scholarly journals Peptide Derivatives of the Zonulin Inhibitor Larazotide (AT1001) as Potential Anti SARS CoV-2: Molecular Modelling, Synthesis and Bioactivity Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9427
Author(s):  
Simone Di Micco ◽  
Simona Musella ◽  
Marina Sala ◽  
Maria C. Scala ◽  
Graciela Andrei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Peptide Derivatives ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Derivatives Of

A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been identified as the pathogen responsible for the outbreak of a severe, rapidly developing pneumonia (Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19). The virus enzyme, called 3CLpro or main protease (Mpro), is essential for viral replication, making it a most promising target for antiviral drug development. Recently, we adopted the drug repurposing as appropriate strategy to give fast response to global COVID-19 epidemic, by demonstrating that the zonulin octapeptide inhibitor AT1001 (Larazotide acetate) binds Mpro catalytic domain. Thus, in the present study we tried to investigate the antiviral activity of AT1001, along with five derivatives, by cell-based assays. Our results provide with the identification of AT1001 peptide molecular framework for lead optimization step to develop new generations of antiviral agents of SARS-CoV-2 with an improved biological activity, expanding the chance for success in clinical trials.

scholarly journals Substrate specificity profiling of SARS-CoV-2 main protease enables design of activity-based probes for patient-sample imaging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wioletta Rut ◽  
Katarzyna Groborz ◽  
Linlin Zhang ◽  
Xinyuanyuan Sun ◽  
Mikolaj Zmudzinski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unnatural Amino Acids ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Substrate Preferences ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

AbstractIn December 2019, the first cases of infection with a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, were diagnosed in Wuhan, China. Due to international travel and human-to-human transmission, the virus spread rapidly inside and outside of China. Currently, there is no effective antiviral treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); therefore, research efforts are focused on the rapid development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease constitutes one of the most attractive antiviral drug targets. To address this emerging problem, we have synthesized a combinatorial library of fluorogenic substrates with glutamine in the P1 position. We used it to determine the substrate preferences of the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 main proteases, using natural and a large panel of unnatural amino acids. On the basis of these findings, we designed and synthesized an inhibitor and two activity-based probes, for one of which we determined the crystal structure of its complex with the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Using this approach we visualized SARS-CoV-2 active Mpro within nasopharyngeal epithelial cells of a patient with active COVID-19 infection. The results of our work provide a structural framework for the design of inhibitors as antiviral agents or diagnostic tests.

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>

scholarly journals An evidence-based systematic review on emerging therapeutic and preventive strategies to treat novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) during an outbreak scenario

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupama M. Gudadappanavar ◽  
Jyoti Benni
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Recombinant Vaccines ◽  
Subunit Vaccines ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Full Length Genome

AbstractA novel coronavirus infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged from Wuhan, Hubei Province of China, in December 2019 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is believed to be originated from bats in the local wet markets. Later, animal to human and human-to-human transmission of the virus began and resulting in widespread respiratory illness worldwide to around more than 180 countries. The World Health Organization declared this disease as a pandemic in March 2020. There is no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to be used against COVID-19. Nevertheless, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been studied against COVID-19 in clinical trials with clinical recovery. In the current review, we summarize the morphology and pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection. A strong rational groundwork was made keeping the focus on current development of therapeutic agents and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. Among the proposed therapeutic regimen, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, remdisevir, azithromycin, toclizumab and cromostat mesylate have shown promising results, and limited benefit was seen with lopinavir–ritonavir treatment in hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19. Early development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine started based on the full-length genome analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Several subunit vaccines, peptides, nucleic acids, plant-derived, recombinant vaccines are under pipeline. This article concludes and highlights ongoing advances in drug repurposing, therapeutics and vaccines to counter COVID-19, which collectively could enable efforts to halt the pandemic virus infection.

Biochemical and Biophysical characterization of the main protease, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), from the novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana C. Ferreira ◽  
Wael M. Rabeh
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Buffer Solution ◽  
Biophysical Characterization ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Wide Ph Range ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Ph Range ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). An appealing antiviral drug target is the coronavirus 3C-like protease (3CLpro) that is responsible for the processing of the viral polyproteins and liberation of functional proteins essential for the maturation and infectivity of the virus. In this study, multiple thermal analytical techniques have been implemented to acquire the thermodynamic parameters of 3CLpro at different buffer conditions. 3CLpro exhibited relatively high thermodynamic stabilities over a wide pH range; however, the protease was found to be less stable in the presence of salts. Divalent metal cations reduced the thermodynamic stability of 3CLpro more than monovalent cations; however, altering the ionic strength of the buffer solution did not alter the stability of 3CLpro. Furthermore, the most stable thermal kinetic stability of 3CLpro was recorded at pH 7.5, with the highest enthalpy of activation calculated from the slope of Eyring plot. The biochemical and biophysical properties of 3CLpro explored here will improve the solubility and stability of 3CLpro for optimum conditions for the setup of an enzymatic assay for the screening of inhibitors to be used as lead candidates in the drug discovery and antiviral design for therapeutics against COVID-19.

