1
|
Bagnolini G, Luu TB, Hargrove AE. Recognizing the power of machine learning and other computational methods to accelerate progress in small molecule targeting of RNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:473-488. [PMID: 36693763 PMCID: PMC10019373 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079497.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
RNA structures regulate a wide range of processes in biology and disease, yet small molecule chemical probes or drugs that can modulate these functions are rare. Machine learning and other computational methods are well poised to fill gaps in knowledge and overcome the inherent challenges in RNA targeting, such as the dynamic nature of RNA and the difficulty of obtaining RNA high-resolution structures. Successful tools to date include principal component analysis, linear discriminate analysis, k-nearest neighbor, artificial neural networks, multiple linear regression, and many others. Employment of these tools has revealed critical factors for selective recognition in RNA:small molecule complexes, predictable differences in RNA- and protein-binding ligands, and quantitative structure activity relationships that allow the rational design of small molecules for a given RNA target. Herein we present our perspective on the value of using machine learning and other computation methods to advance RNA:small molecule targeting, including select examples and their validation as well as necessary and promising future directions that will be key to accelerate discoveries in this important field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Bagnolini
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - TinTin B Luu
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gupta P, Khadake RM, Panja S, Shinde K, Rode AB. Alternative RNA Conformations: Companion or Combatant. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1930. [PMID: 36360167 PMCID: PMC9689429 DOI: 10.3390/genes13111930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA molecules, in one form or another, are involved in almost all aspects of cell physiology, as well as in disease development. The diversity of the functional roles of RNA comes from its intrinsic ability to adopt complex secondary and tertiary structures, rivaling the diversity of proteins. The RNA molecules form dynamic ensembles of many interconverting conformations at a timescale of seconds, which is a key for understanding how they execute their cellular functions. Given the crucial role of RNAs in various cellular processes, we need to understand the RNA molecules from a structural perspective. Central to this review are studies aimed at revealing the regulatory role of conformational equilibria in RNA in humans to understand genetic diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as in pathogens such as bacteria and viruses so as to understand the progression of infectious diseases. Furthermore, we also summarize the prior studies on the use of RNA structures as platforms for the rational design of small molecules for therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ambadas B. Rode
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad—Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Childs-Disney JL, Yang X, Gibaut QMR, Tong Y, Batey RT, Disney MD. Targeting RNA structures with small molecules. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:736-762. [PMID: 35941229 PMCID: PMC9360655 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00521-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA adopts 3D structures that confer varied functional roles in human biology and dysfunction in disease. Approaches to therapeutically target RNA structures with small molecules are being actively pursued, aided by key advances in the field including the development of computational tools that predict evolutionarily conserved RNA structures, as well as strategies that expand mode of action and facilitate interactions with cellular machinery. Existing RNA-targeted small molecules use a range of mechanisms including directing splicing - by acting as molecular glues with cellular proteins (such as branaplam and the FDA-approved risdiplam), inhibition of translation of undruggable proteins and deactivation of functional structures in noncoding RNAs. Here, we describe strategies to identify, validate and optimize small molecules that target the functional transcriptome, laying out a roadmap to advance these agents into the next decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xueyi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | | | - Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Robert T Batey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Targeting RNA structures in diseases with small molecules. Essays Biochem 2021; 64:955-966. [PMID: 33078198 PMCID: PMC7724634 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RNA is crucial for gene expression and regulation. Recent advances in understanding of RNA biochemistry, structure and molecular biology have revealed the importance of RNA structure in cellular processes and diseases. Various approaches to discovering drug-like small molecules that target RNA structure have been developed. This review provides a brief introduction to RNA structural biology and how RNA structures function as disease regulators. We summarize approaches to targeting RNA with small molecules and highlight their advantages, shortcomings and therapeutic potential.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bis-3-Chloropiperidines Targeting TAR RNA as A Novel Strategy to Impair the HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26071874. [PMID: 33810333 PMCID: PMC8038054 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific RNA sequences regulate functions essential to life. The Trans-Activation Response element (TAR) is an RNA stem-bulge-loop structure involved in several steps of HIV-1 replication. In this work, we show how RNA targeting can inhibit HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC), a highly conserved protein known to catalyze nucleic acid melting and strand transfers during reverse transcription. Our RNA targeting strategy consists of the employment of bis-3-chloropiperidines (B-CePs) to impair RNA melting through bifunctional alkylation. Specific interactions between B-CePs and TAR RNA were analytically investigated by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, allowing the elucidation of B-CePs' recognition of TAR, and highlighting an RNA-directed mechanism of protein inhibition. We propose that B-CePs can freeze TAR tridimensional conformation, impairing NC-induced dynamics and finally inhibiting its functions in vitro.
