Journal of Medicinal Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
65(11), P. 7682 - 7696
Published: May 12, 2022
The
SARS-CoV-2
main
protease
(Mpro)
is
a
medicinal
chemistry
target
for
COVID-19
treatment.
Given
the
clinical
efficacy
of
β-lactams
as
inhibitors
bacterial
nucleophilic
enzymes,
they
are
interest
viral
serine
and
cysteine
proteases.
We
describe
synthesis
penicillin
derivatives
which
potent
Mpro
investigate
their
mechanism
inhibition
using
mass
spectrometric
crystallographic
analyses.
results
suggest
that
have
considerable
potential
via
involving
reaction
with
to
form
stable
acyl-enzyme
complex
shown
by
analysis.
highlight
proteases
employing
catalysis
related
acylating
agents.
Molecules,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
30(4), P. 805 - 805
Published: Feb. 10, 2025
The
main
protease
of
the
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2),
known
as
3CLpro,
is
crucial
in
virus's
life
cycle
and
plays
a
pivotal
role
COVID-19.
Understanding
how
small
molecules
inhibit
3CLpro's
activity
vital
for
developing
anti-COVID-19
therapeutics.
To
this
end,
we
employed
Gaussian
accelerated
molecular
dynamics
(GaMD)
simulations
to
enhance
sampling
3CLpro
conformations
conducted
correlation
network
analysis
(CNA)
explore
interactions
between
different
structural
domains.
Our
findings
indicate
that
CNA-identified
node
domain
II
acts
conduit,
transferring
conformational
changes
from
catalytic
regions
domains
I
II,
triggered
by
binding
inhibitors
(7YY,
7XB,
Y6G),
III,
thereby
modulating
activity.
Normal
mode
(NMA)
principal
component
(PCA)
revealed
inhibitor
affects
flexibility
collective
movements
sites
influencing
function.
free
energies,
predicted
both
MM-GBSA
QM/MM-GBSA
methods,
showed
high
with
experimental
data,
validating
reliability
our
analyses.
Furthermore,
residues
L27,
H41,
C44,
S46,
M49,
N142,
G143,
S144,
C145,
H163,
H164,
M165,
E166,
identified
through
residue-based
energy
decomposition,
present
promising
targets
design
drugs
could
facilitate
development
clinically
effective
inhibitors.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
64(19), P. 14702 - 14714
Published: Sept. 16, 2021
Here,
we
report
the
synthesis,
structure-activity
relationship
studies,
enzyme
inhibition,
antiviral
activity,
and
X-ray
crystallographic
studies
of
5-chloropyridinyl
indole
carboxylate
derivatives
as
a
potent
class
SARS-CoV-2
chymotrypsin-like
protease
inhibitors.
Compound
1
exhibited
3CLpro
inhibitory
IC50
value
250
nM
an
EC50
2.8
μM
in
VeroE6
cells.
Remdesivir,
RNA-dependent
RNA
polymerase
inhibitor,
showed
1.2
same
assay.
comparable
activity
with
remdesivir
immunocytochemistry
assays.
7d
N-allyl
derivative
most
73
nM.
To
obtain
molecular
insight
into
binding
properties
these
molecules,
crystal
structures
compounds
2,
7b,
9d-bound
to
SARS-CoV
were
determined,
their
compared.
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
20, P. 1306 - 1344
Published: Jan. 1, 2022
The
emergence
of
the
Severe
Acute
Respiratory
Syndrome
Coronavirus-2
(SARS-CoV-2)
has
resulted
in
a
long
pandemic,
with
numerous
cases
and
victims
worldwide
enormous
consequences
on
social
economic
life.
Although
vaccinations
have
proceeded
provide
valuable
shield
against
virus,
approved
drugs
are
limited
it
is
crucial
that
further
ways
to
combat
infection
developed,
can
also
act
potential
mutations.
main
protease
(Mpro)
virus
an
appealing
target
for
development
inhibitors,
due
its
importance
viral
life
cycle
high
conservation
among
different
coronaviruses.
