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A Fungal Defensin Targets the SARS−CoV−2 Spike Receptor−Binding Domain

Authors :
Shunyi Zhu
Bin Gao
Source :
Journal of Fungi, Vol 7, Iss 553, p 553 (2021), Journal of Fungi, Volume 7, Issue 7
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID−19) elicited by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS−CoV−2) is calling for novel targeted drugs. Since the viral entry into host cells depends on specific interactions between the receptor−binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike protein and the membrane−bound monocarboxypeptidase angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the development of high affinity RBD binders to compete with human ACE2 represents a promising strategy for the design of therapeutics to prevent viral entry. Here, we report the discovery of such a binder and its improvement via a combination of computational and experimental approaches. The binder micasin, a known fungal defensin from the dermatophytic fungus Microsporum canis with antibacterial activity, can dock to the crevice formed by the receptor−binding motif (RBM) of RBD via an extensive shape complementarity interface (855.9 Å2 in area) with numerous hydrophobic and hydrogen−bonding interactions. Using microscale thermophoresis (MST) technique, we confirmed that micasin and its C−terminal γ−core derivative with multiple predicted interacting residues exhibited a low micromolar affinity to RBD. Expanding the interface area of micasin through a single point mutation to 970.5 Å2 accompanying an enhanced hydrogen bond network significantly improved its binding affinity by six−fold. Our work highlights the naturally occurring fungal defensins as an emerging resource that may be suitable for the development into antiviral agents for COVID−19.

Details

Language :
English
Volume :
7
Issue :
553
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Fungi
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....9632c96e93e298f4ab12bb08b0ab90b5