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang Y, Bruggeman KF, Franks S, Gautam V, Hodgetts SI, Harvey AR, Williams RJ, Nisbet DR. Is Viral Vector Gene Delivery More Effective Using Biomaterials? Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001238. [PMID: 33191667 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene delivery has been extensively investigated for introducing foreign genetic material into cells to promote expression of therapeutic proteins or to silence relevant genes. This approach can regulate genetic or epigenetic disorders, offering an attractive alternative to pharmacological therapy or invasive protein delivery options. However, the exciting potential of viral gene therapy has yet to be fully realized, with a number of clinical trials failing to deliver optimal therapeutic outcomes. Reasons for this include difficulty in achieving localized delivery, and subsequently lower efficacy at the target site, as well as poor or inconsistent transduction efficiency. Thus, ongoing efforts are focused on improving local viral delivery and enhancing its efficiency. Recently, biomaterials have been exploited as an option for more controlled, targeted and programmable gene delivery. There is a growing body of literature demonstrating the efficacy of biomaterials and their potential advantages over other delivery strategies. This review explores current limitations of gene delivery and the progress of biomaterial-mediated gene delivery. The combination of biomaterials and gene vectors holds the potential to surmount major challenges, including the uncontrolled release of viral vectors with random delivery duration, poorly localized viral delivery with associated off-target effects, limited viral tropism, and immune safety concerns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials Research School of Engineering The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Kiara F. Bruggeman
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials Research School of Engineering The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Stephanie Franks
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials Research School of Engineering The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Vini Gautam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Stuart I. Hodgetts
- School of Human Sciences The University of Western Australia Perth WA 6009 Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science Perth WA 6009 Australia
| | - Alan R. Harvey
- School of Human Sciences The University of Western Australia Perth WA 6009 Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science Perth WA 6009 Australia
| | - Richard J. Williams
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) School of Medicine Deakin University Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 Australia
- Biofab3D St. Vincent's Hospital Fitzroy 3065 Australia
| | - David R. Nisbet
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials Research School of Engineering The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
- Biofab3D St. Vincent's Hospital Fitzroy 3065 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Umuhire Juru A, Cai Z, Jan A, Hargrove AE. Template-guided selection of RNA ligands using imine-based dynamic combinatorial chemistry. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:3555-3558. [PMID: 32104839 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc00266f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study establishes the applicability of imine-based dynamic combinatorial chemistry to discover non-covalent ligands for RNA targets. We elucidate properties underlying the reactivity of arylamines and demonstrate target-guided amplification of tight binders in an amiloride-based dynamic library.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline Umuhire Juru
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| | - Zhengguo Cai
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| | - Adina Jan
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Boyd PS, Brown JB, Brown JD, Catazaro J, Chaudry I, Ding P, Dong X, Marchant J, O’Hern CT, Singh K, Swanson C, Summers MF, Yasin S. NMR Studies of Retroviral Genome Packaging. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101115. [PMID: 33008123 PMCID: PMC7599994 DOI: 10.3390/v12101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly all retroviruses selectively package two copies of their unspliced RNA genomes from a cellular milieu that contains a substantial excess of non-viral and spliced viral RNAs. Over the past four decades, combinations of genetic experiments, phylogenetic analyses, nucleotide accessibility mapping, in silico RNA structure predictions, and biophysical experiments were employed to understand how retroviral genomes are selected for packaging. Genetic studies provided early clues regarding the protein and RNA elements required for packaging, and nucleotide accessibility mapping experiments provided insights into the secondary structures of functionally important elements in the genome. Three-dimensional structural determinants of packaging were primarily derived by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A key advantage of NMR, relative to other methods for determining biomolecular structure (such as X-ray crystallography), is that it is well suited for studies of conformationally dynamic and heterogeneous systems—a hallmark of the retrovirus packaging machinery. Here, we review advances in understanding of the structures, dynamics, and interactions of the proteins and RNA elements involved in retroviral genome selection and packaging that are facilitated by NMR.
