scholarly journals Molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry inhibition via TMPRSS2 by Camostat and Nafamostat mesylate

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Hempel ◽  
Lluís Raich ◽  
Simon Olsson ◽  
Nurit P. Azouz ◽  
Andrea M. Klingler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Equilibrium Structure ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Markov Modeling ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Experimental Structure ◽  
Nafamostat Mesylate ◽  
Entry Inhibition

AbstractThe entry of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 into human cells can be inhibited by the approved drugs camostat and nafamostat. Here we elucidate the molecular mechanism of these drugs by combining experiments and simulations. In vitro assays confirm the hypothesis that both drugs act by inhibiting the human protein TMPRSS2. As no experimental structure is available, we provide a model of the TMPRSS2 equilibrium structure and its fluctuations by relaxing an initial homology structure with extensive 280 microseconds of all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) and Markov modeling. We describe the binding mode of both drugs with TMPRSS2 in a Michaelis complex (MC) state preceding the formation of a long-lived covalent inhibitory state. We find that nafamostat to has a higher MC population, which in turn leads to the more frequent formation of the covalent complex and thus higher inhibition efficacy, as confirmed in vitro and consistent with previous virus cell entry assays. Our TMPRSS2-drug structures are made public to guide the design of more potent and specific inhibitors.

scholarly journals Heparan sulfate assists SARS-CoV-2 in cell entry and can be targeted by approved drugs in vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Catherine Zhengzheng Chen ◽  
Manju Swaroop ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Lihui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Heparan Sulfate ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Entry Pathway ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Attachment Factor

Abstract The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as an attractive drug repurposing target for COVID-19. Here we combine genetics and chemical perturbation to demonstrate that ACE2-mediated entry of SARS-Cov and CoV-2 requires the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as an assisting cofactor: ablation of genes involved in HS biosynthesis or incubating cells with a HS mimetic both inhibit Spike-mediated viral entry. We show that heparin/HS binds to Spike directly, and facilitates the attachment of Spike-bearing viral particles to the cell surface to promote viral entry. We screened approved drugs and identified two classes of inhibitors that act via distinct mechanisms to target this entry pathway. Among the drugs characterized, Mitoxantrone is a potent HS inhibitor, while Sunitinib and BNTX disrupt the actin network to indirectly abrogate HS-assisted viral entry. We further show that drugs of the two classes can be combined to generate a synergized activity against SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect. Altogether, our study establishes HS as an attachment factor that assists SARS coronavirus cell entry and reveals drugs capable of targeting this important step in the viral life cycle.

scholarly journals Ceftazidime Is a Potential Drug to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro by Blocking Spike Protein-ACE2 Interaction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ChangDong Lin ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
MengYa Yuan ◽  
MengWen Huang ◽  
Cui Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
First Line ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Fda Approved Drugs

SUMMARYCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads globally as a sever pandemic, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 mainly depends on binding of the viral spike (S) proteins to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells. Therefore, repurposing of known drugs to inhibit S protein-ACE2 interaction could be a quick way to develop effective therapy for COVID-19. Using a high-throughput screening system to investigate the interaction between spike receptor binding domain (S-RBD) and ACE2 extracellular domain, we screened 3581 FDA-approved drugs and natural small molecules and identified ceftazidime as a potent compound to inhibit S-RBD–ACE2 interaction by binding to S-RBD. In addition to significantly inhibit S-RBD binding to HPAEpiC cells, ceftazidime efficiently prevented SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus to infect ACE2-expressing 293T cells. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 113.2 μM, which is far below the blood concentration (over 300 μM) of ceftazidime in patients when clinically treated with recommended dose. Notably, ceftazidime is a drug clinically used for the treatment of pneumonia with minimal side effects compared with other antiviral drugs. Thus, ceftazidime has both anti-bacterial and anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects, which should be the first-line antibiotics used for the clinical treatment of COVID-19.

scholarly journals FDA-Approved Drugs with Potent In Vitro Antiviral Activity against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 443
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mostafa ◽  
Ahmed Kandeil ◽  
Yaseen A. M. M. Elshaier ◽  
Omnia Kutkat ◽  
Yassmin Moatasim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Fda Approved Drugs

(1) Background: Drug repositioning is an unconventional drug discovery approach to explore new therapeutic benefits of existing drugs. Currently, it emerges as a rapid avenue to alleviate the COVID-19 pandemic disease. (2) Methods: Herein, we tested the antiviral activity of anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, commonly prescribed to relieve respiratory symptoms, against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. (3) Results: Of these FDA-approved antimicrobial drugs, Azithromycin, Niclosamide, and Nitazoxanide showed a promising ability to hinder the replication of a SARS-CoV-2 isolate, with IC50 of 0.32, 0.16, and 1.29 µM, respectively. We provided evidence that several antihistamine and anti-inflammatory drugs could partially reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Furthermore, this study showed that Azithromycin can selectively impair SARS-CoV-2 replication, but not the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). A virtual screening study illustrated that Azithromycin, Niclosamide, and Nitazoxanide bind to the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Protein data bank (PDB) ID: 6lu7) in binding mode similar to the reported co-crystalized ligand. Also, Niclosamide displayed hydrogen bond (HB) interaction with the key peptide moiety GLN: 493A of the spike glycoprotein active site. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that Piroxicam should be prescribed in combination with Azithromycin for COVID-19 patients.

