scholarly journals Genetic variations and drug repurposing provides key insights into the disruption of the SARS COV2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayatri Panda ◽  
Neha Mishra ◽  
Arjun Ray
Keyword(s):  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
Protein Docking ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Energy Estimation ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Drug Molecules ◽  
Initial Interaction ◽  
Human Receptor

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2) is mediated via the initial interaction of the virus’s spike (S-) protein with a human receptor protein called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Interference in this association can have immense therapeutic importance. We used an in-silico combinatorial approach involving homology-based protein modeling, protein-protein docking, binding energy estimation and virtual screening techniques to probe for genetic variations and drug molecules for disruption of the hACE2-CoV2 interaction. Our results identified Ser19Pro variation on hACE2 showed similar structural stability to the native protein while having a destabilizing effect in the hACE2(Ser19Pro)-S-protein complex. We also found several FDA-approved drug molecules that can potentially induce competition-mediated destabilization of the hACE2-CoV2 complex. In conclusion, these findings provide critical insights for intervention strategies targeting the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Fast assessment of human receptor-binding capability of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Huang ◽  
Andreas Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Protein Docking ◽  
Monte Carlo Algorithm ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Transmission Capability ◽  
Human Receptor

AbstractThe outbreaks of 2002/2003 SARS, 2012/2015 MERS and 2019/2020 Wuhan respiratory syndrome clearly indicate that genome evolution of an animal coronavirus (CoV) may enable it to acquire human transmission ability, and thereby to cause serious threats to global public health. It is widely accepted that CoV human transmission is driven by the interactions of its spike protein (S-protein) with human receptor on host cell surface; so, quantitative evaluation of these interactions may be used to assess the human transmission capability of CoVs. However, quantitative methods directly using viral genome data are still lacking. Here, we perform large-scale protein-protein docking to quantify the interactions of 2019-nCoV S-protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) with human receptor ACE2, based on experimental SARS-CoV S-RBD-ACE2 complex structure. By sampling a large number of thermodynamically probable binding conformations with Monte Carlo algorithm, this approach successfully identified the experimental complex structure as the lowest-energy receptor-binding conformations, and hence established an experiment-based strength reference for evaluating the receptor-binding affinity of 2019-nCoV via comparison with SARS-CoV. Our results show that this binding affinity is about 73% of that of SARS-CoV, supporting that 2019-nCoV may cause human transmission similar to that of SARS-CoV. Thus, this study presents a method for rapidly assessing the human transmission capability of a newly emerged CoV and its mutant strains, and demonstrates that post-genome analysis of protein-protein interactions may provide early scientific guidance for viral prevention and control.

scholarly journals Identifying key determinants and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 tight interaction

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257905
Author(s):  
Van A. Ngo ◽  
Ramesh K. Jha
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Dissociation Rate ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Terminal Part ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Key Residues ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Human Receptor

SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of Covid-19, has fired up a global pandemic. The virus interacts with the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for an invasion via receptor binding domain (RBD) on its spike protein. To provide a deeper understanding of this interaction, we performed microsecond simulations of the RBD-ACE2 complex for SARS-CoV-2 and compared it with the closely related SARS-CoV discovered in 2003. We show residues in the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 that were mutated from SARS-CoV, collectively help make the RBD anchor much stronger to the N-terminal part of ACE2 than the corresponding residues on RBD of SARS-CoV. This would result in a reduced dissociation rate of SARS-CoV-2 from human receptor protein compared to SARS-CoV. The phenomenon was consistently observed in simulations beyond 500 ns and was reproducible across different force fields. Altogether, our study adds more insight into the critical dynamics of the key residues at the virus spike and human receptor binding interface and potentially aids the development of diagnostics and therapeutics to combat the pandemic efficiently.

scholarly journals Host Serine Proteases: A Potential Targeted Therapy for COVID-19 and Influenza

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yalda Rahbar Saadat ◽  
Seyed Mahdi Hosseiniyan Khatibi ◽  
Sepideh Zununi Vahed ◽  
Mohammadreza Ardalan
Keyword(s):  
Serine Proteases ◽  
Cathepsin L ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Endosomal Pathway ◽  
Targeted Inhibition ◽  
Human Receptor

The ongoing pandemic illustrates limited therapeutic options for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infections, calling a need for additional therapeutic targets. The viral spike S glycoprotein binds to the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and then is activated by the host proteases. Based on the accessibility of the cellular proteases needed for SARS-S activation, SARS-CoV-2 entrance and activation can be mediated by endosomal (such as cathepsin L) and non-endosomal pathways. Evidence indicates that in the non-endosomal pathway, the viral S protein is cleaved by the furin enzyme in infected host cells. To help the virus enter efficiently, the S protein is further activated by the serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), provided that the S has been cleaved by furin previously. In this review, important roles for host proteases within host cells will be outlined in SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral therapeutic strategies will be highlighted. Although there are at least five highly effective vaccines at this time, the appearance of the new viral mutations demands the development of therapeutic agents. Targeted inhibition of host proteases can be used as a therapeutic approach for viral infection.

