Neves, B. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2023

Unveiling the antiviral capabilities of targeting Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase against SARS-CoV-2

The urgent need for effective treatments against emerging viral diseases, driven by drug-resistant strains and new viral variants, remains critical. We focus on inhibiting the human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (HsDHODH), one of the enzymes in charge of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. This strategy could impede viral replication without provoking resistance. We evaluated quinone-based compounds, discovering potent HsDHODH inhibition (low nanomolar IC50) and promising in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity (low micromolar EC50). These compounds exhibited low toxicity, indicating potential for further development. Additionally, we employed computational tools like molecular docking and QSAR models to analyze protein-ligand interactions. These findings represent a significant step forward in the search for effective antiviral treatments and have great potential to impact the development of new broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

Drivers of dispersal and diversification in bromeliads

O_LIDispersal strategies strongly influence an array of plant traits, especially the shape and function of fruits and seeds, and can be important drivers of diversification dynamics. In this study we investigated how fruit morphology and habitat influence dispersal capacity and diversification rate in bromeliads. We hypothesize that (1) the evolution of berry fruits increased dispersal capacity and diversification rates; and (2) climatic factors contribute to increased dispersal capacity and diversification rates. C_LIO_LITo understand the influence of fruit and habitat traits on evolutionary dynamics, we generated a time-calibrated phylogeny including 1,268 species of bromeliads and integrated that evolutionary framework with distribution, habitat, and morphological trait data. C_LIO_LIWe find that lineages with berry fruits have the highest rates of diversification. We also identify significant correlation between diversification rates and both elevation and forest canopy height. We demonstrate that dispersal capacity is not related to fruit morphology and covaries with forest canopy height and mean annual temperature. C_LIO_LIWe show that factors influencing the dispersal capacity and diversification are heterogeneous among the subfamilies. These new insights into the rise and spread of bromeliads emphasize the importance of considering the plurality of morphological and ecological features to improve the understanding of the evolutionary dynamics. C_LI

evolutionary biology↗