Collapse
|
9
|
Srivastava R. Chemical reactivity theory (CRT) study of small drug-like biologically active molecules. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:943-952. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1725642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Srivastava
- Bioinformatics, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sherpa C, Grice SFJL. Structural Fluidity of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Rev Response Element. Viruses 2020; 12:v12010086. [PMID: 31940828 PMCID: PMC7019801 DOI: 10.3390/v12010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleocytoplasmic transport of unspliced and partially spliced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA is mediated in part by the Rev response element (RRE), a ~350 nt cis-acting element located in the envelope coding region of the viral genome. Understanding the interaction of the RRE with the viral Rev protein, cellular co-factors, and its therapeutic potential has been the subject of almost three decades of structural studies, throughout which a recurring discussion theme has been RRE topology, i.e., whether it comprises 4 or 5 stem-loops (SLs) and whether this has biological significance. Moreover, while in vitro mutagenesis allows the construction of 4 SL and 5 SL RRE conformers and testing of their roles in cell culture, it has not been immediately clear if such findings can be translated to a clinical setting. Herein, we review several articles demonstrating remarkable flexibility of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 RREs following initial observations that HIV-1 resistance to trans-dominant Rev therapy was founded in structural rearrangement of its RRE. These observations can be extended not only to cell culture studies demonstrating a growth advantage for the 5 SL RRE conformer but also to evolution in RRE topology in patient isolates. Finally, RRE conformational flexibility provides a target for therapeutic intervention, and we describe high throughput screening approaches to exploit this property.
Collapse
|
11
|
Patwardhan NN, Cai Z, Umuhire Juru A, Hargrove AE. Driving factors in amiloride recognition of HIV RNA targets. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:9313-9320. [PMID: 31612165 PMCID: PMC6909927 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob01702j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs are increasingly promising drug targets yet ligand design is hindered by a paucity of methods that reveal driving factors in selective small molecule : RNA interactions, particularly given the difficulties of high-resolution structural characterization. HIV RNAs are excellent model systems for method development given their targeting history, known structure-function relationships, and the unmet need for more effective treatments. Herein we report a strategy combining synthetic diversification, profiling against multiple RNA targets, and predictive cheminformatic analysis to identify driving factors for selectivity and affinity of small molecules for distinct HIV RNA targets. Using this strategy, we discovered improved ligands for multiple targets and the first ligands for ESSV, an exonic splicing silencer critical to replication. Computational analysis revealed guiding principles for future designs and a predictive cheminformatics model of small molecule : RNA binding. These methods are expected to facilitate progress toward selective targeting of disease-causing RNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj N Patwardhan
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Regueiro-Ren A, Swidorski JJ, Liu Z, Chen Y, Sin N, Sit SY, Chen J, Venables BL, Zhu J, Nowicka-Sans B, Protack T, Lin Z, Terry B, Samanta H, Zhang S, Li Z, Easter J, Beno BR, Arora V, Huang XS, Rahematpura S, Parker DD, Haskell R, Santone KS, Cockett MI, Krystal M, Meanwell NA, Jenkins S, Hanumegowda U, Dicker IB. Design, Synthesis, and SAR of C-3 Benzoic Acid, C-17 Triterpenoid Derivatives. Identification of the HIV-1 Maturation Inhibitor 4-((1 R,3a S,5a R,5b R,7a R,11a S,11b R,13a R,13b R)-3a-((2-(1,1-Dioxidothiomorpholino)ethyl)amino)-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-2,3,3a,4,5,5a,5b,6,7,7a,8,11,11a,11b,12,13,13a,13b-octadecahydro-1 H-cyclopenta[ a]chrysen-9-yl)benzoic Acid (GSK3532795, BMS-955176). J Med Chem 2018; 61:7289-7313. [PMID: 30067361 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
