Molecular interactions and inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease by a thiadiazolidinone derivative

We report molecular interactions and inhibition of the main protease (M(Pro) ) of SARS-CoV-2, a key enzyme involved in the viral life cycle. By using a thiadiazolidinone (TDZD) derivative as a chemical probe, we explore the conformational dynamics of M(Pro) via docking protocols and molecular dynamics simulations in all-atom detail. We reveal the local and global dynamics of M(Pro) in the presence of this inhibitor and confirm the inhibition of the enzyme with an IC(50) value of 1.39 ± 0.22 μM, which is comparable to other known inhibitors of this enzyme.