Dataset Information

The Structure-Based Design of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 Methyltransferase Ligands Yields Nanomolar Inhibitors.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we have focused on the structure-based design of the inhibitors of one of the two SARS-CoV-2 methyltransferases (MTases), nsp14. This MTase catalyzes the transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to cap the guanosine triphosphate moiety of the newly synthesized viral RNA, yielding the methylated capped RNA and S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH). As the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 is unknown, we have taken advantage of its high homology to SARS-CoV nsp14 and prepared its homology model, which has allowed us to identify novel SAH derivatives modified at the adenine nucleobase as inhibitors of this important viral target. We have synthesized and tested the designed compounds in vitro and shown that these derivatives exert unprecedented inhibitory activity against this crucial enzyme. The docking studies nicely explain the contribution of an aromatic part attached by a linker to the position 7 of the 7-deaza analogues of SAH.

SUBMITTER: Otava T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8265718 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:The recent pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) calls the whole world into a medical emergency. For tackling Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), researchers from around the world are swiftly working on designing and identifying inhibitors against all possible viral key protein targets. One of the attractive drug targets is guanine-N7 methyltransferase which plays the main role in capping the 5'-ends of viral genomic RNA and sub genomic RNAs, to escape the host's innate immunity. We performed homology modeling and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, in order to understand the molecular architecture of Guanosine-P3-Adenosine-5',5'-Triphosphate (G3A) binding with C-terminal N7-MTase domain of nsp14 from SARS-CoV-2. The residue Asn388 is highly conserved in present both in N7-MTase from SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 and displays a unique function in G3A binding. For an in-depth understanding of these substrate specificities, we tried to screen and identify inhibitors from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database. The combination of several computational approaches, including screening, MM/GBSA, MD simulations, and PCA calculations, provides the screened compounds that readily interact with the G3A binding site of homology modeled N7-MTase domain. Compounds from this screening will have strong potency towards inhibiting the substrate-binding and efficiently hinder the viral 5'-end RNA capping mechanism. We strongly believe the final compounds can become COVID-19 therapeutics, with huge international support.[Formula: see text]The focus of this study is to screen for antiviral inhibitors blocking guanine-N7 methyltransferase (N7-MTase), one of the key drug targets involved in the first methylation step of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping mechanism. Compounds binding the substrate-binding site can interfere with enzyme catalysis and impede 5'-end cap formation, which is crucial to mimic host RNA and evade host cellular immune responses. Therefore, our study proposes the top hit compounds from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database using a combination of several computational approaches.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Dataset Information

The Structure-Based Design of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 Methyltransferase Ligands Yields Nanomolar Inhibitors.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets