The
search
for
efficient
inhibitors
of
the
SARS-CoV-2
enzymes
is
ongoing
due
to
continuing
COVID-19
pandemic.
We
report
results
computational
modeling
reactions
main
protease
(MPro
)
with
four
potential
covalent
inhibitors.
Two
them,
carmofur
and
nirmatrelvir,
have
been
shown
experimentally
ability
inhibit
MPro
.
other
compounds,
X77A
X77C,
were
designed
computationally
in
this
work,
derived
from
structure
X77,
a
non-covalent
inhibitor
forming
tight
surface
complex
modified
X77
by
introducing
warheads
capable
chemical
catalytic
cysteine
residue
M
Pro
active
site.
reaction
mechanisms
molecules
investigated
quantum
mechanics/molecular
mechanics
(QM/MM)
calculations
using
large
subsystems.
First,
at
QM/MM
level,
we
optimized
structures
stationary
points
on
energy
surfaces
corresponding
reactants,
products,
intermediates,
transition
states
along
hypothesized
coordinates.
Analysis
these
has
informed
selection
collective
variables
subsequent
Gibbs
profiles
molecular
dynamics
simulations
potentials
(QM/MM
MD).
In
simulations,
QM
part
was
treated
DFT
PBE0
functional.
show
that
all
compounds
form
adducts
Cys
145
From
perspective,
follow
three
distinct
mechanisms.
cases,
initiated
nucleophilic
attack
thiolate
group
deprotonated
dyad
Cys145-His41
case
X77A,
binding
ligand
accompanied
formation
fluoro-uracil
leaving
group.
X77C
follows
aromatic
substitution
SN
Ar
mechanism.
which
reactive
nitrile
group,
leads
thioimidate
adduct
Cys145
enzyme
Clinical Infectious Diseases,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
78(2), P. 352 - 355
Published: Aug. 19, 2023
Abstract
Resistance
of
SARS-CoV-2
to
antivirals
was
shown
develop
in
immunocompromised
individuals
receiving
remdesivir.
We
describe
an
patient
who
treated
with
repeated
and
prolonged
courses
nirmatrelvir
developed
de-novo
E166V/L50F
mutations
the
Mpro
region.
These
were
associated
clinical
virological
treatment
failure.
ACS Omega,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 8, 2024
Understanding
enzyme
mechanisms
is
essential
for
unraveling
the
complex
molecular
machinery
of
life.
In
this
review,
we
survey
field
computational
enzymology,
highlighting
key
principles
governing
and
discussing
ongoing
challenges
promising
advances.
Over
years,
computer
simulations
have
become
indispensable
in
study
mechanisms,
with
integration
experimental
exploration
now
established
as
a
holistic
approach
to
gain
deep
insights
into
enzymatic
catalysis.
Numerous
studies
demonstrated
power
characterizing
reaction
pathways,
transition
states,
substrate
selectivity,
product
distribution,
dynamic
conformational
changes
various
enzymes.
Nevertheless,
significant
remain
investigating
multistep
reactions,
large-scale
changes,
allosteric
regulation.
Beyond
mechanistic
studies,
modeling
has
emerged
an
tool
computer-aided
design
rational
discovery
covalent
drugs
targeted
therapies.
Overall,
design/engineering
drug
development
can
greatly
benefit
from
our
understanding
detailed
enzymes,
such
protein
dynamics,
entropy
contributions,
allostery,
revealed
by
studies.
Such
convergence
different
research
approaches
expected
continue,
creating
synergies
research.
This
outlining
ever-expanding
research,
aims
provide
guidance
future
directions
facilitate
new
developments
important
evolving
field.
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
145(24), P. 13204 - 13214
Published: June 9, 2023
We
report
the
results
of
computational
modeling
reactions
SARS-CoV-2
main
protease
(MPro)
with
four
potential
covalent
inhibitors.
Two
them,
carmofur
and
nirmatrelvir,
have
shown
experimentally
ability
to
inhibit
MPro.
other
compounds,
X77A
X77C,
were
designed
computationally
in
this
work.