Several
compounds
shown
inhibitory
Mpro,
both
silico
vitro,
few
them
having
entered
clinical
trials.
These
candidates
include:
known
been
repurposed,
molecules
specifically
designed
based
natural
substrate
or
structural
moieties
binding
affinity
active
site,
as
well
naturally
derived
compounds,
either
isolated
plant
extracts.
aim
this
work
collectively
present
results
research
regarding
Mpro
inhibitors
date,
focusing
function
founded
by
simulations
explored
vitro
vivo
assays.
Creating
extended
portfolio
promising
may
block
replication
inhibiting
understanding
involved
structure-activity
relationships,
could
basis
effective
solutions
SARS-CoV-2
future
related
outbreaks.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
65(19), P. 13343 - 13364
Published: Sept. 15, 2022
The
continuous
spread
of
SARS-CoV-2
calls
for
more
direct-acting
antiviral
agents
to
combat
the
highly
infectious
variants.
main
protease
(Mpro)
is
an
promising
target
anti-SARS-CoV-2
drug
design.
Here,
we
report
discovery
potent
non-covalent
non-peptide
Mpro
inhibitors
featuring
a
1,2,4-trisubstituted
piperazine
scaffold.
We
systematically
modified
hit
MCULE-5948770040
by
structure-based
rational
design
combined
with
multi-site
binding
and
privileged
structure
assembly
strategies.
optimized
compound
GC-14
inhibits
high
potency
(IC50
=
0.40
μM)
displays
excellent
activity
(EC50
1.1
μM),
being
than
Remdesivir.
Notably,
exhibits
low
cytotoxicity
(CC50
>
100
selectivity
50
μM
cathepsins
B,
F,
K,
L,
caspase
3).
X-ray
co-crystal
structures
prove
that
occupy
multiple
subpockets
critical
interactions.
These
studies
may
provide
basis
developing
efficient
safer
therapy
COVID-19.
ChemMedChem,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
17(22)
Published: Sept. 27, 2022
COVID-19,
caused
by
SARS-CoV-2
infection,
continues
to
be
a
major
public
health
crisis
around
the
globe.
Development
of
vaccines
and
first
cluster
antiviral
drugs
has
brought
promise
hope
for
prevention
treatment
severe
coronavirus
disease.
However,
continued
development
newer,
safer,
more
effective
are
critically
important
combat
COVID-19
counter
looming
pathogenic
variants.
Studies
life
cycle
revealed
several
biochemical
targets
drug
development.
In
present
review,
we
focus
on
recent
design
medicinal
chemistry
efforts
in
small
molecule
discovery,
including
nirmatrelvir
that
viral
protein
synthesis
remdesivir
molnupiravir
target
RdRp.
These
FDA
approved
COVID-19.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
11
Published: Jan. 5, 2022
COVID-19
is
the
most
consequential
pandemic
of
21
st
century.
Since
earliest
stage
2019-2020
epidemic,
animal
models
have
been
useful
in
understanding
etiopathogenesis
SARS-CoV-2
infection
and
rapid
development
vaccines/drugs
to
prevent,
treat
or
eradicate
infection.
Early
SARS-CoV-1
research
using
immortalized
in-vitro
cell
lines
aided
different
cells
receptors
needed
for
and,
due
their
ability
be
easily
manipulated,
continue
broaden
our
disease
in-vivo
models.
The
scientific
community
determined
as
which
could
demonstrate
viral
infection,
replication,
transmission,
spectrum
illness
seen
human
populations.
Until
now,
there
not
well-described
although
transgenic
mouse
(i.e.
mice
with
humanized
ACE2
receptors)
proposed.
Additionally,
are
only
limited
facilities
(Biosafety
level
3
laboratories)
available
contribute
aid
eventually
exterminating
around
world.
