In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs

Aim: COVID 19 continues to be a major health concern. RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 which is crucial for replication is therefore a potential drug target. Methodology: Based on experimental structures of RdRp from SARS-CoV-2, computational models were generated of its homologs from SARS...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shamiya Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath, Tejaswini Choudhury, Madhan Vishal Rajan, Sagar Rathee, Basant Meena, Gururao Hariprasad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825000627
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849686721818525696
author Shamiya Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath
Tejaswini Choudhury
Madhan Vishal Rajan
Sagar Rathee
Basant Meena
Gururao Hariprasad
author_facet Shamiya Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath
Tejaswini Choudhury
Madhan Vishal Rajan
Sagar Rathee
Basant Meena
Gururao Hariprasad
author_sort Shamiya Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath
collection DOAJ
description Aim: COVID 19 continues to be a major health concern. RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 which is crucial for replication is therefore a potential drug target. Methodology: Based on experimental structures of RdRp from SARS-CoV-2, computational models were generated of its homologs from SARS-CoV-1, MERS and Bat. SARS CoV-2 RdRp was used for virtual screening at nucleotide binding site with molecule from COCONUT Natural Products database using Glide. Complexes with the top inhibitor molecule were modelled using Discovery Studio and Desmond suite of programs. Results: SARS-CoV-2 RdRp has a minimum of 80 % sequence similarity with its homologs, with the secondary structural elements, catalytic residues and metal binding residues being conserved. Certain residue variations in SARS-CoV-2 RdRp seems to be responsible for the stability of the enzyme. Docking and simulation studies showed that a flavonoid molecule with Coconut ID: CNP0127177.0 (HHF318) has binding affinity in low nano-molar range against RdRp from SARS-CoV-2 which was comparable or better than currently used inhibitors. This affinity stems from cationic-π with Arg555, and π-stacking interactions with a nucleobase of RNA. Molecule also engages with other residues that are crucial for its functions. This flavonoid molecule has similar physio-chemical properties like ATP towards SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, and has low potency for human ATP binding proteins. Conclusion: HHF318 is a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp with good potency, specificity and pharmacokinetic properties for it to be developed as a drug candidate for COVID19.
format Article
id doaj-art-2bdf54aed1b341e3b2a8d94b5f2f6b27
institution DOAJ
issn 2405-5808
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
spelling doaj-art-2bdf54aed1b341e3b2a8d94b5f2f6b272025-08-20T03:22:35ZengElsevierBiochemistry and Biophysics Reports2405-58082025-06-014210197510.1016/j.bbrep.2025.101975In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologsShamiya Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath0Tejaswini Choudhury1Madhan Vishal Rajan2Sagar Rathee3Basant Meena4Gururao Hariprasad5Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, IndiaDepartment of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, IndiaDepartment of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, IndiaDepartment of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, IndiaDepartment of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, IndiaCorresponding author.; Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, IndiaAim: COVID 19 continues to be a major health concern. RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 which is crucial for replication is therefore a potential drug target. Methodology: Based on experimental structures of RdRp from SARS-CoV-2, computational models were generated of its homologs from SARS-CoV-1, MERS and Bat. SARS CoV-2 RdRp was used for virtual screening at nucleotide binding site with molecule from COCONUT Natural Products database using Glide. Complexes with the top inhibitor molecule were modelled using Discovery Studio and Desmond suite of programs. Results: SARS-CoV-2 RdRp has a minimum of 80 % sequence similarity with its homologs, with the secondary structural elements, catalytic residues and metal binding residues being conserved. Certain residue variations in SARS-CoV-2 RdRp seems to be responsible for the stability of the enzyme. Docking and simulation studies showed that a flavonoid molecule with Coconut ID: CNP0127177.0 (HHF318) has binding affinity in low nano-molar range against RdRp from SARS-CoV-2 which was comparable or better than currently used inhibitors. This affinity stems from cationic-π with Arg555, and π-stacking interactions with a nucleobase of RNA. Molecule also engages with other residues that are crucial for its functions. This flavonoid molecule has similar physio-chemical properties like ATP towards SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, and has low potency for human ATP binding proteins. Conclusion: HHF318 is a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp with good potency, specificity and pharmacokinetic properties for it to be developed as a drug candidate for COVID19.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825000627SARS-CoV-2RNA dependent RNA polymeraseStructure based drug screeningEnzyme inhibitionFlavonoid molecule
spellingShingle Shamiya Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath
Tejaswini Choudhury
Madhan Vishal Rajan
Sagar Rathee
Basant Meena
Gururao Hariprasad
In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
SARS-CoV-2
RNA dependent RNA polymerase
Structure based drug screening
Enzyme inhibition
Flavonoid molecule
title In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs
title_full In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs
title_fullStr In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs
title_full_unstemmed In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs
title_short In silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12-RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 and its homologs
title_sort in silico studies to understand the interactions of flavonoid inhibitor with nsp12 rna dependent rna polymerase of sars cov 2 and its homologs
topic SARS-CoV-2
RNA dependent RNA polymerase
Structure based drug screening
Enzyme inhibition
Flavonoid molecule
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580825000627
work_keys_str_mv AT shamiyaanwarkizhakkiniyakath insilicostudiestounderstandtheinteractionsofflavonoidinhibitorwithnsp12rnadependentrnapolymeraseofsarscov2anditshomologs
AT tejaswinichoudhury insilicostudiestounderstandtheinteractionsofflavonoidinhibitorwithnsp12rnadependentrnapolymeraseofsarscov2anditshomologs
AT madhanvishalrajan insilicostudiestounderstandtheinteractionsofflavonoidinhibitorwithnsp12rnadependentrnapolymeraseofsarscov2anditshomologs
AT sagarrathee insilicostudiestounderstandtheinteractionsofflavonoidinhibitorwithnsp12rnadependentrnapolymeraseofsarscov2anditshomologs
AT basantmeena insilicostudiestounderstandtheinteractionsofflavonoidinhibitorwithnsp12rnadependentrnapolymeraseofsarscov2anditshomologs
AT gururaohariprasad insilicostudiestounderstandtheinteractionsofflavonoidinhibitorwithnsp12rnadependentrnapolymeraseofsarscov2anditshomologs