GSK3532795, formerly known as BMS-955176 (1), is a potent, orally active, second-generation HIV-1 maturation inhibitor (MI) that advanced through phase IIb clinical trials. The careful design, selection, and evaluation of substituents appended to the C-3 and C-17 positions of the natural product betulinic acid (3) was critical in attaining a molecule with the desired virological and pharmacokinetic profile. Herein, we highlight the key insights made in the discovery program and detail the evolution of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) that led to the design of the specific C-17 amine moiety in 1. These modifications ultimately enabled the discovery of 1 as a second-generation MI that combines broad coverage of polymorphic viruses (EC50 <15 nM toward a panel of common polymorphisms representative of 96.5% HIV-1 subtype B virus) with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in preclinical species.
Collapse
|
13
|
Smyth RP, Smith MR, Jousset AC, Despons L, Laumond G, Decoville T, Cattenoz P, Moog C, Jossinet F, Mougel M, Paillart JC, von Kleist M, Marquet R. In cell mutational interference mapping experiment (in cell MIME) identifies the 5' polyadenylation signal as a dual regulator of HIV-1 genomic RNA production and packaging. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:e57. [PMID: 29514260 PMCID: PMC5961354 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNA regulatory elements are important for viral replication, making them promising targets for therapeutic intervention. However, regulatory RNA is challenging to detect and characterise using classical structure-function assays. Here, we present in cell Mutational Interference Mapping Experiment (in cell MIME) as a way to define RNA regulatory landscapes at single nucleotide resolution under native conditions. In cell MIME is based on (i) random mutation of an RNA target, (ii) expression of mutated RNA in cells, (iii) physical separation of RNA into functional and non-functional populations, and (iv) high-throughput sequencing to identify mutations affecting function. We used in cell MIME to define RNA elements within the 5' region of the HIV-1 genomic RNA (gRNA) that are important for viral replication in cells. We identified three distinct RNA motifs controlling intracellular gRNA production, and two distinct motifs required for gRNA packaging into virions. Our analysis reveals the 73AAUAAA78 polyadenylation motif within the 5' PolyA domain as a dual regulator of gRNA production and gRNA packaging, and demonstrates that a functional polyadenylation signal is required for viral packaging even though it negatively affects gRNA production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Redmond P Smyth
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Maureen R Smith
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Arnimallee 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne-Caroline Jousset
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurence Despons
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Géraldine Laumond
- INSERM U1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Decoville
- INSERM U1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre Cattenoz
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christiane Moog
- INSERM U1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Fabrice Jossinet
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marylène Mougel
- IRIM CNRS UMR9004, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Paillart
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Max von Kleist
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Arnimallee 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland Marquet
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Moon MH, Hilimire TA, Sanders AM, Schneekloth JS. Measuring RNA-Ligand Interactions with Microscale Thermophoresis. Biochemistry 2018; 57:4638-4643. [PMID: 29327580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been dramatic growth in the study of RNA. RNA has gone from being known as an intermediate in the central dogma of molecular biology to a molecule with a large diversity of structure and function that is involved in all aspects of biology. As new functions are rapidly discovered, it has become clear that there is a need for RNA-targeting small molecule probes to investigate RNA biology and clarify the potential for therapeutics based on RNA-small molecule interactions. While a host of techniques exist to measure RNA-small molecule interactions, many of these have drawbacks that make them intractable for routine use and are often not broadly applicable. A newer technology called microscale thermophoresis (MST), which measures the directed migration of a molecule and/or molecule-ligand complex along a temperature gradient, can be used to measure binding affinities using very small amounts of sample. The high sensitivity of this technique enables measurement of affinity constants in the nanomolar and micromolar range. Here, we demonstrate how MST can be used to study a range of biologically relevant RNA interactions, including peptide-RNA interactions, RNA-small molecule interactions, and displacement of an RNA-bound peptide by a small molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Moon
