Potential inhibitors for blocking the interaction of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its host cell receptor ACE2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changzhi Li ◽  
Hongjuan Zhou ◽  
Lingling Guo ◽  
Dehuan Xie ◽  
Huiping He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Economic Stability ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Compound Libraries ◽  
Screening Platform ◽  
Potential Inhibitors ◽  
Validation Experiments

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a serious threat to human health and social and economic stability. In this study, we established an anti-coronavirus drug screening platform based on the Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) technology and the interaction between the coronavirus S protein and its host receptor ACE2. This platform is a rapid, sensitive, specific, and high throughput system. With this platform, we screened two compound libraries of 2,864 molecules and identified three potential anti-coronavirus compounds: tannic acid (TA), TS-1276 (anthraquinone), and TS-984 (9-Methoxycanthin-6-one). Our in vitro validation experiments indicated that TS-984 strongly inhibits the interaction of the coronavirus S-protein and the human cell ACE2 receptor. This data suggests that TS-984 is a potent blocker of the interaction between the S-protein and ACE2, which might have the potential to be developed into an effective anti-coronavirus drug.

scholarly journals ACE2 glycans preferentially interact with the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 over SARS-CoV

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atanu Acharya ◽  
Diane Lynch ◽  
Anna Pavlova ◽  
Yui Tik Pang ◽  
James Gumbart
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Distinct Difference ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Protein Receptor

We report a distinct difference in the interactions of the glycans of the host-cell receptor, ACE2, with SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV S-protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs). Our analysis demonstrates that the ACE2 glycan at N90 may offer protection against infections of both coronaviruses, while the ACE2 glycan at N322 enhances interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD. The interactions of the ACE2 glycan at N322 with SARS-CoV RBD are blocked by the presence of the RBD glycan at N357 of the SARS-CoV RBD. The absence of this glycosylation site on SARS-CoV-2 RBD may enhance its binding with ACE2.

In-Vitro Fluorescence Microscopy Studies Show Retention of Spike-Protein (SARS-Cov-2) on Cell Membrane in the Presence of Amodiaquin Dihydrochloride Dihydrate Drug

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Partha Pratim Mondal ◽  
Subhra Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Endocytic Pathway ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Cellular Environment

The ability of S-glycoprotein (S-protein) in SARS-Cov-2 to bind to the host cell receptor protein (angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (ACE2)) leading to its entry in cellular system determines its contagious index and global spread. Three available drugs (Riboflavin, Amodiaquin dihydrochloride dihydrate (ADD) and Remidesivir) were investigated to understand the kinetics of S-protein and its entry inside a cellular environment. Optical microscopy and fluorescence-based assays on 293T cells (transfected with ACE2 plasmid) were used as the preamble for assessing the behaviour of S-protein in the presence of these drugs for the first 12 hours post S-protein - ACE2 binding. Preliminary results suggest relatively long retention of S-protein on the cell membrane in the presence of ADD drug. Evident from the %-overlap and colocalization of S-protein with endosome studies, a large fraction of S-protein entering the cell escape endosomal degradation process, suggesting S-protein takes non-endocytic mediated entry in the presence of ADD, whereas in the presence of Riboflavin, S-protein carry out normal endocytic pathway, comparable to control (no drug) group. Therefore, present study indicates ADD potentially affects S-protein’s entry mechanism (endocytic pathway) in addition to its reported target action mechanism. Hence, ADD substantially interfere with S-protein cellular entrance mechanism. However, further detailed studies at molecular scale will clarify our understanding of exact intermediate molecular processes. The present study (based on limited data) reveal ADD could be potential candidate to manage Covid-19 functions through yet unknown molecular mechanism.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of a High-Throughput Screen for Inhibitors of SARS CoV and Its Application in Screening of a 100,000-Compound Library

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Severson ◽  
Nice Shindo ◽  
Mindy Sosa ◽  
Thomas Fletcher ◽  
E. Lucile White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Cytopathic Effect ◽  
High Throughput Screen ◽  
Compound Library ◽  
Hit Rate ◽  
Compound Libraries ◽  
Potential Inhibitors ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Large Compound

The authors have developed a high-throughput screen (HTS) that allows for the identification of potential inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) from large compound libraries. The luminescent-based assay measures the inhibition of SARS CoV–induced cytopathic effect (CPE) in Vero E6 cells. The assay was validated in 96-well plates in a BSL3 containment facility. The assay is sensitive and robust, with Z values > 0.6, signal to background (S/B) > 16, and signal to noise (S/N) > 3. The assay was further validated with 2 different diversity sets of compounds against the SARS CoV. The “hit” rate for both libraries was approximately 0.01%. The validated HTS assay was then employed to screen a 100,000-compound library against SARS CoV. The hit rate for the library in a single-dose format was determined to be approximately 0.8%. Screening of the 3 libraries resulted in the identification of several novel compounds that effectively inhibited the CPE of SARS CoV in vitro—compounds which will serve as excellent lead candidates for further evaluation. At a 10-μM concentration, 3 compounds with selective indexes (SI50) of > 53 were discovered.

