scholarly journals Fast Prediction of Binding Affinities of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Mutant N501Y (UK Variant) with ACE2 and Miniprotein Drug Candidates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander H. Williams ◽  
Chang-Guo Zhan
Keyword(s):  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Fast Prediction

scholarly journals Blocking Effect of Demethylzeylasteral on the Interaction between Human ACE2 Protein and SARS-CoV-2 RBD Protein Discovered Using SPR Technology

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Zhi-Ling Zhu ◽  
Xiao-Dan Qiu ◽  
Shuo Wu ◽  
Yi-Tong Liu ◽  
Ting Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Blocking Effect ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Primary Method ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Effective Drugs

The novel coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) has been affecting global health since the end of 2019, and there is no sign that the epidemic is abating. Targeting the interaction between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used as the primary method to screen a library of 960 compounds. A compound 02B05 (demethylzeylasteral, CAS number: 107316-88-1) that had high affinities for S-RBD and ACE2 was discovered, and binding affinities (KD, μM) of 02B05-ACE2 and 02B05-S-RBD were 1.736 and 1.039 μM, respectively. The results of a competition experiment showed that 02B05 could effectively block the binding of S-RBD to ACE2 protein. Furthermore, pseudovirus infection assay revealed that 02B05 could inhibit entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus into 293T cells to a certain extent at nontoxic concentration. The compoundobtained in this study serve as references for the design of drugs which have potential in the treatment of COVID-19 and can thus accelerate the process of developing effective drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

scholarly journals Homology Modeling and Virtual Screening Studies of Antigen MLAA-42 Protein: Identification of Novel Drug Candidates against Leukemia—An In Silico Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihsan A. Shehadi ◽  
Huda R. M. Rashdan ◽  
Aboubakr H. Abdelmonsef
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Homology Modeling ◽  
Protein Identification ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Monocytic Leukemia ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Leukemia Treatment ◽  
Potent Drug ◽  
Novel Drug

Monocytic leukemia-associated antigen-42 (MLAA-42) is associated with excessive cell division and progression of leukemia. Thus, human MLAA-42 is considered as a promising target for designing of new lead molecules for leukemia treatment. Herein, the 3D model of the target was generated by homology modeling technique. The model was then evaluated using various cheminformatics servers. Moreover, the virtual screening studies were performed to explore the possible binding patterns of ligand molecules to MLAA’s active site pocket. Thirteen ligand molecules from the ChemBank™ database were identified as they showed good binding affinities, scaffold diversity, and preferential ADME properties which may act as potent drug candidates against leukemia. The study provides the way to identify novel therapeutics with optimal efficacy, targeting MLAA-42.

Computational Strategy Revealing the Structural Determinant of Ligand Selectivity towards Highly Similar Protein Targets

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88
Author(s):  
Hanxun Wang ◽  
Yinli Gao ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Maosheng Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
Ligand Selectivity ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Multiple Strategies ◽  
Similar Protein ◽  
Single Target ◽  
Binding Pockets

Background: Poor selectivity of drug candidates may lead to toxicity and side effects accounting for as high as 60% failure rate, thus, the selectivity is consistently significant and challenging for drug discovery. Objective: To find highly specific small molecules towards very similar protein targets, multiple strategies are always employed, including (1) To make use of the diverse shape of binding pocket to avoid steric bump; (2) To increase binding affinities for favorite residues; (3) To achieve selectivity through allosteric regulation of target; (4) To stabalize the inactive conformation of protein target and (5) To occupy dual binding pockets of single target. Conclusion: In this review, we summarize computational strategies along with examples of their successful applications in designing selective ligands, with the aim to provide insights into everdiversifying drug development practice and inspire medicinal chemists to utilize computational strategies to avoid potential side effects due to low selectivity of ligands.

scholarly journals Targeting the GRP78-Dependant SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry by Peptides and Small Molecules

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117793222096550
Author(s):  
Loubna Allam ◽  
Fatima Ghrifi ◽  
Hakmi Mohammed ◽  
Naima El Hafidi ◽  
Rachid El Jaoudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Epigallocatechin Gallate ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Inhibitor Compounds ◽  
Potential Inhibitors

