scholarly journals Identification of novel small molecule inhibitors against nsP2 protease of CHIKV through a molecular modeling approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutanu Mukhopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Modeling ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Potential Inhibitors ◽  
Important Drug

Abstract Chikungunya is a tropical viral disease spread by the female Aedes mosquitoes infected with the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Non-structural protein 2 (nsp2) plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle by its proteolytic activity and hence it is one of the most important drug targets. There is currently no permanent treatment available to tackle the infection. In this molecular modeling-based study, a combination of de novo ligand design, molecular docking, and ADMET-based screening is employed to identify novel inhibitor molecules targeting the active site of nsP2 protease of the CHIKV. A set of molecules have been shortlisted as potential inhibitors based on their binding affinity and drug-likeness score. Further experimental validation is required to verify the potency of the proposed leads against CHIKV nsp2 protease activity to combat the infection.

scholarly journals In-Silico Drug Repurposing for Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Sharma ◽  
Shashank Deep
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Md Simulation ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Ayurvedic Drugs ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Potential Inhibitors

<p>COVID-19, caused by novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, is a viral disease which has infected millions worldwide. Considering the urgent need of the drug for fighting against this infectious disease, we performed in-silico drug repurposing. The main protease (M<sup>pro</sup>) is one of the best characterized drug targets among coronaviruses, therefore, this was screened for already known drugs, including chemical constituents of Ayurvedic drugs, using docking and MD simulation. The results suggest EGCG, withaferin A and artesunate may act as potential inhibitors of the main protease (M<sup>pro</sup>).</p>

Advance in L-Type Calcium Channel Structures, Functions and Molecular Modeling

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Xu ◽  
Lilei Sun ◽  
Liangxu Xie ◽  
Shanzhi Mou ◽  
Dawei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Modeling ◽  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Muscular Contraction ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Ligand Binding Sites ◽  
Channel Structures ◽  
Important Drug

: L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), also termed as Cav1, belong to voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs/Cavs), which play a critical role in a wide spectrum of physiological processes, including neurotransmission, cell cycle, muscular contraction, cardiac action potential and gene expression. Aberrant regulation of calcium channels is involved in neurological, cardiovascular, muscular and psychiatric disorders. Accordingly, LTCCs have been regarded as important drug targets, and a number of LTCC drugs are in clinical use. In this review, the recent development of structures and biological functions of LTCCs are introduced. Moreover, the representative modulators and ligand binding sites of LTCCs are discussed. Finally, molecular modeling and computer-aided drug design (CADD) methods for understanding structure-function relations of LTCCs are summarized.

scholarly journals In-Silico Drug Repurposing for Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Sharma ◽  
Shashank Deep
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Md Simulation ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Ayurvedic Drugs ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Potential Inhibitors

<p>COVID-19, caused by novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, is a viral disease which has infected millions worldwide. Considering the urgent need of the drug for fighting against this infectious disease, we performed in-silico drug repurposing. The main protease (M<sup>pro</sup>) is one of the best characterized drug targets among coronaviruses, therefore, this was screened for already known drugs, including chemical constituents of Ayurvedic drugs, using docking and MD simulation. The results suggest EGCG, withaferin A and artesunate may act as potential inhibitors of the main protease (M<sup>pro</sup>).</p>

Discovery of an Unexpected Similarity in Ligand Binding Between BRD4 and PPARγ

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Humbeck ◽  
Jette Pretzel ◽  
Saskia Spitzer ◽  
Oliver Koch
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Resistance Development ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Important Drug

Knowledge about interrelationships between different proteins is crucial in fundamental research for the elucidation of protein networks and pathways. Furthermore, it is especially critical in chemical biology to identify further key regulators of a disease and to take advantage of polypharmacology effects. A comprehensive scaffold-based analysis uncovered an unexpected relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). They are both important drug targets for cancer therapy and many more important diseases. Both proteins share binding site similarities near a common hydrophobic subpocket which should allow the design of a polypharmacology-based ligand targeting both proteins. Such a dual-BRD4-PPARγ-modulator could show synergistic effects with a higher efficacy or delayed resistance development in, for example, cancer therapy. Thereon, a complex structure of sulfasalazine was obtained that involves two bromodomains and could be a potential starting point for the design of a bivalent BRD4 inhibitor.

scholarly journals An enzymatic activation of formaldehyde for nucleotide methylation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Bou-Nader ◽  
Frederick W. Stull ◽  
Ludovic Pecqueur ◽  
Philippe Simon ◽  
Vincent Guérineau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Thymidylate Synthase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Crystallographic Structure ◽  
De Novo Synthesis ◽  
Active Site Residues ◽  
Enzymatic Activation ◽  
Enzyme Cofactors ◽  
Unique Ability

