Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan Xiong, Guang-Hao Zhu, Ya-Ni Zhang, Qing Hu, Hao-Nan Wang, Hao-Nan Yu, Xiao-Ya Qin, Xiao-Qing Guan, Yan-Wei Xiang, Hui Tang, Guang-Bo Ge
Summary: The study demonstrated that flavonoids in Ampelopsis grossedentata extract strongly and time-dependently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease. Flavonoids such as myricetin and dihydromyricetin were identified as key constituents with significant inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Saeed Pourmand, Sara Zareei, Mohsen Shahlaei, Sajad Moradi
Summary: This study aimed to discover novel peptide inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 entry using computational approaches. By molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations of the virus-host interaction, three potential effective inhibitors were identified for drug development in COVID-19 treatment.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Simin Seyedpour, Behzad Khodaei, Amir H. Loghman, Nasrin Seyedpour, Misagh F. Kisomi, Maryam Balibegloo, Sasan S. Nezamabadi, Bahareh Gholami, Amene Saghazadeh, Nima Rezaei
Summary: This study systematically evaluated recent in vitro and in vivo investigations targeting SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, finding that SARS-CoV-2 primarily enters host cells through the S protein utilizing ACE2 or CD147 as receptors. Targeted therapy strategies against SARS-CoV-2 cell entry mechanisms mainly focus on targeting virus receptors on the host, neutralizing spike protein, interfering with virus fusion to host cells, and disrupting endosomal and non-endosomal dependent pathways.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaun M. Christie, Takuya Tada, Yandong Yin, Amit Bhardwaj, Nathaniel R. Landau, Eli Rothenberg
Summary: This article examines the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 variants and target cells, revealing a progressive decrease in dependence on ACE2. These findings are crucial for vaccine development.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Qian Wang, Lin Wang, Yumin Zhang, XiangLei Zhang, Leike Zhang, Weijuan Shang, Fang Bai
Summary: This study reveals the globally cooperative conformational dynamics of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 through coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations, and discovers an allosteric path that correlates the motion of the receptor-binding domain with the motion of the subdomains of the S protein. Based on this finding, non-RBD binding modulators were designed to inhibit the conformational change of the S protein and inhibit SARS-CoV-2. The inhibitory effect and function stages of these modulators were evaluated experimentally.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ju-Ri Sim, Dong Hoon Shin, Pil-Gu Park, So-Hyeon Park, Joon-Yong Bae, Youngchae Lee, Dha-Yei Kang, Ye Jin Kim, Sowon Aum, Shin Hye Noh, Su Jin Hwang, Hye-Ran Cha, Cheong Bi Kim, Si Hwan Ko, Sunghoon Park, Dongkyu Jeon, Sungwoo Cho, Gee Eun Lee, Jeonghun Kim, Young-hye Moon, Jae-Ouk Kim, Jae-Sung Nam, Chang-Hoon Kim, Sungmin Moon, Youn Wook Chung, Man-Seong Park, Ji-Hwan Ryu, Wan Namkung, Jae Myun Lee, Min Goo Lee
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of ANO6/TMEM16F-mediated cell surface exposure of phosphatidylserine in SARS-CoV-2 entry and the effectiveness of ANO6-selective inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 infections. A6-001, a potent ANO6 inhibitor, shows promising results in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral replication.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Biswanath Dinda, Manikarna Dinda, Subhajit Dinda, Utpal Chandra De
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has severely impacted healthcare systems globally. Current antiviral drugs and vaccines have limited efficacy against emerging variants of the virus, highlighting the urgent need for new treatments. This review discusses the potential of flavonoids baicalein and baicalin, derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, Oroxylum indicum, and other plants, in inhibiting viral infection and modulating immune responses to prevent inflammation and organ injury. Formulations enhancing the oral bioavailability of baicalein and baicalin have been explored, but their safety and effectiveness in SARS-CoV-2-infected animals are yet to be evaluated. Further research is needed to evaluate their potential for use in clinical trials for COVID-19 patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Siew Pheng Lim
