We compared the electrostatic properties of the spike proteins (S-proteins) of three coronaviruses, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, and their interactions with photosensitizers (PSs), octacationic octakis(cholinyl)zinc phthalocyanine (Zn-PcChol₈₊) and monocationic methylene blue (MB). We found a major common PS binding site at the connection of the S-protein stalk and head. The molecules of Zn-PcChol₈₊ and MB also form electrostatic encounter complexes with large area of negative electrostatic potential at the head of the S-protein of SARS-CoV-2, between fusion protein and heptad repeat 1 domain. The top of the SARS-CoV spike head demonstrates a notable area of electrostatic contacts with Zn-PcChol₈₊ and MB that corresponds to the N-terminal domain. The S-protein protomers of SARS-CoV-2 in “open” and “closed” conformations demonstrate different ability to attract PS molecules. In contrast with Zn-PcChol₈₊, MB possesses the ability to penetrate inside the pocket formed as a result of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain transition into the “open” state. The existence of binding site for cationic PSs common to the S-proteins of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV creates prospects for the wide use of this type of PSs to combat the spread of coronaviruses.

Electrostatics is an important part of virus life. Understanding the detailed distribution of charges over the surface of a virus is important to predict its interactions with host cells, antibodies, drugs, and different materials. Using a coarse-grained model of the entire viral envelope developed by D. Korkin and S.-J. Marrink’s scientific groups, we created an electrostatic map of the external surface of SARS-CoV-2 and found a highly heterogeneous distribution of the electrostatic potential field of the viral envelope. Numerous negative patches originate mainly from negatively charged lipid domains in the viral membrane and negatively charged areas on the “stalks” of the spike (S) proteins. Membrane (M) and envelope (E) proteins with the total positive charge tend to colocalize with the negatively charged lipids. In the E protein pentamer exposed to the outer surface, negatively charged glutamate residues and surrounding lipids form a negative electrostatic potential ring around the channel entrance. We simulated the interaction of the antiviral octacationic photosensitizer octakis(cholinyl)zinc phthalocyanine with the surface structures of the entire model virion using the Brownian dynamics computational method implemented in ProKSim software (version r661). All mentioned negatively charged envelope components attracted the photosensitizer molecules and are thus potential targets for reactive oxygen generated in photosensitized reactions.

The paper is devoted to the method of computer simulation of protein interactions taking part in photosynthetic electron transport reactions. Using this method we have studied kinetic characteristics of protein-protein complex formation for four pairs of proteins involved in photosynthesis at a variety of ionic strength values. Computer simulations describe non-monotonic dependences of complex formation rates on the ionic strength as the result of long-range electrostatic interactions. Calculations confirm that the decrease in the association second order rate constant at low values of the ionic strength is caused by the protein pairs spending more time in “wrong” orientations which do not satisfy the docking conditions and so do not form the final complex capable of the electron transfer.

The application of Brownian dynamics for simulation of transient protein–protein interactions is reviewed. The review focuses on the theoretical basics of the Brownian-dynamics method, its particular implementations, and the advantages and drawbacks of this method. The outlook for future development of Brownian dynamics-based simulation techniques is discussed. Special attention is given to analysis of Brownian dynamics trajectories. The second part of the review is dedicated to the role of Brownian-dynamics simulations in studying photosynthetic electron transport. Interactions of mobile electron carriers (plastocyanin, cytochrome c ₆, and ferredoxin) with their reaction partners (cytochrome b ₆ f complex, photosystem I, ferredoxin:NADP reductase, and hydrogenase) are considered.