The pandemic outbreak of a new coronavirus (CoV), SARS-CoV-2, has captured the world's attention, demonstrating that CoVs represent a continuous global threat. As this is a highly contagious virus, it is imperative to understand RNA-dependent-RNApolymerase (RdRp), the key component in virus replication. Although the SARS-CoV-2 genome shares 80% sequence identity with severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV, their RdRps and nucleotidyl-transferases (NiRAN) share 98.1% and 93.2% identity, respectively. Sequence alignment of six coronaviruses demonstrated higher identity among their RdRps (60.9%−98.1%) and lower identity among their Spike proteins (27%−77%). Thus, a 3D structural model of RdRp, NiRAN, non-structural protein 7 (nsp7), and nsp8 of SARS-CoV-2 was generated by modeling starting from the SARS counterpart structures. Furthermore, we demonstrate the binding poses of three viral RdRp inhibitors (Galidesivir, Favipiravir, and Penciclovir), which were recently reported to have clinical significance for SARS-CoV-2. The network of interactions established by these drug molecules affirms their efficacy to inhibit viral RNA replication and provides an insight into their structure-based rational optimization for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus recently linked to intrauterine growth restriction including abnormal fetal brain development. The recent outbreak of ZIKV reached pandemic level resulting in an alarming public health emergency. At present, there is limited understanding of the infectious mechanism and no approved therapy. Nonstructural protein 5 is essential for capping and replication of viral RNA and comprises a methyltransferase (MTase) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase domain. Here we used molecular modeling to obtain the structure of ZIKV MTase and molecular docking to identify the additional hydrophobic region uniquely conserved in flavivirus MTase that can be used as a druggable site. Subsequently, a virtual screening with a library of 28 341 compounds identified 10 best hits showing decisive contacts with the MTase. In vitro efficacy analysis of these compounds against ZIKV, by plaque reduction assay, has confirmed four of the top scored ligands (Life Chemicals ID: F3043-0013, F0922-0796, F1609-0442, and F1750-0048) having EC50 (50% effective concentration) values of 4.8 ± 2.3, 12.5 ± 7.4, 17.5 ± 8.4, and 17.6 ± 3.1 μM respectively, identifying lead compounds for anti-ZIKV drug development.

Many priority bacterial pathogens such as P. aeruginosa encode both PPK1 and PPK2 enzymes to maintain polyphosphate homeostasis. While PPK1 and PPK2 have distinct structures and catalytic mechanisms, they are both capable of synthesizing and consuming polyphosphate; thus, PPK2 enzymes can compensate for the loss of PPK1 and vice versa.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are historic therapeutic targets implicated in tumorigenic events due to their critical involvement in the cell cycle phase. However, selectivity has proven to be a bottleneck, causing repeated failures. Previously, we reported CR6-interacting factor 1 (CRIF1), acting as a cell cycle negative regulator through interaction with CDK2. In the current report, we identified the CRIF1–CDK2 interaction interface by in silico studies and shortlisted interface inhibitors through virtual screening on CRIF1 using 40 678 drug-like compounds. These compounds were tested by cell proliferation assay, and four of these molecules were found to selectively inhibit the proliferation of osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines, but do not affect normal bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC). A binding study reveals significant affinities of the inhibitors on CRIF1. More importantly, treatment of the OS cells with a combination of ionizing radiation (IR) and the best-performing inhibitors remarkably increased IR inhibition potential from 19.9% to 59.6%. This occurred by selectively promoting G2/M arrest and apoptosis related to CDK2 overactivation in OS cells but not in BMSC and was supported by significant CDK2 phosphorylation modifications. Knocking down of CRIF1 by siRNA treatment showed similar effects to the interface inhibitors. Together we substantiate the identification of novel lead molecules, which may provide a new treatment to overcome selectivity issues and enhance the radiosensitivity of tumor cells, opening a conceptually novel strategy of CDK-targeting for different cancer types.

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Proteins containing starch-binding domains (SBDs) are used in a variety of scientific and technological applications. A circularly permutated SBD (CP90) with improved affinity and selectivity toward longer-chain carbohydrates was synthesized, suggesting that a new starch-binding protein may be developed for specific scientific and industrial applications.

Human 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β‐HSD1) catalyses the last step in estrogen activation and is thus involved in estrogen‐dependent diseases (EDDs). Unlike other 17β‐HSD members, 17β‐HSD1 undergoes a significant substrate‐induced inhibition that we have previously reported. Here we solved the binary and ternary crystal structures of 17β‐HSD1 in complex with estrone (E1) and cofactor analog NADP+, demonstrating critical enzyme‐substrate‐cofactor interactions. These complexes revealed a reversely bound E1 in 17β‐HSD1 that provides the basis of the substrate inhibition, never demonstrated in estradiol complexes. Structural analysis showed that His221 is the key residue responsible for the reorganization and stabilization of the reversely bound E1, leading to the formation of a dead‐end complex, which exists widely in NADP(H)‐preferred enzymes for the regulation of their enzymatic activity. Further, a new inhibitor is proposed that may inhibit 17β‐HSD1 through the formation of a dead‐end complex. This finding indicates a simple mechanism of enzyme regulation in the physiological background and introduces a pioneer inhibitor of 17β‐HSD1 based on the dead‐end inhibition model for efficiently targeting EDDs. Databases Coordinates and structure factors of 17β‐HSD1‐E1 and 17β‐HSD1‐E1‐NADP+ have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank with accession code and respectively. Enzymes 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β‐HSD1) EC 1.1.1.62.

Pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) is the key enzyme essential for the glycolytic pathway in most common and perilous parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Inhibiting the function of this enzyme could control the wide spread of intestinal infections caused by Entamoeba histolytica in humans. With this objective, we modeled the three dimensional structure of the PPDK protein. We used templates with 51% identity and 67% similarity to employ homology-modeling approach. Stereo chemical quality of protein structure was validated by protein structure validation program PROCHECK and VERIFY3D. Experimental proof available in literature along with the in silico studies indicated Lys21, Arg91, Asp323, Glu325 and Gln337 to be the probable active sites in the target protein. Virtual screening was carried out using the genetic docking algorithm GOLD and a consensus scoring function X-Score to substantiate the prediction. The small molecule libraries (ChemDivision database, Diversity dataset, Kinase inhibitor database) were used for screening process. Along with the high scoring results, the interaction studies provided promising ligands for future experimental screening to inhibit the function of PPDK in Entamoeba histolytica. Further, the phylogeny study was carried out to assess the possibility of using the proposed ligands as inhibitors in related pathogens.