A Computational Approach to Explore the Interaction of Semisynthetic Nitrogenous Heterocyclic Compounds with the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

In the context of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous attempts have been made to discover new potential antiviral molecules against its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, many of which focus on its main protease (M-pro). We hereby used two approaches based on molecular docking simulation to explore the interaction of four libraries of semisynthetic nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds with M-pro. Libraries L1 and L2 contain 52 synthetic derivatives of the natural compound 2-propylquinoline, whereas libraries L3 and L4 contain 65 compounds synthesized using the natural compound physostigmine as a precursor. Validation through redocking suggested that the rigid receptor and flexible receptor approaches used for docking were suitable to model the interaction of this type of compounds with the target protein, although the flexible approach seemed to provide a more realistic representation of interactions within the active site. Using empirical energy score thresholds, we selected 58 compounds from the four libraries with the most favorable energy estimates. Globally, favorable estimates were obtained for molecules with two or more substituents, putatively accommodating in three or more subsites within the M-pro active site. Our results pave the way for further experimental evaluation of the selected compounds as potential antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2.

Automated summary

In the study, two molecular docking simulation approaches were used to explore the interaction of four libraries of semisynthetic nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds with the SARS-CoV-2 causative agent M-pro. The flexible docking approach seemed to provide a more realistic representation of interactions within the active site. Selected compounds with favorable energy estimates could potentially serve as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2.