Recent Advances and Challenges of the Drugs Acting on Monoamine Transporters

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (23) ◽  
pp. 3830-3876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiwei Xue ◽  
Tingting Fu ◽  
Guoxun Zheng ◽  
Gao Tu ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Monoamine Transporters ◽  
Ligand Interaction ◽  
Structure Based Drug Design ◽  
Design And Synthesis ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Approved Drugs

Background: The human Monoamine Transporters (hMATs), primarily including hSERT, hNET and hDAT, are important targets for the treatment of depression and other behavioral disorders with more than the availability of 30 approved drugs. Objective: This paper is to review the recent progress in the binding mode and inhibitory mechanism of hMATs inhibitors with the central or allosteric binding sites, for the benefit of future hMATs inhibitor design and discovery. The Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) and the selectivity for hit/lead compounds to hMATs that are evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments will be highlighted. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for protein-ligand interaction, novel inhibitors design and synthesis studies related to hMATs. Results: Literature data indicate that since the first crystal structure determinations of the homologous bacterial Leucine Transporter (LeuT) complexed with clomipramine, a sizable database of over 100 experimental structures or computational models has been accumulated that now defines a substantial degree of structural variability hMATs-ligands recognition. In the meanwhile, a number of novel hMATs inhibitors have been discovered by medicinal chemistry with significant help from computational models. Conclusion: The reported new compounds act on hMATs as well as the structures of the transporters complexed with diverse ligands by either experiment or computational modeling have shed light on the poly-pharmacology, multimodal and allosteric regulation of the drugs to transporters. All of the studies will greatly promote the Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD) of structurally novel scaffolds with high activity and selectivity for hMATs.

scholarly journals Heparan sulfate assists SARS-CoV-2 in cell entry and can be targeted by approved drugs in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Catherine Z. Chen ◽  
Manju Swaroop ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Lihui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Heparan Sulfate ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Entry Pathway ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Attachment Factor

The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as an attractive drug repurposing target for COVID-19. Here we combine genetics and chemical perturbation to demonstrate that ACE2-mediated entry of SARS-CoV and CoV-2 requires the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as an assisting cofactor: ablation of genes involved in HS biosynthesis or incubating cells with a HS mimetic both inhibit Spike-mediated viral entry. We show that heparin/HS binds to Spike directly, facilitates the attachment of viral particles to the cell surface to promote cell entry. We screened approved drugs and identified two classes of inhibitors that act via distinct mechanisms to target this entry pathway. Among the drugs characterized, Mitoxantrone is a potent HS inhibitor, while Sunitinib and BNTX disrupt the actin network to indirectly abrogate HS-assisted viral entry. We further show that drugs of the two classes can be combined to generate a synergized activity against SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect. Altogether, our study establishes HS as an attachment factor that assists SARS coronavirus cell entry, and reveals drugs capable of targeting this important step in the viral life cycle.

Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Biological Evaluation of 1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)(phenyl)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol Derivatives as Antiproliferative Agents

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 837-845
Author(s):  
Sandhya Jonnala ◽  
Bhaskar Nameta ◽  
Murthy Chavali ◽  
Rajashaker Bantu ◽  
Pallavi Choudante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Mouse Skin ◽  
Coupling Reaction ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Biological Evaluation ◽  
Design Synthesis

A class of 1-((benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)(phenyl)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol derivatives (4a-t) has been synthesized in good yields through a three component coupling reaction. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against five cell lines such as DU145 (human prostate cancer), MDA-MB-B231 (human breast cancer), SKOV3 (human ovarian cancer), B16-F10 (mouse skin melanoma) and CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary cells), a noncancerous cell line. In vitro inhibitory activity indicates that compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4g, 4j, and 4o exhibited potent anti-proliferative behavior. Among them, compounds 4g, 4j and 4o found to be the most active members exhibiting remarkable growth inhibitory activity. Molecular docking facilitates to investigate the probable binding mode and key active site interactions in tubulins α and β proteins. The docking results are complementary to experimental results.

scholarly journals Identification of 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLPro) inhibitors as potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Mody ◽  
Joanna Ho ◽  
Savannah Wills ◽  
Ahmed Mawri ◽  
Latasha Lawson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Simulation Studies ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Fda Approved Drugs ◽  
Computational Molecular Modeling

