Discovery of Non-Covalent Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 PLpro: Integrating Virtual Screening, Synthesis, and Experimental Validation.

IF 3.5 3区医学 Q2 CHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL

ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters Pub Date : 2024-12-02 eCollection Date: 2024-12-12 DOI:10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00420

Bruna K P Sousa, Melina Mottin, Donald Seanego, Christopher D Jurisch, Beatriz S A Rodrigues, Verônica L S da Silva, Milene Aparecida Andrade, Gilberto S Morais, Diogo F Boerin, Thamires Q Froes, Flávia Nader Motta, M Cristina Nonato, Izabela D M Bastos, Kelly Chibale, Richard K Gessner, Carolina Horta Andrade

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Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly challenged global public health, highlighting the need for effective therapeutic options. This study focuses on the papain-like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2, which is a critical enzyme for viral polyprotein processing, maturation, and immune evasion. We employed a combined approach that began with computational models in a virtual screening campaign, prioritizing compounds from our in-house chemical library against PLpro. Out of 81 virtual hits evaluated through enzymatic and biophysical assays, we identified a modest inhibitor featuring a naphthyridine core with an IC₅₀ of 73.61 μM and a K _i of 22 μM. Expanding our exploration, we synthesized and assessed 30 naphthyridine analogues, three of which emerged as promising noncovalent, nonpeptidomimetic inhibitors with IC₅₀ values between 15.06 and 51.81 μM. Furthermore, in vitro ADMET assays revealed these compounds to possess moderate aqueous solubility, low cytotoxicity, and high microsomal stability, making them excellent candidates for further development targeting SARS-CoV-2 PLpro.

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来源期刊

ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters CHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL-

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

2.40%

发文量

328

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters is interested in receiving manuscripts that discuss various aspects of medicinal chemistry. The journal will publish studies that pertain to a broad range of subject matter, including compound design and optimization, biological evaluation, drug delivery, imaging agents, and pharmacology of both small and large bioactive molecules. Specific areas include but are not limited to: Identification, synthesis, and optimization of lead biologically active molecules and drugs (small molecules and biologics) Biological characterization of new molecular entities in the context of drug discovery Computational, cheminformatics, and structural studies for the identification or SAR analysis of bioactive molecules, ligands and their targets, etc. Novel and improved methodologies, including radiation biochemistry, with broad application to medicinal chemistry Discovery technologies for biologically active molecules from both synthetic and natural (plant and other) sources Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies that address mechanisms underlying drug disposition and response Pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic studies used to enhance drug design and the translation of medicinal chemistry into the clinic Mechanistic drug metabolism and regulation of metabolic enzyme gene expression Chemistry patents relevant to the medicinal chemistry field.