- Chemical Biology Laboratory , National Cancer Institute , Frederick , Maryland 21702 , United States
| | - Thomas A Hilimire
- Chemical Biology Laboratory , National Cancer Institute , Frederick , Maryland 21702 , United States
| | - Allix M Sanders
- Chemical Biology Laboratory , National Cancer Institute , Frederick , Maryland 21702 , United States
| | - John S Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory , National Cancer Institute , Frederick , Maryland 21702 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lim CS, Brown CM. Know Your Enemy: Successful Bioinformatic Approaches to Predict Functional RNA Structures in Viral RNAs. Front Microbiol 2018; 8:2582. [PMID: 29354101 PMCID: PMC5758548 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Structured RNA elements may control virus replication, transcription and translation, and their distinct features are being exploited by novel antiviral strategies. Viral RNA elements continue to be discovered using combinations of experimental and computational analyses. However, the wealth of sequence data, notably from deep viral RNA sequencing, viromes, and metagenomes, necessitates computational approaches being used as an essential discovery tool. In this review, we describe practical approaches being used to discover functional RNA elements in viral genomes. In addition to success stories in new and emerging viruses, these approaches have revealed some surprising new features of well-studied viruses e.g., human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, influenza, and dengue viruses. Some notable discoveries were facilitated by new comparative analyses of diverse viral genome alignments. Importantly, comparative approaches for finding RNA elements embedded in coding and non-coding regions differ. With the exponential growth of computer power we have progressed from stem-loop prediction on single sequences to cutting edge 3D prediction, and from command line to user friendly web interfaces. Despite these advances, many powerful, user friendly prediction tools and resources are underutilized by the virology community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun Shen Lim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Chris M Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Antzin-Anduetza I, Mahiet C, Granger LA, Odendall C, Swanson CM. Increasing the CpG dinucleotide abundance in the HIV-1 genomic RNA inhibits viral replication. Retrovirology 2017; 14:49. [PMID: 29121951 PMCID: PMC5679385 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-017-0374-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) structural protein Gag is necessary and sufficient to form viral particles. In addition to encoding the amino acid sequence for Gag, the underlying RNA sequence could encode cis-acting elements or nucleotide biases that are necessary for viral replication. Furthermore, RNA sequences that inhibit viral replication could be suppressed in gag. However, the functional relevance of RNA elements and nucleotide biases that promote or repress HIV-1 replication remain poorly understood. RESULTS To characterize if the RNA sequence in gag controls HIV-1 replication, the matrix (MA) region was codon modified, allowing the RNA sequence to be altered without affecting the protein sequence. Codon modification of nucleotides (nt) 22-261 or 22-378 in gag inhibited viral replication by decreasing genomic RNA (gRNA) abundance, gRNA stability, Gag expression, virion production and infectivity. Comparing the effect of these point mutations to deletions of the same region revealed that the mutations inhibited infectious virus production while the deletions did not. This demonstrated that codon modification introduced inhibitory sequences. There is a much lower than expected frequency of CpG dinucleotides in HIV-1 and codon modification introduced a substantial increase in CpG abundance. To determine if they are necessary for inhibition of HIV-1 replication, codons introducing CpG dinucleotides were mutated back to the wild type codon, which restored efficient Gag expression and infectious virion production. To determine if they are sufficient to inhibit viral replication, CpG dinucleotides were inserted into gag in the absence of other changes. The increased CpG dinucleotide content decreased HIV-1 infectivity and viral replication. CONCLUSIONS The HIV-1 RNA sequence contains low abundance of CpG dinucleotides. Increasing the abundance of CpG dinucleotides inhibits multiple steps of the viral life cycle, providing a functional explanation for why CpG dinucleotides are suppressed in HIV-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irati Antzin-Anduetza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Charlotte Mahiet