AbstractEmerging outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major threat to public health. The morbidity is increasing due to lack of SARS-CoV-2 specific drugs. Herein, we have identified potential drugs that target the 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro), the main protease that is pivotal for the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Computational molecular modeling was used to screen 3987 FDA approved drugs, and 47 drugs were selected to study their inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 specific 3CLpro enzyme in vitro. Our results indicate that boceprevir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, tipranavir, ivermectin, and micafungin exhibited inhibitory effect towards 3CLpro enzymatic activity. The 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation studies showed that ivermectin may require homodimeric form of 3CLpro enzyme for its inhibitory activity. In summary, these molecules could be useful to develop highly specific therapeutically viable drugs to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 replication either alone or in combination with drugs specific for other SARS-CoV-2 viral targets.

scholarly journals The Repurposed Drugs Suramin and Quinacrine Cooperatively Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro In Vitro

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Raphael J. Eberle ◽  
Danilo S. Olivier ◽  
Marcos S. Amaral ◽  
Ian Gering ◽  
Dieter Willbold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Mode ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Repurposed Drugs ◽  
Antiparasitic Drugs ◽  
Inhibitory Potential ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Micromolar Range

Since the first report of a new pneumonia disease in December 2019 (Wuhan, China) the WHO reported more than 148 million confirmed cases and 3.1 million losses globally up to now. The causative agent of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide, resulting in a pandemic of unprecedented magnitude. To date, several clinically safe and efficient vaccines (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines) as well as drugs for emergency use have been approved. However, increasing numbers of SARS-Cov-2 variants make it imminent to identify an alternative way to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. A well-known strategy to identify molecules with inhibitory potential against SARS-CoV-2 proteins is repurposing clinically developed drugs, e.g., antiparasitic drugs. The results described in this study demonstrated the inhibitory potential of quinacrine and suramin against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro). Quinacrine and suramin molecules presented a competitive and noncompetitive inhibition mode, respectively, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments demonstrated that quinacrine and suramin alone possessed a moderate or weak affinity with SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro but suramin binding increased quinacrine interaction by around a factor of eight. Using docking and molecular dynamics simulations, we identified a possible binding mode and the amino acids involved in these interactions. Our results suggested that suramin, in combination with quinacrine, showed promising synergistic efficacy to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. We suppose that the identification of effective, synergistic drug combinations could lead to the design of better treatments for the COVID-19 disease and repurposable drug candidates offer fast therapeutic breakthroughs, mainly in a pandemic moment.

scholarly journals miR-29a sensitizes the response of glioma cells to temozolomide by modulating the P53/MDM2 feedback loop

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiudan Chen ◽  
Weifeng Wang ◽  
Shuying Chen ◽  
Xiaotong Chen ◽  
Yong Lin
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Glioma Cells ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
P53 Signaling

AbstractRecently, pivotal functions of miRNAs in regulating common tumorigenic processes and manipulating signaling pathways in brain tumors have been recognized; notably, miR‐29a is closely associated with p53 signaling, contributing to the development of glioma. However, the molecular mechanism of the interaction between miR-29a and p53 signaling is still to be revealed. Herein, a total of 30 glioma tissues and 10 non-cancerous tissues were used to investigate the expression of miR‐29a. CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were applied to identify the effects of miR-29a altered expression on the malignant biological behaviors of glioma cells in vitro, including proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to further validate the regulatory effect of p53 or miR-29a on miR-29a or MDM2, respectively, at the transcriptional level. The results showed that miR-29a expression negatively correlated with tumor grade of human gliomas; at the same time it inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro. Mechanistically, miR-29a expression was induced by p53, leading to aberrant expression of MDM2 targeted by miR-29a, and finally imbalanced the activity of the p53-miR-29a-MDM2 feedback loop. Moreover, miR-29a regulating p53/MDM2 signaling sensitized the response of glioma cells to temozolomide treatment. Altogether, the study demonstrated a potential molecular mechanism in the tumorigenesis of glioma, while offering a possible target for treating human glioma in the future.

scholarly journals Definition of the Binding Architecture to a Target Promoter of HP1043, the Essential Master Regulator of Helicobacter pylori

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7848
Author(s):  
Annamaria Zannoni ◽  
Simone Pelliciari ◽  
Francesco Musiani ◽  
Federica Chiappori ◽  
Davide Roncarati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Computational Alanine Scanning ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Target Promoter

HP1043 is an essential orphan response regulator of Helicobacter pylori orchestrating multiple crucial cellular processes. Classified as a member of the OmpR/PhoB family of two-component systems, HP1043 exhibits a highly degenerate receiver domain and evolved to function independently of phosphorylation. Here, we investigated the HP1043 binding mode to a target sequence in the hp1227 promoter (Php1227). Scanning mutagenesis of HP1043 DNA-binding domain and consensus sequence led to the identification of residues relevant for the interaction of the protein with a target DNA. These determinants were used as restraints to guide a data-driven protein-DNA docking. Results suggested that, differently from most other response regulators of the same family, HP1043 binds in a head-to-head conformation to the Php1227 target promoter. HP1043 interacts with DNA largely through charged residues and contacts with both major and minor grooves of the DNA are required for a stable binding. Computational alanine scanning on molecular dynamics trajectory was performed to corroborate our findings. Additionally, in vitro transcription assays confirmed that HP1043 positively stimulates the activity of RNA polymerase.

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