Novel mutations in NSP-1 and PLPro of SARS-CoV-2 NIB-1 genome mount for effective therapeutics.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is rapidly acquiring new mutations. Analysis of these mutations is necessary for gaining knowledge regarding different aspects of therapeutic development. Previously, we have reported a Sanger method-based genome sequence of a viral isolate named SARS-CoV-2 NIB-1, circulating in Bangladesh. The genome has four novel non-synonymous mutations in V121D, V843F, A889V, and G1691C positions. RESULTS: Using different computational tools, we have found V121D substitution has the potential to destabilize the non-structural protein-1 (NSP-1). NSP-1 inactivates the type-1 interferon-induced antiviral system. Hence, this mutant could be a basis of attenuated vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. V843F, A889V, and G1691C are all located in nonstructural protein-3 (NSP-3). G1691C can decrease the flexibility of the protein. V843F and A889V might change the binding pattern and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLPro) inhibitor GRL0617. V843F substitution in PLPro was the most prevalent mutation in the clinical samples. This mutation showed a reduced affinity for interferon-stimulated gene-15 protein (ISG-15) and might have an impact on innate immunity and viral spread. However, V843F+A889V double mutant exhibited the same binding affinity as wild type PLPro. A possible reason behind this phenomenon can be that V843F is a conserved residue of PLPro which damaged the protease structure, but A889V, a less conserved residue, presumably neutralized that damage. CONCLUSIONS: Mutants of NSP-1 could provide attenuated vaccines against coronavirus. Also, these mutations of PLPro might be targeted to develop better anti-SARS therapeutics. We hope our study will help to get better insides during the development of attenuated vaccine and PLPro inhibitors.

Recognition of plausible therapeutic agents to combat COVID-19: An omics data based combined approach.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become an immense threat to global public health. In this study, we performed complete genome sequencing of a SARS-CoV-2 isolate. More than 67,000 genome sequences were further inspected from Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Using several in silico techniques, we proposed prospective therapeutics against this virus. Through meticulous analysis, several conserved and therapeutically suitable regions of SARS-CoV-2 such as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Spike (S) and Membrane glycoprotein (M) coding genes were selected. Both S and M were chosen for the development of a chimeric vaccine that can generate memory B and T cells. siRNAs were also designed for S and M gene silencing. Moreover, six new drug candidates were suggested that might inhibit the activity of RdRp. Since SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 have 82.30% sequence identity, a Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) patients were analyzed. In this analysis, 13 immunoregulatory genes were found that can be used to develop type 1 interferon (IFN) based therapy. The proposed vaccine, siRNAs, drugs and IFN based analysis of this study will accelerate the development of new treatments.

Potentials and Safety of Date Palm Fruit against Diabetes: A Critical Review.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder triggered by disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolisms, where either reduced secretion or sensitivity of insulin is observed coupled with poor glucose control. Date palm fruits are one of the fruits reported to have good potential in diabetes treatment due to its presence of polyphenols exerting strong antioxidant activities. Other possible mechanisms of action include the polyphenolic compounds, which can inhibit enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Flavonoids in dates can stimulate ß-cells by increasing the number of islets and ß-cells, recovering endocrine pancreatic tissues, reducing ß-cell apoptosis, activating insulin receptors following the increase in insulin secretion, in addition to improving diabetes-induced complications. In this review, the in vitro, in vivo, and human study-based evidence of date palm as an anti-diabetic fruit is summarised.