scholarly journals Selective Covalent Targeting of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease by Enantiopure Chlorofluoroacetamide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiki Yamane ◽  
Satsuki Onitsuka ◽  
Suyong Re ◽  
Hikaru Isogai ◽  
Rui Hamada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Optical Resolution ◽  
Covalent Modification ◽  
Causative Pathogen ◽  
Protein Target ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Covalent Inhibitors ◽  
Rapid Generation ◽  
Derivatives Of

The pandemic of COVID-2019 has urged the development of antiviral agents against its causative pathogen SARS-CoV-2. The main protease (Mpro), a cysteine protease essential for viral replication, is a promising protein target. Here we report an irreversible SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor possessing chlorofluoroacetamide (CFA) as the warhead for covalent modification of Mpro. Ugi multi-component reaction employing chlorofluoroacetic acid allowed rapid generation of CFA derivatives, of which diastereomers displayed significantly different inhibitory activity against Mpro. We established a practical protocol for the optical resolution of chlorofluoroacetic acid, which enable the isolation of the stereoisomers of the best CFA compound. Kinetic analysis revealed that (R)-CFA is crucial for both binding affinity and the rate of irreversible inactivation of Mpro. Our findings highlight the prominent influence of the CFA chirality on the covalent modification of cysteine, and provide the basis for improving the potency and selectivity in the development of novel CFA-based covalent inhibitors.

scholarly journals In silico Repositioning for Dual Inhibitor Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 3C-like Protease and Papain-like Peptidase

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kowsar Bagherzadeh ◽  
Kourosh Daneshvarnejad ◽  
Mohammad Abbasinazari ◽  
homa azizian
Keyword(s):  
Active Sites ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Dual Inhibitor ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Inhibitor Discovery ◽  
Dual Inhibitors ◽  
Dual Inhibition ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Aims: In late December 2019, early reports predicted the onset of a potential Coronavirus outbreak in china, given the estimate of a reproduction number for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Because of high ability of transmission and widespread prevalence, the mortality of COVID-19 infection is growing fast worldwide. Absent of an anti-COVID-19 has put scientists on the urge to repurpose already approved therapeutics or to find new active compounds against coronavirus. Here in this study, a set of computational approaches were performed in order to repurpose antivirals for dual inhibition of the frontier proteases involved in virus replication, papain-like protease (PLpro; corresponding to nsp3) and a main protease (Mpro), 3C‑like protease (3CLpro; corresponding to nsp5). Materials and Methods: In this regard, a rational virtual screening procedure including exhaustive docking techniques was performed for a database of 160 antiviral agents over 3CLpro and PLpro active sites of SARS-CoV-2. The compounds binding energies and interaction modes over 3CLpro and PLpro active sites were analyzed and ranked with the aid of free Gibbs binding energy. The most potent compounds, based on our filtering process, are then proposed as dual inhibitors of SARSC-CoV-2 proteases. Key findings: Accordingly, seven antiviral agents including two FDA approved (Nelfinavir, Valaganciclovir) and five investigational compounds (Merimepodib, Inarigivir, Remdesivir, Taribavirine and TAS106-106) are proposed as potential dual inhibitors of the enzymes necessary for RNA replication in which Remdesivir as well as Inagrivir have the highest binding affinity for both of the active sites. Significance: The mentioned drug proposed to inhibit both PLpro and 3CLpro enzymes with the aim of finding dual inhibitors of SARSC-CoV-2 proteases.

scholarly journals Ebselen derivatives are very potent dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 proteases - PLpro and Mpro in in vitro studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikolaj Zmudzinski ◽  
Wioletta Rut ◽  
Kamila Olech ◽  
Jarosław Granda ◽  
Mirosław Giurg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Small Molecule Drug ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Viral Survival ◽  
Dual Inhibitors ◽  
Viral Polyprotein ◽  
Covalent Inhibitor

AbstractProteases encoded by SARS-CoV-2 constitute a promising target for new therapies against COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro, 3CLpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) are responsible for viral polyprotein cleavage - a process crucial for viral survival and replication. Recently it was shown that 2-phenylbenzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one (ebselen), an organoselenium anti-inflammatory small-molecule drug, is a potent, covalent inhibitor of both the proteases and its potency was evaluated in enzymatic and anti-viral assays. In this study, we screened a collection of 23 ebselen derivatives for SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and Mpro inhibitors. Our studies revealed that ebselen derivatives are potent inhibitors of both the proteases. We identified three PLpro and four Mpro inhibitors superior to ebselen. Our work shows that ebselen constitutes a promising platform for development of new antiviral agents targeting both SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and Mpro.

scholarly journals Repurposing of FDA Approved Drugs for the Identification of Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhik Kumar Ray ◽  
Parth Sarthi Sen Gupta ◽  
Saroj Kumar Panda ◽  
Satyaranjan Biswal ◽  
Malay Kumar Rana
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Inhibitory Potential ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Potential Inhibitors ◽  
Fda Approved Drugs

<p>COVID-19, responsible for several deaths, demands a cumulative effort of scientists worldwide to curb the pandemic. The main protease, responsible for the cleavage of the polyprotein and formation of replication complex in virus, is considered as a promising target for the development of potential inhibitors to treat the novel coronavirus. The effectiveness of FDA approved drugs targeting the main protease in previous SARS-COV (s) reported earlier indicates the chances of success for the repurposing of FDA drugs against SARS-COV-2. Therefore, in this study, molecular docking and virtual screening of FDA approved drugs, primarily of three categories: antiviral, antimalarial, and peptide, are carried out to investigate their inhibitory potential against the main protease. Virtual screening has identified 53 FDA drugs on the basis of their binding energies (< -7.0 kcal/mol), out of which the top two drugs Velpatasvir (-9.1 kcal/mol) and Glecaprevir (-9.0 kcal/mol) seem to have great promise. These drugs have a stronger affinity to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease than the crystal bound inhibitor α-ketoamide 13B (-6.7 kcal/mol) or Indinavir (-7.5 kcal/mol) that has been proposed in a recent study as one of the best drugs for SARS-CoV-2. The <i>in-silico</i> efficacies of the screened drugs could be instructive for further biochemical and structural investigation for repurposing. The molecular dynamics studies on the shortlisted drugs are underway. </p>

scholarly journals In Silico Identification and Docking-Based Drug Repurposing Against the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2, Causative Agent of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogesh Kumar ◽  
Harvijay Singh
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Docking Study ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Approved Drugs

<div>The rapidly enlarging COVID-19 pandemic caused by novel SARS-coronavirus 2 is a global</div><div>public health emergency of unprecedented level. Therefore the need of a drug or vaccine that</div><div>counter SARS-CoV-2 is an utmost requirement at this time. Upon infection the ssRNA genome</div><div>of SARS-CoV-2 is translated into large polyprotein which further processed into different</div><div>nonstructural proteins to form viral replication complex by virtue of virus specific proteases:</div><div>main protease (3-CL protease) and papain protease. This indispensable function of main protease</div><div>in virus replication makes this enzyme a promising target for the development of inhibitors and</div><div>potential treatment therapy for novel coronavirus infection. The recently concluded α-ketoamide</div><div>ligand bound X-ray crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (PDB ID: 6Y2F) from Zhang et al.</div><div>has revealed the potential inhibitor binding mechanism and the determinants responsible for</div><div>involved molecular interactions. Here, we have carried out a virtual screening and molecular</div><div>docking study of FDA approved drugs primarily targeted for other viral infections, to investigate</div><div>their binding affinity in Mpro active site. Virtual screening has identified a number of antiviral</div><div>drugs, top ten of which on the basis of their bending energy score are further examined through </div><div>molecular docking with Mpro. Docking studies revealed that drug Lopinavir-Ritonavir, Tipranavir</div><div>and Raltegravir among others binds in the active site of the protease with similar or higher</div><div>affinity than the crystal bound inhibitor α-ketoamide. However, the in-vitro efficacies of the drug</div><div>molecules tested in this study, further needs to be corroborated by carrying out biochemical and</div><div>structural investigation. Moreover, this study advances the potential use of existing drugs to be</div><div>investigated and used to contain the rapidly expanding SARS-CoV-2 infection.</div>

scholarly journals Drug Repurposing and New Therapeutic Strategies for SARS-CoV-2 Disease Using a Novel Molecular Modeling-AI Hybrid Workflow

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Bembenek
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Modeling ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Preclinical Research ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Usual Process ◽  
Potential Inhibitors ◽  
Computational Platform

<p>The recent<b> </b>outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant challenge to the scientific and medical communities to find immediate treatments. The usual process of identifying viable molecules and transforming them into a safe and effective drug takes 10-15 years, with around 5 years of that time spent in preclinical research and development alone. The fastest strategy is to identify existing drugs or late-stage clinical molecules (originally intended for other therapeutic targets) that already have some level of efficacy. To this end, we tasked our novel molecular modeling-AI hybrid computational platform with finding potential inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M<sup>pro</sup>, 3CL<sup>pro</sup>). Over 13,000 FDA-approved drugs and clinical candidates (represented by just under 30,000 protomers) were examined. This effort resulted in the identification of several promising molecules. Moreover, it provided insight into key chemical motifs surely to be beneficial in the design of future inhibitors. Finally, it facilitated a unique perspective into other potentially therapeutic targets and pathways for SARS-CoV-2.</p>

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