Targeting Human Papillomavirus 33 <scp>E2 DNA</scp> Binding Domain With Polyphenols: Unveiling Interactions Through Biophysical and In Silico Methods

The human papillomavirus (HPV) 33 is a high-risk strain that causes lesions with potential cancerous outcomes. Its E2 protein regulates the viral protein transcription and life cycle maintenance. The DNA binding domain (DBD) of the E2 protein plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle. The DBD region of the E2 protein is particularly interesting for targeting and finding potential inhibitors to inhibit its function or dimerization. Given the limited research on HPV 33 and its proteins, the present work delved into the interaction of two natural polyphenolic compounds, resveratrol, and baicalein, with the E2 DBD of HPV 33 using biophysical and in silico studies. Fluorescence studies of the E2 DBD-polyphenol complexes showed fluorescence quenching with a binding constant of the order of 10⁶ M^-1. Circular dichroism data reveal conformational changes upon binding with the polyphenols, possibly due to distinct binding sites of the E2 DBD. Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited higher melting temperatures for the two complexes than alone DBD, suggesting the complexes' stability. ITC experiment suggested favorable binding reactions with k _d values in the micromolar range. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies revealed that the resveratrol binds to the helical region and baicalein near the central dimeric interface of E2 DBD with a good binding affinity, forming a stable protein-ligand complex during the run of 100 ns simulation. Therefore, the current study identifies both polyphenolic compounds as promising candidates for potential antiviral drug development.