scholarly journals Establishing an Analogue Based In Silico Pipeline in the Pursuit of Novel Inhibitory Scaffolds against the SARS Coronavirus 2 Papain-Like Protease

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1134
Author(s):  
Roxanna Hajbabaie ◽  
Matthew T. Harper ◽  
Taufiq Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Scaffold Hopping ◽  
Protein Ligand Interactions ◽  
Ligand Interactions

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has been a burden on the worldwide population, with mass fatalities and devastating socioeconomic consequences. It has particularly drawn attention to the lack of approved small-molecule drugs to inhibit SARS coronaviruses. Importantly, lessons learned from the SARS outbreak of 2002–2004, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1), can be applied to current drug discovery ventures. SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 both possess two cysteine proteases, the main protease (Mpro) and the papain-like protease (PLpro), which play a significant role in facilitating viral replication, and are important drug targets. The non-covalent inhibitor, GRL-0617, which was found to inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-1, and more recently SARS-CoV-2, is the only PLpro inhibitor co-crystallised with the recently solved SARS-CoV-2 PLpro crystal structure. Therefore, the GRL-0617 structural template and pharmacophore features are instrumental in the design and development of more potent PLpro inhibitors. In this work, we conducted scaffold hopping using GRL-0617 as a reference to screen over 339,000 ligands in the chemical space using the ChemDiv, MayBridge, and Enamine screening libraries. Twenty-four distinct scaffolds with structural and electrostatic similarity to GRL-0617 were obtained. These proceeded to molecular docking against PLpro using the AutoDock tools. Of two compounds that showed the most favourable predicted binding affinities to the target site, as well as comparable protein-ligand interactions to GRL-0617, one was chosen for further analogue-based work. Twenty-seven analogues of this compound were further docked against the PLpro, which resulted in two additional hits with promising docking profiles. Our in silico pipeline consisted of an integrative four-step approach: (1) ligand-based virtual screening (scaffold-hopping), (2) molecular docking, (3) an analogue search, and, (4) evaluation of scaffold drug-likeness, to identify promising scaffolds and eliminate those with undesirable properties. Overall, we present four novel, and lipophilic, scaffolds obtained from an exhaustive search of diverse and uncharted regions of chemical space, which may be further explored in vitro through structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in the search for more potent inhibitors. Furthermore, these scaffolds were predicted to have fewer off-target interactions than GRL-0617. Lastly, to our knowledge, this work contains the largest ligand-based virtual screen performed against GRL-0617.

scholarly journals Phytoconstituents from Markhamia Tomentosa Bind To HPV Oncoprotein with Apoptogenic Potential: A Molecular Modeling Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mutiat B. Ibrahim ◽  
Adeola T. Kola-Mustapha ◽  
Niyi S. Adelakun ◽  
Neil A. Koorbanally
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Hpv 16 ◽  
Protein Ligand Interactions ◽  
Ligand Interactions ◽  
Potent Growth ◽  
The Stability

Abstract Markhamia tomentosa crude extract and fractions exhibited potent growth inhibitory effects capable to induce apoptosis in cervical (HeLa) cancer cell line via in vitro model. Presently, interaction of M. tomentosa phytoconstituents with molecular drug targets to exert its anticancer property is evaluated via in silico study. Identified phytoconstituents from M. tomentosa were retrieved from PubChem database and docked in active sites of HPV 16 E6, caspase -3 and caspase -8 targets using AutoDockVina from PyRx software. Screening for druglikeness; and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions was carried out with the use of SwissADME and pkCSM web servers. Standard melphalan and co-crystallized ligands of caspases -3 and -8 enzymes were used to validate protein-ligand interactions. Molecular dynamic simulation was used to validate the stability of the hit molecules complexed with caspases -3 and -8. All identified phytoconstituents from M. tomentosa showed binding affinity for HPV with docking scores range of - 5.4 to -2.6 kcal/mol. Ajugol, carnosol, luteolin and phytol showed good docking energy range of -6.8 to -3.6 kcal/mol; and -4.8 to -1.9 kcal/mol for the active sites of caspases -3 and -8 targets respectively. Based on docking scores; drug-likeliness; and ADMET predictions; luteolin and carnosol were selected as hit compounds. These molecules were found to be stable within the binding site of caspase -3 target throughout the 40ns simulation time. These findings identified hit ligands from M. tomentosa phytoconstituents that inhibit HPV 16 E6 oncogene expression with stimulation of caspases -3 and -8 targets.