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Luke A Granger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Charlotte Odendall
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Chad M Swanson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Morgan BS, Forte JE, Culver RN, Zhang Y, Hargrove AE. Discovery of Key Physicochemical, Structural, and Spatial Properties of RNA-Targeted Bioactive Ligands. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:13498-13502. [PMID: 28810078 PMCID: PMC5752130 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201707641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
While a myriad non-coding RNAs are known to be essential in cellular processes and misregulated in diseases, the development of RNA-targeted small molecule probes has met with limited success. To elucidate the guiding principles for selective small molecule/RNA recognition, we analyzed cheminformatic and shape-based descriptors for 104 RNA-targeted ligands with demonstrated biological activity (RNA-targeted BIoactive ligaNd Database, R-BIND). We then compared R-BIND to both FDA-approved small molecule drugs and RNA ligands without reported bioactivity. Several striking trends emerged for bioactive RNA ligands, including: 1) Compliance to medicinal chemistry rules, 2) distinctive structural features, and 3) enrichment in rod-like shapes over others. This work provides unique insights that directly facilitate the selection and synthesis of RNA-targeted libraries with the goal of efficiently identifying selective small molecule ligands for therapeutically relevant RNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany S Morgan
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708-0346, USA
| | - Jordan E Forte
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708-0346, USA
| | - Rebecca N Culver
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708-0346, USA
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708-0346, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Patwardhan NN, Ganser LR, Kapral GJ, Eubanks CS, Lee J, Sathyamoorthy B, Al-Hashimi HM, Hargrove AE. Amiloride as a new RNA-binding scaffold with activity against HIV-1 TAR. MEDCHEMCOMM 2017; 8:1022-1036. [PMID: 28798862 PMCID: PMC5546750 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00729e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Diversification of RNA-targeted scaffolds offers great promise in the search for selective ligands of therapeutically relevant RNA such as HIV-1 TAR. We herein report the establishment of amiloride as a novel RNA-binding scaffold along with synthetic routes for combinatorial C(5)- and C(6)-diversification. Iterative modifications at the C(5)- and C(6)- positions yielded derivative 24, which demonstrated a 100-fold increase in activity over the parent dimethylamiloride in peptide displacement assays. NMR chemical shift mapping was performed using the 2D SOFAST- [1H-13C] HMQC NMR method, which allowed for facile and rapid evaluation of binding modes for all library members. Cheminformatic analysis revealed distinct differences between selective and non-selective ligands. In this study, we evolved dimethylamiloride from a weak TAR ligand to one of the tightest binding selective TAR ligands reported to date through a novel combination of synthetic methods and analytical techniques. We expect these methods to allow for rapid library expansion and tuning of the amiloride scaffold for a range of RNA targets and for SOFAST NMR to allow unprecedented evaluation of small molecule:RNA interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj N. Patwardhan
- Department of Chemistry
, Duke University
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
.
; Tel: +1 919 660 1522
| | - Laura R. Ganser
- Department of Biochemistry
, Duke University Medical Center
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
| | - Gary J. Kapral
- Department of Chemistry
, Duke University
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
.
; Tel: +1 919 660 1522
| | - Christopher S. Eubanks
- Department of Chemistry
, Duke University
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
.
; Tel: +1 919 660 1522
| | - Janghyun Lee
- Department of Biochemistry
, Duke University Medical Center
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
| | - Bharathwaj Sathyamoorthy
- Department of Biochemistry
, Duke University Medical Center
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
| | - Hashim M. Al-Hashimi
- Department of Chemistry
, Duke University
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
.
; Tel: +1 919 660 1522
- Department of Biochemistry
, Duke University Medical Center
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
| | - Amanda E. Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry
, Duke University
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
.
