scholarly journals Methylene Blue Inhibits In Vitro the SARS-CoV-2 Spike – ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction – A Mechanism That Can Contribute to Its Antiviral Activity Against COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Bojadzic ◽  
Oscar Alcazar ◽  
Peter Buchwald
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Organic Dyes ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Viral Attachment

AbstractDue to our interest in the chemical space of organic dyes to identify potential small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) for protein-protein interactions (PPIs), we initiated a screen of such compounds to assess their inhibitory activity against the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its cognate receptor ACE2, which is the first critical step initiating the viral attachment and entry of this coronavirus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this, we found that methylene blue, a tricyclic phenothiazine compound approved by the FDA for the treatment of methemoglobinemia and used for other medical applications (including the inactivation of viruses in blood products prior to transfusion when activated by light), inhibits this interaction. We confirmed that it does so in a concentration-dependent manner with a low micromolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 3 μM) in our protein-based ELISA-type setup, while chloroquine, siramesine, and suramin showed no inhibitory activity in this assay. Erythrosine B, which we have shown before to be a promiscuous SMI of PPIs, also inhibited this interaction with an activity similar, possibly slightly higher, than those found for it for other PPIs. This PPI inhibitory activity of methylene blue could contribute to its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 even in the absence of light by blocking its attachment to ACE2-expressing cells and making this inexpensive and widely available drug potentially useful in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as an oral or inhaled medication.

scholarly journals Methylene Blue Inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 Spike–ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction–a Mechanism that can Contribute to its Antiviral Activity Against COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Bojadzic ◽  
Oscar Alcazar ◽  
Peter Buchwald
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Organic Dyes ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Viral Attachment ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction

Due to our interest in the chemical space of organic dyes to identify potential small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) for protein-protein interactions (PPIs), we initiated a screen of such compounds to assess their inhibitory activity against the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its cognate receptor ACE2, which is the first critical step initiating the viral attachment and entry of this coronavirus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this, we found that methylene blue, a tricyclic phenothiazine compound approved by the FDA for the treatment of methemoglobinemia and used for other medical applications (including the inactivation of viruses in blood products prior to transfusion when activated by light), inhibits this interaction. We confirmed that it does so in a concentration-dependent manner with a low micromolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 3 μM) in our protein-based ELISA-type setup, while chloroquine, siramesine, and suramin showed no inhibitory activity in this assay. Erythrosine B, which we have shown before to be a promiscuous SMI of PPIs, also inhibited this interaction. Methylene blue inhibited the entry of a SARS-CoV-2 spike bearing pseudovirus into ACE2-expressing cells with similar IC50 (3.5 μM). Hence, this PPI inhibitory activity could contribute to its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 even in the absence of light by blocking its attachment to ACE2-expressing cells and making this inexpensive and widely available drug potentially useful in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as an oral or inhaled medication.

Small-Molecule In Vitro Inhibitors of the Coronavirus Spike – ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction as Blockers of Viral Attachment and Entry for SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Bojadzic ◽  
Oscar Alcazar ◽  
Jinshui Chen ◽  
Peter Buchwald
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Protein Interaction ◽  
Organic Dyes ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Sunset Yellow ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Viral Attachment ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction

ABSTRACTInhibitors of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2, which acts as a ligand-receptor pair that initiates the viral attachment and cellular entry of this coronavirus causing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are of considerable interest as potential antiviral agents. While blockade of such PPIs with small molecules is more challenging than with antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) might offer alternatives that are less strain- and mutation-sensitive, suitable for oral or inhaled administration, and more controllable / less immunogenic. Here, we report the identification of SMIs of this PPI by screening our compound-library that is focused on the chemical space of organic dyes. Among promising candidates identified, several dyes (Congo red, direct violet 1, Evans blue) and novel drug-like compounds (DRI-C23041, DRI-C91005) inhibited the interaction of hACE2 with the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 as well as SARS-CoV with low micromolar activity in our cell-free ELISA-type assays (IC50s of 0.2-3.0 μM); whereas, control compounds, such as sunset yellow FCF, chloroquine, and suramin, showed no activity. Protein thermal shift assays indicated that the SMIs identified here bind SARS-CoV-2-S and not ACE2. Selected promising compounds inhibited the entry of a SARS-CoV-2-S expressing pseudovirus into ACE2-expressing cells in concentration-dependent manner with low micromolar IC50s (6-30 μM). This provides proof-of-principle evidence for the feasibility of small-molecule inhibition of PPIs critical for coronavirus attachment/entry and serves as a first guide in the search for SMI-based alternative antiviral therapies for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by coronaviruses in general and COVID-19 in particular.