The Antiviral and Antimalarial Drug Repurposing in Quest of Chemotherapeutics to Combat COVID-19 Utilizing Structure-Based Molecular Docking

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sisir Nandi ◽  
Mohit Kumar ◽  
Mridula Saxena ◽  
Anil Kumar Saxena
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
The Novel ◽  
In Silico Docking ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
In Silico Molecular Docking

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a new strain (SARS-CoV-2) erupted in 2019. Nowadays, it is a great threat that claims uncountable lives worldwide. There is no specific chemotherapeutics developed yet to combat COVID-19. Therefore, scientists have been devoted in the quest of the medicine that can cure COVID- 19. Objective: Existing antivirals such as ASC09/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir with or without umifenovir in combination with antimalarial chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine have been repurposed to fight the current coronavirus epidemic. But exact biochemical mechanisms of these drugs towards COVID-19 have not been discovered to date. Method: In-silico molecular docking can predict the mode of binding to sort out the existing chemotherapeutics having a potential affinity towards inhibition of the COVID-19 target. An attempt has been made in the present work to carry out docking analyses of 34 drugs including antivirals and antimalarials to explain explicitly the mode of interactions of these ligands towards the COVID-19protease target. Results: 13 compounds having good binding affinity have been predicted towards protease binding inhibition of COVID-19. Conclusion: Our in silico docking results have been confirmed by current reports from clinical settings through the citation of suitable experimental in vitro data available in the published literature.

Combiphore (Structure and Ligand Based Pharmacophore) - Approach for the Design of GPR40 Modulators in the Management of Diabetes

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-247
Author(s):  
Krishna A. Gajjar ◽  
Anuradha K. Gajjar
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Structural Motif ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis ◽  
Ligand Complex ◽  
Discovery Studio ◽  
Protein Ligand Interactions ◽  
Ligand Interactions ◽  
Pharmacophore Models

Background: Pharmacophore mapping and molecular docking can be synergistically integrated to improve the drug design and discovery process. A rational strategy, combiphore approach, derived from the combined study of Structure and Ligand based pharmacophore has been described to identify novel GPR40 modulators. Methods: DISCOtech module from Discovery studio was used for the generation of the Structure and Ligand based pharmacophore models which gave hydrophobic aromatic, ring aromatic and negative ionizable as essential pharmacophoric features. The generated models were validated by screening active and inactive datasets, GH scoring and ROC curve analysis. The best model was exposed as a 3D query to screen the hits from databases like GLASS (GPCR-Ligand Association), GPCR SARfari and Mini-Maybridge. Various filters were applied to retrieve the hit molecules having good drug-like properties. A known protein structure of hGPR40 (pdb: 4PHU) having TAK-875 as ligand complex was used to perform the molecular docking studies; using SYBYL-X 1.2 software. Results and Conclusion: Clustering both the models gave RMSD of 0.89. Therefore, the present approach explored the maximum features by combining both ligand and structure based pharmacophore models. A common structural motif as identified in combiphore for GPR40 modulation consists of the para-substituted phenyl propionic acid scaffold. Therefore, the combiphore approach, whereby maximum structural information (from both ligand and biological protein) is explored, gives maximum insights into the plausible protein-ligand interactions and provides potential lead candidates as exemplified in this study.

In Silico Appraisal, Synthesis, Antibacterial Screening and DNA Cleavage for 1,2,5-thiadiazole Derivative

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suraj N. Mali ◽  
Sudhir Sawant ◽  
Hemchandra K. Chaudhari ◽  
Mustapha C. Mandewale
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Oral Absorption ◽  
Inhibition Mechanism ◽  
Hydrogen Binding ◽  
Docking Score ◽  
Antibacterial Screening ◽  
Mycobacteria Tuberculosis

Background: : Thiadiazole not only acts as “hydrogen binding domain” and “two-electron donor system” but also as constrained pharmacophore. Methods:: The maleate salt of 2-((2-hydroxy-3-((4-morpholino-1, 2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl) oxy) propyl) amino)- 2-methylpropan-1-ol (TML-Hydroxy)(4) has been synthesized. This methodology involves preparation of 4-morpholino-1, 2,5-thiadiazol-3-ol by hydroxylation of 4-(4-chloro-1, 2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl) morpholine followed by condensation with 2-(chloromethyl) oxirane to afford 4-(4-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)-1,2,5-thiadiazol- 3-yl) morpholine. Oxirane ring of this compound was opened by treating with 2-amino-2-methyl propan-1- ol to afford the target compound TML-Hydroxy. Structures of the synthesized compounds have been elucidated by NMR, MASS, FTIR spectroscopy. Results: : The DSC study clearly showed that the compound 4-maleate salt is crystalline in nature. In vitro antibacterial inhibition and little potential for DNA cleavage of the compound 4 were explored. We extended our study to explore the inhibition mechanism by conducting molecular docking, ADMET and molecular dynamics analysis by using Schrödinger. The molecular docking for compound 4 showed better interactions with target 3IVX with docking score of -8.508 kcal/mol with respect to standard ciprofloxacin (docking score= -3.879 kcal/mol). TML-Hydroxy was obtained in silico as non-carcinogenic and non-AMES toxic with good percent human oral absorption profile (69.639%). TML-Hydroxy showed the moderate inhibition against Mycobacteria tuberculosis with MIC 25.00 μg/mL as well as moderate inhibition against S. aureus, Bacillus sps, K. Pneumoniae and E. coli species. Conclusion: : In view of the importance of the 1,2,5-thiadiazole moiety involved, this study would pave the way for future development of more effective analogs for applications in medicinal field.