This
review
summarizes
successful
including
studies
Non-Human
Primates
(NHPs)
were
found
susceptible
transmitted
virus
similarly
humans
(e.g.,
Rhesus
macaques,
Cynomolgus,
African
Green
Monkeys),
that
do
require
Biosafety
laboratories
Mouse
Hepatitis
Virus
COVID-19,
Ferret
model,
Syrian
Hamster
model).
Balancing
safety,
mimicking
robustness
Murine
Virus-1
model
currently
represents
optimal
SARS-CoV-2/COVID19
research.
Exploring
future
will
researchers/scientists
discovering
mechanisms
identifying
therapies
prevent
COVID-19.
Biomolecules,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(9), P. 1339 - 1339
Published: Sept. 2, 2023
The
main
protease
(Mpro)
plays
a
pivotal
role
in
the
replication
of
severe
acute
respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus
2
(SARS-CoV-2)
and
is
considered
highly
conserved
viral
target.
Disruption
catalytic
activity
Mpro
produces
detrimental
effect
on
course
infection,
making
this
target
one
most
attractive
for
treatment
COVID-19.
current
success
SARS-CoV-2
inhibitor
Nirmatrelvir,
first
oral
drug
forms
COVID-19,
has
further
focused
attention
researchers
important
target,
search
new
inhibitors
thriving
exciting
field
development
antiviral
drugs
active
against
related
coronaviruses.
Future Pharmacology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
3(1), P. 80 - 107
Published: Jan. 9, 2023
While
the
COVID-19
pandemic
seems
to
be
on
its
decline,
unclear
impacts
of
long-COVID
cases,
breakthrough
infections
in
immunocompromised
individuals,
vaccine
hesitancy,
and
inhomogeneous
health-care
accessibility
constitute
a
not
underestimated
threat.
These
along
with
preparedness,
ask
for
an
alert
identification
new
drugs
optimization
existing
as
therapeutic
treatment
options
this
potential
future
diseases.
Mpro
inhibitors
were
identified
early
potent
drug
candidates
against
coronaviruses,
since
they
target
viable
processing
machinery
within
virus,
i.e.,
main
protease
that
cleaves
polyproteins
encoded
by
viral
RNA
into
functional
proteins.
Different
strategies,
including
reversible
irreversible
inhibition
well
allosteric
inhibitors,
mostly
from
repurposing
endeavors,
have
been
explored
design
SARS-CoV-2
antivirals.
Ambitious
screening
efforts
uttered
outstanding
chemical
structural
diversity,
which
has
led
half
dozen
lead
compounds
being
currently
clinical
trials
emergency
FDA
approval
ritonavir-boosted
nirmatrelvir
therapeutic.
This
comprehensive
analysis
achieved
inhibitor
diversity
sorted
irreversible,
reversible,
binders,
discussion
emerging
resistance
reports
possible
evasion
is
aimed
at
stimulating
continuing
efforts.
Protein Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
32(8)
Published: June 25, 2023
Abstract
Antiviral
therapeutics
to
treat
SARS‐CoV‐2
are
needed
diminish
the
morbidity
of
ongoing
COVID‐19
pandemic.
A
well‐precedented
drug
target
is
main
viral
protease
(M
Pro
),
which
targeted
by
an
approved
and
several
investigational
drugs.
Emerging
resistance
has
made
new
inhibitor
chemotypes
more
pressing.
Adopting
a
structure‐based
approach,
we
docked
1.2
billion
non‐covalent
lead‐like
molecules
library
6.5
million
electrophiles
against
enzyme
structure.
From
these,
29
11
covalent
inhibitors
were
identified
in
37
series,
most
potent
having
IC
50
20
μM,
respectively.
Several
series
optimized,
resulting
low
micromolar
inhibitors.
Subsequent
crystallography
confirmed
docking
predicted
binding
modes
may
template
further
optimization.
While
aid
optimization
M
for
SARS‐CoV‐2,
modest
success
rate
also
reveals
weaknesses
our
approach
challenging
targets
like
versus
other
where
it
been
successful,
techniques
itself.