(Supplementary Files) Repurposing Pheophorbide a as an Antiviral Molecule for Targeting a Stable Region in the Human papillomavirus type 16 Genome

The emergence of Human papillomavirus (HPV) among the human population in different regions of the world has heightened the interest for new treatment methods. Molecular docking is a reliable and predictive method for screening of new potential antiviral molecules against pathogens. The retrieved 42 high-quality whole-genome sequences of HPV were analysed in view of a stable region existence in the genome. The protein encoded by this stable region was targeted for protein-ligand interaction. Consequently, a target constant region which is responsible for encoding the crystal structure of HPV E7 CR3 domain with various regulatory functions for the virus, was detected. A ligand “Pheophorbide a (C35H36N4O5)” interacts with this protein, which could be used against HPV. As known, Pheophorbide a has also been commercially used for cancer treatments. The predictive results need confirmation with further clinical and in vitro studies. The findings will provide new insights into HPV-human cell interactions, induced immunity, and new methods for HPV treatment.