13ho
Joint X-ray/neutron structure of deuterated SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro) in complex with noncovalent inhibitor KB-5
Structural highlights
FunctionR1AB_SARS2 Multifunctional protein involved in the transcription and replication of viral RNAs. Contains the proteinases responsible for the cleavages of the polyprotein.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Inhibits host translation by interacting with the 40S ribosomal subunit. The nsp1-40S ribosome complex further induces an endonucleolytic cleavage near the 5'UTR of host mRNAs, targeting them for degradation. Viral mRNAs are not susceptible to nsp1-mediated endonucleolytic RNA cleavage thanks to the presence of a 5'-end leader sequence and are therefore protected from degradation. By suppressing host gene expression, nsp1 facilitates efficient viral gene expression in infected cells and evasion from host immune response.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] May play a role in the modulation of host cell survival signaling pathway by interacting with host PHB and PHB2. Indeed, these two proteins play a role in maintaining the functional integrity of the mitochondria and protecting cells from various stresses.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Responsible for the cleavages located at the N-terminus of the replicase polyprotein. In addition, PL-PRO possesses a deubiquitinating/deISGylating activity and processes both 'Lys-48'- and 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitin chains from cellular substrates. Participates together with nsp4 in the assembly of virally-induced cytoplasmic double-membrane vesicles necessary for viral replication. Antagonizes innate immune induction of type I interferon by blocking the phosphorylation, dimerization and subsequent nuclear translocation of host IRF3. Prevents also host NF-kappa-B signaling.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Participates in the assembly of virally-induced cytoplasmic double-membrane vesicles necessary for viral replication.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Cleaves the C-terminus of replicase polyprotein at 11 sites. Recognizes substrates containing the core sequence [ILMVF]-Q-|-[SGACN] (PubMed:32198291). Also able to bind an ADP-ribose-1-phosphate (ADRP).[UniProtKB:P0C6X7][1] Plays a role in the initial induction of autophagosomes from host reticulum endoplasmic. Later, limits the expansion of these phagosomes that are no longer able to deliver viral components to lysosomes.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Forms a hexadecamer with nsp8 (8 subunits of each) that may participate in viral replication by acting as a primase. Alternatively, may synthesize substantially longer products than oligonucleotide primers.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Forms a hexadecamer with nsp7 (8 subunits of each) that may participate in viral replication by acting as a primase. Alternatively, may synthesize substantially longer products than oligonucleotide primers.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] May participate in viral replication by acting as a ssRNA-binding protein.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Plays a pivotal role in viral transcription by stimulating both nsp14 3'-5' exoribonuclease and nsp16 2'-O-methyltransferase activities. Therefore plays an essential role in viral mRNAs cap methylation.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Responsible for replication and transcription of the viral RNA genome.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Multi-functional protein with a zinc-binding domain in N-terminus displaying RNA and DNA duplex-unwinding activities with 5' to 3' polarity. Activity of helicase is dependent on magnesium.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Enzyme possessing two different activities: an exoribonuclease activity acting on both ssRNA and dsRNA in a 3' to 5' direction and a N7-guanine methyltransferase activity. Acts as a proofreading exoribonuclease for RNA replication, thereby lowering The sensitivity of the virus to RNA mutagens.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Mn(2+)-dependent, uridylate-specific enzyme, which leaves 2'-3'-cyclic phosphates 5' to the cleaved bond.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Methyltransferase that mediates mRNA cap 2'-O-ribose methylation to the 5'-cap structure of viral mRNAs. N7-methyl guanosine cap is a prerequisite for binding of nsp16. Therefore plays an essential role in viral mRNAs cap methylation which is essential to evade immune system.[UniProtKB:P0C6X7] Publication Abstract from PubMedSARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro) is a proven target for drug discovery of small-molecule antiviral agents due to its crucial role in viral polyprotein processing, high structural conservation across numerous divergent variants, and the lack of similar human enzymes. Unlike covalent compounds, noncovalent inhibitors of MPro do not modify the enzyme's active site, and may offer improved safety profiles, greater chemical tractability, and better oral bioavailability without the need for pharmacokinetic enhancement. In this study, we designed, synthesized and characterized thirteen noncovalent nonpeptidic SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors clustered into two series (KK and KB) of compounds. The inhibitors were designed based on our recently discovered Mcule-5948770040 and its analogue HL-3-68 designed through the structure-activity relationship study. To obtain atomic details of the inhibitors' binding we solved room-temperature X-ray structures of the MPro/inhibitor complexes, and to quantify their binding and antiviral properties we performed in vitro DSF and ITC measurements and TCID(50) antiviral assays. In addition, a room-temperature neutron structure of the MPro/KB-5 complex allowed direct determination of hydrogen positions, mapping intermolecular interactions and directly visualizing the protonation states and hydrogen bonding. Improved binding affinities of KK-7 and KB-3 through KB-6 could be attributed to the observed nonconventional S-Hcdots, three dots, centeredF hydrogen bond and an additional conventional hydrogen bond between the carboxamide moieties and Q189. Our study provides binding details for the designed compounds and demonstrates the feasibility of our joint X-ray/neutron structure-assisted drug design approach to generate more potent noncovalent nonpeptidic MPro inhibitors. Noncovalent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors targeting the catalytic dyad and primed substrate binding subsites.,Bhandari D, Kovalevskaya K, Coates L, Jonsson CB, Parvathareddy J, Weiss KL, Aniana A, Louis JM, Bonnesen PV, Kovalevsky A RSC Med Chem. 2026 Aug 14. doi: 10.1039/d6md00401f. PMID:42657162[2] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
| ||||||||||||||||||||
