Engineering of 2D nanomaterials to trap and kill SARS-CoV-2: a new insight from multi-microsecond atomistic simulations

In late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Spike protein is one of the surface proteins of SARS-CoV-2 that is essential for its infectious function. Therefore, it received lots of attention for the preparation of antiviral drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. In the current study, we use computational methods of chemistry and biology to study the interaction between spike protein and its receptor in the body, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Additionally, the possible interaction of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, including graphene, bismuthene, phosphorene, p-doped graphene, and functionalized p-doped graphene, with spike protein is investigated. The functionalized p-doped graphene nanomaterials were found to interfere with spike protein better than the other tested nanomaterials. In addition, the interaction of the proposed nanomaterials with the main protease (M-pro) of SARS-CoV-2 was studied. Functionalized p-doped graphene nanomaterials showed more capacity to prevent the activity of M-pro. These 2D nanomaterials efficiently reduce the transmissibility and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by both the deformation of the spike protein and inhibiting the M-pro. The results suggest the potential use of 2D nanomaterials in a variety of prophylactic approaches, such as masks or surface coatings, and would deserve further studies in the coming years.

Automated summary

This study used computational methods to investigate the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with ACE2 receptor and two-dimensional nanomaterials with spike protein and M-pro. Functionalized p-doped graphene nanomaterials showed promising results in inhibiting M-pro activity, indicating their potential use in reducing virus transmission and infectivity.