Computational peptidology approach to the study of the chemical reactivity and bioactivity properties of Aspergillipeptide D, a cyclopentapeptide of marine origin

Aspergillipeptide D is a cyclic pentapeptide isolated from the marine gorgonian Melitodes squamata-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SCSIO 41501 that it has been shown to present moderate activity against herpes virus simplex type 1 (HSV-1). Thus, this paper presents the results of a computational study of this cyclopentapeptide’s chemical reactivity and bioactivity properties using a CDFT-based computational peptidology (CDFT-CP) methodology, which is derived from combining chemical reactivity descriptors derived from Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT) and some Cheminformatics tools which may be used. This results in an improvement of the virtual screening procedure by a similarity search allowing the identification and validation of the known ability of the peptide to act as a possible useful drug. This was followed by an examination of the drug’s bioactivity and pharmacokinetics indices in relation to the ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) characteristics. The findings provide further evidence of the MN12SX density functional’s superiority in proving the Janak and Ionization Energy theorems using the proposed KID approach. This has proven to be beneficial in accurately predicting CDFT reactivity characteristics, which aid in the understanding of chemical reactivity. The Computational Pharmacokinetics study revealed the potential ability of Aspergillipeptide D as a therapeutic drug through the interaction with different target receptors. The ADMET indices confirm this assertion through the absence of toxicity and good absorption and distribution properties.

Chemical Reactivity Descriptors and Molecular Docking Studies of Octyl 6-O-hexanoyl-β-D-glucopyranosides

The present study describes different chemical reactivity predictions of 6-O-hexanoylation of octyl β-D-glucopyranosides prepared from octyl β-D-glucopyranoside (OBG). Also, molecular docking of the OBGs was conducted against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (6LU7), urate oxidase (Aspergillus flavus; 1R51) and glucoamylase (Aspergillus niger; 1KUL). DFT optimization indicated that glucoside 1 and its ester derivatives 2-7 exist in 4C1 conformation with C1 symmetry. Interestingly, the addition of ester group(s) decreased the HOMO-LUMO gap (Δԑ) of glucosides indicating their good chemical reactivities, whereas the other chemical reactivity descriptors indicated their moderate reactive nature. This fact of moderate reactivity was confirmed by their molecular docking with 6LU7, 1R51 and 1KUL. All the esters showed a moderate binding affinity with these three proteins. More importantly, incorporation of the ester group(s) increased binding affinity with 6LU7 and 1R51, whereas decreased with 1KUL as compared to non-ester OBG 1.

A CDFT-Based Computational Peptidology (CDFT-CP) Study of the Chemical Reactivity and Bioactivity of the Marine-Derived Alternaramide Cyclopentadepsipeptide

Alternaramide is a cyclic pentadepsipeptide isolated from marine sources that has been shown to present weak antibiotic activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus as well as inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediator expressions. Thus, this work reports the results of a computational study of the chemical reactivity and bioactivity properties of this cyclopentadepsipeptide considering a CDFT-based computational peptidology (CDFT-CP) methodology that results from the combination of the chemical reactivity descriptors that arise from conceptual density functional theory (CDFT) together with some cheminformatics tools that can be used to estimate the associated physicochemical parameters, to improve the process of virtual screening through a similarity search, and to identify the ability of the peptide to behave as a potential useful drug, complemented with an analysis of its bioactivity and pharmacokinetics indices related to the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) features. The results represent a new confirmation of the superiority of the MN12SX density functional in the fulfilment of the Janak and ionization energy theorems through the proposed KID procedure. This has been useful for the accurate prediction of the CDFT reactivity descriptors that help in understanding the chemical reactivity. The computational pharmacokinetics study revealed the potential ability of alternaramide as a therapeutic drug by interacting with GPCR ligands and protease inhibitors. The ADMET indices confirm this assertion through the absence of toxicity and good absorption and distribution properties.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Studies of Some New Tellurium(IV) Complexes Derived from 2-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)imino methyl]-1-naphthol Schiff Base