AbstractFolate enzyme cofactors and their derivatives have the unique ability to provide a single carbon unit at different oxidation levels for the de novo synthesis of amino-acids, purines, or thymidylate, an essential DNA nucleotide. How these cofactors mediate methylene transfer is not fully settled yet, particularly with regard to how the methylene is transferred to the methylene acceptor. Here, we uncovered that the bacterial thymidylate synthase ThyX, which relies on both folate and flavin for activity, can also use a formaldehyde-shunt to directly synthesize thymidylate. Combining biochemical, spectroscopic and anaerobic crystallographic analyses, we showed that formaldehyde reacts with the reduced flavin coenzyme to form a carbinolamine intermediate used by ThyX for dUMP methylation. The crystallographic structure of this intermediate reveals how ThyX activates formaldehyde and uses it, with the assistance of active site residues, to methylate dUMP. Our results reveal that carbinolamine species promote methylene transfer and suggest that the use of a CH2O-shunt may be relevant in several other important folate-dependent reactions.

scholarly journals 4E Interacting Protein as a Potential Novel Drug Target for Nucleoside Analogues in Trypanosoma Brucei

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 826
Author(s):  
Dorien Mabille ◽  
Camila Cardoso Santos ◽  
Rik Hendrickx ◽  
Mathieu Claes ◽  
Peter Takac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Adenosine Kinase ◽  
Nucleoside Analogues ◽  
Purine Salvage ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Novel Drug

Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected parasitic disease for which the current treatment options are quite limited. Trypanosomes are not able to synthesize purines de novo and thus solely depend on purine salvage from the host environment. This characteristic makes players of the purine salvage pathway putative drug targets. The activity of known nucleoside analogues such as tubercidin and cordycepin led to the development of a series of C7-substituted nucleoside analogues. Here, we use RNA interference (RNAi) libraries to gain insight into the mode-of-action of these novel nucleoside analogues. Whole-genome RNAi screening revealed the involvement of adenosine kinase and 4E interacting protein into the mode-of-action of certain antitrypanosomal nucleoside analogues. Using RNAi lines and gene-deficient parasites, 4E interacting protein was found to be essential for parasite growth and infectivity in the vertebrate host. The essential nature of this gene product and involvement in the activity of certain nucleoside analogues indicates that it represents a potential novel drug target.

scholarly journals Conformation-Specific Inhibitory Anti-MMP-7 Monoclonal Antibody Sensitizes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells to Chemotherapeutic Cell Kill

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1679
Author(s):  
Vishnu Mohan ◽  
Jean P. Gaffney ◽  
Inna Solomonov ◽  
Maxim Levin ◽  
Mordehay Klepfish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Fas Ligand ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteases ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Enzyme Active Site ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) undergo post-translational modifications including pro-domain shedding. The activated forms of these enzymes are effective drug targets, but generating potent biological inhibitors against them remains challenging. We report the generation of anti-MMP-7 inhibitory monoclonal antibody (GSM-192), using an alternating immunization strategy with an active site mimicry antigen and the activated enzyme. Our protocol yielded highly selective anti-MMP-7 monoclonal antibody, which specifically inhibits MMP-7′s enzyme activity with high affinity (IC50 = 132 ± 10 nM). The atomic model of the MMP-7-GSM-192 Fab complex exhibited antibody binding to unique epitopes at the rim of the enzyme active site, sterically preventing entry of substrates into the catalytic cleft. In human PDAC biopsies, tissue staining with GSM-192 showed characteristic spatial distribution of activated MMP-7. Treatment with GSM-192 in vitro induced apoptosis via stabilization of cell surface Fas ligand and retarded cell migration. Co-treatment with GSM-192 and chemotherapeutics, gemcitabine and oxaliplatin elicited a synergistic effect. Our data illustrate the advantage of precisely targeting catalytic MMP-7 mediated disease specific activity.

scholarly journals Identification of Potential HCV Inhibitors Based on the Interaction of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate with Viral Envelope Proteins

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1257
Author(s):  
Fareena Shahid ◽  
Noreen ◽  
Roshan Ali ◽  
Syed Lal Badshah ◽  
Syed Babar Jamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Autodock Vina ◽  
Potential Inhibitors ◽  
Very High

Hepatitis C is affecting millions of people around the globe annually, which leads to death in very high numbers. After many years of research, hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a serious threat to the human population and needs proper management. The in silico approach in the drug discovery process is an efficient method in identifying inhibitors for various diseases. In our study, the interaction between Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a component of green tea, and envelope glycoprotein E2 of HCV is evaluated. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is the most promising polyphenol approved through cell culture analysis that can inhibit the entry of HCV. Therefore, various in silico techniques have been employed to find out other potential inhibitors that can behave as EGCG. Thus, the homology modelling of E2 protein was performed. The potential lead molecules were predicted using ligand-based as well as structure-based virtual screening methods. The compounds obtained were then screened through PyRx. The drugs obtained were ranked based on their binding affinities. Furthermore, the docking of the topmost drugs was performed by AutoDock Vina, while its 2D interactions were plotted in LigPlot+. The lead compound mms02387687 (2-[[5-[(4-ethylphenoxy) methyl]-4-prop-2-enyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl] sulfanyl]-N-[3(trifluoromethyl) phenyl] acetamide) was ranked on top, and we believe it can serve as a drug against HCV in the future, owing to experimental validation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document