Direct interaction of the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor with the basal transcriptional machinery

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-407
Author(s):  
I J McEwan ◽  
A P Wright ◽  
K Dahlman-Wright ◽  
J Carlstedt-Duke ◽  
J A Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Core Promoter ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

We have used a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell free transcription system to study protein-protein interactions involving the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor that are important for transcriptional transactivation by the receptor. Purified tau 1 specifically inhibited transcription from a basal promoter derived from the CYC1 gene and from the adenovirus 2 major late core promoter in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition or squelching was correlated with the transactivation activity of tau 1. Recombinant yeast TATA-binding protein (yTFIID), although active in vitro, did not specifically reverse the inhibitory effect of tau 1. In addition, no specific interaction between tau 1 and yTFIID could be shown in vitro by affinity chromatography. Taken together, these results indicate that the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor interacts directly with the general transcriptional apparatus through some target protein(s) that is distinct from the TATA-binding factor. Furthermore, this assay can be used to identify interacting factors, since after phosphocellulose chromatography of a whole-cell yeast extract, a fraction that contained an activity which selectively counteracted the squelching effect of tau 1 was found.

scholarly journals Chemical Constituents of the Bulbs of Scilla peruviana and Their Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1262
Author(s):  
Yukiko Matsuo ◽  
Asuka Yamashiro ◽  
Kanae Ootomo ◽  
Mika Nakagawa ◽  
Hiroko Tsuchihashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Lipase ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Serum Triglyceride ◽  
2D Nmr ◽  
Triterpene Glycosides ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Phytochemical Investigation

Scilla species are used as medicinal plants and contain lanosterol-type triterpene glycosides. The phytochemical investigation of the bulbs of Scilla peruviana led to the isolation of 17 compounds, including three new rearranged pentacyclic-lanosterol glycosides (1–3) and two new homoisoflavanone glycosides (12 and 13). The structures of the undescribed compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR. Among the triterpene glycosides, 2, 3, and 6 showed significant pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The oral administration of scillascilloside D-2 (6) reduced serum triglyceride levels in a dose-dependent manner in soybean oil-loaded mice.

scholarly journals Toxicity Effects of Methylene Blue on Rat Intervertebral Disc Annulus Fibrosus Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (22.2) ◽  
pp. 155-164
Author(s):  
Liang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Annulus Fibrosus ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Collagen Type I ◽  
Type I ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

Background: There is an increasing local application of methylene blue (MB) in the treatment of discogenic low back pain (LBP) and percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) procedures. MB could generate DNA damage and induce apoptosis in different cell types; however, the effects of MB on intervertebral disc (IVD) annulus fibrosus (AF) cells are not clearly understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of MB on rat AF cells in vitro. Study Design: This study used an experimental design. Setting: This research was conducted at the Orthopaedic Institute of the Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University. Methods: AF cells were isolated and cultured with different concentrations of MB (0, 2, 20, and 200 μg/mL) and assessed to determine the possible cytotoxic effects of MB. The cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The inverted phase-contrast microscopy was used to perform morphological observation of apoptotic cells, and flow cytometry was used to measure the incidence of cell apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes (caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax) and other related genes (collagen type I, transforming growth factor β1 [TGF-β1], fibroblast growth factor [bFGF], and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 [TIMP-1]) were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Results: Our results indicated that MB reduced cell viability in a concentration- and timedependent manner. MB also induced marked AF cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner observed by inverted phase-contrast microscopy, flow cytometry, and indicated by the increased expression of caspase-3. Both RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed significant upregulation of Bax and caspase-3 expression levels accompanied by decreased expression of Bcl2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, collagen type I, TGF-β1, bFGF, and TIMP-1 mRNA and protein levels were also found to be decreased by MB in a concentration-dependent manner. Limitations: Limitations of this study were the in vitro study design and lack of in vivo validation of the observed effects of MB on human IVD cells. Conclusions: Our results indicate that a high concentration of MB can not only inhibit proliferation and paracrine function of AF cells, but can also induce cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that it is necessary to choose low concentrations of MB in practical application and limit the use of MB in the treatment of discogenic LBP to research protocols. Key words: Methylene blue, annulus fibrosus cell, proliferation, apoptosis, paracrine