Virtual Screening, Molecular docking and in-silico ADME-Tox analysis for identification of potential main protease (Mpro) enzyme inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debadash Panigrahi ◽  
Ganesh Prasad Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Virtual Screening ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reference Compound ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
In Silico Admet

Objective:: Recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 described in Wuhan China in December-2019 spread widely almost all the countries of the world. Corona virus (COVID-19) is causing the unexpected death of many peoples and severe economic loss in several countries. Virtual screening based on molecular docking, drug-likeness prediction, and in silico ADMET study has become an effective tool for the identification of small molecules as novel antiviral drugs to treat diseases. Methods:: In the current study, virtual screening was performed through molecular docking for identifying potent inhibitors against Mpro enzyme from the ZINC library for the possible treatment of COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, some compounds are identified as possible anti-covid-19 agents for future research. 350 compounds were screened based on their similarity score with reference compound X77 from ZINC data bank and were subjected to docking with crystal structure available of Mpro enzyme. These compounds were then filtered by their in silico ADME-Tox and drug-likeness prediction values. Result:: Out of these 350 screened compounds, 10 compounds were selected based on their docking score and best docked pose in comparison to the reference compound X77. In silico ADME-Tox and drug likeliness predictions of the top compounds were performed and found to be excellent results. All the 10 screened compounds showed significant binding pose with the target enzyme main protease (Mpro) enzyme and satisfactory pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. Conclusion:: Based on results we can suggest that the identified compounds may be considered for therapeutic development against the COVID-19 virus and can be further evaluated for in vitro activity, preclinical, clinical studies and formulated in a suitable dosage form to maximize their bioavailability.

scholarly journals In silico molecular docking and in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of phytochemicals against multi-drug-resistant enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella spp.

Gut Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Padikkamannil Abishad ◽  
Pollumahanti Niveditha ◽  
Varsha Unni ◽  
Jess Vergis ◽  
Nitin Vasantrao Kurkure ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Antimicrobial Efficacy ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Protein Motifs ◽  
Phytochemical Compounds ◽  
In Silico Molecular Docking

Abstract Background In the wake of emergence of antimicrobial resistance, bioactive phytochemical compounds are proving to be important therapeutic agents. The present study envisaged in silico molecular docking as well as in vitro antimicrobial efficacy screening of identified phytochemical ligands to the dispersin (aap) and outer membrane osmoporin (OmpC) domains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. (NTS), respectively. Materials and methods The evaluation of drug-likeness, molecular properties, and bioactivity of the identified phytocompounds (thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde) was carried out using Swiss ADME, while Protox-II and StopTox servers were used to identify its toxicity. The in silico molecular docking of the phytochemical ligands with the protein motifs of dispersin (PDB ID: 2jvu) and outer membrane osmoporin (PDB ID: 3uu2) were carried out using AutoDock v.4.20. Further, the antimicrobial efficacy of these compounds against multi-drug resistant EAEC and NTS strains was determined by estimating the minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations. Subsequently, these phytochemicals were subjected to their safety (sheep and human erythrocytic haemolysis) as well as stability (cationic salts, and pH) assays. Results All the three identified phytochemicals ligands were found to be zero violators of Lipinski’s rule of five and exhibited drug-likeness. The compounds tested were categorized as toxicity class-4 by Protox-II and were found to be non- cardiotoxic by StopTox. The docking studies employing 3D model of dispersin and ompC motifs with the identified phytochemical ligands exhibited good binding affinity. The identified phytochemical compounds were observed to be comparatively stable at different conditions (cationic salts, and pH); however, a concentration-dependent increase in the haemolytic assay was observed against sheep as well as human erythrocytes. Conclusions In silico molecular docking studies provided useful insights to understand the interaction of phytochemical ligands with protein motifs of pathogen and should be used routinely before the wet screening of any phytochemicals for their antibacterial, stability, and safety aspects.

scholarly journals In-vitro Cytotoxicity and in silico Molecular Docking of Alkaloids from Tiliacora acuminata

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (2s) ◽  
pp. s295-s300
Author(s):  
Jeswiny Rodrigues ◽  
Kirankumar Hullatti ◽  
Sunil Jalalpure ◽  
Pukar Khanal
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
In Silico ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
In Silico Molecular Docking
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