CIGB-300 Synthetic Peptide, an Antagonist of CK2 Kinase Activity, as a Treatment for Covid-19. A Computational Biology Approach
Jamilet Miranda, Ricardo Bringas, Jorge Fernández-de-Cossío, Yasser Perera · Research Square · 2021
Abstract Background: Similarities in the hijacking mechanisms used by SARS-CoV-2 and several type of cancer, suggest the repurposing of cancer drugs to treat Covid-19. CK2 kinase antagonists have been proposed for the treatment of cancer. A recent study in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus found a significant CK2 kinase activity, and the use of a CK2 inhibitor showed antiviral responses. CIGB-300, originally designed as an anticancer peptide, is an antagonist of CK2 kinase activity that binds to CK2 phospho-acceptor sites. Recent preliminary results show an antiviral activity of CIGB-300 versus a surrogate model of coronavirus. Here we present a computational biology study that provides evidences at the molecular level of how CIGB-300 might interfere with SARS-CoV-2 life cycle inside infected human cells. Methods: Sequence analysis and phosphorylation studies data were combined to predict infection-induced molecular mechanism that can be interfered by CIGB-300. Next we integrated multi-omics data on SARS-CoV-2 infection and data on the antagonistic effect on CK2 kinase activity of CIGB-300 to predict the potential benefits of its treatment in COVID-19 patients. A combination of network and functional enrichment analysis was used.Results: First, from SARS-CoV studies, we infer the potential incidence of CIGB-300 in SARS-CoV-2 interference on immune response. Next, from the analysis of multiple Omics data, we propose the action of CIGB-300 since early stage of viral infections perturbing the virus hijacking of RNA splicing machinery. It was also predicted the interference of CIGB-300 in virus-host interactions responsible for the high infectivity and the particular immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further, we provide evidences of CIGB-300 attenuation of phenotypes related to muscle, bleeding, coagulation and respiratory disorders.Conclusions: We have evidenced the potential benefits of using CIGB-300 to treat COVID-19 patients and strongly suggest its use since early stages of viral infection.