Bisphenol A decreases the spontaneous contractions of rat uterus in vitro through a nitrergic mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemlata Gupta ◽  
Shripad B. Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Estrogenic Activity ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Uterine Contractility ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Uterine Contractions ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor

Abstract Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics, has toxic effects on various systems of the human body including the reproductive system. BPA possesses estrogenic activity and is implicated in altering oogenesis, ovulation, and fertility. In addition to ovulatory changes, uterine contractility is an important factor for fertility. However, the effects of BPA on myometrial contractions are not known. Therefore, we examined the effect of BPA on rat uterine contractions. Methods: The uterus was isolated from adult rats showing estrous phase, and spontaneous in vitro contractions were recorded (35±1 °C). The effect of cumulative concentrations of BPA was determined. Further, the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and guanylyl cyclase (GC) for the BPA-induced changes on uterine contractility was evaluated using the NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) or GC inhibitor (methylene blue). Results: BPA decreased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous uterine contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. A decrease of 50% occurred at 1 and 3 μM for amplitude and frequency, respectively. L-NAME (N-ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) blocked the BPA-induced decrease in amplitude at all concentrations but antagonized the frequency only at the maximum concentration (10 μM). Methylene blue (a GC inhibitor) did not block the BPA-induced responses but for the frequency at 10 μM of BPA. Conclusions: The results indicate that BPA decreased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous uterine contractions by involving the nitrergic mechanism; however, the GC mechanism is not involved in the depression.

scholarly journals In Vivo and In Vitro α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Perfoliatin a from Melampodium Perfoliatum

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1901400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Flores-Bocanegra ◽  
Rafael Torres-Colín ◽  
Martin González-Andrade ◽  
José S. Calderón ◽  
Rachel Mata
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Sesquiterpene Lactones ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Glucosidase Inhibitors ◽  
In Vivo Testing ◽  
Oral Sucrose

As part of our effort to discover new α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources, it was found that an aqueous extract from Melampodium perfoliatum (Cavanilles) Kunth (Asteraceae) inhibited the activity of rat-intestinal α-glucosidases in a concentration dependent manner (IC50= 958 μg/mL). Fractionation of the active extract led to the isolation of perfoliatin A (1), which was active against the mammal α-glucosidases and a recombinant α-glucosidase with maltase-glucoamylase activity obtained from Ruminococcus obeum. Kinetic analysis revealed that the interaction of 1 with R. obeum-α-glucosidase was noncompetitive. The calculated Ki was 0.68 ± 0.034 mM. In vivo testing using an oral sucrose tolerance test, in healthy and hyperglycemic mice, revealed that perfoliatin A (1) reduced significantly the postprandial peak, consistent with its α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The effect was comparable or better to that of acarbose, a therapeutically used α-glucosidase inhibitor. Altogether, these findings clearly supported the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of melampolide-type of sesquiterpene lactones.

scholarly journals Effect of the divalent cations zinc and calcium on the structure and mechanics of reconstituted vimentin intermediate filaments

