Targeting the Main Protease (Mᵖʳᵒ, nsp5) by Growth of Fragment Scaffolds Exploiting Structure-Based Methodologies


Date

2024-02-16

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

The main protease Mᵖʳᵒ, nsp5, of SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) is one of its most attractive drug targets. Here, we report primary screening data using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) of four different libraries and detailed follow-up synthesis on the promising uracil-containing fragment Z604 derived from these libraries. Z604 shows time-dependent binding. Its inhibitory effect is sensitive to reducing conditions. Starting with Z604, we synthesized and characterized 13 compounds designed by fragment growth strategies. Each compound was characterized by NMR and/or activity assays to investigate their interaction with Mᵖʳᵒ. These investigations resulted in the four-armed compound 35b that binds directly to Mᵖʳᵒ. 35b could be cocrystallized with Mᵖʳᵒrevealing its noncovalent binding mode, which fills all four active site subpockets. Herein, we describe the NMR-derived fragment-to-hit pipeline and its application for the development of promising starting points for inhibitors of the main protease of SCoV2.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

19 (2)

Pages / Article No.

563 - 574

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Crystal cleavage; Inhibition; Ligands; Monomers; Peptides and proteins

Organisational unit

03782 - Riek, Roland / Riek, Roland check_circle
03713 - Sauer, Uwe / Sauer, Uwe

Notes

Funding

192646 - Exploring protein dynamics with atomic resolution (SNF)

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