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Grottesi, A., Bešker, N., Emerson, A., Manelfi, C., Beccari, A. R., Frigerio, F., . . . Talarico, C. (2020). Computational Studies of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro: Insights from MD Simulations. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(15), Article ID 5346.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Computational Studies of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro: Insights from MD Simulations
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2020 (English)In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, ISSN 1661-6596, E-ISSN 1422-0067, Vol. 21, no 15, article id 5346Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Given the enormous social and health impact of the pandemic triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the scientific community made a huge effort to provide an immediate response to the challenges posed by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One of the most important proteins of the virus is an enzyme, called 3CLpro or main protease, already identified as an important pharmacological target also in SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome virus (MERS) viruses. This protein triggers the production of a whole series of enzymes necessary for the virus to carry out its replicating and infectious activities. Therefore, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of 3CLpro structure and function in order to effectively target this enzyme. All-atoms molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to examine the different conformational behaviors of the monomeric and dimeric form of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro apo structure, as revealed by microsecond time scale MD simulations. Our results also shed light on the conformational dynamics of the loop regions at the entry of the catalytic site. Studying, at atomic level, the characteristics of the active site and obtaining information on how the protein can interact with its substrates will allow the design of molecules able to block the enzymatic function crucial for the virus.

Keywords
SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, protease, molecular dynamics, 3CLpro
National Category
Biological Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:su:diva-186682 (URN)10.3390/ijms21155346 (DOI)000567152500001 ()32731361 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2020-11-16 Created: 2020-11-16 Last updated: 2022-02-25Bibliographically approved
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0001-7315-0585

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