The global burden of infections and the rapid spread of viral diseases show the need for new approaches in the prevention and development of effective therapies. To this end, we aimed to explore novel inhibitor compounds that can stop replication or decrease the viral load of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), for which there is currently no approved treatment. Besides using the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor as a main gate, the CoV-2 can bind to the glucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) receptor to get into the cells to start an infection. Here, we report potential inhibitors comprising small molecules and peptides that could interfere with the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 and its target cells by blocking the recognition of the GRP78 cellular receptor by the viral Spike protein. These inhibitors were discovered through an approach of in silico screening of available databases of bioactive peptides and polyphenolic compounds and the analysis of their docking modes. This process led to the selection of 9 compounds with optimal binding affinities to the target sites. The peptides (satpdb18674, satpdb18446, satpdb12488, satpdb14438, and satpdb28899) act on regions III and IV of the viral Spike protein and on its binding sites in GRP78. However, 4 polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), homoeriodictyol, isorhamnetin, and curcumin interact, in addition to the Spike protein and its binding sites in GRP78, with the ATPase domain of GRP78. Our work demonstrates that there are at least 2 approaches to block the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by preventing its fusion with the host cells via GRP78.

scholarly journals Evaluating cepharanthine analogues as natural drugs against SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Hijikata ◽  
Clara Shionyu-Mitsuyama ◽  
Setsu Nakae ◽  
Masafumi Shionyu ◽  
Motonori Ota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Plant Origin ◽  
Docking Simulations ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
Natural Analogues ◽  
Ester Moiety ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Natural Drugs

Cepharanthine is a natural of plant origin, and recently demonstrated to have anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. In order to evaluate the other natural analogues as a potential COVID-19 drug, a total of 24 compounds resembling cepharanthine were extracted from the KNApSAcK database, and their binding affinities to supposed target proteins, namely, spike protein and main protease of SARS-CoV-2, NPC1, and TPC2, were predicted via molecular docking simulations. Selected analogues were further evaluated by a cell-based SARS-CoV-2 infection assay, and the efficacies of cepharanthine (IC50 1.90 uM) and tetrandrine (IC50 10.37 uM) were demonstrated. From a comparison of the docking conformations of these compounds, the diphenyl ester moiety of the molecules was suggested for a putative pharmacophore of the cepharanthine-analogues.

scholarly journals Harnessing the Sars-cov-2 Spike Protein Binding Affinity to Ace2 Receptor Through Narcotinic Compounds Combined With Adjuvants: an in Silico Insight

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeedeh Mohammadi ◽  
Esmail Doustkhah ◽  
Nader Sakhaee ◽  
Ayoub Esmailpour ◽  
Mohammad Esmailpour
Keyword(s):  
Binding Affinity ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Muramyl Dipeptide ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Narcotic Analgesics ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Suitable Combination ◽  
Spike Proteins

Abstract Protein products of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) coding gene sequence, were all analyzed and compared to other SARS-CoV S proteins to elucidate structural similarities of spike proteins. A homology modeling of SARS-CoV-2 S protein was obtained and used in molecular docking studies to find binding affinities of spike protein for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The two most important binding sites of S protein, namely, RBD and CTD, critically responsible for binding interactions, were identified. Finally, binding affinity of RBD and CTD domains of S protein with narcotic analgesics are studied. Moreover, interactions of ACE2 receptor- S protein with narcotic compounds when mixed with small molecule adjuvants to improve the immune response and increase the efficacy of potential vaccines, were taken into consideration. In-silico results suggest that the combination of narcotine hemiacetal with mannide monooleate shows a stronger binding affinity with CTD, while carprofen-muramyl dipeptide and squalene have stronger binding affinities for the RBD portion of S protein. Thus, a suitable combination of these narcotic is proposed to yield potent site-blocking efficacy for ACE2 receptor against SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.

scholarly journals Computer-Aided Approaches to De Novo Design of drug candidates targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein bound to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Kalamatianos
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
De Novo Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
De Novo Drug Design ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Lipinski’S Rule ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Computer Aided

In this study a computer-aided approach to de novo design of chemical entities with drug-like properties against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein bound to ACE2 is presented. A structure-based de novo drug design tool LIGANN was used to produce complementary ligand shapes to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (6M0J). The obtained ligand structures - potential drug candidates – were optimized and virtually screened. Hit ligands were considered all that showed initial binding energy scores ≤ -9.0 kcal.mol-1 for the protein. These compounds were tested for drug-likeness (Lipinski’s rule and BOILED Permeation Predictive Model). All satisfying the criteria were re-optimized (geometry & frequencies) at the HF-3c33 level of theory and virtually screened against 6M0J. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to assess the structural stability of selected 6M0J/novel compound complexes. Synthetic pathways for selected compounds from commercially available starting materials are proposed.

scholarly journals Computational Evaluation of the COVID-19 3c-like Protease Inhibition Mechanism, and Drug Repurposing Screening

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Liu ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
Wenlang Liu ◽  
Zheng Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Free Energy ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Energy Method ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Inhibition Mechanism ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Protease Inhibition ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Experimental Drugs ◽  
Drugbank Database

