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Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance
Published on: June 14, 2022
Tuftsin: A Natural Molecule Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Jiahao Huang1, Jing Wang2, Yan Li1
1Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University. NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology(Peking University), Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continuously progresses despite the application of a variety of vaccines. Therefore, it is still imperative to find effective ways for treating COVID-19. Recent studies indicate that NRP1, an important receptor of the natural peptide tuftsin (released from IgG), facilitates SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we found 91 overlapping genes between tuftsin targets and COVID-19-associated genes. We have demonstrated that tuftsin could also target ACE2 and exert some immune-related functions. Molecular docking results revealed that tustin could combine with ACE2 and NRP1 in stable structures, and their interacted regions cover the binding surfaces of S1-protein with the two receptors. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, we confirmed that tuftsin can bind ACE2 and NRP1 directly. Importantly, using SPR-based competition assay we have shown here that tuftsin effectively prevented the binding of SARS-CoV-2 S1-protein to ACE2. Collectively, these data suggest that tuftsin is an attractive therapeutic candidate against COVID-19 and can be considered for translational as well as clinical studies.
Insights
Tuftsin, a peptide targeting ACE2 and NRP1 receptors, effectively blocks SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein binding, suggesting its potential as a COVID-19 therapeutic agent.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is identified as a key receptor facilitating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry.
- Tuftsin, a natural peptide derived from immunoglobulin G (IgG), has potential immunomodulatory functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of tuftsin as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19.
- To explore the interaction of tuftsin with ACE2 and NRP1 receptors, key players in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To determine if tuftsin can inhibit the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to host cell receptors.
Main Methods:
- Gene overlap analysis between tuftsin targets and COVID-19-associated genes.
- Molecular docking simulations to predict binding interactions between tuftsin, ACE2, and NRP1.
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis to confirm direct binding of tuftsin to ACE2 and NRP1.
- SPR-based competition assays to evaluate tuftsin's ability to block SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein binding.
Main Results:
- Identified 91 overlapping genes between tuftsin targets and COVID-19-associated genes.
- Demonstrated that tuftsin targets both ACE2 and NRP1, with binding sites overlapping with SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein interaction regions.
- Confirmed direct binding of tuftsin to ACE2 and NRP1 using SPR.
- Showcased tuftsin's efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein binding to ACE2 in competition assays.
Conclusions:
- Tuftsin exhibits direct binding to ACE2 and NRP1, key receptors for SARS-CoV-2.
- Tuftsin effectively inhibits the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein and ACE2.
- Tuftsin presents a promising therapeutic candidate for COVID-19, warranting further clinical investigation.
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