A strategic combination of tools used in the fields of glycobiology and nanomedicine has provided special insights for clinicians in charge with diagnostic and therapeutic aspects related to SARS CoV2 infections. We are correlating clinical data derived from patients in intense care units with results obtained by tools applied in structural biology such as NMR and molecular modeling (Figure 1). The development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches against SARS CoV2 was possible after testing incretin-mimetics (adapted from the amino acid sequence of the gila monster). In a first step, we used blood pH values together with data about temperature alterations in the blood stream. These data sets provide a direct link to distinct structure related questions on a sub-molecular size level (e.g. conformational changes and interaction dynamics). The impact of biophysical parameters like temperature, pH value differences and membrane polarities (e.g. their glycosylation state as well as the affinity of certain amino acid sequences to sialic acids) provide valuable hints to identify a potential Achilles heel of a corona virus. In silico molecular modeling calculations and in vitro NMR experiments (including 31P NMR measurements) were applied to analyze the structural behavior of potential antiviral peptides encapsulated by dodecylphosphocholine (DPC). Potential SARS CoV2 inhibitory peptides were compared with corona virus fusion peptides interacting with a glycosylated model membrane consisting of DPC micelles mixed with GM1 gangliosides and analyzed under physiological conditions with NMR methods. Thereby, we were able to observe specific interactions of corona virus fusion peptides and potential inhibitory SARS CoV2 fusion peptides with glycosylated DPC model membranes at various GM1 concentrations and temperatures. In addition, we have tested sialic acid coated silica nanoparticles as a simple virus model or as elementary virus receptors.

Glycobiology in combination with nanomedicine provides valuable tools to combat the SARS CoV2 pandemic disease

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