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Biochemical and Biophysical Research... May 2022Flavivirus, such as Dengue Virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), infects millions of people and cause the death of thousands of people every year. Despite many efforts,...
Flavivirus, such as Dengue Virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), infects millions of people and cause the death of thousands of people every year. Despite many efforts, there is no approved anti-flaviviral treatment available. In particular, some antiflavivirus compounds were investigated the cellular activities of DENV and ZIKV, but lacking the exploration of specific target enzyme, thereby resulting in the hindrance of structure-based drug design. One example is Montlukast, which was found to inhibit the replicon replication in DENV and ZIKV infected cells, with EC values as 1.03 μM (DENV) and 1.14 μM (ZIKV), while the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In our study, the inhibitory mechanisms of Montelukast against the replicon replication of DENV and ZIKV infected cells were studied by using in silico approaches including inverse virtual screening (IVS), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculation, and validated through in vitro protease assay, confirming Montelukast could bind to NS2B-NS3 proteases of DENV and ZIKV as a competitive inhibitor (IC for DENV: 25.65 μM, for ZIKV: 15.57 μM). Moreover, Montelukast has no potential off-target effect on NS2B-NS3 protease from thrombin and trypsin inhibitory assay. Overall, Montelukast may be used as a potential candidate to block NS2B-NS3 protease as well as lead for structural modification.
Topics: Acetates; Antiviral Agents; Cyclopropanes; Enzyme Inhibitors; Flavivirus; Humans; Peptide Hydrolases; Protease Inhibitors; Quinolines; Sulfides; Viral Nonstructural Proteins; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
PubMed: 35339757
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.064 -
Paediatric Anaesthesia Oct 2022The protease inhibitor, ritonavir, is a strong inhibitor of CYP 3A. The drug is used for management of the human immunovirus and is currently part of an oral antiviral... (Review)
Review
The protease inhibitor, ritonavir, is a strong inhibitor of CYP 3A. The drug is used for management of the human immunovirus and is currently part of an oral antiviral drug combination (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) for the early treatment of SARS-2 COVID-19-positive patients aged 12 years and over who have recognized comorbidities. The CYP 3A enzyme system is responsible for clearance of numerous drugs used in anesthesia (e.g., alfentanil, fentanyl, methadone, rocuronium, bupivacaine, midazolam, ketamine). Ritonavir will have an impact on drug clearances that are dependent on ritonavir concentration, anesthesia drug intrinsic hepatic clearance, metabolic pathways, concentration-response relationship, and route of administration. Drugs with a steep concentration-response relationship (ketamine, midazolam, rocuronium) are mostly affected because small changes in concentration have major changes in effect response. An increase in midazolam concentration is observed after oral administration because CYP 3A in the gastrointestinal wall is inhibited, causing a large increase in relative bioavailability. Fentanyl infusion may be associated with a modest increase in plasma concentration and effect, but the large between subject variability of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concentration changes suggests it will have little impact on an individual patient, especially when used with adverse effect monitoring. It has been proposed that drugs that have no or only a small metabolic pathway involving the CYP 3A enzyme be used during anesthesia, for example, propofol, atracurium, remifentanil, and the volatile agents. That anesthesia approach denies children of drugs with considerable value. It is better that the inhibitory changes in clearance of these drugs are understood so that rational drug choices can be made to tailor drug use to the individual patient. Altered drug dose, anticipation of duration of effect, timing of administration, use of reversal agents and perioperative monitoring would better behoove children undergoing anesthesia.
