B1 Non-refereed journal articles
Computational approach to design of aptamers to the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 (2021)


Artyushenko, P. V., Mironov, V. A., Morozov, D. I., Shchugoreva, I. A., Borbone, N., Tomilin, F. N., & Kichkailo, A. S. (2021). Computational approach to design of aptamers to the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. Sibirskoe Medicinskoe Obozrenie, 2021(2), 66-67. https://doi.org/10.20333/2500136-2021-2-66-67


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Artyushenko, P. V.; Mironov, V. A.; Morozov, D. I.; Shchugoreva, I. A.; Borbone, N.; Tomilin, F. N.; Kichkailo, A. S.

Journal or series: Sibirskoe Medicinskoe Obozrenie

ISSN: 1819-9496

eISSN: 2500-0136

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 2021

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 66-67

Publisher: Krasnoyarsk State Medical University

Publication country: Russian Federation

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20333/2500136-2021-2-66-67

Persistent website address: https://smr.krasgmu.ru/journal/2089_10_artyushenko.pdf

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78608

Additional information: Conference materials. 5th International Seminar "Digital Medicines at the Junction of Sciences."


Abstract

The aim of the research. In this work, in silico selection of DNA-aptamers to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was performed using molecular modeling methods.

Material and methods. A new computational approach to aptamer in silico selection is based on a cycle of simulations, including the stages of molecular modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations, and quantum chemical calculations. To verify the obtained calculated results flow cytometry, fluorescence polarization, and small-angle X-ray scattering methods were applied.

Results. An initial library consisted of 256 16-mer oligonucleotides was modeled. Based on molecular docking results, the only one aptamer (Apt16) was selected from the library as a starting aptamer to the RBD protein. For Apt16/RBD complex, molecular dynamic and quantum chemical calculations revealed the pairs of nucleotides and amino acids whose contribution to the binding between aptamer and RBD is the largest. Taking into account these data, Apt16 was subjected to the structure modifications in order to increase the binding with the RBD. Thus, a new aptamer Apt25 was designed. The procedure of 1) aptamer structure modeling/modification, 2) molecular docking, 3) molecular dynamic simulations, 4) quantum chemical calculations was performed sev-eral times. As a result, four aptamers (Apt16, Apt25, Apt27, Apt31) to the RBD were designed in silico without any preliminary experimental data. Binding of the each modeled aptamer to the RBD was studied in terms of interactions between residues in protein and nucleotides in the aptamers. Based on the simulation results, the strongest binding with the RBD was predicted for two Apt27 and Apt31aptamers. The calculated results are in good agreement with experimental data obtained by flow cytometry, fluorescence polarization, and small-angle X-ray scattering methods.

Conclusion. The proposed computational approach to selection and refinement of aptamers is universal and can be used for wide range of molecular ligands and targets.


Keywords: coronaviruses; SARS-CoV-2 virus; receptors (biochemistry); oligonucleotides; molecular dynamics; quantum chemistry; computational chemistry

Free keywords: aptamer; receptor-binding domain; SARS-CoV-2; selection


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021


Last updated on 2024-03-04 at 19:46