scholarly journals Genetic variations in the human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus receptor ACE2 and serine protease TMPRSS2

2020 ◽  
pp. jclinpath-2020-206867
Author(s):  
Kohei Fujikura ◽  
Kazuma Uesaka
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Coding Regions ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Contact Residues ◽  
Host Cell Surface ◽  
Host Genetic

AimsThe recent emergence of novel, pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a global health emergency. The coronaviral entry requires the spike (S)-protein for attachment to the host cell surface, and employs human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) for entry and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) for S-protein priming. Although coronaviruses undergo evolution by mutating themselves, it is also essential to know the host genetic factors. Here, we describe the single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in human ACE2 and TMPRSS2.MethodsThe genetic variants derived from five population-sequencing projects were classified by variant type, allele frequency (AF), ethnic group and estimated pathogenicity. The SNVs in SARS-CoV-2/hACE2 contact residues were investigated. The genetic variability was normalised using non-linear regression and the total number of SNVs was estimated by the derived formulas.ResultsWe detected 349 and 551 SNVs in ACE2 and TMPRSS2, respectively, in a total of 156 513 individuals. The vast majority (>97%) of the SNVs were very rare (AF <0.1%) and population-specific, and were computationally estimated to be more frequently deleterious than the SNVs with high AF. These SNVs were distributed throughout the coding regions; some ACE2 variants were located in the SARS-CoV-2/hACE2 contact residues, with a hemizygous state occurring in males. Using regression analysis, the total numbers of genetic variations in ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were 1.1×103 and 1.5×103, respectively, for a population of one million people.ConclusionThe majority of SNVs in ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are rare, population-specific and deleterious, and a multitude of very rare SNVs may explain different susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals In silico Investigation on the Inhibiting Role of Nicotine/Caffeine by Blocking the S Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Versus ACE2 Receptor

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeedeh Mohammadi ◽  
Mohammad Heidarizadeh ◽  
Mehrnaz Entesari ◽  
Ayoub Esmailpour ◽  
Mohammad Esmailpour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Human Receptor

In this paper, we studied the in silico interaction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) human receptor with two bioactive compounds, i.e., nicotine and caffeine, via molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The simulations reveal the efficient blocking of ACE2 by caffeine and nicotine in the exposure to the spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We have selected the two most important active sites of ACE2-S protein, i.e., 6LZG and 6VW1, which are critically responsible in the interaction of S protein to the receptor and thus, we investigated their interaction with nicotine and caffeine through MD simulations. Caffeine and nicotine are interesting structures for interactions because of their similar structure to the candidate antiviral drugs. Our results reveal that caffeine or nicotine in a specific molar ratio to 6LZG shows a very strong interaction and indicate that caffeine is more efficient in the interaction with 6LZG and further blocking of this site against S protein binding. Further, we investigated the interaction of ACE2 receptor- S protein with nicotine or caffeine when mixed with candidate or approved antiviral drugs for SARS-CoV-2 therapy. Our MD simulations suggest that the combination of caffeine with ribavirin shows a stronger interaction with 6VW1, while in case of favipiravir+nicotine, 6LZG shows potent efficacy of these interaction, proposing the potent efficacy of these combinations for blocking ACE2 receptor against SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Peptide Platform as a Powerful Tool in the Fight against COVID-19

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1667
Author(s):  
Michela Murdocca ◽  
Gennaro Citro ◽  
Isabella Romeo ◽  
Antonio Lupia ◽  
Shane Miersch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Antigenic Site ◽  
Protein Docking ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ◽  
Global Pandemic

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a global pandemic causing over 195 million infections and more than 4 million fatalities as of July 2021.To date, it has been demonstrated that a number of mutations in the spike glycoprotein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern abrogate or reduce the neutralization potency of several therapeutic antibodies and vaccine-elicited antibodies. Therefore, the development of additional vaccine platforms with improved supply and logistic profile remains a pressing need. In this work, we have validated the applicability of a peptide-based strategy focused on a preventive as well as a therapeutic purpose. On the basis of the involvement of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), in addition to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in the mechanism of virus entry, we analyzed peptides bearing DPP4 sequences by protein–protein docking and assessed their ability to block pseudovirus infection in vitro. In parallel, we have selected and synthetized peptide sequences located within the highly conserved receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein, and we found that RBD-based vaccines could better promote elicitation of high titers of neutralizing antibodies specific against the regions of interest, as confirmed by immunoinformatic methodologies and in vivo studies. These findings unveil a key antigenic site targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies and pave the way to the design of pan-coronavirus vaccines.

