In Silico Molecular Characterization of Human TMPRSS2 Protease Polymorphic Variants and Associated SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to challenge health care systems worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the cause of global pandemic. Type 2 transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) is important in the cell entry and spread of SARS-CoV-2 and plays a crucial role in the proteolytic cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein. Here, using reported structural data, we analyzed the molecular complex of TMPRSS2 and the S glycoprotein and further examined intermolecular interactions of natural TMPRSS2 polymorphic variants. We identified several TMPRSS2 variants that could possibly alter host susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Molecular docking analysis revealed that G462D/G462S variants were predicted to be protective variants, whereas Q438E and S339F variants were predicted to increase susceptibility. In addition, we examined intermolecular interactions between TMPRSS2 and its two potential serine protease inhibitors, camostat mesylate and nafamostat. Further, we investigated the effect of TMPRSS2 variants on these interactions. Our structural analysis revealed that G462D, C297S and S460R variants had possibly altered the interactions with the protease inhibitors. Our results identified important TMPRSS2 variations that could be useful to develop high affinity and personalized drugs for treating COVID-19 patients.