Abstract
Synthetic sialic acid analogues with multiple modifications at different positions(C-1/C-2/C-4/C-8/C-9) are investigated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics to determine their conformational preferences and structural stability to interact with their natural receptors. Sialic acids with multiple modifications are soaked in a periodic box of water as solvent. Molecular mechanics and a 2 nanosecond molecular dynamics are done using amber force fields with 30 picosecond equilibrium. Direct and water mediated hydrogen bonds existing in the sialic acid analogues, aiding for their structural stabilization are identified in this study. The accessible conformations of side chain linkages of sialic acid analogues holding multiple substituents are determined from molecular dynamics trajectory at every 1ps interval. Transitions between different minimum energy regions in conformational maps are also noticed in C-1, C-2, C-4, C-8 and C-9 substituents. Docking studies were done to find the binding mode of the sialic acid analogues with Influenza hemagglutinin. This finding provides stereo chemical explanation and conformational preference of sialic acid analogues which may be crucial for the design of sialic acid analogues as inhibitors for different sialic acid specific pathogenic proteins such as influenza toxins and neuraminidases.
Highlights
Synthetic sialic acid analogues with multiple modifications at different positions(C-1/C-2/C-4/C-8/C-9) are investigated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics to determine their conformational preferences and structural stability to interact with their natural receptors
The receptor determinants of Influenza virus are shown to be sialic acid residues, which constitute more than 20 naturally occurring derivatives of neuraminic acid collectively referred to as a family of sialic acids. These are found widely distributed in animal tissues and in bacteria, especially in glycoproteins and gangliosides
The binding of influenza A virus is mediated by the major virus surface glycoprotein, hemagglutinin (HA) that binds to the terminal sialic acid residues as the first step of viral infection and mediates both the initial attachment of virus to target cells and the subsequent fusion of the viral and cell membranes[2]
Summary
Synthetic sialic acid analogues with multiple modifications at different positions(C-1/C-2/C-4/C-8/C-9) are investigated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics to determine their conformational preferences and structural stability to interact with their natural receptors. The receptor determinants of Influenza virus are shown to be sialic acid residues, which constitute more than 20 naturally occurring derivatives of neuraminic acid collectively referred to as a family of sialic acids. The region of the HA involved in receptor binding has been deduced from studies of mutant HAs with different binding specificities to involve a pocket of amino acids at Based on this knowledge, it should, in principle be possible to find a neuraminic acid analogue that mimics the cell receptor and preferentially binds to the virus, thereby blocking attachment.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