; Tel: +1 919 660 1522
- Department of Biochemistry
, Duke University Medical Center
,
Durham
, North Carolina 27708
, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Connelly CM, Boer RE, Moon MH, Gareiss P, Schneekloth JS. Discovery of Inhibitors of MicroRNA-21 Processing Using Small Molecule Microarrays. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:435-443. [PMID: 27959491 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The identification of small molecules that bind to and perturb the function of microRNAs is an attractive approach for the treatment for microRNA-associated pathologies. However, there are only a few small molecules known to interact directly with microRNAs. Here, we report the use of a small molecule microarray (SMM) screening approach to identify low molecular weight compounds that directly bind to a pre-miR-21 hairpin. Compounds identified using this approach exhibit good affinity for the RNA (ranging from 0.8-2.0 μM) and are not composed of a polycationic scaffold. Several of the highest affinity compounds inhibit Dicer-mediated processing, while in-line probing experiments indicate that the compounds bind to the apical loop of the hairpin, proximal to the Dicer site. This work provides evidence that small molecules can be developed to bind directly to and inhibit miR-21.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M. Connelly
- Chemical
Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Robert E. Boer
- Chemical
Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Michelle H. Moon
- Chemical
Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Peter Gareiss
- Yale Center for Molecular Discovery, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - John S. Schneekloth
- Chemical
Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pocock GM, Zimdars LL, Yuan M, Eliceiri KW, Ahlquist P, Sherer NM. Diverse activities of viral cis-acting RNA regulatory elements revealed using multicolor, long-term, single-cell imaging. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:476-487. [PMID: 27903772 PMCID: PMC5341730 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-08-0612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cis-acting RNA structural elements govern crucial aspects of viral gene expression. How these structures and other posttranscriptional signals affect RNA trafficking and translation in the context of single cells is poorly understood. Herein we describe a multicolor, long-term (>24 h) imaging strategy for measuring integrated aspects of viral RNA regulatory control in individual cells. We apply this strategy to demonstrate differential mRNA trafficking behaviors governed by RNA elements derived from three retroviruses (HIV-1, murine leukemia virus, and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus), two hepadnaviruses (hepatitis B virus and woodchuck hepatitis virus), and an intron-retaining transcript encoded by the cellular NXF1 gene. Striking behaviors include "burst" RNA nuclear export dynamics regulated by HIV-1's Rev response element and the viral Rev protein; transient aggregations of RNAs into discrete foci at or near the nuclear membrane triggered by multiple elements; and a novel, pulsiform RNA export activity regulated by the hepadnaviral posttranscriptional regulatory element. We incorporate single-cell tracking and a data-mining algorithm into our approach to obtain RNA element-specific, high-resolution gene expression signatures. Together these imaging assays constitute a tractable, systems-based platform for studying otherwise difficult to access spatiotemporal features of viral and cellular gene regulation.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus/physiology
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Gene Products, rev/metabolism
- Genes, env/physiology
- HIV-1
- Mason-Pfizer monkey virus
- Molecular Imaging/methods
- RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional/physiology
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Viral
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid/physiology
- Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid/genetics
- Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid/physiology
- Single-Cell Analysis/methods
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ginger M Pocock
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Laraine L Zimdars
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Ming Yuan
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Kevin W Eliceiri
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Paul Ahlquist
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Nathan M Sherer
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Charrette BP, Boerneke MA, Hermann T. Ligand Optimization by Improving Shape Complementarity at a Hepatitis C Virus RNA Target. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:3263-3267. [PMID: 27775338 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Crystal structure analysis revealed key interactions of a 2-amino-benzimidazole viral translation inhibitor that captures an elongated conformation of an RNA switch target in the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Here, we have designed and synthesized quinazoline derivatives with improved shape complementarity at the ligand binding site of the viral RNA target. A spiro-cyclopropyl modification aimed at filling a pocket in the back of the RNA binding site led to a 5-fold increase of ligand affinity while a slightly more voluminous dimethyl substitution at the same position did not improve binding. We demonstrate that precise shape complementarity based solely on hydrophobic interactions contributes significantly to ligand binding even at a hydrophilic RNA target site such as the HCV IRES conformational switch.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian P. Charrette