Topics: Alfentanil; Anesthesia; Antiviral Agents; Child; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; Drug Interactions; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Ketamine; Midazolam; Protease Inhibitors; Ritonavir; Rocuronium; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 35842922
DOI: 10.1111/pan.14529 -
Computers in Biology and Medicine Mar 2022Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has adversely affected global health since its...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has adversely affected global health since its emergence in 2019. The lack of effective treatments prompted worldwide efforts to immediately develop therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. The main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a crucial role in viral replication, and therefore it serves as an attractive target for COVID-19-specific drug development. Due to the richness and diversity of insect protease inhibitors, we docked SARS-CoV-2 M onto 25 publicly accessible insect-derived protease inhibitors using the ClusPro server, and the regions with high inhibitory potentials against M were used to design peptides. Interactions of these inhibitory peptides with M were further assessed by two directed docking programs, AutoDock and Haddock. AutoDock analysis predicted the highest binding energy (-9.39 kcal/mol) and the lowest inhibition constant (130 nM) for the peptide 1KJ0-7 derived from SGCI (Schistocerca gregaria chymotrypsin inhibitor). On the other hand, Haddock analysis resulted in the discovery of a different peptide designated 2ERW-9 from infestin, a serine protease inhibitor of Triatoma infestans, with the best docking score (-131), binding energy (-11.7 kcal/mol), and dissociation constant (2.6E-09 M) for M. Furthermore, using molecular dynamic simulations, 1KJ0-7 and 2ERW-9 were demonstrated to form stable complexes with M. The peptides also showed suitable drug-likeness properties compared to commercially available drugs based on Lipinski's rule. Our findings present two peptides with possible protease inhibitor activities against M and further demonstrate the potential of insect-derived peptides and computer-aided methods for drug discovery.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; Coronavirus 3C Proteases; Humans; Insecta; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Protease Inhibitors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35051855
DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105228 -
Journal of Molecular Graphics &... Jan 2023Human norovirus (HuNoV) causes acute viral gastroenteritis in all age groups, and dehydration and severe diarrhea in the elderly. The World Health Organization reports...
Human norovirus (HuNoV) causes acute viral gastroenteritis in all age groups, and dehydration and severe diarrhea in the elderly. The World Health Organization reports ∼1.45 million deaths from acute gastroenteritis annually in the world. Rupintrivir, an inhibitory medicine against the human rhinovirus C3 protease, has been reported to inhibit HuNoV 3C protease. However, several HuNoV 3C protease mutations have been revealed to reduce the susceptibility of HuNoV to rupintrivir. The structural details behind rupintrivir-resistance of these single-point mutations (A105V and I109V) are not still clear. Hence, in this study, a combination of computational techniques were used to determine the rupintrivir-resistance mechanism and to propose an inhibitor against wild-type and mutant HuNoV 3C protease through structure-based virtual screening. Dynamic structural results indicated the unstable binding of rupintrivir at the cleft binding site of the wild-type and mutant 3C proteases, leading to its detachment. Our findings presented that the domain II of the HuNoV 3C protease had a critical role in binding of inhibitory molecules. Binding energy computations, steered molecular dynamics and umbrella sampling simulations confirmed that amentoflavone, the novel suggested inhibitor, strongly binds to the cleft site of all protease models and has a good structural stability in the complex system along the molecular dynamic simulations. Our in silico study proposed the selected compound as a potential inhibitor against the HuNoV 3C protease. However, additional experimental and clinical studies are required to corroborate the therapeutic efficacy of the compound.
Topics: Humans; Antiviral Agents; Gastroenteritis; Norovirus; Peptide Hydrolases; Protease Inhibitors; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 36308946
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108345 -
Plant Foods For Human Nutrition... Mar 2022Plant-based diets are a great source of protease inhibitors (PIs). Two of the most well-known families of PIs are Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBI) and Kunitz-type inhibitors... (Review)
Review
Plant-based diets are a great source of protease inhibitors (PIs). Two of the most well-known families of PIs are Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBI) and Kunitz-type inhibitors (KTI). The first group acts mainly on trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase; the second is on serine, cysteine, and aspartic proteases. PIs can retard or inhibit the catalytic action of enzymes; therefore, they are considered non-nutritional compounds; nevertheless, animal studies and cell line experiments showed promising results of PIs in treating human illnesses such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory processes, and different types of cancer (gastric, colorectal, breast, and lung cancer). Anticarcinogenic activity's proposed mechanisms of action comprise several inhibitory effects at different molecular levels, i.e., transcription, post-transcription, translation, post-translation, and secretion of cancer cells. This work reviews the potential therapeutic applications of PIs as anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory agents in human diseases and the mechanisms by which they exert these effects.
Topics: Animals; Aspartic Acid Proteases; Protease Inhibitors; Trypsin; Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean; Trypsin Inhibitors
PubMed: 35000105
DOI: 10.1007/s11130-022-00949-4 -
Toxins Apr 2022The Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) family is a prototype group found mainly in plants, particularly grasses and legumes, which have been subjected to decades of...
The Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) family is a prototype group found mainly in plants, particularly grasses and legumes, which have been subjected to decades of study. Recently, the discovery of attenuated peptides containing the canonical Bowman-Birk protease inhibitory motif has been detected in the skin secretions of amphibians, mainly from Ranidae family members. The roles of these peptides in amphibian defense have been proposed to work cooperatively with antimicrobial peptides and reduce peptide degradation. A novel trypsin inhibitory peptide, named livisin, was found in the skin secretion of the green cascade frog, . The cDNA encoding the precursor of livisin was cloned, and the predicted mature peptide was characterized. The mature peptide was found to act as a potent inhibitor against several serine proteases. A comparative activity study among the native peptide and its engineered analogs was performed, and the influence of the P and P positions, as well as the C-terminal amidation on the structure-activity relationship for livisin, was illustrated. The findings demonstrated that livisin might serve as a potential drug discovery/development tool.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Peptides; Protease Inhibitors; Ranidae; Skin
PubMed: 35448882
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14040273 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022During early infection with , host neutrophils destroy newborn larvae migrating in the bloodstream, preventing infection. However, parasites secrete various...
During early infection with , host neutrophils destroy newborn larvae migrating in the bloodstream, preventing infection. However, parasites secrete various immunomodulatory molecules to escape the host's defense mechanisms, allowing them to infect the host and live for long periods. secretes serine protease inhibitors (TsSERPs), which are key inhibitory molecules that regulate serine proteases involved in digestion and inflammation. However, the modulatory roles of TsSERP in the inhibition of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) and neutrophil functions are unknown. Therefore, the immunomodulatory properties of recombinant TsSERP1 (rTsSERP1) on NSPs and neutrophil functions were investigated in this study. rTsSERP1 preferentially inhibited human neutrophil elastase (hNE). In addition, incubation of rTsSERP1 with fMLP-induced neutrophils impaired their phagocytic ability. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was activated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and NETs were dramatically reduced when treated with rTsSERP1. Furthermore, rTsSERP1 suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines during neutrophil activation, which are essential for neutrophil-mediated local or systemic inflammation regulation. In conclusion, immune evasion mechanisms are promoted by the inhibitory properties of TsSERP1 against neutrophil elastase and neutrophil defense functions, and these might be promising alternative treatment targets for inflammatory disorders.
Topics: Animals; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Leukocyte Elastase; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; Neutrophils; Trichinella spiralis; Serpins; Serine Proteases; Inflammation
PubMed: 36389172
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.919835 -
BMC Oral Health Dec 2021Oral dryness is a common symptom that may interfere with swallowing, chewing, and taste. The most common reason for oral dryness is hyposalivation. Some individuals...
BACKGROUND
Oral dryness is a common symptom that may interfere with swallowing, chewing, and taste. The most common reason for oral dryness is hyposalivation. Some individuals experiencing oral dryness do not have hyposalivation, however, and the reverse is also true. Here, we focused on healthy individuals with a lower salivary flow rate and evaluated the relationship between the perception of oral dryness and salivary parameters to clarify the cause underlying the perception of oral dryness.
METHODS
A total of 59 participants were divided into 2 groups with a lower or higher salivary flow rate according to the median salivary flow rate. In participants with a lower salivary flow rate, we assessed salivary bacterial counts, protease activities, protein concentrations, oral parameters, and the subjective perception of oral dryness.
RESULTS
Protease activities and concentrations of protease inhibitors such as cystatin-D and cystatin-SA in the saliva of participants experiencing oral dryness were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than in those not experiencing oral dryness, even though no difference in the salivary flow rate was detected. Salivary cystatin-D and cystatin-SA concentrations correlated negatively with salivary protease activities.
CONCLUSIONS
The composition of salivary protease inhibitors and increased protease activities affect the subjective perception of oral dryness.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Health Status; Humans; Protease Inhibitors; Saliva; Xerostomia
PubMed: 34930236
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-02024-x -
MEDICC Review Oct 2022In inflammatory respiratory diseases, the imbalance between proteases and endogenous protease inhibitors leads to an exacerbated activity of human neutrophil elastase (a...