Drug Repurposing Studies Targeting SARS-nCoV2: An Ensemble Docking Approach on Drug Target 3C-like Protease (3CLpro)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti Koulgi ◽  
Vinod Jani ◽  
Mallikarjunachari Uppuladinne ◽  
Uddhavesh Sonavane ◽  
Asheet Kumar Nath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Ensemble Docking ◽  
Drug Molecules ◽  
Drug Binding Site ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Docking Approach ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Markov State Modeling ◽  
Viral Polyprotein

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for several deaths worldwide. The causative agent behind this disease is the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – novel Coronavirus 2 (SARS-nCoV2). SARS-nCoV2 belongs to the category of RNA viruses. The main protease, responsible for the cleavage of the viral polyprotein is considered as one of the hot targets for treating COVID-19. Earlier reports suggest the use of HIV anti-viral drugs for targeting the main protease of SARS-CoV, which caused SARS in the year 2002-03. Hence, drug repurposing approach may prove to be useful in targeting the main protease of SARS-nCoV2. The high-resolution crystal structure of 3CL<sup>pro</sup> (main protease) of SARS-nCoV2 (PDB ID: 6LU7) was used as the target. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and SWEETLEAD database of drug molecules were screened. The apo form of the main protease was simulated for a cumulative of 150 ns and 10 μs open source simulation data was used, to obtain conformations for ensemble docking. The representative structures for docking were selected using RMSD-based clustering and Markov State Modeling analysis. This ensemble docking approach for main protease helped in exploring the conformational variation in the drug binding site of the main protease leading to efficient binding of more relevant drug molecules. The drugs obtained as best hits from the ensemble docking possessed anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Small molecules with these properties may prove to be useful to treat symptoms exhibited in COVID-19. This <i>in-silico</i> ensemble docking approach would support identification of potential candidates for repurposing against COVID-19.</p>

Decoding Protein-protein Interactions: An Overview

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 855-882
Author(s):  
Olivia Slater ◽  
Bethany Miller ◽  
Maria Kontoyianni
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Protein Docking ◽  
Target Space ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Interaction Sites ◽  
Long Time

Drug discovery has focused on the paradigm “one drug, one target” for a long time. However, small molecules can act at multiple macromolecular targets, which serves as the basis for drug repurposing. In an effort to expand the target space, and given advances in X-ray crystallography, protein-protein interactions have become an emerging focus area of drug discovery enterprises. Proteins interact with other biomolecules and it is this intricate network of interactions that determines the behavior of the system and its biological processes. In this review, we briefly discuss networks in disease, followed by computational methods for protein-protein complex prediction. Computational methodologies and techniques employed towards objectives such as protein-protein docking, protein-protein interactions, and interface predictions are described extensively. Docking aims at producing a complex between proteins, while interface predictions identify a subset of residues on one protein that could interact with a partner, and protein-protein interaction sites address whether two proteins interact. In addition, approaches to predict hot spots and binding sites are presented along with a representative example of our internal project on the chemokine CXC receptor 3 B-isoform and predictive modeling with IP10 and PF4.

Proteomic Analysis of Medicinal Plant Calotropis Gigantea by insilico Peptide Mass Fingerprinting

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad Ur Rehman ◽  
Muhammad Rizwan ◽  
Sajid Khan ◽  
Azhar Mehmood ◽  
Anum Munir
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Structure Prediction ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Peptide Mass Fingerprinting ◽  
Protein Docking ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Human Leukemia ◽  
Protein Database ◽  
Calotropis Gigantea ◽  
Peptide Mass

: Medicinal plants are the basic source of medicinal compounds traditionally used for the treatment of human diseases. Calotropis gigantea a medicinal plant belonging to the family of Apocynaceae in the plant kingdom and subfamily Asclepiadaceae usually bearing multiple medicinal properties to cure a variety of diseases. Background: The Peptide Mass Fingerprinting (PMF) identifies the proteins from a reference protein database by comparing the amino acid sequence that is previously stored in a database and identified. Method: The calculation of insilico peptide masses is done through the ExPASy PeptideMass and these masses are used to identify the peptides from MASCOT online server. Anticancer probability is calculated from the iACP server, docking of active peptides is done by CABS-dock the server. Objective: The purpose of the study is to identify the peptides having anti-cancerous properties by in-silico peptide mass fingerprinting. Results : The anti-cancerous peptides are identified with the MASCOT peptide mass fingerprinting server, the identified peptides are screened and only the anti-cancer are selected. De novo peptide structure prediction is used for 3D structure prediction by PEP-FOLD 3 server. The docking results confirm strong bonding with the interacting amino acids of the receptor protein of breast cancer BRCA1 which shows the best peptide binding to the Active chain, the human leukemia protein docking with peptides shows the accurate binding. Conclusion : These peptides are stable and functional and are the best way for the treatment of cancer and many other deadly diseases.

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