A humanized nanobody phage display library yields potent binders of SARS CoV-2 spike.

Neutralizing antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have shown a great preventative/therapeutic potential. Here, we report a rapid and efficient strategy for the development and design of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing humanized nanobody constructs with sub-nanomolar affinities and nanomolar potencies. CryoEM-based structural analysis of the nanobodies in complex with spike revealed two distinct binding modes. The most potent nanobody, RBD-1-2G(NCATS-BL8125), tolerates the N501Y RBD mutation and remains capable of neutralizing the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant. Molecular dynamics simulations provide a structural basis for understanding the neutralization process of nanobodies exclusively focused on the spike-ACE2 interface with and without the N501Y mutation on RBD. A primary human airway air-lung interface (ALI) ex vivo model showed that RBD-1-2G-Fc antibody treatment was effective at reducing viral burden following WA1 and B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 infections. Therefore, this presented strategy will serve as a tool to mitigate the threat of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Computational guided drug repurposing for targeting 2'-O-ribose methyltransferase of SARS-CoV-2.

AIMS: The recent outbreak of pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led the world towards a global health emergency. Currently, no proper medicine or effective treatment strategies are available; therefore, repurposing of FDA approved drugs may play an important role in overcoming the situation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes for 2-O-methyltransferase (2'OMTase), which plays a key role in methylation of viral RNA for evading host immune system. In the present study, the protein sequence of 2'OMTase of SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed, and its structure was modeled by a comparative modeling approach and validated. The library of 3000 drugs was screened against the active site of 2'OMTase followed by re-docking analysis. The apo and ligand-bound 2'OMTase were further validated and analyzed by using molecular dynamics simulation. KEY FINDINGS: The modeled structure displayed the conserved characteristic fold of class I MTase family. The quality assessment analysis by SAVES server reveals that the modeled structure follows protein folding rules and of excellent quality. The docking analysis displayed that the active site of 2'OMTase accommodates an array of drugs, which includes alkaloids, antivirals, cardiac glycosides, anticancer, steroids, and other drugs. The redocking and MD simulation analysis of the best 5 FDA approved drugs reveals that these drugs form a stable conformation with the 2'OMTase. SIGNIFICANCE: The results suggested that these drugs may be used as potential inhibitors for 2'OMTase for combating the SARS-CoV-2 infection.