Insight into the drug resistance mechanisms of GS-9669 caused by mutations of HCV NS5B polymerase via molecular simulation

GS-9669 is a non-nucleos(t)ide inhibitor (NNI) binding to the thumb site II of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase and has advanced into phase II trials. To clarify the drug resistance mechanisms of GS-9669 caused by M423T/I/V, L419M, R422K, and I482L mutations of NS5B polymerase (GT1b) and the receptor-ligand interactions during the binding process, a series of molecular simulation methods including molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and adaptive steered molecular dynamics (ASMD) simulations were performed for the wild-type (WT) and six mutant NS5B/GS-9669 complexes. The calculated results indicate that the binding free energies of the mutant systems are less negative than that of the WT system, indicating that these mutations will indeed cause NS5B to produce different degrees of resistance to GS-9669. The mutation-induced drug resistances are mainly caused by the loss of binding affinities of Leu419 and Trp528 with GS-9669 or the formation of multiple solvent bridges. Moreover, the ASMD calculations show that GS-9669 binds to the thumb II sites of the seven NS5B polymerases in distinct pathways without any obvious energy barriers. Although the recognition methods and binding pathways are distinct, the binding processes of GS-9669 with the WT and mutant NS5B polymerases are basically controlled thermodynamically. This study clearly reveals the resistance mechanisms of GS-9669 caused by M423T/I/V, L419M, R422K, and I482L mutations of HCV NS5B polymerase and provides some valuable clues for further optimization and design of novel NS5B inhibitors.