INTRODUCTION
In inflammatory respiratory diseases, the imbalance between proteases and endogenous protease inhibitors leads to an exacerbated activity of human neutrophil elastase (a protease that destroys the extracellular matrix and stimulates proinflammatory cytokine release). Elastase is considered a target in the search for therapeutic treatments for inflammatory respiratory diseases. Pulmonary surfactant is a promising product for this purpose, because in addition to its biophysical function, it has anti-inflammatory properties.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate effect of the Cuban porcine pulmonary surfactant (Surfacen), the rCmPI-II elastase inhibitor, and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination on activated neutrophil elastase activity in vitro, and determine if Surfacen's interface property changes in the presence of the inhibitor.
METHODS
The anti-elastase effect of Surfacen, rCmPI-II and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination was evaluated in an in vitro model of activated neutrophils, previously purified from the blood of healthy subjects. The cells were stimulated with LPS/fMLP and were incubated with different concentrations of Surfacen, rCmPI-II and the Surfacen/rCmPI-II combination. Elastase activity was measured. The interface property was determined on a Langmuir surface balance. The new index, called the abdominal adipose deposit index, was obtained by multiplying the subcutaneous fat thickness by visceral fat thickness, both measured by ultrasound. A cutoff point was established that facilitated discernment of an unhealthy phenotype: normal weight but metabolically obese, a cardiometabolic risk factor.
RESULTS
Surfacen at 10 mg/mL inhibited 71% of stimulated neutrophil elastase activity. rCmPI-II at 0.1 μM reduced 20% of elastase activity; at 200 μM-the maximum concentration evaluated-inhibition was 68%. Both products had a dose-dependent effect. The Surfacen/inhibitor combination (0.5 mg/mL/80 µM) did not affect the surfactant interface property or the inhibitory activity of rCmPI-II against human neutrophil elastase.
CONCLUSIONS
Surfacen and the rCmPI-II inhibitor have an anti-elastase effect on an activated neutrophil model. rCmPI-II does not affect Surfacen's interface property and, therefore, both can be evaluated for combined use in treating inflammatory lung diseases.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antiviral Agents; Leukocyte Elastase; Neutrophils; Protease Inhibitors; Pulmonary Surfactants; Swine
PubMed: 36417334
DOI: 10.37757/MR2022.V24.N3-4.7 -
Virus Research May 2023Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes severe neurological disorders, such as microcephaly in fetuses. Most recently, an outbreak of ZIKV started...
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes severe neurological disorders, such as microcephaly in fetuses. Most recently, an outbreak of ZIKV started in Brazil in 2015. To date, no therapeutic agents have been approved to treat ZIKV infection in the clinic. Here, we screened a small molecule inhibitor that can inhibit the function of ZIKV non-structural protein 2B (NS2B)-NS3 protease (ZIKV NS2B-NS3 protease), thereby interfering with viral replication and spread. First, we identified the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of compound 3 (14.01 μM), 8 (6.85 μM), and 9 (14.2 μM) and confirmed that they are all non-competitive inhibitors. In addition, we have used the blind molecular docking method to simulate the inhibition area of three non-competitive inhibitors (compound 3, 8, and 9) with the ZIKV NS2B-NS3 protease. The results indicated that the four allosteric binding residues (Gln139, Trp148, Leu150, and Val220) could form hydrogen bonds or non-bonding interactions most frequently with the three compounds. The interaction might induce the reaction center conformation change of NS2B-NS3 protease to reduce catalyzed efficiency. The concentration of compounds required to reduce cell viability by 50% (CC), and the concentration of compounds required to inhibit virus-induced cytopathic effect by 50% (EC) of three potential compounds are >200 μM, 2.15 μM (compound 3), > 200 μM, 0.52 μM (compound 8) and 61.48 μM, 3.52 μM (compound 9), and Temoporfin are 61.05 μM, 2 μM, respectively. To select candidate compounds for further animal experiments, we analyzed the selectivity index (SI) of compound 3 (93.02), 8 (384.61), 9 (17.46), and Temoporfin (30.53, FDA-approved drug against cancer). Compound 8 has the highest SI value. Therefore, compound 8 was selected for verification in animal models. In vivo, compound 8 significantly delayed ZIKV-induced lethality and illness symptoms and decreased ZIKV-induced weight loss in a ZIKV-infected suckling mouse model. We conclude that compound 8 is worth further investigation for use as a potential future therapeutic agent against ZIKV infection.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection; Protease Inhibitors; Molecular Docking Simulation; Viral Nonstructural Proteins; Antiviral Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Virus Replication; Serine Endopeptidases; Peptide Hydrolases
PubMed: 36965673
DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199092