This article reports the synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial screening of a tridentate 2-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)imino methyl]-1-naphthol ligand (H2AP) and its organotellurium(IV) complexes. Structural characterization of the synthesized ligand and complexes was confirmed by using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV-vis, mass spectrometry, molar conductance and elemental analysis. Geometry of all the synthesized compounds has been optimized and their DFT based chemical reactivity descriptors were calculated. DFT and spectral data studies revealed distorted square pyramidal geometry for the tellurium(IV) complexes. In vitro antimicrobial activities of the synthesized ligand and its tellurium(IV)complexes were evaluated against two Gram-positive, two Gram-negative bacterial strains and three fungal strains. The tellurium(IV) complexes exhibited promising activity as compared to the Schiff base ligand.

Understanding the Chemical Reactivity of Dihydroxyfumaric Acid and its Derivatives through Conceptual DFT

The chemical reactivity descriptors have been calculated through Molecular Electron Density Theory encompassing Conceptual DFT. The validity of �Koopmans� theorem in DFT� (KID) has been assessed by a comparison between the global descriptors (electronegativity, total hardness, and global electrophilicity) calculated through vertical energy values and those arising from the HOMO and LUMO values. These results suggest that the KID procedure is valid and may be used, in conjunction with the B3LYP/3-611G(d, p) level of theory in further studies of related compounds in the aqueous medium. The active sites for nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks have been identified and verified using the local reactivity descriptors: the dual descriptor, the electrophilic and nucleophilic Parr functions, the local reactivity difference index Rk and MEP maps. Obtained results suggest that the antioxidant/antiradical power of investigated compounds may be explained by the highest ambiphilic activation of the oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl groups in the ene-diol moiety.

Potential Exploration of Recent FDA-Approved Anticancer Drugs Against Models of SARS-CoV-2’s Main Protease and Spike Glycoprotein: A Computational Study

COVID-19 has become a worldwide risk to the healthcare system of practically every nation of the world, which originated from Wuhan, China. To date, no specific drugs are available to treat this disease. The exact source of the SARS-CoV-2 is yet unknown, although the early cases are associated with the Seafood market in Huanan, South China. This manuscript reports the in silico molecular modeling of recent FDA-approved anticancer drugs (Capmatinib, Pemigatinib, Selpercatinib, and Tucatinib) for their inhibitory action against COVID-19 targets. The selected anticancer drugs are docked on SARS-CoV-2 main protease (PDB ID: 6LU7) and SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (PDB ID: 6M0J) to ascertain the binding ability of these drugs. ADMET parameters of the drugs are assessed, and in addition, DFT calculations are done to investigate the pharmacokinetics, thermal parameters, dipole moments, and chemical reactivity descriptors. The docking energies (ΔG) and the interacting amino acid residues are discussed. Promising molecular docking conclusions have been accomplished, which demonstrated the potential of selected anticancer drugs for plausible drug development to fight COVID-19. Further optimizations with the drug may support the much-needed rapid response to mitigate the pandemic.

Reactivity and Stability of Metalloporphyrin Complex Formation: DFT and Experimental Study

The interaction of three cationic porphyrins—meso-tetrakis (N-methylpyridinium-4-yl) porphyrin (TMPyP), meso-tetrakis (1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-yl) porphyrin (TDMImP), and meso-tetrakis (1,2-dimethylpyrazolium-4-yl) porphyrin (TDMPzP)—with five heavy metals was studied computationally, and binding constants were calculated based on data obtained by an experimental method and compared. The reactivity and stability of their complexes formed with lead, cadmium, mercury, tin, and arsenic ions were observed in DFT global chemical reactivity descriptors: the electronic chemical potential (µ), chemical hardness (η), and electrophilicity (ω). The results show that M-TDMPzP has higher chemical hardness and lower electrophilicity compared to M-TMPyP and M-TDMImP, indicating the reaction of TDMPzP with metals will form a more stable complex. Specifically, Cd-TDMPzP complexes can stabilize the system, with a lower energy and electronic chemical potential, higher chemical hardness, smaller electrophilicity, and higher binding constant value compared to Pb-TDMPzP and Hg-TDMPzP. This result suggests that the interaction of the Cd2+ ion with TDMPzP will produce a stable complex.