Exploring the cause of oseltamivir resistance against mutant H274Y neuraminidase by molecular simulation approach

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2012 May;167(2):237-49. doi: 10.1007/s12010-012-9687-7. Epub 2012 Apr 28.

Abstract

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is the preferred anti-viral drug employed to fight the flu virus in infected individuals. The principal target for this drug is a virus surface glycoprotein, neuraminidase (NA), which facilitates the release of nascent virus and thus spreads infections. Until recently, only a low prevalence of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) resistance (<1%) had been detected in circulating viruses. However, there have been reports of significant numbers of A (H1N1) influenza strains with a H274Y neuraminidase mutation that was highly resistant to the NAI, oseltamivir. In this study, we highlight the effect of point mutation-induced oseltamivir resistance in H1N1 subtype neuraminidases by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approach. Our results suggested that wild-type NA could be more indispensable for the oseltamivir binding, as characterized by minimum number of H-bonds, high flexibility and largest binding affinity than mutant-type NA. This study throws light on the possible effects of drug-resistant mutations on the large functionally important collective motions in biological systems.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / drug effects*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / enzymology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Neuraminidase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neuraminidase / genetics*
  • Neuraminidase / metabolism
  • Oseltamivir / pharmacology*
  • Viral Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Viral Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Viral Proteins
  • Oseltamivir
  • NA protein, influenza A virus
  • Neuraminidase