A computational drug repurposing approach in identifying the cephalosporin antibiotic and anti-hepatitis C drug derivatives for COVID-19 treatment. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Raj; Kumar, Vikas; Lee, Keun Woo
• Is Part Of: Computers in biology and medicine. Volume 130(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Drug repurposing -- Virtual screening -- Molecular dynamics -- Free energy calculations; Medicine -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Biology -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-4825

Abstract

Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over 1.4 million deaths worldwide. Repurposing existing drugs offers the fastest opportunity to identify new indications for existing drugs as a stable solution against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M pro ) is a critical target for designing potent antiviral agents against COVID-19. In this study, we identify potential inhibitors against COVID-19, using an amalgam of virtual screening, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding-free energy approaches from the Korea Chemical Bank drug repurposing (KCB-DR) database. The database screening of KCB-DR resulted in 149 binders. The dynamics of protein-drug complex formation for the seven top scoring drugs were investigated through MD simulations. Six drugs showed stable binding with active site of SARS-CoV-2 M pro indicated by steady RMSD of protein backbone atoms and potential energy profiles. Furthermore, binding free energy calculations suggested the community-acquired bacterial pneumonia drug ceftaroline fosamil and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor telaprevir are potent inhibitors against M pro . Molecular dynamics and interaction analysis revealed that ceftaroline fosamil and telaprevir form hydrogen bonds with important active site residues such as Thr24, Thr25, His41, Thr45, Gly143, Ser144, Cys145, and Glu166 that is supported by crystallographic information of known inhibitors. Telaprevir has potential side effects, but its derivatives have good pharmacokinetic properties and are suggested to bind M pro . We suggest the telaprevir derivatives and ceftaroline fosamil bind tightly with SARS-CoV-2 M pro and should be validated through preclinical testing. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: 1865 drugs from KCB-DR database were screened to search potential inhibitors for COVID-19. Drugs were screened by molecular docking, MD simulations, and binding free energy calculations. Telaprevir and ceftaroline fosamil were identified as potential M pro binders. Telaprevir derivatives having good ADME properties bind well with M pro . A new hydrogen bond interaction was discovered with ceftaroline and Thr45 of M pro .