Antônio Marcelo Alves Lima

Dr. Antônio Marcelo Alves Lima

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 May 2026 in Receptors
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HBHelyson Lucas Bezerra Braz
Helyson Lucas Bezerra Braz
AMAline Diogo Marinho
Aline Diogo Marinho
ALAntônio Marcelo Alves Lima
Antônio Marcelo Alves Lima
RSRaul Victor Magalhães Souza
Raul Victor Magalhães Souza
JSJoão Alison de Moraes Silveira
João Alison de Moraes Silveira
RJRoberta Jeane Jorge
Roberta Jeane Jorge
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent responsible for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although case numbers declined after the initial outbreak, Brazil experienced slight increases in COVID-19 cases in 2024 and 2025, underscoring the persistent need for effective therapeutic interventions. Recently, proxalutamide—an androgen receptor antagonist—has been proposed as a potential therapeutic agent against COVID-19, as supported by several clinical studies. Methods: In the present work, we aimed to elucidate the molecular interactions between proxalutamide and key proteins involved in the viral fusion and replication processes of SARS-CoV-2. Computational techniques, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, were employed. Results: Our analyses indicated a high success rate, with stable conformations and favorable binding affinity values for ACE2 (−8.90 kcal/mol) and TMPRSS2 (−9.28 kcal/mol), resulting in strong docking scores. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of these complexes, as evidenced by consistent mean square deviation values, low structural flexibility, a stable radius of gyration, and maintained surface rigidity over a 100 ns simulation period. Conclusions: These combined docking and dynamics results suggest that proxalutamide interacts firmly with the active sites, indicating high binding affinity that may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 entry. Nevertheless, experimental validation and rigorous safety assessments are warranted to confirm this potential.