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huayin Wu ◽  
Yinan Shen ◽  
Dianzhuo Wang ◽  
Harald Herrmann ◽  
Robert D. Goldman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filaments ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Hofmeister Effect ◽  
Ion Species

AbstractDivalent cations in a concentration-dependent manner behave as effective crosslinkers of intermediate filaments (IFs) such as vimentin IF (VIF). These interactions have been mostly attributed to their multivalency. However, ion-protein interactions often depend on the ion species, and these effects have not been widely studied in IFs. Here we investigate the effects of two biologically important divalent cations, Zn2+ and Ca2+, on VIF network structure and mechanics in vitro. We find that the network structure is unperturbed at micromolar Zn2+ concentrations, but strong bundle formation is observed at a concentration of 100 μM. Microrheological measurements show that network stiffness increases with cation concentration. However, bundling of filaments softens the network. This trend also holds for VIF networks formed in the presence of Ca2+, but remarkably, a concentration of Ca2+ that is two orders higher is needed to achieve the same effect as with Zn2+, which suggests the importance of salt-protein interactions as described by the Hofmeister effect. Furthermore, we find evidence of competitive binding between the two divalent ion species. Hence, specific interactions between VIFs and divalent cations are likely to be an important mechanism by which cells can control their cytoplasmic mechanics.SignificanceIntermediate filaments are key structural elements within cells; they are known to form networks that can be crosslinked by divalent cations, but the interactions between the ions and the filaments are not well understood. By measuring the effects that two divalent cations, zinc and calcium, have on the structure and mechanics of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs), we show that although both have concentration-dependent effects on VIFs, much more calcium is needed to achieve the same effect as a small amount of zinc. Furthermore, when mixtures of the ions are present, the results suggest that there is binding competition. Thus, cells may use the presence of different cation species to precisely control their internal mechanical properties.

scholarly journals Direct interaction of the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor with the basal transcriptional machinery.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
I J McEwan ◽  
A P Wright ◽  
K Dahlman-Wright ◽  
J Carlstedt-Duke ◽  
J A Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Core Promoter ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

We have used a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell free transcription system to study protein-protein interactions involving the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor that are important for transcriptional transactivation by the receptor. Purified tau 1 specifically inhibited transcription from a basal promoter derived from the CYC1 gene and from the adenovirus 2 major late core promoter in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition or squelching was correlated with the transactivation activity of tau 1. Recombinant yeast TATA-binding protein (yTFIID), although active in vitro, did not specifically reverse the inhibitory effect of tau 1. In addition, no specific interaction between tau 1 and yTFIID could be shown in vitro by affinity chromatography. Taken together, these results indicate that the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor interacts directly with the general transcriptional apparatus through some target protein(s) that is distinct from the TATA-binding factor. Furthermore, this assay can be used to identify interacting factors, since after phosphocellulose chromatography of a whole-cell yeast extract, a fraction that contained an activity which selectively counteracted the squelching effect of tau 1 was found.

scholarly journals In vitro alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzyme inhibitory effects of Andrographis paniculata extract and andrographolide.

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rammohan Subramanian ◽  
M Zaini Asmawi ◽  
Amirin Sadikun
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Ethanolic Extract ◽  
Andrographis Paniculata ◽  
Alpha Amylase ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Alpha Glucosidase

There has been an enormous interest in the development of alternative medicines for type 2 diabetes, specifically screening for phytochemicals with the ability to delay or prevent glucose absorption. The goal of the present study was to provide in vitro evidence for potential inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes, followed by a confirmatory in vivo study on rats to generate a stronger biochemical rationale for further studies on the ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata and andrographolide. The extract showed appreciable alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50)=17.2+/-0.15 mg/ml) and a weak alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC(50)=50.9+/-0.17 mg/ml). Andrographolide demonstrated a similar (IC(50)=11.0+/-0.28 mg/ml) alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC(50)=11.3+/-0.29 mg/ml). The positive in vitro enzyme inhibition tests paved way for confirmatory in vivo studies. The in vivo studies demonstrated that A. paniculata extract significantly (P

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