Summary: Despite the availability of vaccines and therapeutics, continuous genetic alterations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus pose a persistent threat, especially to immunocompromised and elderly individuals. The virus enters host cells via the interaction of its spike protein (S protein) with different receptors on the cell surface, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This review discusses therapeutic approaches to block the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and host cell receptors, as well as the identification of auxiliary entry receptors.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yury Valdes-Balbin, Darielys Santana-Mederos, Francoise Paquet, Sonsire Fernandez, Yanet Climent, Fabrizio Chiodo, Laura Rodriguez, Belinda Sanchez Ramirez, Kalet Leon, Tays Hernandez, Lila Castellanos-Serra, Raine Garrido, Guang-Wu Chen, Dagmar Garcia-Rivera, Daniel G. Rivera, Vicente Verez-Bencomo
Summary: The development of recombinant COVID-19 vaccines has been accelerated by scientific progress in 2020. Studies have shown that the recombinant spike glycoprotein induces a potent antibody response in animals and there is a good correlation between antibody response and neutralization in convalescent sera. This review provides insights into the molecular aspects of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 RBD and ACE2, epitopes involved in neutralizing activity, and the impact of virus mutations.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Chuan Xu, Annie Wang, Ke Geng, William Honnen, Xuening Wang, Natalie Bruiners, Sukhwinder Singh, Fortunato Ferrara, Sara D'Angelo, Andrew R. M. Bradbury, Maria Laura Gennaro, Dongfang Liu, Abraham Pinter, Theresa L. Chang
Summary: This study utilized a simple, two-plasmid pseudotyped virus system to investigate the entry event of SARS-CoV-2 in various cell lines. Pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses produced under serum-free conditions were able to infect a broader range of cells, including those without hACE2 overexpression.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carlos A. Ramos-Guzman, J. Javier Ruiz-Pernia, Inaki Tunon
Summary: The study demonstrates the mechanism of inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease by PF-00835231 involving noncovalent interactions as well as covalent inhibition through proton transfer from Cys145 to His41 and nucleophilic attack of the S gamma atom. The hydroxymethyl group in the P1' position contributes to the binding free energy, and the addition of a chloromethyl substituent may lower the activation free energy for covalent inhibition.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rina Hashimoto, Ayaka Sakamoto, Sayaka Deguchi, Renxing Yi, Emi Sano, Akitsu Hotta, Kazutoshi Takahashi, Shinya Yamanaka, Kazuo Takayama
Summary: This study investigated the roles of neuropilin-1, basigin, TMPRSSs, and CTSs in SARS-CoV-2 infection using the CRISPR interference system and ACE2-expressing human iPS cells. Double knockdown of TMPRSS2 and CTSB significantly reduced the viral load. Combination of CTPB and TMPRSS2 inhibitors showed highly efficient antiviral effects against various SARS-CoV-2 variants, independent of gender.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yinkai Duan, Hao Zhou, Xiang Liu, Sho Iketani, Mengmeng Lin, Xiaoyu Zhang, Qucheng Bian, Haofeng Wang, Haoran Sun, Seo Jung Hong, Bruce Culbertson, Hiroshi Mohri, Maria I. Luck, Yan Zhu, Xiaoce Liu, Yuchi Lu, Xiuna Yang, Kailin Yang, Yosef Sabo, Alejandro Chavez, Stephen P. Goff, Zihe Rao, David D. Ho, Haitao Yang
Summary: A biochemical and structural analysis demonstrates that alterations at the substrate-binding pocket of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 can allow the virus to develop resistance to nirmatrelvir in two distinct ways. These findings shed light on the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 evolves to develop resistance to the current generation of protease inhibitors and provide the basis for the design of next-generation Mpro inhibitors.