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego,
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Mark A. Boerneke
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego,
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Thomas Hermann
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego,
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Drug Discovery Innovation, University of California, San Diego,
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Development of Small Molecules with a Noncanonical Binding Mode to HIV-1 Trans Activation Response (TAR) RNA. J Med Chem 2016; 59:11148-11160. [PMID: 28002966 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules that bind to RNA potently and specifically are relatively rare. The study of molecules that bind to the HIV-1 transactivation response (TAR) hairpin, a cis-acting HIV genomic element, has long been an important model system for the chemistry of targeting RNA. Here we report the synthesis, biochemical, and structural evaluation of a series of molecules that bind to HIV-1 TAR RNA. A promising analogue, 15, retained the TAR binding affinity of the initial hit and displaced a Tat-derived peptide with an IC50 of 40 μM. NMR characterization of a soluble analogue, 2, revealed a noncanonical binding mode for this class of compounds. Finally, evaluation of 2 and 15 by selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) indicates specificity in binding to TAR within the context of an in vitro-synthesized 365-nt HIV-1 5'-untranslated region (UTR). Thus, these compounds exhibit a novel and specific mode of interaction with TAR, providing important suggestions for RNA ligand design.
Collapse
|
23
|
Connelly CM, Moon MH, Schneekloth JS. The Emerging Role of RNA as a Therapeutic Target for Small Molecules. Cell Chem Biol 2016; 23:1077-1090. [PMID: 27593111 PMCID: PMC5064864 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding different RNAs and unique features of their biology have revealed a wealth of information. However, approaches to identify small molecules that target these newly discovered regulatory elements have been lacking. The application of new biochemical screening and design-based technologies, coupled with a resurgence of interest in phenotypic screening, has resulted in several compelling successes in targeting RNA. A number of recent advances suggest that achieving the long-standing goal of developing drug-like, biologically active small molecules that target RNA is possible. This review highlights advances and successes in approaches to targeting RNA with diverse small molecules, and the potential for these technologies to pave the way to new types of RNA-targeted therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M Connelly
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Michelle H Moon
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - John S Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hermann T. Small molecules targeting viral RNA. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 7:726-743. [PMID: 27307213 PMCID: PMC7169885 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Highly conserved noncoding RNA (ncRNA) elements in viral genomes and transcripts offer new opportunities to expand the repertoire of drug targets for the development of antiinfective therapy. Ligands binding to ncRNA architectures are able to affect interactions, structural stability or conformational changes and thereby block processes essential for viral replication. Proof of concept for targeting functional RNA by small molecule inhibitors has been demonstrated for multiple viruses with RNA genomes. Strategies to identify antiviral compounds as inhibitors of ncRNA are increasingly emphasizing consideration of drug‐like properties of candidate molecules emerging from screening and ligand design. Recent efforts of antiviral lead discovery for RNA targets have provided drug‐like small molecules that inhibit viral replication and include inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV), and influenza A virus. While target selectivity remains a challenge for the discovery of useful RNA‐binding compounds, a better understanding is emerging of properties that define RNA targets amenable for inhibition by small molecule ligands. Insight from successful approaches of targeting viral ncRNA in HIV, HCV, SARS CoV, and influenza A will provide a basis for the future exploration of RNA targets for therapeutic intervention in other viral pathogens which create urgent, unmet medical needs. Viruses for which targeting ncRNA components in the genome or transcripts may be promising include insect‐borne flaviviruses (Dengue, Zika, and West Nile) and filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg). WIREs RNA 2016, 7:726–743. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1373 This article is categorized under:
RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule–RNA Interactions Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hermann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Karetnikov A. Commentary: Questioning the HIV-AIDS Hypothesis: 30 Years of Dissent. Front Public Health 2015; 3:193. [PMID: 26301215 PMCID: PMC4528088 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Karetnikov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|