They
derived
from
structure
X77,
a
non-covalent
inhibitor
forming
tight
surface
complex
modified
X77
by
introducing
warheads
capable
reacting
catalytic
cysteine
residue
MPro
active
site.
The
reaction
mechanisms
molecules
investigated
quantum
mechanics/molecular
mechanics
(QM/MM)
simulations.
show
that
all
compounds
form
adducts
Cys
145
From
chemical
perspective,
these
follow
three
distinct
mechanisms.
are
initiated
nucleophilic
attack
thiolate
group
deprotonated
dyad
Cys145–His41
In
case
X77A,
binding
ligand
is
accompanied
formation
fluoro-uracil
leaving
group.
X77C
follows
aromatic
substitution
SNAr
mechanism.
nirmatrelvir
(which
has
reactive
nitrile
group)
leads
thioimidate
adduct
Cys145
enzyme
Our
contribute
ongoing
search
for
efficient
inhibitors
enzymes.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 3249 - 3263
Published: March 21, 2025
Molecular
simulations
play
important
roles
in
understanding
the
lifecycle
of
SARS-CoV-2
virus
and
contribute
to
design
development
antiviral
agents
diagnostic
tests
for
COVID.
Here,
we
discuss
insights
that
such
have
provided
challenges
involved,
focusing
on
main
protease
(Mpro)
spike
glycoprotein.
Mpro
is
leading
target
antivirals,
while
glycoprotein
vaccine
design.
Finally,
reflect
lessons
from
this
pandemic
simulation
community.
Data
sharing
initiatives
collaborations
across
international
research
community
contributed
advancing
knowledge
should
be
built
help
future
pandemics
other
global
as
antimicrobial
resistance.
Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
20(11), P. 4909 - 4920
Published: May 21, 2024
Structural
and
dynamic
characteristics
of
protein
pockets
remarkably
influence
their
biological
functions
are
also
important
for
enzyme
engineering
new
drug
research
development.
To
date,
several
softwares
have
been
developed
to
analyze
the
properties
pockets.
However,
due
complexity
diversity
pocket
information
during
kinetic
relaxation,
further
improvement
capacity
expansion
current
tools
required.
Here,
we
a
platform
software
AlphaTraj
in
which
computational
strategy
that
divides
whole
into
subpockets
examines
various
such
as
survival
time,
stability,
correlation
was
proposed
implemented.
We
scoring
function
well
visualize
quality
pocket.
Furthermore,
implemented
automated
conformational
search
ligand
docking
optimization.
These
may
help
us
gain
deep
understanding
accelerate
design
inhibitors
small-molecule
drugs.
The
is
freely
available
at
https://github.com/dooo12332/AlphaTraj.git
under
GNU
GPL
license.
Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 28, 2024
3-Chymotrypsin-like
protease
(3CLpro)
is
a
prominent
target
against
pathogenic
coronaviruses.
Expert
knowledge
of
the
cysteine-targeted
covalent
reaction
mechanism
crucial
to
predict
inhibitory
potency
approved
inhibitors
3CLpros
SARS-CoV-2
variants
and
perform
structure-based
drug
design
newly
emerging
We
carried
out
an
extensive
array
classical
hybrid
QM/MM
molecular
dynamics
simulations
explore
inhibition
mechanisms
five
well-characterized
toward
3CLpro
its
mutants.
The
calculated
binding
affinity
reactivity
are
highly
consistent
with
experimental
data,
predicted
L167F,
E166V,
or
T21I/E166V
mutant
in
full
agreement
IC50s
determined
by
accompanying
enzymatic
assays.
explored
unveil
impact
residue
mutagenesis
on
structural
that
communicates
change
not
only
noncovalent
strength
but
also
free
energy.
Such
inhibitor
dependent,
corresponding
varied
levels
resistance
these
mutants
nirmatrelvir
simnotrelvir
no
11a
compound.
These
results
together
suggest
present
suitable
protocol
can
efficiently
evaluate
along
elucidated
inhibition.