scholarly journals Catechin and Curcumin interact with corona (2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV2) viral S protein and ACE2 of human cell membrane: insights from Computational study and implication for intervention

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atala B. Jena ◽  
Namrata Kanungo ◽  
Vinayak Nayak ◽  
G.B.N. Chainy ◽  
Jagneshwar Dandapat
Keyword(s):  
Binding Energy ◽  
Preventive Intervention ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Recent Outbreak ◽  
First Time

Abstract The recent outbreak of the coronavirus (2019n-CoV) is an unprecedented threat for human health throughout the globe. In this regards development of a suitable intervention is the need of the hour. The viral spike protein (S-Protein) and the cognate host cell receptor ACE2 can prove to be effective. Here, through computational approaches we have reported two polyphenols, Catechin and Curcumin which have dual binding affinity i.e both the molecule binds to viral S-protein and as well as ACE2. Catechin binds with S-protein and ACE2 with binding energy of -10.5 Kcal/mol and -8.9 Kcal/mol, respectively. Catechin binds with a greater affinty than that of curcumin which has a binding energy of -7.9Kcal/mol and - 7.8Kcal/mol for S-protein and ACE2, respectively. While curcumin gets bound directly to receptor binding domain (RBD) of viral S-protein, catechin binds to near proximity of RBD sequence of S-protein. Molecular simulation study demonstrates that curcumin directly binds with RBD site of S-protein during 40-100ns. In contrast, catechin binds with S-protein near the RBD site and causes fluctuation in the amino acids present in the RBD and it’s near proximity. In conclusion, this computational study for the first time predicts the possibility of above two polyphenols, for therapeutic/preventive intervention.

Progress in Studies on Structural and Remedial Aspects of Newly Born Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (26) ◽  
pp. 2362-2378
Author(s):  
Satya P. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
The Status ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The article highlights an up-to-date progress in studies on structural and the remedial aspects of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, renamed as SARS-CoV-2, leading to the disease COVID-19, a pandemic. In general, all CoVs including SARS-CoV-2 are spherical positive single-stranded RNA viruses containing spike (S) protein, envelope (E) protein, nucleocapsid (N) protein, and membrane (M) protein, where S protein has a Receptor-binding Domain (RBD) that mediates the binding to host cell receptor, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). The article details the repurposing of some drugs to be tried for COVID-19 and presents the status of vaccine development so far. Besides drugs and vaccines, the role of Convalescent Plasma (CP) therapy to treat COVID-19 is also discussed.

scholarly journals Systematic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection of an ACE2-negative human airway cell

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maritza Puray-Chavez ◽  
Kyle M Lapak ◽  
Travis P. Schrank ◽  
Jennifer L Elliott ◽  
Dhaval P Bhatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Type I ◽  
Proteomic Profiling ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Host Cell Response ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Adenocarcinoma Cells

Established in vitro models for SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited and include cell lines of non-human origin and those engineered to overexpress ACE2, the cognate host cell receptor. We identified human H522 lung adenocarcinoma cells as naturally permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection despite complete absence of ACE2. Infection of H522 cells required the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, though in contrast to ACE2-dependent models, spike alone was not sufficient for H522 infection. Temporally resolved transcriptomic and proteomic profiling revealed alterations in cell cycle and the antiviral host cell response, including MDA5-dependent activation of type-I interferon signaling. Focused chemical screens point to important roles for clathrin-mediated endocytosis and endosomal cathepsins in SARS-CoV-2 infection of H522 cells. These findings imply the utilization of an alternative SARS-CoV-2 host cell receptor which may impact tropism of SARS-CoV-2 and consequently human disease pathogenesis.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations at the S1/S2 cleavage site are generated in vitro during propagation in TMPRSS2-deficient cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michihito Sasaki ◽  
Kentaro Uemura ◽  
Akihiko Sato ◽  
Shinsuke Toba ◽  
Takao Sanaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cleavage Site ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Tropism ◽  
Protein Cleavage ◽  
S Protein ◽  
S Gene

AbstractThe spike (S) protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to a host cell receptor which facilitates viral entry. A polybasic motif detected at the cleavage site of the S protein has been shown to broaden the cell tropism and transmissibility of the virus. Here we examine the properties of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations at the S protein cleavage site that undergo inefficient proteolytic cleavage. Virus variants with S gene mutations generated smaller plaques and exhibited a more limited range of cell tropism compared to the wild-type strain. These alterations were shown to result from their inability to utilize the entry pathway involving direct fusion mediated by the host type II transmembrane serine protease, TMPRSS2. Notably, viruses with S gene mutations emerged rapidly and became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in TMPRSS2-deficient cells including Vero cells. Our study demonstrated that the S protein polybasic cleavage motif is a critical factor underlying SARS-CoV-2 entry and cell tropism. As such, researchers should be alert to the possibility of de novo S gene mutations emerging in tissue-culture propagated virus strains.

