Download MendeleyStructural Basis for the Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 M pro D48N Mutant by Shikonin and PF-07321332.
Zhao, Z., Zhu, Q., Zhou, X., Li, W., Yin, X., Li, J.(2023) Viruses 16
- PubMed: 38257765
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/v16010065
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
7XB4, 8WUR - PubMed Abstract:
Preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants is crucial in the fight against COVID-19. Inhibition of the main protease (M pro ) of SARS-CoV-2 is the key to disrupting viral replication, making M pro a promising target for therapy. PF-07321332 and shikonin have been identified as effective broad-spectrum inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 M pro . The crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 M pro bound to PF-07321332 and shikonin have been resolved in previous studies. However, the exact mechanism regarding how SARS-CoV-2 M pro mutants impact their binding modes largely remains to be investigated. In this study, we expressed a SARS-CoV-2 M pro mutant, carrying the D48N substitution, representing a class of mutations located near the active sites of M pro . The crystal structures of M pro D48N in complex with PF-07321332 and shikonin were solved. A detailed analysis of the interactions between M pro D48N and two inhibitors provides key insights into the binding pattern and its structural determinants. Further, the binding patterns of the two inhibitors to M pro D48N mutant and wild-type M pro were compared in detail. This study illustrates the possible conformational changes when the M pro D48N mutant is bound to inhibitors. Structural insights derived from this study will inform the development of new drugs against novel coronaviruses.
Organizational Affiliation:
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China.
