Dataset Information

Molecular modeling of natural and synthesized inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Viral diseases increasingly endanger the world public health because of the transient efficacy of antiviral therapies. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been recently identified as caused by a new type of coronaviruses. This type of coronavirus binds to the human receptor through the Spike glycoprotein (S) Receptor Binding Domain (RBD). The spike protein is found in inaccessible (closed) or accessible (open) conformations in which the accessible conformation causes severe infection. Thus, this receptor is a significant target for antiviral drug design.

Methods

An attempt was made to recognize 111 natural and synthesized compounds in order to utilize them against SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein to inhibit Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using simulation methods, such as molecular docking. The FAF-Drugs3, Pan-Assay Interference Compounds (PAINS), ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) databases along with Lipinski’s rules were used to evaluate the drug-like properties of the identified ligands. In order to analyze and identify the residues critical in the docking process of the spike glycoprotein, the interactions of proposed ligands with both conformations of the spike glycoprotein was simulated.

Results

The results showed that among the available ligands, seven ligands had significant interactions with the binding site of the spike glycoprotein, in which angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is bounded. Out of seven candidate molecules, six ligands exhibited drug-like characteristics. The results also demonstrated that fluorophenyl and propane groups of ligands had optimal interactions with the binding site of the spike glycoprotein.

Conclusion

According to the results, our findings indicated the ability of six ligands to prevent the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein to its cognate receptor, providing novel compounds for the treatment of COVID-19.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42600-020-00122-3.

SUBMITTER: Jomhori M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7779244 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in global fatalities since late December 2019. Alkaloids play a significant role in drug design for various antiviral diseases, which makes them viable candidates for treating COVID-19. To identify potential antiviral agents, 102 known alkaloids were subjected to docking studies against the two key targets of SARS-CoV-2, namely the spike glycoprotein and main protease. The spike glycoprotein is vital for mediating viral entry into host cells, and main protease plays a crucial role in viral replication; therefore, they serve as compelling targets for therapeutic intervention in combating the disease. From the selection of alkaloids, the top 6 dual inhibitory compounds, namely liensinine, neferine, isoliensinine, fangchinoline, emetine, and acrimarine F, emerged as lead compounds with favorable docked scores. Interestingly, most of them shared the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid framework and belong to Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as the lotus plant. Docking analysis was conducted by considering the key active site residues of the selected proteins. The stability of the top three ligands with the receptor proteins was further validated through dynamic simulation analysis. The leads underwent ADMET profiling, bioactivity score analysis, and evaluation of drug-likeness and physicochemical properties. Neferine demonstrated a particularly strong affinity for binding, with a docking score of -7.5025 kcal/mol for main protease and -10.0245 kcal/mol for spike glycoprotein, and therefore a strong interaction with both target proteins. Of the lead alkaloids, emetine and fangchinoline demonstrated the lowest toxicity and high LD50 values. These top alkaloids, may support the body's defense and reduce the symptoms by their numerous biological potentials, even though some properties naturally point to their direct antiviral nature. These findings demonstrate the promising anti-COVID-19 properties of the six selected alkaloids, making them potential candidates for drug design. This study will be beneficial in effective drug discovery and design against COVID-19 with negligible side effects.