scholarly journals Identification of potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 S protein–ACE2 interaction by in silico drug repurposing

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Fabiola E Tristán-Flores ◽  
Diana Casique-Aguirre ◽  
Raquel Pliego-Arreaga ◽  
Juan A Cervantes-Montelongo ◽  
Ponciano García-Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Receptor Site ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Atypical Pneumonia ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Potential Inhibitors

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new coronavirus discovered that appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, causes COVID-19 disease which have resulted in cases similar to SARS-atypical pneumonia. As of March 1, 2021, Mexico had reached 2.11 million cases of COVID-19 and 189 thousand deaths; around 116 million cases and 2.57 million deaths are reported worldwide with new cases and increasing mortality every day. To date, there is no specific commercial treatment to control the infection. Repurpose drugs targeting the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor represents an alternative strategy to block the binding of SARS-CoV-2 protein S and forestall virus adhesion, internalization and replication in the host cell. Methods: Rigid molecular docking was performed using receptor binding domain of the S1 subunit of S protein (RBDS1)-ACE2 (PDB ID: 6VW1) interaction site and 1,283 drugs FDA approved and prescribed by the Mexican Public Health System. The results were analyzed by docking score, frequency of the drug in receptor site and the types of interactions at the binding site residues. Results: About 40 drugs were identified as a potential inhibitor of RBDS1-ACE2 interaction. Within the top-ranked drugs, we identified ipratropium, formoterol and fexofenadine, which stands out as they are used as therapies to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and virtually any respiratory infection. Conclusions: Our results will serve as the basis for in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the potential use of those drugs to generate affordable and convenient therapies to treat COVID-19.

scholarly journals Effect of β-chitosan on the binding interaction between SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and ACE2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulimiran Alitongbieke ◽  
Xiu-min Li ◽  
Qi-Ci Wu ◽  
Zhi-Chao Lin ◽  
Jia-Fu Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Respiratory Epithelial Cells ◽  
Binding Interaction ◽  
Native Page ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells ◽  
Respiratory Epithelial

ABSTRACTSARS-CoV-2 invades human respiratory epithelial cells via an interaction between its spike RBD protein (SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD) and the host cell receptor angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2). Blocking this interaction provides a potent approach to preventing and controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this work, the ability of β-chitosan to block the binding interaction between SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and ACE2 was investigated. The inhibitory effect of β-chitosan on inflammation induced by the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD was also studied. Native-PAGE analysis indicated that β-chitosan could bind with ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and a conjugate of β-chitosan and ACE2 could no longer bind with the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD. HPLC analysis suggested that a conjugate of β-chitosan and the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD displayed high binding affinity without dissociation under high pressure (40 MPa) compared with that of β-chitosan and ACE2. Furthermore, immunofluorescent staining of Vero E6 cells and lungs from hACE2 mice showed that the presence of β-chitosan prevented SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD from binding to ACE2. Meanwhile, β-chitosan could dramatically suppress the inflammation caused by the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD both in vitro and vivo. Moreover, the decreased expression of ACE2 caused by β-chitosan treatment was restored by addition of TAPI-1, an inhibitor of the transmembrane protease ADAM17. Our findings demonstrated that β-chitosan displays an antibody-like function capable of neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and effectively preventing the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD to ACE2. Moreover, ADAM17 activation induced by β-chitosan treatment can enhance the cleavage of the extracellular domain of ACE2, releasing the active ectodomain into the extracellular environment, which can prevent the binding, internalization, and degradation of ACE2 bound to the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and thus diminish inflammation. Our study provides an alternative avenue for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection using β-chitosan.

scholarly journals Furin cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 Spike promotes but is not essential for infection and cell-cell fusion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Papa ◽  
Donna L. Mallery ◽  
Anna Albecka ◽  
Lawrence Welch ◽  
Jérôme Cattin-Ortolá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Furin Cleavage ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Host Membrane ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Syncytia Formation ◽  
Cell Cell

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects cells by binding to the host cell receptor Ace2 and undergoing virus-host membrane fusion. Fusion is triggered by the protease TMPRSS2, which processes the viral Spike (S) protein to reveal the fusion peptide. SARS-CoV-2 has evolved a multibasic site at the S1-S2 boundary, which is thought to be cleaved by furin in order to prime S protein for TMPRSS2 processing. Here we show that CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of furin reduces, but does not prevent, the production of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus. Comparing S processing in furin knockout cells to multibasic site mutants reveals that while loss of furin substantially reduces S1-S2 cleavage it does not prevent it. SARS-CoV-2 S protein also mediates cell-cell fusion, potentially allowing virus to spread virion-independently. We show that loss of furin in either donor or acceptor cells reduces, but does not prevent, TMPRSS2-dependent cell-cell fusion, unlike mutation of the multibasic site that completely prevents syncytia formation. Our results show that while furin promotes both SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and cell-cell spread it is not essential, suggesting furin inhibitors will not prevent viral spread.

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