Molecular Ion Channel Blockers of Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 Viruses

Abstract

Molecules were proposed to block the functional cycles of the influenza virus A and SARS-CoV-2. The blocker molecules efficiently bind inside the M2 and E channels of influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and block diffusion of H⁺/K⁺ ions, thus distorting the virus functional cycle. A family of positively charged (+2 e.u.) molecular blockers of H⁺/K⁺ ion diffusion through the M2 and E channels was proposed. The blocker molecules were diazabicyclooctane (DABCO) derivatives and were investigated for affinity for the M2 and E channels. Thermal dynamics of native and mutant channel structures and blocker binding were modeled by exhaustive docking. Binding energy calculations revealed within-channel, blocking, and extra-channel binding sites in the M2 and E channel proteins. Blocker molecules with higher affinity for the blocking sites were proposed. The most probable amino acid mutations the M2 and E channels were considered, the efficiency of channel blocking was analyzed, and optimal structures were assumed for the blocker molecules.