9cfb
SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease complexed with covalent inhibitor BC674
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 3CL protease (Main protease) and human cathepsin L are proteases that play unique roles in the infection of human cells by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Both proteases recognize leucine and other hydrophobic amino acids at the P(2) position of a peptidomimetic inhibitor. At the P(1) position, cathepsin L accepts many amino acid side chains, with a partial preference for phenylalanine, while 3CL-PR protease has a stringent specificity for glutamine or glutamine analogues. We have designed, synthesized, and evaluated peptidomimetic aldehyde dual-target (dual-acting) inhibitors using two peptide scaffolds based on those of two Pfizer 3CL-PR inhibitors, Nirmatrelvir, and PF-835321. Our inhibitors contain glutamine isosteres at the P(1) position, including 2-pyridon-3-yl-alanine, 3-pyridinyl-alanine, and 1,3-oxazo-4-yl-alanine groups. Inhibition constants for these new inhibitors ranged from K(i) = 0.6-18 nM (cathepsin L) and K(i) = 2.6-124 nM (3CL-PR), for which inhibitors with the 2-pyridon-3-yl-alanal substituent were the most potent for 3CL-PR. The anti-CoV-2 activity of these inhibitors ranged from EC(50) = 0.47-15 muM. X-ray structures of the peptidomimetic aldehyde inhibitors of 3CL-PR with similar scaffolds all demonstrated the formation of thiohemiacetals with Cys(145), and hydrogen-bonding interactions with the heteroatoms of the pyridon-3-yl-alanyl group, as well as the nitrogen of the N-terminal indole and its appended carbonyl group at the P(3) position. The absence of these hydrogen bonds for the inhibitors containing the 3-pyridinyl-alanyl and 1,3-oxazo-4-yl-alanyl groups was reflected in the less potent inhibition of the inhibitors with 3CL-PR. In summary, our studies demonstrate the value of a second generation of cysteine protease inhibitors that comprise a single agent that acts on both human cathepsin L and SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease. Such dual-target inhibitors will provide anti-COVID-19 drugs that remain active despite the development of resistance due to mutation of the viral protease. Such dual-target inhibitors are more likely to remain useful therapeutics despite the emergence of inactivating mutations in the viral protease because the human cathepsin L will not develop resistance. This particular dual-target approach is innovative since one of the targets is viral (3CL-PR) required for viral protein maturation and the other is human (hCatL) which enables viral infection. Dual Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease and Human Cathepsin L Containing Glutamine Isosteres Are Anti-CoV-2 Agents.,Kumar V, Zhu J, Chenna BC, Hoffpauir ZA, Rademacher A, Rogers AM, Tseng CT, Drelich A, Farzandh S, Lamb AL, Meek TD J Am Chem Soc. 2025 Jan 2. doi: 10.1021/jacs.4c11620. PMID:39746101[2] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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