<p>The rapid spread of the COVID-19 outbreak is now a global threat with over a million diagnosed cases and more than 70 thousand deaths. Specific treatments and effective drugs regarding such disease are in urgent need. To contribute to the drug discovery against COVID-19, we performed computational study to understand the inhibition mechanism of the COVID-19 3c-like protease, and search for possible drug candidates from approved or experimental drugs through drug repurposing screening against the DrugBank database. Two novel computational methods were applied in this study. We applied the “Consecutive Histogram Monte Carlo” (CHMC) sampling method for understanding the inhibition mechanism from studying the 2-D binding free energy landscape. We also applied the “Movable Type” (MT) free energy method for the lead compound screening by evaluating the binding free energies of the COVID-19 3c-like protease – inhibitor complexes. Lead compounds from the DrugBank database were first filtered using ligand similarity comparison to 19 published SARS 3c-like protease inhibitors. 70 selected compounds were then evaluated for protein-ligand binding affinities using the MT free energy method. 4 drug candidates with strong binding affinities and reasonable protein-ligand binding modes were selected from this study, <i>i.e.</i> Enalkiren (DB03395), Rupintrivir (DB05102), Saralasin (DB06763) and TRV-120027 (DB12199). </p>

scholarly journals A modular molecular framework for quickly estimating the binding affinity of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants for ACE2, in presence of mutations at the spike receptor binding domain.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Tragni ◽  
Francesca Preziusi ◽  
Luna Laera ◽  
Angelo Onofrio ◽  
Simona Todisco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Related Proteins

The rapid spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants needs the development of rapid tools for predicting the affinity of the mutated proteins responsible for the infection, i.e., the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, for the human ACE2 receptor, aiming to understand if a variant can be more efficient in invading host cells. Here we show how our computational pipeline, previously used for studying SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD)/ACE2 interactions and pre-/post-fusion conformational changes, can be used for predicting binding affinities of the human ACE2 receptor for the spike protein RBD of the characterized infectious variants of concern/interest B.1.1.7-UK (carrying the mutations N501Y, S494P, E484K at the RBD), P.1-Japan/Brazil (RBD mutations: K417N/T, E484K, N501Y), B.1.351-South Africa (RBD mutations: K417N, E484K, N501Y), B.1.427/B.1.429-California (RBD mutations: L452R), the B.1.141 variant (RBD mutations: N439K), and the recent B.1.617.1-India (RBD mutations: L452R; E484Q) and the B.1.620 (RBD mutations: S477N; E484K). Furthermore, we searched for ACE2 structurally related proteins that might be involved in interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, in those tissues showing low ACE2 expression, revealing two new proteins, THOP1 and NLN, deserving to be investigated for their possible inclusion in the group of host-cell entry factors responsible for host-cell SARS-CoV-2 invasion and immunity response.

scholarly journals Drug Repurposing for Coronavirus (COVID-19): In Silico Screening of Known Drugs Against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Bound to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) (6M0J)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Kalamatianos
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Virtual Screening Approach

E2/21-12-2020<br><br>In this study FDA approved HCV antiviral drugs and their structural analogues – several of them in clinical trials - were tested for their inhibitory properties towards the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein bound to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (6M0J) using a virtual screening approach and computational chemistry methods. The most stable structures and the correspond-ing binding affinities of thirteen such antiretroviral com-pounds were obtained. Frontier molecular orbital theory, global reactivity descriptors, molecular docking calculations and electrostatic potential (ESP) analysis were used to hypothesize the bioactivity of these drugs against 6M0J. It is found that increased affinity for the protein is shown by inhibitors with large compound volume, relatively higher electrophilicity index, aromatic rings and heteroatoms that participate in hydrogen bonding. Amongst the drugs tested, four compounds 10-13 showed excellent results – binding affinities -11.2 to -11.5 kcal.mol-1. These four top scoring compounds may act as lead compounds for further experimental validation, clinical trials and even for the development of more potent antiviral agents against the SARS-CoV-2. <br><br><div><br></div><div>E1/24-08-2020</div><br>In this study FDA approved antiviral drugs and lopinavir analogues in clinical trials were tested for their inhibitory properties towards the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein bound to<br>angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (6M0J) using a virtual screening approach and computational chemistry methods. Amongst the drugs tested, four compounds, PubChem CID 492005, CID 486507, CID 3010249 and<br><div>lopinavir showed excellent results – binding interactions -9.0 to -9.3 kcal.mol-1. These four top scoring compounds may act as lead compounds for further experimental validation, clinical trials and even for the development of more potent antiviral agents against the SARS-CoV-2.<br> </div><div><br></div>

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