Adaptive Evolution of Peptide Inhibitors for Mutating SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lela Vukovic ◽  
Yanxiao Han ◽  
Parth Chaturvedi ◽  
Petr Kral
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Evolution ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Free Energies ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Computational Strategy

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently causing a worldwide pandemic with dramatic societal consequences for the humankind. In the last decades, disease outbreaks due to such zoonotic pathogens have appeared with an accelerated rate, which calls for an urgent development of<br>adaptive (smart) therapeutics. Here, we develop a computational strategy to adaptively evolve peptides that could selectively inhibit mutating S protein receptor binding domains (RBDs) of different SARS-CoV-2 viral strains from binding to their human host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Starting from suitable peptide templates, based on selected ACE2 segments (natural RBD binder), we gradually modify the templates by random mutations, while retaining those mutations that maximize their RBD-binding free energies. In this adaptive evolution, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the template-RBD complexes are iteratively perturbed by the peptide mutations, which are retained under favorable Monte Carlo decisions. The computational search will provide libraries<br>of optimized therapeutics capable of reducing the SARS-CoV-2 infection on a global scale. <br>

scholarly journals Adaptive Evolution of Peptide Inhibitors for Mutating SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parth Chaturvedi ◽  
Yanxiao Han ◽  
Petr Kral ◽  
Lela Vukovic
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Evolution ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Free Energies ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Computational Strategy

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently causing a worldwide pandemic with dramatic societal consequences for the humankind. In the last decades, disease outbreaks due to such zoonotic pathogens have appeared with an accelerated rate, which calls for an urgent development of<br>adaptive (smart) therapeutics. Here, we develop a computational strategy to adaptively evolve peptides that could selectively inhibit mutating S protein receptor binding domains (RBDs) of different SARS-CoV-2 viral strains from binding to their human host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Starting from suitable peptide templates, based on selected ACE2 segments (natural RBD binder), we gradually modify the templates by random mutations, while retaining those mutations that maximize their RBD-binding free energies. In this adaptive evolution, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the template-RBD complexes are iteratively perturbed by the peptide mutations, which are retained under favorable Monte Carlo decisions. The computational search will provide libraries<br>of optimized therapeutics capable of reducing the SARS-CoV-2 infection on a global scale. <br>

scholarly journals Adaptive Evolution of Peptide Inhibitors for Mutating SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parth Chaturvedi ◽  
Yanxiao Han ◽  
Petr Kral ◽  
Lela Vukovic
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Evolution ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Free Energies ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Computational Strategy

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently causing a worldwide pandemic with dramatic societal consequences for the humankind. In the last decades, disease outbreaks due to such zoonotic pathogens have appeared with an accelerated rate, which calls for an urgent development of<br>adaptive (smart) therapeutics. Here, we develop a computational strategy to adaptively evolve peptides that could selectively inhibit mutating S protein receptor binding domains (RBDs) of different SARS-CoV-2 viral strains from binding to their human host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Starting from suitable peptide templates, based on selected ACE2 segments (natural RBD binder), we gradually modify the templates by random mutations, while retaining those mutations that maximize their RBD-binding free energies. In this adaptive evolution, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the template-RBD complexes are iteratively perturbed by the peptide mutations, which are retained under favorable Monte Carlo decisions. The computational search will provide libraries<br>of optimized therapeutics capable of reducing the SARS-CoV-2 infection on a global scale. <br>

scholarly journals Computational design of ACE2-based short peptide inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanxiao Han ◽  
Petr Kral
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Protease Domain ◽  
Alpha Helices ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Short Peptide ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<div>Peptide inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, currently causing a worldwide pandemic, are designed and simulated. The inhibitors are formed by two sequential self-supporting alpha-helices (bundle) extracted from the protease domain (PD) of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which binds to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domains. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the peptides maintain their secondary structure and provide a highly specific and stable binding (blocking) to SARS-CoV-2, determined by their sequences and conformations. The proposed peptide inhibitors could provide simple therapeutics against the COVID-19 disease.</div>

scholarly journals Computational design of ACE2-based short peptide inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanxiao Han ◽  
Petr Kral
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Peptide Inhibitors ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Protease Domain ◽  
Alpha Helices ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Short Peptide ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<div>Peptide inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, currently causing a worldwide pandemic, are designed and simulated. The inhibitors are formed by two sequential self-supporting alpha-helices (bundle) extracted from the protease domain (PD) of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which binds to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domains. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the peptides maintain their secondary structure and provide a highly specific and stable binding (blocking) to SARS-CoV-2, determined by their sequences and conformations. The proposed peptide inhibitors could provide simple therapeutics against the COVID-19 disease.</div>

scholarly journals Mutations from bat ACE2 orthologs markedly enhance ACE2-Fc neutralization of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huihui Mou ◽  
Brian D. Quinlan ◽  
Haiyong Peng ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Shoujiao Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Viral Receptor ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Horseshoe Bat ◽  
Horseshoe Bats

SUMMARYThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein mediates infection of cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is also the viral receptor of SARS-CoV (SARS-CoV-1), a related coronavirus that emerged in 2002-2003. Horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus) are presumed to be the original reservoir of both viruses, and a SARS-like coronavirus, RaTG13, closely related SARS-CoV-2, has been isolated from one horseshoe-bat species. Here we characterize the ability of S-protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and RaTG13 to bind a range of ACE2 orthologs. We observed that the SARS-CoV-2 RBD bound human, pangolin, and horseshoe bat (R. macrotis) ACE2 more efficiently than the SARS-CoV-1 or RaTG13 RBD. Only the RaTG13 RBD bound rodent ACE2 orthologs efficiently. Five mutations drawn from ACE2 orthologs of nine Rhinolophus species enhanced human ACE2 binding to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by an immunoadhesin form of human ACE2 (ACE2-Fc). Two of these mutations impaired neutralization of SARS-CoV-1. An ACE2-Fc variant bearing all five mutations neutralized SARS-CoV-2 five-fold more efficiently than human ACE2-Fc. These data narrow the potential SARS-CoV-2 reservoir, suggest that SARS-CoV-1 and -2 originate from distinct bat species, and identify a more potently neutralizing form of ACE2-Fc.

scholarly journals Comparison of the binding characteristics of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 RBDs to ACE2 at different temperatures by MD simulations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Fang Yan ◽  
Feng Gao
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Mechanism ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Characteristics ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Poisson Boltzmann ◽  
Solvated Interaction Energy ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Abstract Temperature plays a significant role in the survival and transmission of SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) and SARS-CoV-2. To reveal the binding differences of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domains (RBDs) to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) at different temperatures at atomic level, 20 molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 RBD–ACE2 complexes at five selected temperatures, i.e. 200, 250, 273, 300 and 350 K. The analyses on structural flexibility and conformational distribution indicated that the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD was more stable than that of the SARS-CoV RBD at all investigated temperatures. Then, molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area and solvated interaction energy approaches were combined to estimate the differences in binding affinity of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 RBDs to ACE2; it is found that the binding ability of ACE2 to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD was stronger than that to the SARS-CoV RBD at five temperatures, and the main reason for promoting such binding differences is electrostatic and polar interactions between RBDs and ACE2. Finally, the hotspot residues facilitating the binding of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 RBDs to ACE2, the key differential residues contributing to the difference in binding and the interaction mechanism of differential residues that exist at all investigated temperatures were analyzed and compared in depth. The current work would provide a molecular basis for better understanding of the high infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 and offer better theoretical guidance for the design of inhibitors targeting infectious diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Mutations derived from horseshoe bat ACE2 orthologs enhance ACE2-Fc neutralization of SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. e1009501
Author(s):  
Huihui Mou ◽  
Brian D. Quinlan ◽  
Haiyong Peng ◽  
Guanqun Liu ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Viral Receptor ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Horseshoe Bat ◽  
High Level ◽  
Horseshoe Bats

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein mediates infection of cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is also the viral receptor of SARS-CoV (SARS-CoV-1), a related coronavirus that emerged in 2002–2003. Horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus) are presumed to be the original reservoir of both viruses, and a SARS-like coronavirus, RaTG13, closely related to SARS-CoV-2, has been identified in one horseshoe-bat species. Here we characterize the ability of the S-protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, pangolin coronavirus (PgCoV), RaTG13, and LyRa11, a bat virus similar to SARS-CoV-1, to bind a range of ACE2 orthologs. We observed that the PgCoV RBD bound human ACE2 at least as efficiently as the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, and that both RBDs bound pangolin ACE2 efficiently. We also observed a high level of variability in binding to closely related horseshoe-bat ACE2 orthologs consistent with the heterogeneity of their RBD-binding regions. However five consensus horseshoe-bat ACE2 residues enhanced ACE2 binding to the SARS-CoV-2 RBD and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses by an enzymatically inactive immunoadhesin form of human ACE2 (hACE2-NN-Fc). Two of these mutations impaired neutralization of SARS-CoV-1 pseudoviruses. An hACE2-NN-Fc variant bearing all five mutations neutralized both SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and infectious virus more efficiently than wild-type hACE2-NN-Fc. These data suggest that SARS-CoV-1 and -2 originate from distinct bat species, and identify a more potently neutralizing form of soluble ACE2.

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