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmed Donia, Habib Bokhari
Summary: Viruses can trigger increased apoptosis in host cells, which plays a complex role in antiviral immunity and may contribute to viral clearance or tissue damage in diseases. The induction of apoptosis is a key feature of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and there is a direct correlation between apoptosis rate and COVID-19 severity. Targeting virus-induced apoptosis could be a promising strategy in treating SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dharmendra Kumar Yadav, Desh Deepak Singh, Ihn Han, Yogesh Kumar, Eun-Ha Choi
Summary: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic poses a serious threat to global public health with no effective treatment available yet. Various pharmaceutical approaches have been proposed to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, including inhibitors of TMPRSS2 and ACE2, as well as antiviral drugs like remdesivir, lopinavir, ritonavir, arbidol, and favipiravir. These treatments have shown to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and mortality associated with COVID-19.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Anil Chandra, Saumya Prasad, Francesco Alemanno, Maria De Luca, Riccardo Rizzo, Roberta Romano, Giuseppe Gigli, Cecilia Bucci, Adriano Barra, Loretta L. del Mercato
Summary: This study presents a method to measure intracellular organelle pH in breast cancer cells using silica-based fluorescent microparticles. The research found similar acidification times but differences in heterogeneity between different cell lines. The novel computational approach allows for fast analysis of massive internalization events.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Abhishek Chandra, Anthony B. Lagnado, Joshua N. Farr, Madison Doolittle, Tamara Tchkonia, James L. Kirkland, Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Paul D. Robbins, Laura J. Niedernhofer, Yuji Ikeno, Joao F. Passos, David G. Monroe, Robert J. Pignolo, Sundeep Khosla
Summary: This study demonstrates that cellular senescence-driven radiation-induced osteoporosis is primarily mediated by p21(Cip1) rather than p16(Ink4a), based on the clearance of senescent cells using genetic models. This approach may be used to investigate the contributions of these pathways in other senescence-associated conditions, including aging across tissues.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Augustin Ntemafack, Sajad Ahmed, Amit Kumar, Rekha Chouhan, Nitika Kapoor, Sandip B. Bharate, Qazi Parvaiz Hassan, Sumit G. Gandhi
Summary: The research revealed that streptomycetes isolated from Rumex dentatus and BIBP are effective growth-promoting agents that can be utilized as bio-fertilizers in agriculture to enhance the growth and productivity of rice.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Huseyin Naci, Ilias Kyriopoulos, William B. Feldman, Thomas J. Hwang, Aaron S. Kesselheim, Amitabh Chandra
Summary: Newly approved drugs are often subject to formulary exclusions and restrictions in Medicare Part D. Ensuring that formulary design is closely linked to the therapeutic value of drugs would improve patients' welfare.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathleen Shah, Muralidhara Rao Maradana, M. Joaquina Delas, Amina Metidji, Frederike Graelmann, Miriam Llorian, Probir Chakravarty, Ying Li, Mauro Tolaini, Michael Shapiro, Gavin Kelly, Chris Cheshire, Deendyal Bhurta, Sandip B. Bharate, Brigitta Stockinger
Summary: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a crucial role in regulating physiological processes in the intestine, influencing tissue regeneration and the acquisition of mature epithelial cell identity after injury.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ankita Sharma, Vijay K. Nuthakki, Sumeet Gairola, Bikarma Singh, Sandip B. Bharate
Summary: Plants, particularly Nardostachys jatamansi, have been explored for their potential in drug discovery for treating neurodegenerative diseases. This study focused on the phytochemical investigation and semisynthetic modifications of N. jatamansi rhizomes to discover inhibitors for cholinesterase and BACE-1. Several compounds, including 8-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarin and coumarin-donepezil hybrid, showed promising inhibitory effects on the target enzymes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sowmya Jahnavi, Vaishali Garg, Anoop Babu Vasandan, Swathi SundarRaj, Anujith Kumar, Jyothi Prasanna S
Summary: A novel cocktail of TFs has been identified to reprogram ADMSCs to a stable hepatic state. These i-Heps exhibit adult hepatocyte functional maturity with robust immune-modulatory abilities, making them suitable for rigorous drug testing, hepatocyte-pathogen interaction studies, and transplantation in allogenic settings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Lone A. A. Nazir, Naikoo H. H. Shahid, Kumar Amit, Sheikh A. A. Umar, Sharma Rajni, Sandip Bharate, Pyare L. L. Sangwan, Sheikh Abdullah Tasduq
Summary: NPC-402, a derivative of glycyrrhtinic acid, has shown anti-melanoma effects by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in melanoma cells. In vivo studies have demonstrated that NPC-402 significantly inhibited angiogenesis and reduced tumor growth without causing toxicity, suggesting its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for melanoma.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Razia Banoo, Vijay K. Nuthakki, Mohd Abdullaha, Mohit Sharma, Sandip B. Bharate
Summary: This study investigated the benzyl piperidinyl-linked benzyl aminobenzamide as a dual cholinesterase inhibitor. The compound showed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase and crossed the blood-brain barrier. It also inhibited the self-aggregation of amyloid-beta. These findings suggest the potential of benzamide 8c1 for further investigation in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease.
DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vijay K. Nuthakki, Sushil Choudhary, Chilakala N. Reddy, Shipra Bhatt, Ashiya Jamwal, Anshika Jotshi, Rinky Raghuvanshi, Ankita Sharma, Shikha Thakur, Hemant R. Jadhav, Sonali S. Bharate, Utpal Nandi, Ajay Kumar, Sandip B. Bharate
Summary: The complex and multifaceted nature of Alzheimer's disease has led to a demand for ligands that can target multiple pathways. Embelin, a secondary metabolite of Indian traditional herb Embelia ribes Burm f., has been found to inhibit cholinesterases (ChEs) and BACE-1, but it has poor ADME properties. In this study, embelin-aryl/alkyl amine hybrids were synthesized to improve its physicochemical properties and therapeutic potency. The most active derivative, 9j (SB-1448), exhibited inhibitory activity against ChEs and BACE-1, good ADME properties, and protection against scopolamine-induced cell death.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Thomas S. van Zanten, S. Greeshma Pradeep, Satyajit Mayor
Summary: Quantitative fluorescence emission anisotropy microscopy is used to study the organization of fluorescently labeled cellular components in living cells. This technique provides insights into molecular organization and can be used to measure changes in rotational diffusion and homo-FRET. The paper discusses the main parameters that influence the quantification of fluorescence emission anisotropy and provides tests to assess the role of homo-FRET in observed emission depolarization.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Sanz-Paz, Thomas S. van Zanten, Carlo Manzo, Mathieu Mivelle, Maria F. Garcia-Parajo
Summary: Recently, the implementation of plasmonic nanoantennas has allowed for the investigation of nanoscale dynamics of biomolecules in living cells. However, previous studies were limited to single molecular species due to the narrow wavelength resonance of gold-based nanostructures. In this study, researchers used broadband aluminum-based nanoantennas to study molecular interactions on living cell membranes with higher resolution. They were able to detect transient interactions and distinguish molecular diffusion within nanoclusters. This work demonstrates the potential of broadband photonic antennas to study multiple molecular events and interactions in living cells with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohd Abdullaha, Razia Banoo, Vijay K. Nuthakki, Mohit Sharma, Sukhleen Kaur, Shikha Thakur, Ajay Kumar, Hemant R. Jadhav, Sandip B. Bharate
Summary: The multifaceted nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) requires multitargeted agents for potential therapeutics. Inhibiting both cholinesterases (ChEs), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), is more beneficial for effectively managing AD. This study provides lead optimization of a pyridinium styryl scaffold to discover a dual ChE inhibitor.
Article
Cell Biology
Rebecca A. Jones, Brandon Trejo, Parijat Sil, Katherine A. Little, H. Amalia Pasolli, Bradley Joyce, Eszter Posfai, Danelle Devenport
Summary: Basement membranes (BMs) are specialized extracellular matrices that play important roles in regulating cell and molecule traffic, as well as participating in signaling, cell migration, and organogenesis. However, the dynamics of mammalian BMs are poorly understood. In this study, researchers developed a mouse model in which the main component of BMs, collagen IV, is fluorescently tagged. Using innovative live imaging techniques, they observed the deformation of BM during hair follicle budding and cell divisions. These findings provide new insights into the developmental dynamics of mammalian BMs.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Vinod Ashok Chaudhari, Siddhartha Das, Swaroop Kumar Sahu, Gerard Pradeep Devnath, Ankit Chandra
Summary: This study investigated the sociodemographic profile, pattern, and reasons for fatal suicidal poisoning in India. The findings revealed that fatal suicidal poisoning was more common among males, young adults, married individuals, agriculture workers/laborers, and in rural settings. The most commonly used poison was organophosphates, and family problems were the most common reason for suicide.
JOURNAL OF FAMILY MEDICINE AND PRIMARY CARE
(2022)