
Zhuoya Wang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Lead Compound ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Ic50 Value

Coronaviruses cause diseases in humans and livestock. The SARS-CoV-2 is infecting millions of human beings, with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main protease (Mpro) of coronavirus plays a pivotal role in viral replication and transcription, which, in theory, is an attractive drug target for antiviral drug development. It has been extensively discussed whether Xanthohumol is able to help COVID-19 patients. Here, we report that Xanthohumol, a small molecule in clinical trials from hops (Humulus lupulus), was a potent pan-inhibitor for various coronaviruses by targeting Mpro, for example, betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (IC50 value of 1.53 μM), and alphacoronavirus PEDV (IC50 value of 7.51 μM). Xanthohumol inhibited Mpro activities in the enzymatical assays, while pretreatment with Xanthohumol restricted the SARS-CoV-2 and PEDV replication in Vero-E6 cells. Therefore, Xanthohumol is a potent pan-inhibitor of coronaviruses and an excellent lead compound for further drug development.

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